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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.

Ep159: CARRIE Unplugged

Kicking the Seat celebrates the scary season by looking back at Carrie with Aaron Christensen, of Horror 101 with Dr. A.C.! Yes, Brian De Palma's horror masterpiece turns 40 this year, and our friends at Scream! Factory have unleashed an extras-packed, gorgeously restored Blu-ray, which the guys talk about in-depth. What holds up four decades on? What doesn't? Can Ian be forgiven for criticizing one of our most beloved visionary filmmakers?

Also, Aaron provides a status update on his annual Scare-A-Thon, which this year benefits the Greater Chicago Food Depository. You can sign up to help horror fight hunger by emailing him at drach101@gmail.com.

And don't forget to visit Classic Cinemas Elk Grovetonight for the next installment of the Critic's Classics Series. F This Movie's Patrick Bromley will introduce Wes Craven's landmark horror film, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and host a Q&A after the show! All your screams come true at 7pm!

Lastly, Ian teases his appearance on the upcoming episode of Michael Smith's White City Cinema Radio Hour podcast! He sat down with the writer/director of Cool Apocalypse and with David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel to discuss the Chicago International Film Festival--which kicks off tomorrow!

If you don't listen to Episode 159, they're all gonna laugh at you!*

You can keep up with the latest seat-kicking goodness by following, liking, rating, and subscribing to us on TwitterFacebookiTunes, and Stitcher!

*Whoever "they" are.

Ep160: Orbituary

Ep158: A NATION Divided