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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.

Ep420: Brand Practice

Today, The Kicking the Seat Podcast and Nick Allen of RogerEbert.com come together to discuss Danny Boyle's new rom-com/fantasy, Yesterday! Himesh Patel stars as Jack, a struggling young musician who gets hit by a bus and wakes up in a world that has never heard of The Beatles.

Ian and Nick dig into the alternate realities Yesterday could have explored, and debate whether Boyle and screenwriter Richard Curtis delivered the best timeline. This long and winding chat also encompasses pop oddity Ed Sheeran, audience participation, and gaudy corporate greed! Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

Also, Ian talks about two recent Beatles-themed Blu-ray releases: I Wanna Hold Your Hand, from the Criterion Collection, and Backbeat from Shout! Factory! Lastly, the new 90 Under 90 Podcastfinds Ian waxing profane with Jeremy and Dan Eden about the 20th anniversary of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut!

Episode 420 would like to be under the sea!

Show Guide:

A Word from Arthur Jensen: 0:00 - 1:12

Intro Music: 1:12 - 1:26

Intro: 1:26 - 6:10

Yesterday Trailer: 6:10 - 9:09

Yesterday Discussion: 9:09 - 54:55

Outro Music: 54:55 - 55:51

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Ep421: Late Screening: Backing Track

Ep419: I Wanna Hold Your Haneke