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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.

Ep1158: One Battle After Another (2025) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1158: One Battle After Another (2025) - Live Roundtable Review

Critics are ecstatic over Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another. On this week's livestream you'll hear the Mightiest of them discuss why it may be 2025's best film.

You'll also get Ian's take.

Join us for a spoilerific system smasher--along with your questions, comments, and SuperChats!

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Show Links

Ep1159: Hell of a Western: Interviews with Killing Faith Star DeWanda Wise and Writer/Director Ned Crowley

Ep1159: Hell of a Western: Interviews with Killing Faith Star DeWanda Wise and Writer/Director Ned Crowley

Ep1157: Featured Extras: Superman (2025)

Ep1157: Featured Extras: Superman (2025)