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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.

Ep173: Candyland Path of Peril

The Kicking the Seat Podcast shakes off the late-fall doldrums with a breath of fresh island air! This week, Don Shanahan of Every Movie Has a Lesson and his wife, Thanh, join Ian at the Golden Nugget to discuss all things Moana. How does Disney's latest animated marvel stack up to its catalogue of musical blockbusters? Where's the line between mythology and mumbo-jumbo? And is everything really better with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson?

Everything's on the table (right next to the bacon) in this lively late-night chat about a truly charming film. As a bonus, the gang touches on the new pre-feature short film, Inner Workings.

Episode 173 gives thanks for CGI escapism and kick-ass female heroes (not all of whom are princesses)!

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Ep174: MANCHESTER Divided

Ep172: Men in Black (Magic)