Grindhouse
After much hype about this movie, I set out for the 10:15 showing with some friends. As usual we got there late and I had no choice but to sit alone, or sit in the front row. Well I found some nice German girls who had an extra seat. :p
As you probably know, Grindhouse is a double feature directed by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. Two ninety minute films paying tribute to old horror film houses, the two directors take you for a ride that is unforgettable. What makes this double feature so genius is that it is gratuitous for the sake of topping itself, but it’s all done with a knowing manipulation of the cinematic medium. These guys deliver massive entertainment with an artful approach.
Planet Terror, RR’s film, is filled with enough gore for ten movies, yet also embodies great characters with perfect inter-relationships. There’s wide-eyed Marley Shelton, badass Freddy Rodriguez, ignorantly authoritative Michael Beihn, tragically sexy Rose McGowan and pure A-hole Josh Brolin. Each style serves its purpose in this retro reference perfectly. I was expecting McGowan’s maching gun leg to be the wildest thing in this film, but it was far from it. They do use the gun for a big payoff so you won’t leave disappointed.
Is there anyone making more films than Bruce Willis these days? He is everywhere, and makes a small appearance in Planet Terror, alongside a cameo by Tarantino and Sahid from Lost, Naveen Andrews.
The first ninety minutes of Grindhouse was absolutely perfect, and I give RR total props and a easy 10/10. This alone could have been a blockbuster film.
I had high hopes for the next hour and a half as Quentin Tarantino would take us through Death Proof. Things slow WAY down in this one. It’s all Tarantino dialogue, a familiar mood was set. Long scenes with little cutting, the females fill the screen of Death Proof. It’s Tarantino’s idea of girl talk, sex stories and such, but I don’t think that women talk that way. Of course everyone speaks more extremely in Tarantino’s world.
It may be slow, but it gets going good with one of the screen’s most interesting stalkers and most visceral mass murder. Kurt Russell plays a role I’ve never seen him in before, and his performance was solid. I just can’t say the same for Rosario Dawson and her fellow screenmates. The ramblings of their unlikeable characters just didn’t hold your attention. After sitting in the theatre for 150 minutes already, you need more than girls arguing about Kiwis and Aussies.
Nonetheless, a very stylish film that many will love, while some will hate. I’ll say 8/10.
It is easily Robert Rodriguez’s masterwork. All of his creativity has culminated to epic proportions. Tarantino has never looked so joyfully over the top. Grindhouse is the perfect stage for these two twisted director’s as they bring you one of the few must-see films of the year.
Overall - 9/10
perhaps tarentino was going back to the origin of the art? with the loooonnnnngggggg uncut scenes and wide angles…
i remember watching the longest uncut scene in a class - it was a street scene, wide angle, and just panned, following the characters. and that was it. it’s art.
and for tha matter, it’s tarentino. =)