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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.

Ep1095: The Amateur (2025) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1095: The Amateur (2025) - Live Roundtable Review

The Amateur is a hilarious new comedy about a CIA analyst whose world is turned upside down when he finds out the Agency isn't trustworthy!

Or did Earth's Mightiest Critics read the latest Rami Malek vehicle totally wrong?

Join us for secrets, spoilers, and your SuperChats (plus regular ol' comments and questions)!

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Show Links

Ep1096: There's No Stalgia Like Nostalgia: The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)

Ep1096: There's No Stalgia Like Nostalgia: The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)

Ep1094: The Sugarland Express (1974) - Movie Review w/ Armond White

Ep1094: The Sugarland Express (1974) - Movie Review w/ Armond White