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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.

Ep197: The Race Oscars

This is not your typical Oscars show. Today, Ian is joined once again by Pat "The Über Critic" McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com for a look at three awards contenders in the "Documentary Feature" category. While discussing O.J.: Made in America, I Am Not Your Negro, and 13th, the guys veer into complex and multi-faceted conversations about race, law, conspiracy, and entertainment.

Also, Ian recommends Kedi, a warm and fuzzy documentary opening today at the Music Box Theatre, and provides a heads-up on Asian Pop-Up Cinema's fourth season, which kicks off next week.

Episode 197 reaches beyond the glitz to spotlight a handful of films that artfully confront escapism.

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Ep198: Down the Well of WELLNESS

Ep196: Dark Knight of the Soul