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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.

Ep1015: MAXXXINE (2024) - Round Table Review

Ep1015: MAXXXINE (2024) - Round Table Review

Earth's Mightiest Critics debate whether or not Maxxxine is worthy of capping off a refreshingly mature horror trilogy or, to paraphrase Mad Magazine, should be rated "Ech, Ech, Ech"!

Mia Goth stars as Maxine Minx, an adult film star who wants nothing more than to pursue a legit acting career in mid-80s Hollywood--and to avoid police questioning about a Texas movie shoot massacre that she survived before arriving in Tinseltown. Her journey to the top is beset by a sleazy PI, moral activists, and a shadowy figure picking off her closest friends (who may or may not be the infamous Nightstalker)!

In this spoilerific round table review, the gang looks at how writer/director Ti West's conclusion to his remarkable "X" trilogy stacks up to predecessors X and Pearl; whether or not a bangin' period soundtrack and obsessive, era-authentic production design can carry a not-so-great script; and the odd sensation of watching 2024 gender politics play out in a 1985-set film.

Subscribe, like, and comment to the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel, and check out kickseat.com for multiple movie podcasts each week!

Show Links

Ep1016: SORRY/NOT SORRY (2024) - Movie Review

Ep1016: SORRY/NOT SORRY (2024) - Movie Review

Ep1014: SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT (1999) - LIVE 25th Anniversary Review

Ep1014: SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT (1999) - LIVE 25th Anniversary Review