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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.

Ep405: HAIL and Hearty w/ Penny Lane

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast talks with Penny Lane about her outrageous and eye-opening new documentary, Hail Satan?, now playing in limited release!

Last month, Ian caught up with the filmmaker behind Nuts and Our Nixon during the Doc10 Festival, where Hail Satan? had its Chicago debut. In this spoiler-free conversation, Lane talk about the myths surrounding Satanism; the highs and lows of profiling members of The Satanic Temple; and the film's kick-ass but possibly controversial poster.

Also on tap this episode, Ian talks about:

  • A special Hail Satan? screening taking place this Saturday at the Music Box Theatre

  • A screening of Michael Glover Smith's Rendezvous in Chicago happening the same night at Chicago Filmmakers and featuring a Q&A with Smith and cast, moderated by Keeping it Reel's David Fowlie

  • Shout! Factory's new Blu-ray of the essential animation documentary, Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki

  • The Gene Siskel Film Center's annual Renaissance Award presentation, taking place this June, and featuring Jon Favreau in conversation with Robert Downey, Jr.!

Episode 405 is going straight to Hell!

Show Guide:

The Greatest Trick: 0:00 - 0:06

Intro Music: 0:06 - 0:21

Intro: 0:21 - 6:08

Hail Satan? Trailer: 6:08 - 8:15

Penny Lane Interview: 8:15 - 32:04

Outro Music: 32:04 - 32:19

Farewell, Peter: 32:19 - 32:21

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Ep406: Trilogy and Tribulation

Ep404: Film Not Found