The Mavericks. Review on Grindhouse Movie

                              Grindhouse – Part 1:  Planet Terror

  Directed by Robert Rodriguez

Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino wrote, produced and directed the double feature “Grindhouse” as homage to the B movie genre. Grindhouse is an American term for a theatre mainly showing zombie films where two or three films were shown consecutively. This feature is the first segment of the double, written and directed by Robert Rodriquez titled

‘Planet Terror’; the other being ‘Death Proof’ by Tarantino. Strictly not for the faint hearted, as this movie contains extreme violence, bloodshed and gory scenes that will make even the heavyhearted squirm in their seats. Set in a rural town in Texas, the story revolves around a group of people trying to survive an onslaught of zombie-like creatures. Cherry Darling (Rose McGowan), a pole dancer at the town’s club decides to quit her profession to pursue a career as a stand-up comedian. On her way out, she encounters a convoy of military vehicles heading towards the town’s military base in unusual outfits. Lead by Lt. Muldoon (Bruce Willis), the outfit strike a business transaction with Abby (Naveen Andrews), a bio-weapon scientist. After an outburst of opinions, Abby releases a deadly biochemical gas into the air, turning most of the town’s residents into bloodthirsty psychopaths. Cherry encounters her ex-boyfriend Wray, (Freddy Rodriguez) and asks him for a lift without realising the dangers that lay ahead for both of them. A freak accident results in Cherry being attacked by the zombies on the highway before Wray manages to save her, but she loses one of her legs in the process. After reaching the hospital with Cherry, Wray is arrested by the police for possessing a gun and is taken away fro investigation. Meanwhile, the town’s hospital gets flooded with infected residents who are treated by Dr. William (Josh Brolin), and his neglected wife Dakota (Marley Shelton). As the patients transform into zombies and start attacking the city, the police chief believes Wray’s tale of horror on the highway. After rescuing Cherry from the hospital, the remaining survivors head to the town’s food joint, owned by a self-indulging chef, J.T (Jeff Fahey) With time running out before the zombies could outnumber the survivors, the team must come up with a plan to abolish the bloodsuckers…

As a genuine tribute to the zombie film genre, Rodriguez gives an authentic look and feel to the film including the consistent scratch marks and odd cuts. Except in America, the film was released separately in extended versions because the culture of double features did not exist in many countries. An honest attempt in recreating the cult of zombie flicks, this movie is a class act for its authenticity and creativity at its best.

Many reviews that I have read seem to be misleading to many enthusiasts away just because these people have got the movie completely wrong. This is, in fact homage to B grade movies and sexploitation or exploitation films of the 60s and 70s. These guys with all their money power and creativity just wanted to produce this flick to satisfy the child in them, as simple as that. They never expected it to be a trendsetter nor generate big bucks at the BO. It’s like a couple of old gentlemen going out to play a game of cricket just because they miss it, no big deal than that.

Grindhouse – Part 2: Death ProofDirected by Quentin Tarantino

The story is about a psychopathic stunt driver who targets young women, murdering them with his ‘death proof’ car. As a tribute to slasher/serial killer genre, this venture by Tarantino is purely a self-indulgent filmmaking that offers nothing, but entertainment.

Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) drives town to town in his virtually indestructible car that is one hundred percent death proof. His sets his eyes on four teenage girls, one among whom is a famous RJ at the local station. Jungle Julia, (Sydney Poitier) had earlier announced in radio that anyone who impresses her friend; Butterfly would be entitled for a lap dance. After befriending the divas, Mike manages to impress Butterfly and wins the lap dance and also a request for a lift from one of the local girls. What seemed like a fun filled evening turns out to be a dreaded nightmare for the girls as Mike turns to his ugly side. He kills the girl who had asked for a lift mercilessly inside his car, and goes after the other divas, and kills them by crashing head on. Suffering only of minor injuries, he is let off without any charges, as he wasn’t under the influence of alcohol during the crash. Several months later in another town, he yet again sets his eyes on a group of girls and follows them; waiting for the right time to set in. But what he doesn’t know is that two among them are stuntwomen possessed with daring attitude and a daredevil heart. After an attempt to kill them goes disastrously wrong, the girls decide to give him a taste of his own medicine. When the hunter become the hunted, it turns into one of the most stunning action sequences in recent film history…

Deliberately designed to replicate the look and cheap thrills of the exploitation era, Tarantino crafts every frame to geometrical perfection. He uses unconventional techniques including physically scratching the film negative to make the film appear damaged. A wildly funny, old-fashioned, thrilling movie that skilfully succeeds in reviving the forgotten culture in every possible aspect.