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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.

Ep132: Herman Yau's Ordinary Heart

Photo by Sophia Wong Boccio

This week, the Kicking the Seat Podcast talks with renowned Hong Kong filmmaker Herman Yau about his new film, The Mobfathers! Last Friday, mere hours before accepting the first-ever Pinnacle Award from Asian Pop-Up Cinema, Mr. Yau sat down with Ian to discuss his career, his friendship with actor Anthony Wong, and the political price of artistic expression.

Also, Ian reports back from the Chicago Critics Film Festival, which continues through this Thursday (May 26). You'll hear capsule reviews of two films that are sure to make his 2016 Top Ten list, and a snippet of red carpet goodness with actor Michael Peña, who showed up to talk about his fantastic new film, War on Everyone.

Episode 132 is definitely a podcast you can't refuse!

To keep up with the latest and greatest in seat-kicking goodness, be sure to follow, like, rate, and subscribe to us on TwitterFacebookiTunes, and Stitcher!

Ep133: Eman's APOCALYPSE!

Ep131: Capitalism: Civil War