profile pic ian.jpg

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.

Ep335: Great CMXpectations

Thanks to technical problems surrounding a Skype update, you won't be able to hear last night's contentious but loving discussion of Mission: Impossible: Fallout between Ian and Keeping it Reel's David Fowlie today--or probably ever.

Instead, Ian shares his thoughts about the new CMX movie theatres opening today in Skokie's Westfield Old Orchard Mall. He and his wife attended a media preview event earlier this week for the family-oriented CMX Market concept and the high-end, 21-and-over CMX CineBistro. This mini-episode talks about the pros, the cons, and the evidence that we are witnessing the resurrection of the ossified moviegoing experience. 

Episode 335 self-destructed ten seconds ago!

You can keep up with the latest seat-kicking goodness by following, liking, rating, and subscribing to us on TwitterFacebookInstagramiTunes, and Stitcher!

Ep336: Page2Screen: Snitches Get Stitches

Ep334: Late Screening: SAVING's Bond