Hollywood's obsession with churning out Z-grade remakes of classic movies has, sadly, infected the indie horror realm. In 1974's Vampyres, director José Larraz prepared a sexy, exotic feast that deftly balanced brain food and empty calories, leaving audiences sated, surprised, and not at all ashamed. Four decades later, Victor Matellano kicks the table over and serves us cold Taco Bell on a dirt floor. How does one improve upon a dreamy tale of bisexual seductresses casually stalking motorists in the English countryside? The answer, of course, is to add a dash of dopey campers and sprinkle in some torture porn. For best results, replace the original's charismatic leads with off-brand centerfold models whose delivery is as flat as the "new" screenplay's through-line is inscrutable. Matellano clearly reveres Larraz's film, which makes his participation in this low-rent facsimile even more puzzling and dispiriting. Michael Bay would be proud.
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.