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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.

Ep130: Not For Today, But For All Time

This week, the Kicking the Seat Podcast explores the Windy City with Chicago Film Tour’s Patrick McDonald! Neither the cold, nor the construction, nor the NFL Draft traffic could keep Ian and a busload of cinephiles and rained-out Cubs fans from enjoying the Chicago landmarks that made some of their favorite films even more magnificent.

Afterwards, Ian and Pat sat down to discuss the tour’s history, the city’s future, and Patrick’s second-act transformation into the “Über Critic”.*

Also, Ian touches on the upcoming Chicago Critics Film Festival (May 20-26 at the Music Box); last weekend’s conquering box office hero, Captain America: Civil War; and the new George Clooney finance-and-hostages drama, Money Monster. Strap in and get your cameras ready, ‘cause we’re headed to Sweet Home Chicago!

And remember to follow us on TwitterFacebookiTunes, and Stitcher for all the latest seat-kicking goodness!

*Patrick McDonald is everywhere. Need proof? Just try keeping up with all his film-tastic exploits on Twitter, FacebookHollywoodChicago.com, Film Autonomy, and the Lou Dickman Podcast. He's also in a comedy troupe and a band. And be sure to check out Chicago Film Tour on Twitter and Facebook, and reserve yourself a seat by calling (312) 593-4455!

Ep131: Capitalism: Civil War

Ep129: Hey, Good Lookin'!