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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.

Ep876: Beyond Hammerland: CURSE OF THE DEMON (1957)

Ep876: Beyond Hammerland: CURSE OF THE DEMON (1957)

This month, Ian and AC pass the parchment to Jacques Tourneur's Curse of the Demon!

The 1957 supernatural thriller finds skeptical American scientist John Holden (Dana Andrews) visiting the UK to deliver a lecture debunking renowned devil worshipper Dr. Julian Karswell (Niall MacGinnis). On arriving, he learns that one of his colleagues died mysteriously after having had a suspicious interaction with Karswell. Holden teams up with Karswell's niece, Joanna (Peggy Cummins) to solve a mystery that may just squash Holden's atheism in its razor-sharp brimstone grip!

In this spoiler-filled review, the guys discuss the film's controversial creature; its deft combination of engaging characters and unusual (for the time) story; and Curse's truly mind-blowing special effects--minus one scene in particular!

Show Links:

Ep877: EVIL DEAD RISE (2023) - Movie Review

Ep877: EVIL DEAD RISE (2023) - Movie Review

Ep875: REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955) - Round Table Review

Ep875: REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955) - Round Table Review