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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.

Ep458: Running Commentary: The Crow

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and Keeping it Reel's David Fowlie cross the finish line with the last (for now) installment of "Running Commentary"! For several months, the guys have been watching and discussing films associated with running and/or homelessness to raise awareness for David's support of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless--for which he's running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon this Sunday!

On deck is an in-depth discussion of Alex Proyas' 1994 comic-book masterpiece, The Crow. Ian and David talk about the source material, the untimely death of star Brandon Lee, and how the film stacks up to later movies in what has become a ubiquitous genre. And David shares his insights into the final days leading up to the big race.

Also, Ian recommends a film that would have been part of "Running Commentary" had he and David known about it sooner. Mark Hayes' transcendent documentary, Skid Row Marathon, follows L.A. criminal court judge Craig Mitchell, who started a running program that has given homeless people the opportunity to run international marathons. Along the way, we hear real-life stories of tragedy and triumph that make this one of the most uplifting and inspiring films in recent memory.

You can catch Skid Row Marathon this Monday, October 14th (the day after race day!) at a one-night-only Fathom Events screening near you!

Episode 458 is going the distance!

Show Guide:

Intro Music: 0:00 - 0:14

Intro: 0:14 - 4:47

The Crow Trailer: 4:47 - 6:06

The Crow Discussion: 06:06 - 1:20:48

Outro Music: 1:20:48 - 1:21:04

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Ep459: Waking NIGHTMAREs

Ep457: Scary Season with Sujewa!