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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.

Ep240: When You WISH UPON

Today, Emmanuel Noisette of Eman's Movie Reviews returns to the Kicking the Seat Podcast for a look at Wish Upon, a not-very-good horror movie (or is it a thriller?) that centers on a high schooler who gets seven wishes from a cursed Chinese music box. Is this Final Destination/Wishmaster mash-up a cynical, skippable cash grab--or is there a benefit to watching it with an opening-weekend crowd? The guys' answers may surprise you!

Also, Ian shares a cornucopia of Music Box Theatre events, including this weekend's very special debut of Jeff Baena's comedy, The Little Hours; the conclusion of the 70MM Film Festival; and a reception and screening for the new indie Person to Person.

Oh, and did you know that Eman has started a podcast? Check out the debut episode, featuring a conversation about Spider-Man: Homecoming with Don Shanahan of Every Movie Has a Lesson!

Episode 240 will leave you wishing for more wishes (and probably booze)!

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Ep241: Not 'Sploitation

Ep239: The After Laff