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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.

Ep297: Good Guy with a Gun

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel take on the Windy City's criminal underworld with a look at the Death Wish remake. In this fragile climate of gun violence, what chance does a vigilante throwback have at the box office? Has star Bruce Willis finally giving up--or is he just getting started giving up? And why are there so many Witchcraft sequels?

The guys break down the hard-hitting issues surrounding Eli Roth's ghoulish crowd-pleaser, and even squeeze in a bit of Oscar talk.

Also, Ian reminds you to get your thumbs and quips ready for tomorrow's F This Movie Fest, and to keep your ear to the ground regarding the sixth Chicago Critics Film Festival (premiering in May at the Music Box Theatre).

Episode 297 isn't gonna kill you. Jack is!

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Ep298: Ask Forgiveness, Not Permission

Ep296: Late Screening: Tying the Room Together