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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.

Ep270: Mjölnir Miss

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and Keeping it Reel's David Fowlie become the Asgardians of the Galaxy to take on Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok! How do the latest adventures of Thor, Hulk, and newcomer Valkyrie stack up to previous Thor movies--and to the MCU's other star-hopping serial? And is Ragnarok weird and funny enough to deserve all the pre-release hype?

The guys summon all the power of the heavens to bring you their fresh, funny, and not-so-flattering takes!

Also, Ian rants about movie theatre trash; urges you to prepare for the Cinemapocalypse (unfolding now at Chicago's Music Box Theatre); and tells you about a special 30th anniversary screening of Predator coming up on Wednesday, November 8th at Classic Cinemas Elk Grove--hosted by THE David J. Fowlie!

Episode 270 will smack you with a rubber hammer!

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Ep271: Embracing the Chaos (Joe Lynch Returns!)

Ep269: Tricks, Treats, and Twists with Michele Martin