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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.

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Coming Soon to a Birthing Suite Near You...

As an answer to all the cheap, derivative crap that Hollywood puts out, my wife and I decided to create something original...a baby!

We're very excited to announce our own little summer blockbuster, which is sure to bring us thrills, screams, and memorable moments to savor for a lifetime.

So far, our little gal/guy is healthy and developing quite nicely; I dare say the baby is "ultra sound" (sorry).

And don't worry: My having a kid won't affect the quality or quantity of film criticism you've come to expect from Kicking the Seat. You might just see the names "Miley Cyrus" and "Elmo" a bit more frequently!

Im-pec-cable Showman!

Kicking the Seat's Top Ten Films of 2009