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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.

Ep84: 50 Shades of 50 SHADES OF GREY

The KtS Podcast gets all tied up in 50 Shades of Grey! How did a poorly written Twilight knock-off with admittedly complex ideas about sex and relationships get translated into this limp, personality-free movie? Denitsa sits down with Ian to school fans and critics alike for zeroing in on the wrong controversies. Also, Ian talks about the newest KtS Contest, "Me Am LEGO Bizarro!", and teases the third-annual Chicago Critics Film Festival!

Strap in and strap on, 'cause Episode 84 doesn't have a safe word!

Ep85: THE KINGSMAN's Speech / Pity the Critic

Ep83: Left, Right, and SNIPER!