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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.

Ep151: Blaring WITCH

In this week's second blockbuster episode, Aaron Christensen (of the the film blog Horror 101 with Dr. A.C.) returns to talk with Ian about all things Blair Witch! Immediately following an advance screening of Adam Wingard's found-footage sequel, the guys pulled up a table in the Music Box Theatre lounge and unpacked one of the year's loudest and least necessary films. Contrary to what you might think, this conversation isn't a bash-fest. Rather, it's a great look at how two people can share similar opinions of a film, while having had very dissimilar reactions to the experience of watching it.

Also, Ian reminds listeners of the special event taking place October 6 at the Music Box: Fabio Frizzi will conduct a live "Composer's Cut" of Lucio Fulci's horror classic, The Beyond. Tickets are on sale now!

And if you're in the Chicagoland area this weekend, be sure to check out Max Rose, starring Jerry Lewis--which opens at the Landmark Renaissance Place Theatre in Highland Park. If you haven't already, listen to Ian's conversation with writer/director Daniel Noah from episode 149.

Now, join us in the foreboding wilds of film commentary as Episode 151 goes witch-huntin'!

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Ep152: MagCIFFicent!

Ep150: Remade in the Shade