

Grindhouse, the Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez- directed double-feature homage to 70's exploitation movies, is bombing badly. That's a shame. The running time of three-plus hours can't be helping it, since a theater can only show it once an evening instead of the usual two showings a night like almost every other film released in the US.
"Planet Terror" is Rodriguez' offering: a funny, sick, witty Zombie movie that uses the faux-damaged print as an asset, building excitement and a couple of FANTASTIC jokes around print damage. I don't want to tell you more, but if you don't see this in a theater the experience will be at least halved.
There are phony trailers for other exploitation movies with titles like "Don't", Thanksgiving" and "Machete" placed at the beginning and in between the two features, directed by various notable directors. These are not to be missed. The theater experience really enhances the appreciation of fake trailers and other bumpers used in movie houses- you really have to see them with an audience and a big screen to get the full experience.
The second feature is the Tarantino film, "Deathproof". Despite some great action, his dialog (groan), pacing and the acting of this group of women-in-peril is so bad that I considered leaving at least a half dozen times. I stayed because the rest of the film Grindhouse was so rewarding that I thought the Tarantino story would save itself. It almost did, so stick around for the ending.
It would be a shame to let this crazy, original film pass you by. If you don't believe me, check
Rotten Tomatoes, and you'll see an 81 percent "fresh" rating.
