Few people remember the experience of attending a real grindhouse, but these theaters provided a source of entertainment for moviegoers in past decades. During the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, tiny movie theaters called grindhouses opened up around the nation. Instead of showing quality movies that appealed to a wide group of people, grindhouses played 24-hour marathons of cheesy, poorly written catastrophes now known as “B films.” You might think that no one would want to watch such filth in a dingy, little theater, but for some reason, this craze swept the nation. People actually enjoyed going to see films such as “Dawn of the Dead” and “Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women.” Soon, grindhouses became hot spots for the fans of strange cult classics. Not only were viewers drawn to grindhouses for the movies, but also for the unique experiences they provided. Directors Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino worked together to create that same experience in their double feature entitled “Grindhouse.” Three hours in length, “Grindhouse” is actually two movies, four previews (for other fake B-rate movies) and one ad for the gnarliest looking Tex-Mex food in town (again, completely fake). If you ask me, that’s a whole lot of film to cram into one sitting. But Tarantino and Rodriguez, thanks to their excellent filmmaking, produced a film that flows nicely, despite the length. In fact, you almost find yourself believing that at some point, “Werewolf Women of the S.S.” was actually showing in a theater near you. But the real reason you should go see the film “Grindhouse” is for the double feature of “Planet Terror” and “Death Proof.” “Planet Terror,” directed by Rodriguez, is a direct salute to the classic corny horror film. Set in a tiny American town, the film tells the story of a strange infection that is let loose from the local military base. Those infected begin to break out into puss-filled boils that transform them into the living dead. Cherry Darling (Rose McGowan) plays an ex-go-go-dancer who, along with a group of doctors, policemen, scientists and barbecue experts, must rid the town of these monsters. Using scratched film, clichéd lines and unnecessary amounts of blood and gore, Rodriguez succeeded in creating a thoroughly entertaining movie. The best thing about “Planet Terror” is that it completely embraces its own absurdity. While the actors deliver their horribly overused lines in the most serious way possible, you can’t help but laugh out loud. However, this all-out kill-fest is not flawless. Rodriguez is known for being a hyperactive director with many good ideas but poor execution. “Planet Terror” is the perfect example of Rodriguez’s habit of including too much. While the fight scenes are fun to watch, after about an hour of film, they become somewhat monotonous. After the conclusion of “Planet Terror” and three trailers for “up and coming attractions,” you’re launched right into the second part of this double feature: Tarantino’s “Death Proof.” In Austin, Texas, a psychotic killer named Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) stalks groups of beautiful women and attempts to murder them with his nearly indestructible car. When Mike starts to stalk two stuntwomen played by Tracie Thoms and Zoë Bell, he tests his skills as a killing machine. From the very beginning of the film, Tarantino approaches his grindhouse-themed movie in a completely different way than Rodriguez. Instead of launching right into the story like Rodriguez did, Tarantino eases his way into the tale of Stuntman Mike. After so much action from “Planet Terror,” the slow start almost seems out of place. Members of the audience keep waiting for a bizarre killing to occur, but they have to wait a good amount of time until Tarantino builds up to it. It’s obvious that Tarantino has had more experience as a director because he took this grindhouse copycat and turned it into a good movie. With a killer soundtrack, awesome acting on the part of Tracy Thoms and an unforgettable street-racing scene, Tarantino creates what is sure to be considered one of his best films. “Grindhouse” truly draws you back into a world of B-rate movies and keeps you entertained for a good three hours. It’s probably one of the few movies in theaters right now that is worth both the price of the ticket and the taxi fare to The Loop. “Grindhouse” is a great film and is sure to become a cult classic. Planet Terror: 4 Death Proof: 5+ Overall: 5-
