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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.

Ep712: Flight Risk: An Interview with THE STARLING Screenwriter Matt Harris

Ep712: Flight Risk: An Interview with THE STARLING Screenwriter Matt Harris

Ian Simmons

Ian speaks with screenwriter Matt Harris about his new Netflix film, The Starling!

Melissa McCarthy and Chris O'Dowd star as Lily and Jack, a couple struggling to save their marriage following a life-altering tragedy. After Jack is committed to a mental institution, Lily seeks help from a retired therapist-turned-veterinarian, played by Kevin Kline. Complicating Lily's crumbling world is a ruthless starling that has taken up residence in the front yard, acting as both menace and metaphor.

In this honest and enlightening discussion, Matt talks about how his screenplay winding up on the famous Black List changed his life; the surprising story switch that caused the entire Starling team to re-evaluate their narrative; and how he contends with the barrage of negative pre-release reviews.

The Starling premieres on Netflix this Friday, September 24th.

Show Links:

Ep713: Awfully Great: COOL AS ICE

Ep713: Awfully Great: COOL AS ICE
Ep711: AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973) - Movie Review

Ep711: AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973) - Movie Review