Editorial Review:Description:(Horror) A fun zombie film that busts at the seams with gross special effects, amazing action, and deliciously over-the-top moments, as gun-legged Cherry Darling and one man wrecking crew El Wray try to save the world from a horde of flesh-eating zombies.
Amazon.com:Loud, fast, and proudly out of control,
Grindhouse is a tribute to the low-budget exploitation movies that lurked at drive-ins and inner city theaters in the '60s and early '70s. Writers/directors Quentin Tarantino (
Kill Bill) and Robert Rodriguez (
Sin City) cooked up this three-hour double feature as a way to pay homage to these films, and the end result manages to evoke the down-and-dirty vibe of the original films for an audience that may be too young to remember them. Rodriguez's
Planet Terror is a rollicking horror/sci-fi/action piece about a plague outbreak that turns citizens into cannibalistic murderers; it's heavy on the gore and explosions but also features a terrific cast of A players (Freddy Rodriguez, Naveen Andrews, Marley Shelton) and B-movie vets (Michael Biehn, Jeff Fahey, Tom Savini) and the indelible image of Rose McGowan as a stripper whose torn-off leg is replaced by a high-powered machine gun.
If Tarantino's feature was a nod to the moody, genre-jumping exploitation of the early '70s, Rodriguez's contribution to the
Grindhouse aesthetic pays tribute to the manic gorefests from Italy and the States in the early '80s. And much like the film itself, the supplemental features on
Terror's double-disc Extended and Unrated presentation have a loose, action-packed and familial vibe that gives fans full access to Rodriguez's one-man-studio approach to moviemaking. The director is featured twice on audio tracks: first, on the feature commentary, which provides a fun tour through the picture's production (as well as information on the upcoming
Grindhouse DVD set, which will reunite the two pictures in their theatrical format), and later on the '10-Minute Film School,' a fascinating breakneck run through the numerous visual and CGI effects that produced the film's most eye-popping effects, including McGowan's leg/machine gun. Most of the extras echo Rodriguez's informative and entertaining vibe--two featurettes cover the picture's male and female cast (the former offers affectionate tributes to the exploitation vets in the company, including Biehn, Fahey, Michael Parks, and Savini), while 'Casting Rebel' is an amusing discussion of how Rodriguez came to bring his own son into the movie, as well as his refusal to disclose the fate of Rebel's character. 'Sickos, Bullets, and Explosions' takes a look at
Terror's extensive special effects through interviews with stunt coordinator Jeff Dashnaw and members of the visual effects team, while 'The Friend, The Doctor, and The Real Estate Agent' chats with three non-actors, all pals of Rodriguez, who wound up with small but significant roles in the picture. The Extended and Unrated aspect of the set is limited to a few extended scenes and extra splatter (sorry, the infamous 'Missing Reel' is not recovered for this set), while Grindhouse fans bemoaning the absence of the film's hilarious faux trailers will appreciate the inclusion of Rodriguez's hilarious
Machete spot, with Danny Trejo as a death-dealing, lady-loving tough guy gunning for double-crosser Fahey. The set also includes an 'Audience Reaction' track: Essentially, it's a whole track of whoops and hollers that allows the viewer to 'experience' the film as if they were watching it in an actual grindhouse from back in the day. Its inclusion neither adds to or detracts from enjoying this DVD, but it's wholly indicative of the level of fun Rodriguez had making the picture--and wants to share with his fans.
-- Paul Gaita
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Grindhouse: Two is Better Than One
Admittedly, Quentin Tarantino can be irritating. He's a weak-jawed geek who believes his own press clippings (and thinks he's tough guy because he makes action flicks). And he's also a screamer - an actor who can't stop shouting on screen.
But I've never met him, so maybe I'm being presumptive.
Because whether Tarantino is a jackass doesn't matter. The man makes dynamite movies - from "Reservoir Dogs" (1992) to "Pulp Fiction" (1994). He makes those guilty pleasure flicks filled with great lines, fast action, and superb acting. As a director he yanks the gusto out of his actors. John Travolta should send him Christmas cards for saving his career.
That brings us to "Grindhouse" (2007).
All the credit can't go to Tarantino, of course, as he co-directed "Grindhouse" with the talented Robert Rodriguez. But the movie is an achievement of writing, directing, and acting.
The concept is brilliant - a throwback to the 1970s drive-in B-movies (called grindhouses in the industry). The movie meshes two exploitation classics: a serial killer revenge flick and a zombie splatter fest. Sprinkle in some pop references and ironic dialog with a dash of dark humor and you've got a roller coaster ride of a movie.
The movie looks like a film pulled out of a rusty canister - complete with missing reels and burnt celluloid. There are fake trailers for movies with names like "Machete" and "Werewolf Women of the SS."
But the movie flopped. It brought in a meager $25 million and cost more than double that to make. There was just too much going on in "Grindhouse." For 191 minutes there were the two movies, the trailers, and an intermission. It was a glorious effort - but it was just asking too much of the viewer.
But all that's been fixed with the DVD release of Tarantino's "Death Proof" and Rodriguez's "Planet Terror." Rather than sawed-off versions - we get full length features. Both movies are better off longer.
Death Proof
"Death Proof" is the best Kurt Russell movie in long time - one where he gets his Snake Plisskin mojo back. He plays Stuntman Mike, a charming viper of a misogynist serial killer. Stuntman Mike - gored face and all - has a black "death proof" car with a cage inside it. He likes to put women in the cage and then drive really fast, braking, and cornering until he's basically turned his female passengers into hamburger.
This snippet of dialog sings:
Mike: Well, Pam, which way are you going, left or right?
Pam: Right.
Mike: Oh, that's too bad.
Pam: Why?
Mike: Because it was a 50-50 shot on whether you'd be going left or right. You see we're both going left. You could have just as easily been going left, too. And if that was the case, it would have been a while before you started getting scared. But since you're going the other way, I'm afraid you're going have to start getting scared - immediately.
Stuntman Mike then proceeds to give Pam a ride she'll never forget (or, in fact, survive). "Death Proof" is actually two movies. The first half is about how Stuntman Mike stalks, charms, and then murders a group of four female friends.
The next half he's up to his old tricks with another group of four women. But two of these women are Hollywood stunt drivers - and they know how to fight (and drive) back. The ending is worthy of any revenge flick in existence.
But what makes the film work? Character and dialog. Two things that were given short shift in the original version.
Planet Terror
"Planet Terror" is Rodriguez's homage to the gore-infused horror movie. The plot is secondary (it has something to do with a chemical being unleashed and turning the innocent into flesh-eating zombies). There're lots and lots of blood - and black humor (Jeff Fahey as a barbeque chef is outrageous).
Rodriguez shines with the small moments - the love scene between the protagonists (Freddie Rodriguez and Rose McGowan) is a high in low-brow. McGowan's character has had her leg severed and a broom handle shoved into her stump as a replacement. Ridiculous camp at it's best.
Then there's Bruce Willis in a self-parody. There's Freddy Rodriguez mounting a mini-motor scooter as he zips down the highway firing bullets into the heads of zombies. There's Tarantino himself (shouting per usual) playing to type as a rapist thug.
But most of all there's energy. The throttle is open wide and "Planet Terror" doesn't stop.
So while "Grindhouse" had its challenges as one movie - do yourself a favor and get both these DVDs for a true grindhouse double feature.
Like Literate Blather? Then get your butt over the Dark Party Review!
Rating: -
I Thought It Was Good
* I thought it was a good movie I never seen it before and I saw it yesterday on Encore and I loved it. It was done by Quentin Tarantino, so you know it is going to be weird and bloody and gorey. Quentin is a freaky guy. ...
Rating: -
Pretty good "bad" movie
This movie is completely ridiculous and over the top but it is also a lot of fun to watch.
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PLANET TERROR
* THIS MOVIE IS GREAT , ITS SO DIFFERENT YET THE SAME AT THE SAME TIME, WOW FIGURE THAT OUT AND YOUR A BRAIN, SOME OF IT AVERAGE BUTT FOR THE YEAR IT WAS THE BEST MOVIE OF ACTION GORE AND LITTLE FUNNY ...
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Very Entertaining
I must say that when I first saw this movie that I didn't think it was that good and I thought that it was the lesser of the two 'Grindhouse' movies. I recently purchased it and I definitely have a different view of the movie and really enjoyed it. I have watched it several times since the purchase. The characters are hilarious cliches. I really enjoyed Jeff Fahey and Michael Biehn as two brothers trying to get the best BBQ sauce in Texas. Josh Brolin is excellent as Dr. Block and his wife Dakota and her father are just great characters.
Really like this movie for all it quirkiness and for it drive in style.
