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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.

Have you Herd?

Branching out with a fellow LAMB to Conquer the Internet!

Hey, Again!  My knees are chafed and bloody due to my constant bowing before the awesome power of the Internet.

Less than two days after being accepted as a member of The Large Association of Movie Blogs, I received a flattering e-mail query from Mark Mesaros, proprietor of Cinelogue.  He asked if I'd be interested in writing for his site, which covers mostly international and art-house films.

I accepted immediately, and tonight sees the publication of my Dogtooth review on both Kicking the Seat and Cinelogue!  Not all of my reviews will appear at Cinelogue, but I hope to contribute at least one piece a week, along with the odd exclusive essay and/or brief rant.  Mark has been very supportive of my writing and didn't ask me to change a single thing when coming to work for him.

("Work" is an iffy word in this case: Contrary to your jealous fantasies of my having just become a millionaire Web scribe, I assure you this is an unpaid gig of passion--another salvo in my ongoing struggle to become the king of pro bono online film critics).

All kidding aside, I'm very excited to be part of this new venture.  Thanks again for reading, and take care.

Shoppers Without Borders

Mutton But the Best!