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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.

Ep1092: A Minecraft Movie (2025) - Live Round Table Review

Ep1092: A Minecraft Movie (2025) - Live Round Table Review

A Minecraft Movie is high-gloss, empty-calorie, IP garbage...right?

Not so fast, ya zombies!

Join Earth's Mightiest Critics as we build a case for the year's biggest box office sensation--directed by the guy who brought you Napoleon Dynamite!

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Ep1093: Warfare (2025) - Movie Review

Ep1093: Warfare (2025) - Movie Review

Ep1091: Target Audience: A Minecraft Movie (2025)

Ep1091: Target Audience: A Minecraft Movie (2025)