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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.

Puff, Puff, Review!

Kicking the Seat Goes Green!

Hey, Gang!  For the first time ever, I'm doing a "theme" week at Kicking the Seat.  And what better theme for a huge square to tackle than Marijuana Movies?

Yes, in preparation for next month's Chicago premiere of Evil Bong 3D, I've decided to watch and critique movies that go gaga for ganja, kicking off with Michael Blieden's superb documentary, Super High Me.  You can also expect to read my thoughts on the first two Evil Bong flicks soon, as well as the movie that started it all...Reefer Madness!

For those of you who have no interest in drugs, drug culture, or drug culture movies, I invite you to tune back in this weekend for a review of Battle: Los Angeles--which is, technically, thematically appropriate, because I have no idea how I'll make it through that movie straight.

Next week, I'll return to the grab-bag format, hopefully sliding in some of your requests.  Until next time, pass the Dutchie...or something.

A Fortnight o' Fun!

Flocking Awesome!