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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.

Ep174: MANCHESTER Divided

This week, the Kicking the Seat Podcast wades deeper into Awards Season with a look at Kenneth Lonergan's Manchester by the Sea! You'll find few dissenting voices regarding this highly praised new drama, and only David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel could talk Ian down from the critical ledge (Surprise, surprise, Ian didn't care for a movie everyone loves). During this lengthy and spoiler-filled discussion, the guys debate character, structure, and emotional consistency, while digging deep to find common ground.

Also, Ian puts out a clarion call on behalf of the Now Playing Network's Jim Laczkowski, who has teamed with Gathr to host a January 19th* screening of the new documentary, Embrace, at Chicago's AMC River East Theatre. The movie follows first-time Australian filmmaker Taryn Brumfitt as she circles the globe examining body issues and body-shaming, and their impact on different societies. Not only will your ticket enable the screening and a Q&A moderated by Jim, all proceeds will go to the Chicago Women's Health Center! This is the essence of crowd-funding, so let's build a crowd!

Love. Laughter. Truth. A Transformers: The Movie reference. Episode 174 has it all!

*Note: In the intro, I incorrectly referred to a January 13th screening. The event will take place on the 19th at 7:30pm.

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Ep175: You Don't Know JACKIE

Ep173: Candyland Path of Peril