profile pic ian.jpg

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.

[VOLDEMORT] Movie Review

[VOLDEMORT] Movie Review

Ian reviews a new horror/comedy whose very title has been devoured by the Internet! Does Keola Racela's early-nineties throwback live up to the sin-loving, skin-flaying mischief implied by its poster, or is it just another unexploded nostalgia bomb? You'll find out in this spoiler-light critique!

If you rent [VOLDEMORT] through Vimeo, a portion of the fee will go to support Chicago's legendary Music Box Theatre during its temporary COVID-induced closure! 

If you enjoy this content, please consider subscribing to the Kicking the Seat 

YouTube channel

 for more commentary and reviews--and leave a "like" and a comment while you're there!

Late Screening: Alternative Facts (MEMENTO Review!)

Late Screening: Alternative Facts (MEMENTO Review!)

The Slowdown: Cold Turkey

The Slowdown: Cold Turkey