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Grindhouse followups.
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 2:39 pm
by peter
Alas In my country we were denied the chance to see 'Grindhouse' as it was meant to be seen - as a 'faux' 1970's double bill B feature - and I think, as a result lost the effect that Tarantino and Rodriguez intented to convey. I'm old enough to remember when this was how it was done and was bitterly dissapointed to have to see the two films two months appart with the deleted scenes from each being used as 'fillers' to make the films long enough to be shown as individual entity's. One interesting thing that seems to be coming out of the debacle (caused I believe by poor USA ticket sales even in the face of great critical reviews and pre-launch anticipation) however is the release of a number of films taken from the fake pre-film adverts that Grindhouse contained. 'Hobo With a Shotgun' and 'Machete' have been released to date, neither of which have I seen yet and a friend at work told me that a second Machete film is in production with - did he say MelGibson - as the villain. Sounds OK to me. I'll definately catch these films on DVD sometime and who knows, if 'Werewolf Women of the SS' is released may even venture out to the local 'grindhouse' to watch it.
How about you guys - did anyone see the Grindhouse double bill version or any of the followups?
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 2:59 pm
by I'm Murrin
I've still never seen Death Proof. I've seen (and own on DVD) Planet Terror, which I think is an excellent parody.
(Did you know Rodriguez filmed two versions of most scenes from the middle on - one version where the doctor's son survived right up to the end, which was shot not for release but just as a happy ending for the young actor (Robert Rodriguez' own son) playing the part?)
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 3:02 pm
by peter
No - I hadn't heard that Murrin, but I like the sound of it. I have resisted the temptation to re-watch either of the films in the hope that at some point a double bill version will be released, but in the meantime there seems to be some interesting stuff going on in the background that I need to catch up on. I'm looking forward to it.
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:59 pm
by Hashi Lebwohl
I watched the double-feature when it was released then I bought the DVDs as soon as they were released.
Planet Terror was brilliant the first time I saw it and it retains its freshness and watchability despite repeated viewings. The only reason that RR doesn't get more acclaim for his directorial vision is that he exists outside Hollywood and they thoroughly dislike him for that.
Death Proof at first I thought was Tarantino's dud--every director has to have one and I figured this was him working it out of his system so that he could get back to making quality movies. Upon reflection and watching it again, though, it was better than I thought (but still not as good as, say, Inglorious Basterds).
There have indeed been several "Grindhouse" movies released since then, including Angel of Death (featuring RR's and QT's friend Zoe Bell), Bandidas, Bitch Slap, Hobo With a Shotgun (that I need to get), and Bad Ass (featuring RR's good friend Danny Trejo).
Yes, Machete was made because of such positive fan reaction to the fake trailer; to date this is the only movie of which I am aware that started as a fake trailer then became an actual movie. It is definitely "over the top" in the way that only RR can deliver. Yes--Machete Kills is currenlty in production and, as far as I know, still has Gibson as a weapons dealer villain (IMDB says shooting has wrapped). hrm...as I browse IMDB I also see Charlie Sheen as the President and Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Lady Gaga as, apparently, the same character--their names are listed as El Camaleon and La Chameleon, which should be self-explanatory. Still...I think this is Lady Gaga's first movie role, as well (well, IMDB says she has an uncredited appearance in MiB3).
Machete Kills Again...in Space is listed as "pre-production" but it won't take long for the trilogy to be complete.
Who wouldn't want to see Werewolf Women of the S.S., especially since Nicholas Cage would be playing Dr. Fu Manchu?
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:48 am
by sgt.null
i thought Machete was fun. never saw Hobo with a Shotgun. of the two Grindhouse I thought Death Proof was better.
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:44 pm
by peter
Thanks Hashi for the very informative post. Can you remember which movie in the double bill showing was shown first, Death proof or Planet Terror. In the absence of a double-bill DVD release any time soon, it may be necessary to attempt to do a 'Grindhouse' night at home where I attempt to reconstruct the original from the single DVD's. I can't help feeling that something would have been lost in the splitting of the two as it was done for the UK market.
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 5:14 pm
by Hashi Lebwohl
There were some fake trailers (Machete, Werewolf Women, and I don't recall the others) then Planet Terror. There was a real-life 10 minute intermission (which movies used to have in decades past) so the audience could conveniently visit the restroom and/or snack bar. After that, there were a couple more fake trailers (Don't and Thanksgiving, for certain) then Death Proof.
Sarge, you thought Death Proof was better? Wow--you are the first person with whom I have discussed those movies who holds that opinion.
Peter, I like RR and QT. Their directorial vision is, as I stated, different from mainstream Hollywood (even though QT is definitely a Hollywood insider). QT's main problem is that he likes to tell you how much more he knows about movies than you do but I can live with that because he balances it with things like Frederick Zoller in Inglorious Basterds--the audience actually likes this guy and we feel sorry for him when he is shot despite the fact that he is a Nazi soldier.
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 3:23 am
by Cambo
Machete was awesome. A stupid OTT action movie done right, especially the laugh out loud one liners. Can't wait for Machete Kills.
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 7:15 am
by sgt.null
hashi - thought Death Proof wasa tight little thriller with some great action pieces. plus it has Kurt Russell.
Planet Terror is a fun live action cartoon with lots of gore
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 3:44 pm
by peter
I new QT and I were going to get on fine as soon as I heard that 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly' was his favorite film. (actually a long time before this but it just sealed the deal for me.) RR already had my vote with 'Desperado' and 'From Dusk till Dawn' but cemented it indelibly with 'Sin City'. And now we have 'Sin City: A dame to Kill For' on the way. F*** Yeah!
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 7:08 pm
by Hashi Lebwohl
peter wrote:I new QT and I were going to get on fine as soon as I heard that 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly' was his favorite film. (actually a long time before this but it just sealed the deal for me.) RR already had my vote with 'Desperado' and 'From Dusk till Dawn' but cemented it indelibly with 'Sin City'. And now we have 'Sin City: A dame to Kill For' on the way. F*** Yeah!
I second this.