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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.

Ep392: Continental Divide

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and Emmanuel Noisette of EMan's Movie Reviews descend the escalator into Jordan Peele's new horror film, Us! How does the writer/director's sophomore effort stack up to his smash debut, Get Out--and is it even fair to compare the two? How has Peele matured in his storytelling craft and the themes he wants to explore with audiences? And just what is the difference between a horror movie and a thriller?

The guys explore these hot topics, as well as the joys of leftover ice cream in this enlightening, spoilerific discussion!

Also, Ian recommends Bartle Bull's outstanding boxing documentary Cradle of Champions (available now on-demand), and teases a few of the films from the upcoming Chicago Critics Film Festival--now in its seventh year!

Episode 392 isn't afraid to run with scissors!

Show Guide:

A Word from Olivia Jade: 0:00 - 0:07

Intro Music: 0:07 - 0:23

Intro: 0:23 - 5:35

Us Trailer: 5:35 - 8:03

Us Discussion: 8:03 - 1:15:28

Outro Music: 1:15:28 - 1:16:19

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Ep393: TRUE STORIES, Truer Confessions

Ep391: The Indispensables