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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 Noé, Rachel Brosnahan, Amy 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.

Ep540: Reelpolitik: Teachers Without Pants

Ep540: Reelpolitik: Teachers Without Pants

Ian Simmons

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and Don Shanahan of Every Movie Has a Lesson indulge in a "Reelpolitik" look at Alexander Payne's dark high school comedy, Election! Matthew Broderick plays a high school teacher who runs afoul of Reese Witherspoon's ambitious student-body presidential candidate in an inventive look at campaigning and dirty tricks.

Real-life educator Don also shares his insights into dealing with student and faculty politics, and talks about what Payne and company get eerily right in their film.

Also, Ian recommends the latest episode of The Spoiler Room Podcast (in which he talks about The Client with Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk), as well as Sujewa Ekanayake's interview with Werewolf Ninja Philosopher star Art Shrian Tiwari!

Episode 540 is feeling scrappy!

Show Guide:

Intro Music: 0:00 - 0:14

Intro: 0:14 - 3:46

Election Trailer: 3:46 - 6:09

Election Discussion: 6:09 - 1:05:01

Outro Music: 1:05:01 - 1:05:15

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Ep541: Hurt 'Til It Laughs

Ep541: Hurt 'Til It Laughs
Ep539: Late Screening: BETTER OFF Wed

Ep539: Late Screening: BETTER OFF Wed