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Welcome to Kicking the Seat!

Ian Simmons launched Kicking the Seat in 2009, one week after seeing Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia. His wife proposed blogging as a healthier outlet for his anger than red-faced, twenty-minute tirades (Ian is no longer allowed to drive home from the movies).

The Kicking the Seat Podcast followed three years later and, despite its “undiscovered gem” status, Ian thoroughly enjoys hosting film critic discussions, creating themed shows, and interviewing such luminaries as Gaspar NoéRachel BrosnahanAmy Seimetz, and Richard Dreyfuss.

Ian is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. He also has a family, a day job, and conflicted feelings about referring to himself in the third person.

Mimi Craven Hosts A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET at HWP!

Hey, Nightmare on Elm Street fans! The spooky cinephiles at Naperville’s Hollywood Palms Cinema want to enhance your Halloween with an extra-special big-screen treat! That’s right, on Friday, October 30th and Saturday, October 31st, you can experience Wes Craven’s genre-bending 1984 opus the way it was meant to be seen!

To sweeten the deal, Mimi Craven (who plays the dream clinic nurse in the film) will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs, and introduce the movie!

Annnd if you show up to the 7pm screening on Friday, you’ll get to see li’l old me moderate a Q&A with Ms. Craven before the show! I promise not to put you to sleep!

For more information, and to purchase tickets for this fun-filled weekend of food, drinks, and dreams, please visit the Hollywood Palms website!

Special thanks to Hollywood Palms and The Chicago Film Critics Association for bringing this awesome event into reality!

Chicago Film Critics Association Announces Best of 2015

Lionsgate Pays Tribute with new MOCKINGJAY PT. 2 Trailer!