Grindhouse (2007)

Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's homage to exploitation double features in the 60s and 70s with two back-to-back cult films that include previews of coming attractions between them.

Directors:

Robert Rodriguez, Eli Roth

Writers:

Robert Rodriguez, Rob Zombie

Stars:

Kurt Russell, Rose McGowan, Danny Trejo

7 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kurt Russell	...	Stuntman Mike (segment "Death Proof")
Zoë Bell	...	Zoë Bell (segment "Death Proof") (as Zoe Bell)
Rosario Dawson	...	Abernathy (segment "Death Proof")
Vanessa Ferlito	...	Butterfly (segment "Death Proof")
Sydney Tamiia Poitier	...	Jungle Julia (segment "Death Proof")
Tracie Thoms	...	Kim (segment "Death Proof")
Rose McGowan	...	Pam (segment "Death Proof") / Cherry (segment "Planet Terror")
Jordan Ladd	...	Shanna (segment "Death Proof") / Judy (segment "Thanksgiving")
Mary Elizabeth Winstead	...	Lee (segment "Death Proof")
Quentin Tarantino	...	Warren (segment "Death Proof") / Rapist #1 (segment "Planet Terror")
Marcy Harriell	...	Marcy (segment "Death Proof")
Eli Roth	...	Dov (segment "Death Proof") / Tucker (segment "Thanksgiving")
Omar Doom	...	Nate (segment "Death Proof")
Michael Bacall	...	Omar (segment "Death Proof")
Monica Staggs	...	Lanna Frank (segment "Death Proof")

Storyline

A double-bill of thrillers that recall both filmmakers' favorite exploitation films. "Grindhouse" (a downtown movie theater in disrepair since its glory days as a movie palace known for "grinding out" non-stop double-bill programs of B-movies) is presented as one full-length feature comprised of two individual films helmed separately by each director. "Death Proof," is a rip-roaring slasher flick where the killer pursues his victims with a car rather than a knife, while "Planet Terror" shows us a view of the world in the midst of a zombie outbreak. The films are joined together by clever faux trailers that recall the '50s exploitation drive-in classics.

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Plot Keywords:

double feature | original story | zombie | real twins playing twins | anthropophagus | 

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Taglines:

You might feel a little prick. (segment "Planet Terror")

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Genres:

Action | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong graphic bloody violence and gore, pervasive language, some sexuality, nudity and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

TFM [France] West Video [Russia]

Country:

USA Mexico Canada UK

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

6 April 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Grind House

Filming Locations:

Texas Chili Parlor, 1409 Lavaca St, Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$53,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,596,613, 6 April 2007, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$25,031,037, 17 June 2007

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dimension Films, Big Talk Productions, Dartmouth International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

191 min 189 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In "Death Proof", there are several references to Pulp Fiction (1994), including the Big Kahuna burger, foot massages, and Tarantino's character mentions a "tasty beverage".

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Goofs

In "Planet Terror", when the survivors are about to leave the Bone Shack, there is a lot of blood on El Wray's shirt, but when they stop outside for a brief moment in front of the Bone Shack, all the blood on his shirt disappears, and then when he pops open the trunk to Dakota's car, some blood reappears.

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Quotes

Stuntman Mike: You know how people say, YOU'RE OKAY IN MY BOOK, or AND IN MY BOOK THAT'S NO GOOD. Well, I actually have... a book. And everybody I ever met goes in this book. And now I've met you, and... YOU'RE GOING IN THE BOOK TOO. Unfortunately, now I'm gonna have to file you under chicken... shit.

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Crazy Credits

The closing credits include pieces of film leader shown in time with the music. Most of these are "China girls," used to check the film's color timing. If you look closely, you will see brief segments of "Death Proof" outtakes.

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Alternate Versions

In Death Proof, after Zoe flies off the hood, she walks back to the car and says, "Phew that was a close one". In the Unrated Extended version it then cuts right to her line, "So, where's the maniac?" In the U.S. Theatrical Double Feature version there's some extra lines of dialog in between: As Zoe notices that Abernathy and Kim have been crying she remarks, "You guys look like shit. Who died?" Abernathy then asks Zoe if she's okay, to which she replies, "Well, I'm gonna have a hell of a bruise on my bum, but aside from that I'll be sweet."

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Connections

References La polizia sta a guardare (1973)

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Soundtracks

Cherry's Dance of Death
Written by Robert Rodriguez
Performed by Chingon
Courtesy of Rocket Racing Rebels

User Reviews

Best "experience" in years

I won tickets to the world premiere of Grindhouse in LA this past week and it was the best 3 hours of my life in recent history. The stories of the two movies combined with the detail and inventiveness of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez brought together 3 hours of action packed fun. The two directors updated the sleazy grindhouse movie experience from the 70's and commercialized it so that we can all enjoy it. You won't find some greasy guy with his pants around his ankles sitting next to you, but you are probably going to be able to sit through all 3 hours of these movies.

I want to compliment the directors for having a unique cinematic vision (and the Weinsteins for funding that vision). I don't always agree with the choices made with either of the filmmakers, but I think they are two of the hardest working most innovative people in Hollywood today. I add this because most film studies students love to hate both of these people and in most conversations suggest that they would be able to do a much better job than either. I disagree.

Planet terror is a gross out flick that has appropriate amounts of gore and guts. If you like Rodriguez, then this movie fits in with all of his previous works. No real surprises here, but fun fun fun!

Tarantino surprised me. I liked the first movies from Tarantino because his movies were set in realities not far from our own. I doubt that it would happen in a weekend, but Pulp Fiction is a semi-believable good story in Los Angeles with unbelievable dialog. Same with Reservoir Dogs. (Jackie Brown is too believable and therefore, uninteresting) As he has progressed, his movies became fantasy, e.g., From Dusk til Dawn and Kill Bill 1 & 2 and WAY too over the top for a "Tarantino" flick.

Death Proof brings it all home! I don't want to spoil any of the movie, so just go see it! It's a simple plot with unbelievable suspense and decent dialog. I have never been so nervous in a film in as long as I can remember. Its no secret that the movie involves a car -- but Tarantino has taken a "classic" car scenario using a classic car and updated it for the new millennium. One only has suspend belief "just enough" for this mix of reality and fantasy to suck them in. It was Tarantino at his best.

Both movies were well executed, well scored, well written, and well played. The extra's and cameos are icing on the cake. No Oscars for either director, but that isn't why you went to see these movies in the first place, now is it?