I saw Grindhouse the weekend of it's original theatrical release. Ever since then I have been one of the few who enjoyed it in it's entirety. I haven't seen it since and figured I should give it another go seeing as how I am such a staunch supporter.I watched both parts and the trailers, but have little to say about Planet Terror. I enjoyed it the first go around, and not much has changed for me. I thought it was successful, but not really my bag, cinematiclly speaking. My heart belongs to Death Proof. I remember being glued to my seat, filled with tension when I saw it in theaters. It just did it for me. I was shocked when I began to hear how much people disliked it. What follows is a collection of reasons why I enjoyed it.
One of the many problems people seem to have is with the dialogue in this film. Well, not just this film, but Tarantino films in general. I've heard something to the effect of he writes dialogue for women the way he wishes they spoke. The long spans of 4 women bullshitting in this film really bother some people. I happen to be fine with it. I don't see anything super unbelievable either. Maybe I am just such a hip and well crafted individual myself, that back and forth like that seems natural to me.
Another issue I encounter is with the fact that there are basically 2 different sets of protagonists. Again, I see no problem with this. I suppose people didn't like getting involved with a set of characters that die half way through the film. I also think they didn't appreciate getting 4 more broads shoved at them. I loved it though. The first 4 girls really grew on me. I was genuinely sad when they died. Their death scene was also one of the most amazing and disturbing things I have ever seen on film. It was inspired. Instead of being frustrated with the 2 seemingly separate plots, I found myself eager to meet the new girls. I enjoyed them as well.
I guess it may come down to my willingness to give myself over to this film. I was able to suspend disbelief rather easily. During the final car chase I was enthralled. When Zoe Bell was perched on the hood of the Charger, I was mesmerized and tense as hell. I'm probably the best case scenario for this film. Every emotion and feeling that Tarantino was looking to elicit, I felt. I felt a little bad for Stuntman Mike, but wanted him to get the shit kicked out of him. I wanted to hang out with Rosario Dawson. How could I not love this film? It has many of the things that I hold dear: Kurt Russell, strong female characters and Kurt Russell.
Watching Grindhouse as a whole again, I noticed all the little connecting pieces between the 2 films; the announcement of Jungle Julia's accident in Planet Terror, the Babysitter Twins and Dr. Dakota in Death Proof. I'm a sucker for stuff like that. My only issue is Rose McGowan. Sure Tarantino popped up in both films as different characters, but why did McGowan? It cheapened the whole inter-connectivity for me.
I'm curious as to how other people feel about Death Proof and Grindhouse as a whole.
2 comments:
I loved Grindhouse in the theater and have enjoyed it a few times since then as one full on, three hour plus nut to the face. Planet Terror is a lot of fun and the more satisfying of the two films for me the first go around. But that satisfaction faded...not that I don't love the movie because I do. It just doesn't have the same staying power that Death Proof does. I have seen Death Proof at least three or four times and have watched large sections of it when it was making its run on Starz/Encore on top of full on viewings. This is the type of movie that you can put on at any time and just watch and enjoy. The fucking car chase scene is one of the best most exciting chase scenes I have ever witnessed. And it just gets better everytime I see it. The chase scene is beautifully shot and I cant believe what Zoe Bell pulled off physically in this film. Plus I found her as charming as box of Lucky Charms as far as her performance goes so that made me more afraid for her whilst strapped to the hood of a car traveling in the neighborhood of 100mph. I also love that the two sets of girls individual segments(?) have very different tones to them...they feel like they are completely separate movies while both being highly enjoyable in there own way and complement each other very well.
So yeah I love Grindhouse as a whole and I love me some Planet Terror...and even more so love me some Death Proof.
I also must add that my favorite line in both films is delivered by Eli Roth. When he is at the bar waiting for "shots" and notices Stuntman Mike he says "Dude...check it out...I wonder if BJ brought the bear with him?" "Dude fucking cut himself falling out of his time machine"! Shit is so funny!
Here is a link to a doc about stunt women staring Zoe Bell called Double Dare. It's good.
http://www.amazon.com/Double-Dare-Jeannie-Epper/dp/B0008EN6K4
I loved both films and was unable to see them in the theater but was able to purchase both films. i loved that in death proof that there was two sets of girls and that the stories were not the same. The second set of girls were my favorite. i also enjoyed Planet Terror and loved the old movie feel. It reminded me of when I would watch toxic avenger when i was younger, the film skipping and missing parts. I loved all of it and I believe that he was a genius for making these films.
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