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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.

Ep1210: Scream 7 (2026) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1210: Scream 7 (2026) - Live Roundtable Review

Scream 7 dominated its opening weekend's box office, despite an overwhelmingly negative reception from critics and a tepid audience response.

Has Ghostface finally become a horror movie cliche--that of the exhausted (and exhausting) killer who doesn't know he's dead? Or is there actually something more to returning screenwriter-turned-director Kevin Williamson's film than people realize?

This week, Earth's Mightiest Critics look at the return of Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and the rest of the surviving Scream crew who, after 30 years, are still milking meta-horror for all it's worth.

Join us for a sensational, spoilerific slash through the sixth Scream sequel! We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!

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Ep1211: Through the Tunnel of Shadows: An Interview with Sirat Director Oliver Laxe

Ep1211: Through the Tunnel of Shadows: An Interview with Sirat Director Oliver Laxe

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

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