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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.

Ep126: First Order of Business

The biggest movie of 2015 is upon us, and our very own Jedi council returns to discuss J.J. Abrams' Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens!This installment caps off a five-month journey of detailed discussions concerning all things Star Wars, and we hold nothing back in breaking down the series' triumphant return to form.

In other words...

If you have not yet seen the film, DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE!

As an added treat, Ian, Gari, Bill, and Charlie welcome newcomer Kevin to the show. His truly unique perspective on the franchise helps bridge the gap between decades-loyal fans and those whose familiarity with Star Wars largely comes from the collective pop consciousness. This is one hell of a conversation, folks, and we do hope you enjoy it!

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

Seriously, this is your last chance. If you have not yet seen the film, DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE! Turn back now!!!

Ep127: Into the Sunset

Ep125: Sagacious Crumbs