Grindhouse

[Janus1]

Tell me somebody else saw this spectacular piece of cinema? A thoroughly excellent film, and one that everyone should watch. Keep in mind though, that the directors are Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, who, while both brilliant filmmakers, are definitely a little out there, so not everyone may enjoy their work.

[Mr Ghoul]

Saw it. It was good. You can’t go wrong with Rodriguez or Taratino.

[Janus1]

I think the order was crucial too. Had to end with the Tarantino flick, it wouldn’t have been nearly as good if they reversed them.

[Jermofoot]

I didn’t come here to hate, but I don’t think I’ll go see this.

I thought Pulp Fiction was overhyped, but enjoyable, Reservoir Dogs was a solid flick, as well as Jackie Brown.
I thought Kill Bill was mostly crap (some okay stuff) and a rip off (as in, it should have been 1 movie).  I’ve never cared for Tarantino’s nauseating dialogue (good music choices though), and I’ve found Rodriguez stuff entertaining, but nothing worth owning.

I’m tired of gimmicky cinema, and want something solid, artistic, and meaningful.  Sure, I enjoy feelgood movies every once in a while, but I feel like everything is filler these days, with a few gems here and there.

Maybe I should see it first before I start ranting, but I don’t care.  Ticket prices are too expensive to see half-assed movies in the theme of crappy-but-funny cinema from decades ago.  They can do better, and should.

[Jennifer]

Pulp fiction was okay.  Sin City was aweful, IMHO.  From Dusk to Dawn was good.  So, given Tarantino’s track record, I didn’t feel Grindhouse was worth the $15 ticket price.  I don’t think it’ll be worth the $4 rental cost either.  Actually, I don’t think it’ll be worth the 2 to 2.5 hours of memory on my DVR space.  And I love Kurt Russell and some of the other cast.

[balungaloaf]

you liked from dusk til dawn!  the only good part of that movie was until they got to the whorehouse.  the beginning was good, the rest was garbage.

sin city was pretty bad.  not too bad though.  some parts were enjoyable.  not the ninja hookers, that was silly.

[losttribe04]

I didn’t come to hate ether but I feel like Tarantino’s movie belong in the Christmas bin. Watch them once a year and put them away till next year. I don’t think there is a movie soundtrack of his I don’t own, good music selection.

I do have an honest question for you Tarantino fans:

Is Reservoir Dogs part 1 and Pulp Fiction part 2? This has been the topic of debate for some time in the social circles I run in. The reason we thought this was a possibility was b/c we thought that Marcellus Wallace’s soul was what was in the brief case. The legend I heard was Marcellus sold his soul to the devil for a lot of money. He made some deals that worked out in his favor and made enough money to buy it back in Pulp Fiction.

I’m I reading to deep into this or have you die hard fans come across this myth?

thanks,

-LT04

[Janus1]

Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill 1 and 2 were written and directed by QT
From Dusk Till Dawn was written by QT and Directed by Rodriguez
Sin City was directed by Rodriguez, and 1 scene (Clive Owen and Benicio Del Toro in the Car) was directed by QT

Grindhouse was just great though.

Ticket prices are too expensive to see half-assed movies in the theme of crappy-but-funny cinema from decades ago.

Half-assed? Hardly.
Two complete movies, 1 done entirely by Rodriguez, 1 done entirely by QT, with fake previews before the 1st and between the two. The previews are directed by other directors (Rob Zombie does one, Eli Roth does another, I don’t remember who did the other one). The movies are each in the style of the Grindhouse cinema from several decades ago, but take the style and do wonderful things with it. If you’ve ever seen a zombie flick and hated it, you might love Rodriguez’s movie (at the same time, if you loved it, you will still probably love it). I don’t want to give anything away, but Rodriguez’s zombie flick is THE zombie flick, as though they took the mold for the zombie flick, and cloned it, but gave it a sense of humor about itself. QT’s film is just great. That’s all I’m going to say.

But both films are “aged” to look more like the drive-in film quality of the 70’s, 70’s style “Feature Presentation” screens run before both films, its just wonderfully and lovingly created in an homage to Grindhouse cinema. There are even strategic missing reels in both movies (QT once bought a film that was missing a reel without realizing it, so the first time he saw it, he didn’t know he was missing a reel, which he thought increased his interest in the movie)

And all the classic QT dialogue styles are present, as well as some familiar characters from other QT films, and the numerous references and in-jokes between the two directors, and links to other movies. Plus, they tell tell you basically flat out where they got many of the elements in this movie from.

Basically, if you like these two filmmakers, this is them in excellent form. If you like QT, its worth seeing the Rodriguez film for QT’s. If you like some of their work, its worth a look, because its great.

But make sure you have time…it clocks in just over 3 hours…it is a double feature after all  :-D

[Mr Ghoul]

@Janus1:

I think the order was crucial too. Had to end with the Tarantino flick, it wouldn’t have been nearly as good if they reversed them.

I went in thinking that “Death Proof” was going to be shown first. Either way, It would have been fine.

I’m tired of gimmicky cinema, and want something solid, artistic, and meaningful.  Sure, I enjoy feelgood movies every once in a while, but I feel like everything is filler these days, with a few gems here and there.

I agree, for the most part, with you here, however, theres guys (Rodriguez/Tarantino) with the exception of Spy Kids, do not make run of the mill/appeal to teenage girls/MTV type crap movies and I would argue that their movies are both solid and artistic.

They can do better, and should.

They do just fine for the of type of films they create.

If anyone you can watch this movie and not get a smile on your face then maybe it’s you, not the movie, that’s the problem

[Janus1]

Is Reservoir Dogs part 1 and Pulp Fiction part 2? This has been the topic of debate for some time in the social circles I run in. The reason we thought this was a possibility was b/c we thought that Marcellus Wallace’s soul was what was in the brief case. The legend I heard was Marcellus sold his soul to the devil for a lot of money. He made some deals that worked out in his favor and made enough money to buy it back in Pulp Fiction.

AFAIK the suitcase is a McGuffin, what was in it didn’t matter.

As for the Part 1/Part 2- in a word, no. Its not quite that simple though. Vincent Vega (Travolta) and Vic Vega (Madsen) from PF and RD respectively are brothers. Its also speculated that Mr. White and QT’s character from Pulp Fiction were related (they have the same last name, I can’t recall it but you can easily find it if you are interested).

They both take place in LA, and probably roughly around the same time. The way I see Tarantino’s movies (and this is pure speculation on my part) is that they are all separate stories in the same world, that is, this movie world he has created, and shows us one story at a time. Recurring characters, brands, themes, and names are evidence of this. Whether its true or not I couldn’t say, but that’s my theory of Tarantino movies.

Mr Ghoul- I think Death Proof needed to be shown last, the mood wouldn’t be the same if it were the other way around.

[Jermofoot]

@Mr:

I agree, for the most part, with you here, however, theres guys (Rodriguez/Tarantino) with the exception of Spy Kids, do not make run of the mill/appeal to teenage girls/MTV type crap movies and I would argue that their movies are both solid and artistic.

To a degree.  I feel like QT is moving more in this direction.  But, then again, I’d have to see this film.

They do just fine for the of type of films they create.

They can make whatever they want within budgetary concerns.  I’ve just seen these types of films and am asking for something new.

If anyone you can watch this movie and not get a smile on your face then maybe it’s you, not the movie, that’s the problem

That was more an appeal to all of cinema, but they can do whatever they wish that their budget allows.  And if I don’t care for this type of movie, I don’t see it as a “problem,” just not something I go check out.  I’m pretty easy going, I’m just looking for something mold breaking, thought provoking at the moment.  When I was younger, I was all about these types of movies.  But you can’t deny that the past 3 films of QT are rehashing/remaking older styles.  If I wanted to see that, I’d go look at older movies…that’s all I’m saying.

For instance - watch Lady Snowblood, which is what Kill Bill was based on.  The elements QT combines are a volatile mix to me, but some of those same elements worked well for Lady Snowblood.  Check it out, it’s a good flick.  Has some WTF? moments, too.

Oh yeah, the suitcase had a lightbulb.  8-)

[Janus1]

Well yea, the lightbulb was the actual cause of the light, but as far as the movie goes, I think it was just a Mcguffin.

[losttribe04]

Janus 1,

Thanks for the info. That makes a lot of sense to me. Whats his name Kevin smith with his characters Jay and silent Bob have the same concept. Thanks again for the info,

-LT04

[Jennifer]

@balungaloaf:

you liked from dusk til dawn!  the only good part of that movie was until they got to the whorehouse.  the beginning was good, the rest was garbage.

That’s the part I liked. :P  Softcore porn rocks, like drama movies and horror movies.  Why, was there another reason to go see a Quentin Tarentino movie?  I thought he was just a cleaner version of Hue Heffner.

[Jermofoot]

@Jennifer:

That’s the part I liked. :P  Softcore porn rocks, like drama movies and horror movies.  Why, was there another reason to go see a Quentin Tarentino movie?  I thought he was just a cleaner version of Hue Heffner.

This reminds me…he needs more scantily clad Salma Hayek.  I would get a sex change just to have her babies.
Although, Rose McGowan is a decent substitute.

[Janus1]

both of those are rodriguez pictures. from dusk till dawn was written by QT, but directed by Rodriguez, in a very different style from a QT movie. rose mc gowan in grindhouse is in both segments, but her major role is in planet terror, which is rodriguez as well. and thats the one where she is a stripper and gets a gun for a leg.