profile pic ian.jpg

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.

Ep590: I Dream of JIRO

Ep590: I Dream of JIRO

Ian Simmons
Podcast_Image_Ep590.png

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and HollywoodChicago.com’s Pat “The Uber Critic” McDonald feast on David Gelb’s 2011 documentary, Jiro Dreams of Sushi! The film centers on renowned sushi master Jiro Ono and the Michelin-rated restaurant he runs inside a Japanese subway station.

Chronicling a life of unwavering dedication to serving simple yet utterly perfect food to customers from all over the world, Jiro Dreams of Sushi is an aspirational guide to anyone striving to master a craft. Ian and Pat talk about how Gelb’s film mirrors his focused and emotionally distant subject, and recount their own experiences of the daily grind to greatness.

Also, Ian invites you to listen to his YouTube-exclusive interview with Frally Hynes about her stirring cover of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”, which is featured in Alexandra Dean’s documentary, This Is Paris! And be sure to subscribe to the channel so you’ll be notified when we go live this Friday for the first of five “Scare-a-Thon” livestreams!

Episode 590 strives for perfection in all things!

Show Guide:

Intro Music: 0:00 - 0:14

Intro: 0:14 - 2:59

Jiro Dreams of Sushi Trailer: 2:59 - 5:18

Jiro Dreams of Sushi  Discussion: 5:18 - 57:58

Outro Music: 57:58 - 58:14

Keep up with the latest seat-kicking goodness by following, liking, rating, and subscribing to us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, iTunes, Stitcher!

Ep591: Ultra Disturbing

Ep591: Ultra Disturbing
Ep589: Late Screening: Commercial for Charisma

Ep589: Late Screening: Commercial for Charisma