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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.

Ep728: HOME (2021) - Movie Review

Ep728: HOME (2021) - Movie Review

Ian Simmons

Ian and David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel look at one of the year's best films, Franka Potente's Home.

Potente (star of Run Lola Run and The Bourne Identity) makes her feature-writing/directing debut with the story of Marvin (Jake McLaughlin), who returns home from prison after 17 years. He finds an ailing mother (Kathy Bates) and a town that despises him--including Delta (Aisling Franciosi), whom he discovers has a surprising connection to his crime.

In this spoiler-lite review, the guys discuss the many ways in which Potente avoids the narrative pitfalls of similar movies; what Home gets right about its themes of masculinity, religion, and forgiveness; and the one scene that feels slightly out-of-place--but which neither critic would actually want to change.

Home is now playing in select theatres and is available On Demand from Gravitas Ventures.

Show Links:

HOME Round Table w/ Kathy Bates, Franka Potente, and Aisling Franciosi!

HOME Round Table w/ Kathy Bates, Franka Potente, and Aisling Franciosi!
Accademia Giallo: DEATH WALKS ON HIGH HEELS (1971)

Accademia Giallo: DEATH WALKS ON HIGH HEELS (1971)