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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.

Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens (2016)

If you’re new to all things Sharknado, don’t be fooled by the third sequel’s poster art or subtitle: “The Fourth Awakens” is not “Sharknado in Space” (that was part three, duh!). Whereas previous installments of SyFy’s surprise-smash were contained to Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., respectively (with a brief stint in orbit), this outing sees ex-surfer-turned-savior Fin Shepard (Ian Ziering) and his family chasing carnivorous cyclones across America. Writer Thunder Levin and director Anthony C. Ferrante quadruple down on the Mad Magazine silliness and pseudo-science (sharknado-sensing defense systems?!). Conversely, the production values have improved (no joke), practically robbing Fourth of the series’ crucial Z-grade-effects charm.  The inevitable (and now in-production) fifth chapter promises to take the carnage international. I just hope Ferrante and company realize they’re on the precipice of mediocrity. Sharknado is the rare franchise where better is not better. My advice: go bad, or go home.

Listen to Kicking the Seat Podcast #201 to hear Ian venture to the heart of the Sharknado with series writer Thunder Levin!

Beauty and the Beast (2017)

A Bridge Between Two Worlds (2016)