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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.

Ep295: BLACK PANTHER Party

This week, the Kicking the Seat Podcast heads to Wakanda for an extended look at Marvel's records-shattering blockbuster phenomenon, Black Panther! Joining Ian on this wild comics odyssey are David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel, Emmanuel Noisette of Eman's Movie Reviews, and Don Shanahan of Every Movie Has a Lesson. The guys talk about the film's cultural significance, its place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and how co-writer/director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan team up to solve the MCU's long-standing villain problem!

Also, Ian points listeners to the trailer for Jason Coffman's upcoming horror comedy, Housesitters; shares his experiences from Wednesday night's Mercury in Retrograde screening at the Gene Siskel Film Center; and wishes a very happy birthday to a very special someone.

Episode 295 believes the hype!

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Ep296: Late Screening: Tying the Room Together

Ep294: Drinking Baby Tears and Throwing Up