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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.

Ep162: What the Blazes?!

This week, the Kicking the Seat Podcast goes straight to Hell with a special double episode about a decidedly un-special movie. Ian sat down with David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel and Emmanuel Noisette of Eman's Movie Reviews to discuss the latest Tom Hanks/Ron Howard paycheck, Inferno.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the guys couldn't record together, so Ian went one-on-one with each guest to get to the bottom of why the third entry in the Robert Langdon Cinematic Universe (which started with2006's The Da Vinci Code) is so. damned. boring. If you're into ageism, conspiracy theories, and the alternate universe in which Irrfan Khan headlines a much better version of this film--this episode is for you!

Also, Ian reminds listeners to pitch in for Dr. A.C.'s Scare-a-Thon, which benefits the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and to get their tickets to the Music Box Theatre's 50th anniversary screening of Manos: The Hands of Fate, which takes place two weeks from tonight!

Inferno may be a backwards movie, but Episode 162 keeps its head on straight!

Note: While editing the episode, I noticed some static noise in the chat with David, which hadn't registered during the actual recording. It goes away after the first eight or so minutes, and I hope it doesn't detract too much from your enjoyment of Mr. Fowlie's spirited rendition of The Eagles' "Take it to the Limit".

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Ep163: VAMPYRES in Love

Ep161: BERTIE Lives Matter