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.
This article provides a comprehensive comparison of both properties, evaluating their location, amenities, room quality, and service to help you make an informed decision for your stay in 2026.
The film famously "takes its time". It relies heavily on slow-burn glances, ambient sounds, and operatic scoring before any physical intimacy takes place. hotel italia lucas kazan better
The 1999 film Hotel Italia (also released as Vacanze Italiane ) is widely considered one of director Lucas Kazan's finest works, often cited as a superior entry in his filmography due to its elevated production value and artistic sensibilities. This article provides a comprehensive comparison of both
Located on Pavlovlyukhin Street, it offers good access to the city center, though it is not immediately on the main pedestrian Bauman Street. It is a reasonable distance from major attractions like the Kazan Kremlin, making it quiet yet accessible by taxi or public transit. The 1999 film Hotel Italia (also released as
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Unlike some of his later films where the models were sometimes polished to a high-gloss sheen, the men of Hotel Italia possess a raw, earthy quality. They look like men you might actually meet in a dusty Italian town, which grounds the fantasy in a potent reality.