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 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.

Ain't LOVEBIRDS Grand? (SPOILER Review)

Ain't LOVEBIRDS Grand? (SPOILER Review)

Ian Simmons

In today's YouTube-exclusive review, Ian and Don cozy up to Netflix's The Lovebirds! In this millennial version of Date Night, Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae star as a rocky couple who find themselves dodging criminals during a murderous evening of bickering and bullets.

The guys offer their high-level opinions of the film before diving into HEAVY SPOILERS about the actors' chemistry; the elements that separate The Lovebirds from other movies of its kind; and the importance of Michael Showalter's directing in giving audiences an experience they might not expect.

Please follow Don's work at Every Movie Has a Lesson and at 25 Years Later.

If you enjoy this content, please "like" and subscribe to the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel for more commentary and reviews--and leave a comment while you're there!

Teachers Without Pants (ELECTION Spoiler Review)

Teachers Without Pants (ELECTION Spoiler Review)
PROXIMITY Interview with Eric Demeusy

PROXIMITY Interview with Eric Demeusy