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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 Noé, Rachel Brosnahan, Amy 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.

Ep1203: Love, Hope & Chair-ity An Interview with BY DESIGN Writer/Director Amanda Kramer

Ep1203: Love, Hope & Chair-ity An Interview with BY DESIGN Writer/Director Amanda Kramer

Ian Simmons

Amanda Kramer's By Design is far more than "the movie where Juliette Lewis turns into a chair".

It's a surreal slice of cultural critique that looks at frivolous spending, shallow friendships, and the dark side of female friendships. In this brief interview, Ian talks with Kramer about casting 90s rebel icons as people their characters would have despised; finding a new angle on "wish" movies; and working with the great Udo Kier in one of his final roles!

By Design opens in theaters this Friday, courtesy of Music Box Films.

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Show Links

Ep1201: Send Help (2026) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1201: Send Help (2026) - Live Roundtable Review