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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.

Ep461: Zombies, Girls, and Punks

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and Keeping it Reel's David Fowlie scoop the last bits of brain out of Zombieland: Double Tap! In one of their shortest film discussions ever, the guys talk about the evolution and regression of modern zombie horror, and how one bright spot does not a satisfying sequel make.

On the plus side, Ian shares an interview he conducted with the stars of Travis Stevens' terrific new indie horror flick, Girl on the Third Floor. He sat down with WWE world champion C.M. Punk (aka Phil Brooks), and actors Sarah Brooks and Travis Delgado, ahead of tonight's red carpet premiere at the Chicago International Film Festival. In this brief but very lively chat, the cast talks genre inspirations; the thrill of shooting a movie in Chicagoland; and what it was like to film in a real-life haunted house.

Also, Ian has an update from Monday's Nightmare on Elm Street episode, and tells you how you can support a fun new Indiegogo project starring New Nightmare's Miko Hughes! Plus, check out the "Written Reviews" section to catch up on Ian's capsule reviews from CIFF!

Episode 461 is now living full-time in the AMC River East!

Show Guide:

Intro Music: 0:00 - 0:14

Intro: 0:14 - 3:26

Girl on the Third Floor Trailer: 3:26 - 5:40

Girl on the Third Floor Interview: 5:40 - 23:25

Intro Ct'd: 23:25 - 25:26

Zombieland: Double Tap Trailer: 25:26 - 27:50

Zombieland: Double Tap Discussion: 27:50 - 50:55

Outro Music: 50:55 - 51:33

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Ep462: Number Two From Hell

Ep460: Initials CIFF