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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.

Ep119: The Audacity of A NEW HOPE

The KtS Podcast's Star Wars marathon jumps to light-speed a roundtable look at Episode IV: A New Hope! Ian, Gari, Bill, and Charlie revisited the landmark sci-fi adventure recently (actually, the "Special Edition" of it--thanks, George Lucas) and have quite a few things to say. Is the Original Trilogy that much different from the prequels? What gives the older films their longevity? And are droids people, too? Tune in as the gang (kinda, sorta, not really) answers these questions--and more!

Also, Ian shares some unfortunate news regarding Mimi Craven's appearance at Hollywood Palms this weekend; provides a home-stretch update on Aaron Christensen and John Pata's "Scare-a-Thons"; and advises everyone to check out the last couple days of the 51st Chicago International Film Festival.

Episode 119 re-awakened our collective enthusiasm for all things Star Wars, and we hope it does the same for you!

As always, we invite you to comment, follow, like, subscribe to, and share Kicking the Seat on TwitterFacebookiTunes, and Stitcher!

*If you'd like to donate to either "Scare-a-Thon", feel free to contact Aaron and John directly at drach101@gmail.com andjohn.marcus.pata@gmail.com, respectively.

Ep120: LOVE in the Time of NOÉ

Ep118: WITCH's PEAK