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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.

Ep326: IZZY Worth It

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and Keeping it Reel's David Fowlie bring you an impromptu look at Christian Papierniak's wonderful new dramedy, Izzy Gets the Fuck Across Town. The new film from Shout! Studios stars Mackenzie Davis as a wannabe rocker who traverses Los Angeles in order to break up her ex-boyfriend's engagement party. What begins as an indulgent profile of youthful self-absorption evolves into one of the year's most complex and thoughtful films.

Ian and David go all-in here, so if you haven't seen the movie (which you absolutely should while it's still playing the AMC River East in Chicago), check bookmark this episode when you're ready for the guys' off-kilter, in-depth analysis.

Also, Ian talks about some of tonight's Cinepocalypse screenings at the Music Box, and reminds you that David will host a screening of one of his favorite 2018 films, The Rider, at Downers Grove's historic Tivoli Theatre. This event includes a Q&A with David afterwards, and is presented by the After Hours Film Society.

Episode 326 finds no shame in taking the bus!

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Ep327: Late Screening: Science and Danger!

Ep325: Ballin' KINGDOM