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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 Noé, Rachel Brosnahan, Amy 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.

Ep77: THE THEORY OF Top Ten Lists

Ian Simmons

This week, Ian and Matt talk about the surprising narrative intricacies of James Marsh's The Theory of Everything (starring recent Golden Globe nominees Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones). Also, Matt sends Ian into a mental tailspin by questioning the purpose of year-end movie lists--not the best place to wind up as voting for the Chicago Film Critics Association gets under way.

There's also a plug for Kicking the Seat's Pumping Iron contest, and a few words about the ups and downs of screener season. Things get downright cosmic on Episode 77, so strap in and listen well!

Ep78: "Let My Controversies Go!"

Ep76: Old 'STELLAR