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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.

Ep1137: Weapons (2025) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1137: Weapons (2025) - Live Roundtable Review

Earth's Mightiest Critics don't condone violence, but we will review Weapons!

The latest thriller from writer/director Zach Cregger centers on a small town in mourning after 17 grade school children from the same class mysteriously vanish in the middle of the night. Tensions run high as parents suspect the kids' teacher (Julia Garner) of being a witch; as Cregger's Roshomon-style narrative unfolds, the unsettling truth of who orchestrated the mass disappearance comes to light.

In this wild EMC roundtable, we discuss the highs, lows, and WTF's of this artsy, bloody pastiche. The film has garnered much praise as a standout in the genre. But does Weapons live up to the hype--or is it another sad signifier of audiences' diminishing standards for big-studio horror?

Join us for a disarmingly spoilerific look at the latest spooky sensation.

We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!

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Show Links

Ep1138: Say No More, Xenomorph: Alien Earth Ep 01/02 - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1138: Say No More, Xenomorph: Alien Earth Ep 01/02 - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1136: Here We Go Again: The Naked Gun (1988 / 2025) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1136: Here We Go Again: The Naked Gun (1988 / 2025) - Live Roundtable Review