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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.

Ep1038: JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX (2024) - LIVE Round Table Review

Ep1038: JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX (2024) - LIVE Round Table Review

Laugh 'til you cry with Earth's Mightiest Critics' round table review of Joker: Folie À Deux!

In 2019, Todd Phillips stunned the world with an Elseworlds take on DC Comics' Clown Prince of Crime. Joker was a grounded, hard-R origin story that, despite a decisive break from the source material, went on to gross over a billion dollars at the global box office--igniting controversy in just about every corner of the Internet.

Despite insisting that the backdoor blockbuster art film starring Joaquin Phoenix would be a one-off, Phillips and co have returned--this time with Lady Gaga in tow, playing a cracked-mirror-universe version of Harley Quinn in a bona fide musical.

The question remains: Is there over two hours more of Arthur Fleck/Joker's story that demands telling? And is Joker 2 a not-so-secret snub of the audience that made the original a dark horse phenomenon?

Join us for a super-serious and solidly sane look at the latest low-key comic book movie! We'll also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!

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

Show Links

  • Watch the Joker: Folie À Deux (2024) trailer.

  • As mentioned in the show: If you're in the Wisconsin area this weekend, check out the Sawdust City Fright Fest (and say "hi" to Mark, who'll be MC'ing some of the screenings!).

Ep1039: SATURDAY NIGHT (2024) - LIVE Round Table Review

Ep1039: SATURDAY NIGHT (2024) - LIVE Round Table Review

Ep1037: There's No Stalgia Like Nostalgia: CRUMB (1994)

Ep1037: There's No Stalgia Like Nostalgia: CRUMB (1994)