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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.

Ep351: Page2Screen: Something Wonderful

Today, The Kicking the Seat Podcast and Cole Rush of ColeTries.com set off for parts unknown with a "Page2Screen" look at 2001: A Space Odyssey! Just over a year ago, the guys caught a screening of Stanley Kubrick's 1968 sci-fi adventure at the Music Box Theatre's 70MM Film Festival. This week, they returned for an encore presentation, having since read Arthur C. Clarke's novel. The discussion that follows is a deeper dive into the plotting, themes, and wild ideas that have delighted and bewildered fans for half a century.

Also, Ian shares some news about the HousesittersKickstarter campaign, and talks about the films closing out the Music Box's 70MM Film Festival today and tomorrow--including an encore of 2001!

Episode 351 is mission critical!

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Ep352: BLAZE of Glory

EP350: YEAR OF THE DRAGON