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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.

Ep952: WONKA (2023) - Round Table Review

Ep952: WONKA (2023) - Round Table Review

Earth's Mightiest Critics celebrate the season by unwrapping their presents early!

But is Will Paul King's Wonka a fanciful fizzy lifting drink of a prequel--or a soggy, repackaged carton of snozzberries?

Find out in this spoilerific and oh-so- scrumdiddlyumptious look at 2023's major holiday blockbuster!

Subscribe, like, and comment to the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel, and check out kickseat.com for multiple movie podcasts each week!

Show Links

  • Watch the Wonka trailer.

  • Check out Mark's Oompa-Loompa-Rific "Movie Man's Movie Minute" on TikTok!

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Ep953: AMERICAN FICTION (2023) - Movie Review

Ep953: AMERICAN FICTION (2023) - Movie Review

Ep951: Late Screening: SCROOGED (1988)

Ep951: Late Screening: SCROOGED (1988)