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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.

Ep452: Late Screening: We Need to Talk About Kevin

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and Cole Rush of The Quill to Live pick some roses and enjoy a "Late Screening" discussion about Sam Medes' Oscar-winning drama, American Beauty. The dark suburban satire made a huge impact on Ian two decades ago, but the viewing experience is markedly different today.

The guys get into Cole's first-timer impressions, and also look closer at how the controversy surrounding Best Actor-winner Kevin Spacey has changed the way people talk about American Beauty.

Also, Ian congratulates Cole on a huge milestone, and briefly returns to the written word for a critique of Derrick Borte's American Dreamer, starring Jim Gaffigan!

Episode 452 is thankful for every single moment of its stupid little life!

Show Guide:

Intro Music: 0:02 - 0:14

Intro: 0:14 - 4:45

American Beauty Trailer: 4:45 - 7:26

American Beauty Discussion: 7:26 - 49:06

Outro Music: 49:06 - 49:22

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Ep453: Running Commentary: The Withouter Limits

Ep451: BLOOD Drive