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.
Blacked – June 4, 2017 Performer: Elsa Jean Context: Part of Elsa Jean’s transitional period from “girl next door” indie star to mainstream premium contract performer.
Rewatching this scene almost six years later, it’s interesting to see why “My Rise in the Ranks” is still cited as a turning point in Elsa Jean’s career arc. Blacked 17 06 04 Elsa Jean -My Rise In The Rank...
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IndustryWatcher
What are your memories of this era of Blacked? Did Elsa’s “rise” peak here or later? Blacked – June 4, 2017 Performer: Elsa Jean
At the time of release (mid-2017), Elsa was already known for her petite frame and energetic performances, but this Blacked debut felt different. The production leans hard into the contrast aesthetic — small stature, innocent look, high-end cinematic lighting, and a male lead who was, at the time, one of the brand’s most frequent headliners. Did Elsa’s “rise” peak here or later