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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.

Ep118: WITCH's PEAK

This week, Ian conjures a cadre of critics discuss VinDiesel's sorcerers-among-us fantasy, The Last Witch Hunter! Emmanuel Noisette of Eman's Movie Reviews returns to the podcast, along with EMR contributor Harold Egbo. While sorting out their reactions in the theatre lobby, the guys get "podbombed" by Ian's friend Chad and his group of moviegoing pals. A Crimson Peak pile-on ensues, making for one of the most raucous and surprising episodes yet!

Also, Ian issues a real rabbit-hole of a spoiler warning, touches on some creepy-cool October events,* and encourages everyone to see Lenny Abrahamson'sRoom, which opens in limited release this weekend.

Episode 118 contains more over-the-shoulder-smoulder than you can shake a wand at, so you'd best brush up on your invincibility spells!

As always, we invite you to comment, follow, like, subscribe to, and share Kicking the Seat on TwitterFacebookiTunes, and Stitcher! You can also follow Emmanuel on Twitter and Instagram for the latest in spoiler-free-movie-review goodness!

*1. The "Scare-a-Thons" just can't be stopped! It's not too late to help Dr. AC and John Pata raise money and awareness for some great organizations by sponsoring their Halloween-season horror-movie marathons (feel free to contact them directly at drach101@gmail.com and john.marcus.pata@gmail.com, respectively).

2. The 51st Chicago International Film Festival concludes this Thursday! There's still time to catch dozens of films, discussions, and related cool events around the Windy City.

3. Have you marked your Halloween weekend calendars yet? Join Mimi Craven at Naperville's Hollywood Palms Theatre next Friday and Saturday to experience 1984's A Nightmare on Elm Street on the big screen! She'll be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs, and participate in Q&As--including Friday's pre-movie chat, moderated by Ian!

Ep119: The Audacity of A NEW HOPE

Ep117: The Enemy of the Good