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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.

Ep167: The International Language

There's no way Denis Villeneuve could have predicted that his new film would open in the aftermath of one of the greatest upsets in American political history. But Arrival comes to us with a message we need to hear at a time we need it most. Today's episode, which was recorded on election eve, but which features a bit of post-results commentary in the intro, dives deep into a film that is ostensibly about alien visitation, but which cuts to the heart of our fundamental need for empathy. Ian and David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel unpack all the heady twists and turns in this decidedly spoilerific conversation.

Also, Ian shares some news about Raising Bertie; a unique version of Mad Max: Fury Road; as well as a final reminder to get thee to the Music Box Theatre for tonight's 50th anniversary screening of Manos: The Hands of Fate. This special evening will feature a Q&A with star Jackey Neyman Jones,  Laura Mazzuca Toops (co-author of Growing Up with Manos: The Hands of Fate), and other special guests! And don't forget: Jackey and Laura will appear at Bucket O' Blood Books and Records on Sunday to meet fans and sign copies of their incredible behind-the-scenes book!

Episode 167 has a little time for despair, but no time for intolerance or inaction!

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Ep168: Compare & Contrast

Ep166: November Surprise