Touches You

Excellent but underrated film

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez take us back to the good old days of the drive-in B movie double feature. Complete with fake movie trailers and the scratches and pops common in older films, Grindhouse is an entertaining look back for those of us old enough to remember the drive- ins of that era. I'd consider it an entertaining first look for those who aren't.Planet Terror, directed by Robert Rodriguez, is set during a man-made zombie apocalypse. A bio weapon created by the army turns people into flesh eaters. A small band of survivors tries to stop the soldiers and the end result of their weapon while escaping with their lives. Tarantino and Bruce Willis both appear as soldiers. Rose McGowan has a gun for a leg. Does anybody else that's kinda hot?Death Proof, directed by Quentin Tarantino, is set in Tennessee with Kurt Russell as a scarred stunt man using his car to murder women. Tarantino appears again as a bar owner. If you're an aficionado of 60's and 70's movies, you'll see little nods to several throughout. Checkout Grindhouse, it's a trip.

This starts with Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror and finishes with Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof. There are fake trailers and commercial before each feature. Each feature has its own value but what is the value of watching the whole thing together. Of course, this is a homage to the old drive-ins, discount-theaters double-bills. In that sense, watching the entire run has that added value. I would have liked for Tarantino to double-down on that idea. He could have shortened the features and concentrated more on the trailers. I would have loved to have some real trailers and commercials from the era. I don't know if the rights issue would prevent that. It would be like the end of "Cinema Paradiso" where the character watches snippets of old movie kisses. As it is, this is a great homage to the cinematic past.

Grindhouse is a rare experience since double features are not regularly made nowadays. The style that was put into making this double feature particularly makes it feel like two older movies (perhaps from the 70s) but with contemporary actors we know and love like Bruce Willis, Josh Brolin, and Rosario Dawson to name a few. Together, Planet Terror and Death Proof bring an interesting experience to viewers. Separately, each is a good (but not great) B movie.What worked for Planet Terror: it is awesome as a "disease" or "outbreak" movie. Even though the film is generally darkly lit, the killing of the infected proves to be action-packed and very bloody (did Tarantino ghost direct certain parts)? Wray is a really cool character with a clear expertise on guns and a great shooter. Cherry is good as well, but a little more bland than Wray. While the coolest aspect of the film has to be when Cherry gains a gun for a leg it defies the logic of her knowing how to operate it without pulling a trigger of any sorts. Also, it does not seem to run out of ammo. But this logic is somewhat irrelevant since it is clear Planet Terror was made for fun.What worked for Death Proof: Tarantino is at it again with conversations that connect dots between various situations. For example, in the first half of the film a girl is told to do a lap- dance for the first man who says something specific to her, and her friends urge her not to be "chickens***." When Kurt Russell tries this on this same girl later in the film, he makes an analogy to the common phrase "in my book" and threatens to put this girl under "chickens***" in his "book." Unlike most Tarantino movies, however, it lacks substance, and at its most basic, Death Proof is about Kurt Russell tracking two sets of girls - one in the first half and another in the second half. Even with Tarantino-esque dialogue, this segment falls short of great, but Kurt Russell's performance in this movie is convincing and impressive.It is a fun experience to watch this double feature, but do not expect to watch two masterpieces by any means.3.0/4.0

Grindhouse? What the hell does that mean? Is this even something I'd enjoy? A typical moviegoer would say ask those questions. One who's typical night out includes seeing a high budgeted film in a theater with anti-sticky floors, nice leather seats, and viewing the cinematic experience in the finest audio and video presentation possible. Not to mention, one who's spending a mere ten bucks on a late outing with a soul film, that typically, doesn't deliver what it promises. Grindhouse is exactly the complete opposite of that. Grindhouse is typically defined as a double feature, in which two B-flick films (oh no, you won't find a DeCaprio here) play back to back, while trailers serve as the intermission. Not to mention that grindhouse experiences consisted of those annoying product placements and how heavily they emphasize on a restricted rating. As for people that know what a Grindhouse is and misses the experience they once had, well folks, here's your chance! Step right up and pay your ten bucks for two films, fake trailers, "restriction" cards, and a restaurant advertisement. Don't go in searching for the latest Hollywood actor, some fancy set pieces, or a clear picture and chances are, you'll probably have a fun time. THE MOVIES ____________Planet Terror: ***1/2 out of (****) or 8/10. Basically, this film has a copy-and-paste script since the plot is paper-thin and it involves the usual, "virus breaks out and people get infected" concept. However, that's what makes this film more overall effective. Planet Terror is the first film to be featured in the double-bill and rightfully so. The performances are top- notch, the pacing is brisk, the body count is plentiful, and it's just boatloads of fun. How can you go wrong with a Fergie cameo, a Quentin Tarantino cameo, Robert Rodriguez in the director's chair, severed balls, a go-go dancer with a machine gun for a leg, and her Mexican companion? Planet Terror is the finest B-flick I've seen because Rodriguez proves to us that even though your film is intentionally bad, that doesn't mean it has to have weak dialog or characters. It can have great characters, some funny one-liners, and a brisk pace added to the mix. Highly recommended.Death Proof: ***1/2 out of (****) or 8/10. Okay, I know many will beg to differ with me putting both movies on par with each other, but let me ask you this. How is it fair to say one film is better than the other when both films are in two entirely different ballparks? If you want a break-neck pace, a "get-to-the-point" direction, and hardcore thrills, see "Planet Terror". However, if you ask for a little more character development and a rather smoother pace, seek out "Death Proof". Honestly, this film is underrated. I mean, yes, there is a lot of redundant dialog, but I was entertained and that twenty minute car crash sequence even made me like this movie more. I can't really say I liked one film over the other. Both set out to do what they wanted and succeeded greatly.THE FAKE TRAILERS ___________________Machete: *** out of (****) or 7/10. You've just *beeped* with the wrong Mexican! That's just one out of many cheesy moments. From a badass Mexican to a three-way pool scene to a priest with guns, this will quench the thirsts of avid B-flick fans. While I liked the faux trailer, it loses a star (or three) because it didn't keep my interest as the others did, but it was still good.Werewolf Woman Of the S.S.: **** out of (****) or 10/10. No lie, I absolutely loved this trailer. I mean it truly showcases how such of a douchebag Hitler was, a nice campy tone, and a Chinese Nicholas Cage. Can this get any better? Apparently so since I gave it a terrific rating.Don't: **** out of (****) or 10/10. This trailer or Thanksgiving was my favorite, even though I love Werewolf Woman Of the S.S. I've always been a sucker for haunted house films and slashers and when I found out "Don't" was a mixture of those, I jumped with joy. Seriously, Edgar Wright is a genius. If this becomes a movie, I'm seeing it.Thanksgiving: **** out of (****) or 10/10. By the next sentence, you're either with this trailer or not. A knife to the vagina, A swallowing woman who's boyfriend's head is later decapitated, a turkey stuffed with dead bodies, a man humping a dead body filled with turkey, and a dead poor Grannie. Thanksgiving is a wet dream for B-flick lovers. The picture, the voice-over, the money shots. It's all there. OVERALL EXPERIENCE _____________________Grindhouse: ***1/2 out of (****)Overall, Grindhouse is one hell of an outing. Two nearly perfect films, flawless fake trailers, and corny product placement make this a solid recommendation. If you are wondering folks, I saw the WHOLE thing. From the opening "Machete" fake trailer to the credits of "Death Proof", I have seen Grindhouse in its fullest. This could not have happened if the sweetie pies over at Vivendi Entertainment didn't release their Grindhouse Blu-ray. Rodriguez and Tarantino, please, please, make another Grindhouse flick!!