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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.

Ep128: A TWISTED Talk with Director Andrew Horn!

Ian Simmons

Much like disco, sitting still really sucks! The Kicking the Seat Podcast just wants to rock, and we're going all out for our glorious return! This week, director Andrew Horn joins Ian to discuss his phenomenal documentary, We Are Twisted Fucking Sister! ahead of its exclusive one-night engagement at Chicago's Music Box Theatre on February 22. The guys talk about Andy's unconventional approach to telling the story of one of the 1980s' biggest rock bands, and how Twisted Sister's journey mirrored his own in putting the film together.* 

Also, Ian explains the podcast's brief hiatus, invites you to get involved with the show, and recommends the fun and informative YouTube channel of a young film critic who goes by "Luke Nuke 'Em"!

Like what you hear? Please subscribe to the Kicking the Seat Podcast via iTunes and/or Stitcher!

*In the interview, Andy mentions a couple of scenes/clips that didn't make it into the final film or the DVD extras. The first is a clip from the director's previous documentary, during which he met Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French. The second shows the band engaging the audience during a concert.

Ep129: Hey, Good Lookin'!

Ep127: Into the Sunset