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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.

Ep544: Said the Spider

Ep544: Said the Spider

Ian Simmons

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and Keeping it Reel's David Fowlie take a tour through the world of historical fiction with a look at Josephine Decker's macabre drama, Shirley!

Elizabeth Moss stars as Shirley Jackson, the mid-century author who created such classics as The Lottery and The Haunting of Hill House. In this alternate-universe tale, Shirley and her lecherous professor husband (played by Michael Stuhlbarg) invite a young married couple to stay in their home. As the reclusive writer becomes more and more obsessed with her latest story idea, her bond with new bride Rose (Odessa Young) takes a dark and manipulative turn.

Ian and David dig into what makes Shirley such a unique (and, at times, uniquely frustrating) film. Also, Ian reminds you to join him and the Spoiler Room crew this Sunday night during Wisconsin's first-ever "Podcastathon"--benefiting families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic!

Episode 544 is upon you!

Show Guide:

Intro Music: 0:00 - 0:14

Intro: 0:14 - 3:07

Shirley Trailer: 3:07 - 4:53

Shirley Discussion: 4:53 - 46:11

Outro Music: 46:11 - 46:27

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Ep545: Hottest Day of the Year

Ep545: Hottest Day of the Year
Ep543: The Mighty Dunks

Ep543: The Mighty Dunks