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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.

Ep698: HABIT-Forming with Janell Shirtcliff

Ep698: HABIT-Forming with Janell Shirtcliff

Ian talks with filmmaker Janell Shirtcliff, whose feature debut Habit premieres in select theatres and On Demand this Friday, August 20th!

The photographer/model/actress/music video director makes the leap with a wild story about three women who masquerade as nuns in order to escape the wrath of a crazed drug lord. Far from the quaint fare of Sister Act or Nuns on the Run, Habit is a candy-colored, hypersexual plumbing of the depths, populated by eccentric underworld lunatics and a main character whose relationship with God is...unique.

Shirtcliff shares what it was like writing the movie with childhood friend (and star) Libby Mintz; how she came up with Habit's evocative 90s aesthetic; and what her God-fearing mother thought of the final film!

Show Links:

Ep699: Resilient Realities: An Interview with DEMONIC Star Carly Pope

Ep699: Resilient Realities: An Interview with DEMONIC Star Carly Pope

Ep697: The Slowdown: THE TREE OF LIFE (SERIES FINALE!)

Ep697: The Slowdown: THE TREE OF LIFE (SERIES FINALE!)