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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.

Ep224: Because I Could Not Stop for Dickinson

Terence Davies' A Quiet Passion is one of 2017's best films. Ian sat down with the legendary writer/director during National Poetry Month to discuss his affinity for Emily Dickinson; working with Cynthia Nixon to bring the poet's life story to the big screen; and how visual cues mean different things to different audience members.

This short but very sweet chat was conducted in Chicago's Poetry Foundation building, which Ian describes as beautiful, but nearly impossible to access from the street! 

After listening to Episode 224, get thee to the Music Box Theatre for A Quiet Passion and make some (figurative) noise!

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Ep225: Say No More, Xenomorph

Ep223: Malick Doesn't Live Here Anymore