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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.

Ep553: Reelpolitik: Red/Blue Blues

Ep553: Reelpolitik: Red/Blue Blues

Ian Simmons

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and Don Shanahan of Every Movie Has a Lesson look at Jon Stewart’s subversive and brilliant new comedy, Irresistible! Steve Carell and Rose Byrne star as rival political operatives who descend on a small Wisconsin town to swing a mayoral race (with an eye to applying their strategies in the wider 2020 election).

The guys dig into the film’s pluses and minuses, including a twist ending that is sure to divide audiences and critics alike. This latest installment of our “Reelpolitik” series hits the closest to home, and this could not have been a more enjoyable, hot-button discussion!

Also, Ian invites listeners to read Don’s written review of Irresistible at Every Movie Has a Lesson; tells you about next week’s virtual premiere/Q&A of the great new documentary, Suzi Q; and points you to a new YouTube-exclusive round table review of Spike Lee’s Malcom X!

Episode 553 is from here!

Show Guide:

  • Intro Music: 0:00 - 0:14

  • Intro: 0:14 - 4:29

  • Irresistible Trailer: 4:29 - 6:38

  • Irresistible Discussion: 6:38 - 1:02:31

  • Outro Music: 1:02:31 - 1:02:47

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Ep554: CIAin't

Ep554: CIAin't
Ep552: Oldies with McDonald: Ritchie’s Riches

Ep552: Oldies with McDonald: Ritchie’s Riches