Day 4 - Grindhouse

Tonight, for the first time in Mitch's Film Festival history, I had company! My friends Gavin and Milap both came along with me to see Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's double-feature ode to 70's B-flicks, Grindhouse.

To start the experience was Robert Rodriguez' Planet Terror. Now, this half of the movie had been getting lackluster reviews from critics, but watching it, I was surprised at how watchable it was. I found myself enjoying it for the most part. However, Rodriguez chose to fill the flick with various winks and nods at the audience, as though he were spoofing the grindhouse cinema rather than paying it homage. However, he still manages to make it work, despite some somewhat questionable performances and complete disregard for the rules and bylaws of zombie lore. Other than that, I took no major issue with the film.

By the time it ended, it was around ten-fifteen, and Milap wasn't impressed. He was ready to go back to the dorm. Luckily though, I managed to convince him to stay for the second half.

Then Death Proof started. However, I wasn't immediately sucked in. Something felt odd, be it the acting, the locale, maybe even the faux-grain placed over the film. (of course, this was only minor compared to the sand-trap Rodriguez must have used to b-flick-up his half). However, while some people were turned off by the heavy amounts of dialogue, that is actually what finally made me come around. Quentin Tarantino just has a way of writing conversations that makes them so utterly watchable. As many of you may know, halfway through the film, the initial characters are killed off, and after a short interlude in a hospital, we immediately meet three new girls.

And this is where the movie really started. It was like a whole different film. The faux-grain was gone, replaced with a stark, black-and-white scene at a gas station. All of Planet Terror's flaws are suddenly magnified. It's very apparent: This is already, by far, the better half.

The movie soon switches to color, and we are introduced to a group of girls that is not only more charasmatic than the first three, but a million times more likeable overall. After a bit more dialogue and the introduction of a fourth girl, we soon find them being pursued by Kurt Russel's Stuntman Mike, just as in the first half. However, A different set of girls, a different set of rules.

As to preserve the story for those who have yet to see it yet, I will remain scant on the details from here on out. However, all you really must know is that the chase scene in this movie had me floored. I can't remember the last time I was so enthralled by a scene in any film. I sat in my seat, mouth quite literally agape with awe, simply laughing from excitement. Then, the ending. This movie contains what may be the most satisfying ending of any movie I've seen in years, perhaps ever. Even Milap, who before it started was dead-set on going home, left with a mile-wide grin, joining us in singing it's praises all the way home.

I would think that it is obvious what my verdict is by now: Rent both, and watch them in the order they were meant to be seen. However, if you have to pick one, even if you have to pick one movie to watch for the rest of the YEAR, make it Death Proof. I wholeheartedly assure you that, unless your heart is pure, black coal, you will love it.