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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.

Ep482: Heart and SOLSTICE with Jerry Vasilatos

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast shares a bonus episode as Ian interviews filmmaker Jerry Vasilatos about his heartwarming 1994 feature, Solstice! The film debuts on limited-edition Blu-ray this weekend, and centers on Nick (Michael Kelley), a lonely Chicagoan who spends Christmas Eve wandering the city in search of some holiday spirit. Encounters with friends and strangers cause him to rethink his perspective, and maybe even embrace some old-fashioned goodwill.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Jerry shares the life-altering event that led him to make the film; talks about getting picked up by Lifetime as the network's first original Holiday Movie; and the daunting journey to restoring his passion project for the digital age.

If you want to catch Solstice on the big screen, Jerry will be at the Pickwick Theatre in Park Ridge, IL, next Tuesday. In addition to participating in a post-screening Q&A, he'll be on hand to meet fans and collect donations for Toys for Tots!

Episode 482 is renewed, revived, and restored!

Show Guide:

Intro Music: 0:00 - 0:14

Intro: 0:14 - 3:10

Solstice Trailer: 3:10 - 4:51

Solstice Interview with Jerry Vasilatos: 4:51 - 45:54

Outro Music: 45:54 - 46:10

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Ep483: Angst, KNIVES AND SKIN with Jennifer Reeder

Ep481: Basement LEVEL