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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.

Ep166: November Surprise

This week, the Kicking the Seat Podcast takes on Hacksaw Ridge. Ian once again hunkers down in the Golden Nugget Pancake House with David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel to discuss Mel Gibson's harrowing and eerily relevant World War II drama. This installment marks the conclusion of our "Spirituality in Cinema" meta-trilogy, and we hope you'll find lots to think about here, regardless of where you stand on the spectra of faith, politics, and art. 

Also, Ian has an update about this Friday's 50th anniversary screening of Manos: The Hands of Fate at the Music Box Theatre. You won't want to miss this very special evening, which will feature a Q&A with star Jackey Neyman Jones and co-author of Growing Up with Manos: The Hands of FateLaura Mazzuca Toops! As an added treat, both 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 166 leads the charge to find peace amidst war, and you are the cavalry!

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Ep167: The International Language

Ep165: Shambala