profile pic ian.jpg

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.

A24 Debuts THE END OF THE TOUR Trailer and Poster!

I'm calling it right now: James Ponsoldt's The End of the Tour is one of 2015's best films. The writer/director of The Spectacular Now (which made our Top 13 of 13 list) returns with an adaptation of David Lipsky's book, Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself: A Road Trip with David Foster Wallace.

Look for a KtS review when the movie hits Chicago in early August. For now, check out the debut trailer and poster art, which A24 released last week!

For more information about The End of the Tour, check out A24's website.

THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION w/ Penelope Spheeris!

Chicago Helps PAC-MAN Level-Up for His 35th Birthday!