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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.

Ep1109: Class of '95: Mallrats - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1109: Class of '95: Mallrats - Live Roundtable Review

We continue our look back on the "Class of '95" with a roundtable review of Kevin Smith's sophomore effort, Mallrats!

This "day in the life" (of a mall) comedy centers on recently dumped romantic, TS (Jeremy London) and his annoying best friend, Brodie (Jason Lee). While navigating choppy relationship waters, they must also contend with a cast of weirdos and malcontents; TS's ex's overbearing dad (Michael Rooker); and the filming of New Jersey's lamest gameshow.

Mallrats was a big flop for Smith and Universal, who had banked on the writer/director's indie sensation, Clerks. Despite bad press and empty theaters (and Smith's public apology for the movie on a late-night talk show), Mallrats has developed a cult following over the last three decades, and is worthy of reappraisal.

Join us for a stink-palmin', opinion-slingin' good time! We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!

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Ep1110: IndieSeen: Friendship and Cannes-dor

Ep1110: IndieSeen: Friendship and Cannes-dor

Ep1108: Hello Apocalypse! Live Filmmaker Interview w/ Jeremy Eden

Ep1108: Hello Apocalypse! Live Filmmaker Interview w/ Jeremy Eden