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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.

Ep586: Reelpolitik: Con Man of the People

Ep586: Reelpolitik: Con Man of the People

Ian Simmons
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Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast returns with another installment of “Reelpolitik”, in which we look at a politically themed film each month leading up to the 2020 election. Today, Ian welcomes back MVP guest host Don Shanahan of Every Movie Has a Lesson for a cutting analysis of Elia Kazan’s 1957 drama, A Face in The Crowd, starring Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, and Walter Matthau.

Griffith stars as Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes, a schemer with a knack for showbusiness and an utter disdain for the commoners who made him fabulously wealthy. Sound like someone you know? Yes, the comparisons to President Donald Trump have been numerous in the last few years, but you’re about to hear several reasons why the the critique is not only sloppy, but in several cases, untrue.

That’s not so say this is a Trump love-fest; rather it’s a level-headed look at the film’s real targets, which pose an even greater threat to humanity than POTUS 45.

Also, Ian invites listeners to check out his latest appearance on The Spoiler Room podcast, in which he discusses Robert Rodriguez’s Sin City! And if you love A Face in the Crowd, check out Criterion’s Blu-ray, which Don talks a bit about during the show.

Episode 586 is the hot mic of podcasts!

Show Guide:

  • Presidential Material: 0:00 - 0:36

  • Intro Music: 0:36 - 0:51

  • Intro: 0:51 - 4:47

  • A Face in the Crowd Trailer: 4:47 - 6:57

  • A Face in the Crowd Discussion: 6:57 - 58:40

  • Outro Music: 58:40 - 58:55

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Ep587: Stunt and Stunt Abilities

Ep587: Stunt and Stunt Abilities
Ep585: Acute Schizophrenic Illiteracy

Ep585: Acute Schizophrenic Illiteracy