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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.

Ep255: Honor Thy MOTHER! and Stanton

This week, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and Keeping it Reel's David Fowlie dig deep into Darren Aronofsky’s mother! (don’t read that out loud). The controversial new film tackles some weighty issues in an unconventional fashion, but not everyone can agree on what those issues even are--or if the writer/director effectively deals with them in his twisted horror/drama about a frustrated couple living in isolation. Wild theories and spoilers follow for one of the year’s very best films, so turn back now if you wish to maintain the mystery!

Also, the guys give a brief eulogy for the inimitable Harry Dean Stanton--an actor of such unparalleled caliber that Roger Ebert named half a movie rule after him!

Listen in for all that, plus the return of Asian Pop-up Cinema, the Reeling Film Festival, and the end of our “Never Forget” contest!

Episode 255 would kiss mother! with this mouth!

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Ep256: They're Gonna Make it After All!

Ep254: The Master Cylinder