I personally did not experience the 1970's grindhouse era, but am fascinated by the genre. Watching this film from a youth's standpoint, the stories are ridiculous, but the characters are wildly entertaining. I was grossly engaged in this film that transported me to this odd place and time of the Grindhouse.
Robert Rodriguez (Sin City [2005]) and Quentin Tarantino (Kill Bill [2003]) wrote and directed two separate feature-length films in homage to the 1970's B-movie era. The title grindhouse comes from the act of rundown theaters 'grinding out' double and triple features, complete with bad acting, kung fu fighting, and gratuitous sex scenes. And just like the films in those days, Grindhouse is intentionally edited with bad splices, missing reels and washed-out colors.
Robert Rodriguez begins with Planet Terror, a thriller about a Texas town infected with a flesh-eating virus. The story follows Cherry Darling (Rose McGowan from Charmed [2001-2006]), a go-go dancer who quits her job the same night she loses her leg to virus-infected locals. She teams up with her ex-boyfriend El Wray (Freddy Rodriguez from Six Feet Under [2001-2005]), a natural sharp shooter, to fight against the zombies . . . and the military.
There isn't much depth in this zombie B-movie plot, but just a handful of entertaining characters caught in the middle of this plague. Rose McGowan's sense of humor is especially gold when she uses physical comedy to emphasize her handicap--it'll be clearer when you watch the film. But overall, Planet Terror is a typical 80's horror movie with gore, sex and cheesy dialogue. Think A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) and The Return of the Living Dead (1985).
Then Quentin's entry, Death Proof, comes with an entirely different tone. The story begins extremely slowly, introducing three women who are eventually crushed to death by serial killer Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell), an ex-stuntman who prides himself on surviving every crash he's ever been in because of his 'death proof' vehicle.
One could say this story is about Stuntman Mike, or it's about these victimized women who fall prey to him. Either way, Kurt Russell brilliantly plays opposite ends of the spectrum--cold-hearted villain to pathetic crybaby. Russell is definitely worth going to the movies when playing characters as intriguing as Stuntman Mike. The climactic car chase had me biting my nails every step of the way.
Unfortunately, Rosario Dawson's credit in the film is not much deserved. She barely played a role in the story and hardly held a presence. If you're going to watch Grindhouse because of her, don't expect much.
As a treat to us moviegoers, there were extra trailers included in the film. In between the two feature-length films were also bogus trailers to upcoming movies made by fellow horror directors. Rob Zombie created Werewolf Women of the S.S. I don't even know how to explain his outrageous trailer. Actually, that's unfair to call just Rob Zombie's trailer outrageous; they were all ridiculously funny.
Eli Roth presents his slasher horror trailer called Thanksgiving. Apparently, it's about a serial killer who comes out during this festive holiday to murder the natives of Massachusetts. I would go on, but I should leave some trailers to the imagination.
The entire experience of Grindhouse was something different and oddly enjoyable. I would absolutely dare people to see this film. Grindhouse is an event in itself; it may not win an Academy Award, but it'll definitely be remembered when you leave the theater.
Kristin's Grade: A-
Director: Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino
Writer: Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino
Genre: Horror/Suspense/Action
Running Time: 185 minutes
Rated: R (for strong graphic bloody violence and gore, pervasive language, some sexuality, nudity and drug use)
