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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.

Ep175: You Don't Know JACKIE

This week, The Kicking the Seat Podcast conspires with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com to examine Pablo Larrain's impactful new film, Jackie! Fifty-three years on, there's still a great deal of mystery surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and Larrain and screenwriter Noah Oppenheim have crafted a stirring portrait of a First Lady in mourning--anchored by an uncannily spot-on performance by Natalie Portman. Listen in as Ian and Pat talk aesthetics, accents, and American amnesia--with a little help from the late, great Bill Hicks.

Ian finally got his "Pat Pic" after the guys met JACKIE director Pablo Larrain in October!

Also, Ian reminds you to reserve your seat for a special January 19th screening of the documentary Embrace, hosted by the Now Playing Network's Jim Laczkowski. The movie follows first-time Australian filmmaker Taryn Brumfitt as she circles the globe examining body issues and body-shaming, and their impact on different societies. Jim has teamed with Gathr to put on a show at Chicago's AMC River East, which will include a screening and a Q&A moderated by Jim. All proceeds will go to the Chicago Women's Health Center

Lastly, Ian offers special thanks to Phil Gullett of Phil Are Go! for helping to improve the audio presentation of this (and future) episodes.

Episode 175 invites you to kick back (and to the left) and enjoy the show!

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Ep176: Taking the LONG WAY NORTH with Rémi Chayé

Ep174: MANCHESTER Divided