Review: ‘Grindhouse’ double feature pays homage to B-movies

“Planet Terror”

Directed by: Robert Rodriguez

Starring: Rose McGowan, Freddy Rodriguez, Josh Brolin, Marley Shelton, Bruce Willis, Michael Biehn, Naveen Andrews, Michael Parks

Rated: R

“Death Proof”

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Kurt Russell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito, Rose McGowan, Zoe Bell, Tracie Thoms, Kelley Robins

Rated: R

Don’t be upset or run for the manager when “Planet Terror,” the first film in the double feature presentation “Grindhouse,” begins and the film is scratchy, the sound pops, sprocket holes are visible and bad splices are everywhere.

It’s supposed to look that way. Auteur Robert Rodriguez (he wrote, directed, co-produced, acted as director of cinematography, composed the music and edited the film) wants it to look that way. Part of the film’s budget included digital processing to make it look that way.

Rodriguez and fellow auteur – and film geek himself – Quentin Tarantino have teamed up to present a twin bill homage to the exploitation films of the 1960s and 1970s that were invariably shown in rundown theaters (or drive-ins) known as “grindhouses.”

Zombie movies, blaxploitation films, martial arts movies, souped-up hot rod movies and the ever-popular “women behind bars” cinema are all “grindhouse” fare. The directors pay loving tribute to these and other staples of the B-movie genre in “Grindhouse,” which, complete with “previews of upcoming features,” runs a few minutes over three hours. Don’t worry, though, you won’t have a chance to get tired, doze off or get bored. “Planet Terror” is filled with dazzling action, flesh-eating zombies, ready-for-action babes, gunplay (including a babe with a machine gun leg), knifeplay and a bit of karate. Tarantino’s “Death Proof” is less gory but no less affecting. It features Tarantino’s patented snappy dialogue/character development, more ready-for-action-babes and fast cars. “Death Proof” contains elements drawn from “Duel,” “Vanishing Point” and the classic “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!”

‘Planet Terror’

“Planet Terror” opens with a husband and wife (whose marriage is obviously in trouble) pair of doctors heading off for the night shift at the local ER. Dad asks their kid to pray “Daddy doesn’t get any dead bodies tonight.” That prayer goes woefully unanswered. Not only are there plenty of dead bodies – some with missing arms, legs, even brains – but plenty of undead zombies as well.

The story dives right in and the principals include clandestine military people, mad scientists with the ultimate bio-warfare weapon and, of course, a go-go girl. She’s not a stripper – there’s a difference.

Rose McGowan, finally in a role made for her, plays Cherry Darling, who has decided to go-go from her dancing job and try to make it as a standup comedian. She runs into an old boyfriend, tow truck driver Wray, at a greasy spoon diner and soon the couple is involved with a small group of people who seem to be immune from the disease du jour, which is turning the local populace into flesh-eating fiends. Much of the action centers on the hospital where Cherry and the lady doctor meet and exchange insinuating glances. This is an exploitation film, you know.

Along the way Cherry loses a leg (ironic for someone who wants to do “standup”) and Wray eventually replaces it with a machine gun. Forget the fact they never even try to explain how she pulls the trigger – this is an exploitation film. The money shot comes with Cherry spinning 360 degrees, mowing down zombies with her gun appendage.

Also watch for a great addition to a chase scene: A tall guy on a mini-bike. It’s hilarious.

The story ends the way we know it will but getting to the finale is a wild ride and Rodriguez – much like the animators of “South Park” who use computers to make the show look like paper cut outs – has spent a fortune making his film look cheap and trashy. It’s dazzling.

‘Death Proof’

After a few choice “previews,” Tarantino’s “Death Proof” gets rolling.

The setup involves three ready-for-action babes (there’s no end to these characters) out on the town. One is a local celebrity, DJ Jungle Julia. At a bar they meet a guy named Stuntman Mike. Kurt Russell as Mike is an affable, aging ladies man. He’s well out of his prime and tells stories about being a stuntman and a double on shows these “kids” have never heard of.

Also at the bar is Pam, a throwback hippie girl played by Rose McGowan. While this is a different character than she played in “Planet Terror,” there are some overlapping ones, most notably Marley Shelton as Dr. Dakota Block.

Pam accepts a ride home with Stuntman Mike and no sooner are they in the car than the question, “When does the scary stuff start?” gets answered. Russell is terrifying. After a bloody, action-packed few minutes, the story makes a dramatic jump cut. (It’s noted at the beginning that there are “missing reels.”)

The new scenario involves, what else, a foursome of hot babes. Stuntman Mike, unbeknownst to the ladies, has them in his sights.

In the end they turn the tables quite dramatically.

The actress to watch here is the real stuntwoman, Zoe Bell, as herself. She was Uma Thurman’s stand-in on the “Kill Bill” movies and is a consummate pro. “Death Proof” ends with a car chase that will take its place in the car chase hall of fame and Bell, without the aid of digital trickery, proves her mettle.

“Grindhouse” requires a commitment of time, but for people who love movies and want to have some fun, Rodriguez and Tarantino serve a super-sized portion.

Post script

In an odd twist of fate, the film actually did shut down during the showing I attended. People sat in their seats and giggled, thinking it was part of the presentation. The manager explained later that it wasn’t. The wind had caused a malfunction in the projection lamp venting system and five films shut down simultaneously.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.