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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.

Ep108: Every Saga Has a Prequel

With Star Wars: The Force Awakens opening in just a few short months, The KtS Podcast embarks on a multi-part saga of its own, beginning with 1999's Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Joining Ian on this fool's errand is a veritable Jedi Council of artist friends who grew up during various eras of Star Wars' inescapable pop influence.

How does the film hold up sixteen years later? Did it hold up in the first place? Can we feel the good in this one, or is every scene a ponderous pile of poodoo? Ian, Bill Gudmundson, Jessica "Gari" Garibaldi, and Charlie Baruffi dive into the menace full-force to get some answers!

Also, Ian throws a verbal Pity party for one of his favorite shorts from last year (now on Blu-ray)!

Bust out your midichlorian readers, 'cause Episode 108 is off the charts!

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

Ep109: First-Timers' Disgust

Ep107: Good in Other Things