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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.

Ep622: WHITE CHRISTMAS - Movie Review

Ep622: WHITE CHRISTMAS - Movie Review

Ian Simmons

Ian and Pat "The Über Critic" McDonald wake up early to unwrap White Christmas!

Continuing their holiday tradition of discussing a movie Ian had never seen before, the guys plow through Michael Curtiz's 1954 classic musical about a reluctant quartet of song-and-dance performers who rally to save a struggling Vermont inn. Those are the broad strokes of a nuanced (and very funny) plot that ties love, war, and showbiz in a velvety, toe-tapping bow.

Ian and Pat pay respects to the physical and comedic brilliance of stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen; remark on the surprising connection to the John Wayne/John Ford "Cavalry Trilogy"; and tiptoe through some of the film's less-than-2020-friendly aspects.

Show Links:

Ep623: When You Wish Upon a Sequel... (WONDER WOMAN 1984)

Ep623: When You Wish Upon a Sequel... (WONDER WOMAN 1984)
Ep621: SOUL - Movie Review

Ep621: SOUL - Movie Review