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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.

Ep97: Phase Too / AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON

Ian Simmons

This week, podcasting's mightiest heroes assemble! And in another room down the hall, Ian and Graham talk about Avengers: Age of Ultron. The guys find more cracks than wall in Marvel's latest mega-franchise offering, and wonder how long this brand of off-the-rack filmmaking will be acceptable to audiences who literally show up for anything.

Also, Ian talks about tonight's exciting screenings at The Chicago Critics Film Festival, and urges everyone in the Midwest to run, drive, and teleport to the North Side's fabulous Music Box Theatre for the last two nights of the fest! Episode 97 is a smashing good time that's sure to leave you "mighty Thor"!*

*Sorry.

Ep98: Cuddle Buddies

Ep96: He's Been Usin' Brand X!