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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.

Keeping The Family Together

Fans of Incest, Unite!

As you may know, a film called Incest Death Squad 2 made my ten-best list two years ago. It's a night-and-day improvement over the original, not only story-wise, but also in terms of filmmaking. Writer/director Cory Udler matured a lot between movies, and IDS2 pops with great music, outrageous plot developments, and characters that are at once completely deranged and oddly empathetic.

The end of that film left little room for a sequel. Udler said what he'd needed to say about the murderous Wayne siblings, and I was happy to see him move on to new material. He followed up with Mediatrix, a deliciously twisted look at manipulated spirituality. With each new project, Ulder does more with less and the results--subject matter aside--are always fascinating. He has the pioneer spirit of a true indie auteur, one that rejects convention in favor of making the kind of out-there entertainment he wants to see, on his own terms.

Unfortunately, spirit alone doesn't pay for locations, actors, or wardrobe--which is why sites like IndieGoGo and Kickstarter are so important in fostering independent talent. Right now, Cory is hosting an IndieGoGo campaign to fund the conclusion of what is now his "Incest Trilogy", I.D.S. Rising. Full disclosure, I have no stake in this production, other than curiosity and a selfish desire to see what Ulder does next (of the recently completed script, he tweeted, "U may not like this!"). When IDSR comes out, I'll have the same crossed fingers and analytical mind with which I approach every new film.

So, if you have some spare cash to donate to the arts, or if you just like the idea of your name appearing in a film's credits (even the lowest contribution level comes with a spiffy "Honorary Producer" title), please consider doing so in the next three weeks. Depending on your sensibilities, I can't guarantee you'll won't regret it, but this critic will certainly be very, very happy.

Vamping and Revamping

The Top Ten of '11