Two filmmakers who spent much of their impressionable years frequenting these double features, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez each had a go at making a double feature for the new GRINDHOUSE audience. However, if you’ve missed it at the theater this past summer you’ll have to pick them up each individually on DVD, at least for now.
Quentin Tarantino’s contribution to the Grindhouse Double-Feature is his take on the classic Car Chase film. With hints of Detroit 5000, Bullitt and Vanishing Point this high-octane thriller takes place outside of Austin in rural Texas. “Stuntman” Mike, played by Kurt Russell, is a loner who happens upon a group of sexy young partiers out on the town. As the night progresses, we see that Mike is not the nice guy he appears to be. By driving his black “DEATH PROOF” Chevy Nova his psychopathic reign begins. After disposing of the car and girls in a fiery crash, Mike walks away with minor injuries.
Enter a new group of tougher-than-nails femme fetales. A few women who are on break from their movie shoot decide to blow of some steam during the weekend. Among them is frequent Tarantino stunt woman, Zoë Bell, who was Darryl Hannah’s stunt double in Kill Bill I & II. She and the rest take a joy-ride themselves in a vintage 71 Dodge Challenger. Zoë decides to play a game of “Ship’s Mast” while test driving the classic Motor City Hemi. With an extreme display of Zoë’s stunt abilities, we see exactly what “Ship’s Mast” is. While strapped to the hood of the car going well above the legal posted speed limit, the less-then-delicate ladies literally run into “Stuntman” Mike. His new and improved Death Proof car, a matte black Dodge Charger easily keeps up with the girls’ Plymouth. After the first half of a 25 min car chase, Mike is impressed by their driving and decides to call off the game of cat and mouse. Little does the cat know that he messed with the wrong mice. Roles are reversed when the girls decide to chase down their attacker and teach him the lesson he deserves in the most satisfying way.
Disappointingly, the two movies were released separately as special editions. I say disappointingly because while they are well worth the price of two stand alone films, it is inevitable that they will most certainly be released as a GRINDHOUSE set at a later date with new and special materials. All that being said I have to say that the way the DVD is presented is a fun experience. The DVD release includes the longer version of the film that was originally released at the Cannes film festival. Unfortunately, unless you are a fan of Tarantino’s dialogues, you will find the extended version to be unnecessarily long and pointless.
The secondary disc contains the usual goodies that are fun for the consumer. It contains documentaries that are not just over produced fluff pieces you would see on MTV or VH1. For the gear-heads, there is a feature spotlighting the cars used for this flick. One of my favorite gems is Quentin’s interview with grindhouse genre, cult director Cirio H. Santiago. Some of the movies from his list include Cover Girl Models (1975), Vampire Hookers (1978) and quite possibly THE grindhouse flick, Caged Fury (1983).
The only complaint I have with this release is the same that I have with many other DVDs that are being released now. It is the obvious ploy to release and re-release the material in order to get more sales, thus causing a true fan of the movie to have to purchase each of the editions. By releasing Death Proof separate from it’s partner movie in the GRINDHOUSE double feature, it becomes obvious that fans will either need to buy them separately now or have to wait for the combined set. As for me, I will probably buy them both now and when the set comes out. What can I say? I am a glutton.
When seeing the entire double feature of “Grindhouse”, the first flick is Robert Rodriguez’s addition, Planet Terror. Calling on the classic gore movies one would have seen in the 70’s and 80’s movie houses of exploitation, Rodriguez presents a new twist of the zombie movies. If Rose McGowan with a machine-gun for a leg isn’t enough to entice you to see this, don't even bother opening the DVD case.
In my opinion, Planet Terror is the better of the two movies. Even though Tarantino fans won’t be disappointed in Death Proof, Robert Rodriguez impresses all the rest. His over-the-top use of blood and effects combines beautifully with the campiness of the storyline. Delivered by stars such as Bruce Willis, Rose McGowan, Freddy Rodriguez and even Robert’s own son Rebel, the movie is a fun ride that should not be missed.
After an experimental weapons-grade gas is released in the Texas air, the surrounding community starts to fall apart…literally. After showing up at the local hospital, patients with grotesque sores and abscesses cause dirt-bag, Dr. William Block (Josh Brolin) to suspect that self-preservation is the best option. Meanwhile, former go-go dancer, Cherry Darling (McGowan) teams with her ex, El Wray (Rodriguez) to battle the increasing undead mob. In the process, yes, she ends up replacing her leg with a gun. Just as shocking we see Bruce Willis go through a tough change, Naveen Andrews of Lost has an interesting collection and Jeff Fahey has the best BBQ in Texas.
I have to say that while I enjoyed the movie when I saw it in the theaters, the DVD made me love it even more. The extras on the second disc really kicked it up a notch. Containing Robert Rodriguez’s usual “10-minute Film School” as well as casting reels and other insights, the bonus material really made me glad I watched it. The special edition is very much worth it, even though Rodriguez admits to having other material that he is saving just for the next release of the film.
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