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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.

Ep1207: Down on the Farce: An Interview with the Filmmakers and Star of BLOOD BARN

Ep1207: Down on the Farce: An Interview with the Filmmakers and Star of BLOOD BARN

In the 1980s horror/comedy homage Blood Barn, a group of camp counselors celebrate the end of summer with a trip to Josie's (Lena Redford) deep woods family home. There, they relax and party in a massive, bizarrely furnished barn and unwittingly awaken demonic forces.

Today, Ian talks with Blood Barn director/co-writer Gabriel Bernini, co-writer Alexandra Jade, and star Lena Redford (granddaughter of Robert Redford, who passed away last year). From drawing on classic horror movies; to being the one of the few "straight" actors in a team of improv performers; and making the jump from short films to feature debut, this conversation looks at the grit and giggles of starting out in the movies.

Blood Barn is now streaming on Screambox.

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Show Links:

  • Watch the Blood Barn (2026) trailer.

Ep1206: Ben-Hur (1959) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1206: Ben-Hur (1959) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1205: Wuthering Heights (2026) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1205: Wuthering Heights (2026) - Live Roundtable Review