Grindhouse (2007) - A Tribute to Exploitation Cinema

Grindhouse is a 2007 film directed by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez that pays homage to the exploitation cinema of the 1970s. The film is a double feature, with two feature-length segments, each with its own unique story and style. Grindhouse is a wild, over-the-top, and visually stunning tribute to the gritty, low-budget films of the past.

Plot

The first segment, "Death Proof," directed by Tarantino, follows the story of Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell), a Hollywood stuntman who uses his "death proof" car to murder young women. After killing a group of women, he encounters a group of tough and fearless female friends, including Zoë Bell playing herself, who are determined to make him pay for his crimes. The film builds towards a thrilling and action-packed finale as the women take on Stuntman Mike in a high-speed chase.

The second segment, "Planet Terror," directed by Rodriguez, takes place in a small Texas town, where a toxic gas leak turns the townspeople into flesh-eating zombies. The story centers around Cherry (Rose McGowan), a go-go dancer with a machine gun leg, and her ex-boyfriend Wray (Freddy Rodriguez), a rogue former military man, as they team up to fight the zombies and save the world from destruction.

Facts and Rumors

Grindhouse was originally supposed to include three feature-length segments, but the third one, "Hell Ride," directed by Larry Bishop, was cut due to time constraints. The film's use of fake trailers was inspired by Rodriguez's love for the Italian cinema of the 1970s. There are rumors that some of the cars used in the film were stolen during production, but this has never been confirmed by the filmmakers.

Here are some facts and rumors about the film:

1. Originally, Grindhouse was supposed to include three feature-length segments, but the third one, "Hell Ride," directed by Larry Bishop, was cut due to time constraints. The complete version of "Hell Ride" was later released as a standalone film in 2008.

2. The film's title, Grindhouse, refers to the name of the old movie theaters that used to show exploitation films in the 1960s and 1970s.

3. The film's use of fake trailers was inspired by Rodriguez's love for the Italian cinema of the 1970s, which often included fake trailers as a way to promote upcoming films.

4. There are rumors that some of the cars used in the film were stolen during production. However, this has never been confirmed by the filmmakers.

5. Quentin Tarantino reportedly convinced Kurt Russell to take on the role of Stuntman Mike by writing him a personal letter and offering him the opportunity to play a "great villain."

6. In "Death Proof," there is a scene in which the characters played by Rosario Dawson and Tracie Thoms discuss their favorite horror movies. This scene is a nod to Tarantino's love for the horror genre and his tendency to reference other films in his own work.

7. The film's production company, Dimension Films, reportedly wanted to release the two segments separately, but Tarantino and Rodriguez fought to keep them together as a double feature.

8. There is a rumor that Tarantino and Rodriguez originally wanted to cast Sylvester Stallone as the villain in "Death Proof." However, Stallone reportedly turned down the role due to scheduling conflicts.

9. The film's soundtrack includes songs from a variety of genres and eras, including rock, soul, and funk. The soundtrack was released on vinyl and CD, and it became a popular collector's item among fans of the film.

10. Grindhouse was a commercial failure at the box office, but it has since gained a cult following and has been praised for its innovative approach to storytelling and its homage to exploitation cinema.

Cast

The main cast members for "Death Proof" include Kurt Russell as Stuntman Mike, Rosario Dawson as Abernathy Ross, Vanessa Ferlito as Arlene, and Sydney Tamiia Poitier as Jungle Julia. The main cast members for "Planet Terror" include Rose McGowan as Cherry Darling, Freddy Rodriguez as El Wray, and Josh Brolin as Dr. William Block.

• Kurt Russell as Stuntman Mike: Born on March 17, 1951, in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, Russell was around 56 years old when he acted in the film. He is 5'11" (180 cm) tall, and was married to actress Goldie Hawn at the time of filming.
• Rose McGowan as Cherry Darling: Born on September 5, 1973, in Florence, Italy, McGowan was around 33 years old when she acted in the film. She is 5'4" (163 cm) tall, and was engaged to director Robert Rodriguez at the time of filming.
• Freddy Rodriguez as El Wray: Born on January 17, 1975, in Chicago, Illinois, USA, Rodriguez was around 32 years old when he acted in the film. He is 5'6" (168 cm) tall, and was not married at the time of filming.
• Josh Brolin as Dr. William Block: Born on February 12, 1968, in Santa Monica, California, USA, Brolin was around 39 years old when he acted in the film. He is 5'10" (178 cm) tall, and was married to actress Diane Lane at the time of filming.
• Marley Shelton as Dr. Dakota Block: Same as above.
• Jeff Fahey as J.T.: Born on November 29, 1952, in Olean, New York, USA, Fahey was around 54 years old when he acted in the film. He is 6'0" (183 cm) tall, and was married to actress Yvonne O'Grady at the time of filming.
• Michael Biehn as Sheriff Hague: Born on July 31, 1956, in Anniston, Alabama, USA, Biehn was around 50 years old when he acted in the film. He is 6'0" (183 cm) tall, and was married to actress Jennifer Blanc at the time of filming.
• Naveen Andrews as Abby: Born on January 17, 1969, in London, England, Andrews was around 38 years old when he acted in the film. He is 5'9" (175 cm) tall, and was not married at the time of filming.
• Bruce Willis as Lt. Muldoon: Born on March 19, 1955, in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany, Willis was around 52 years old when he acted in the film. He is 6'0" (183 cm) tall, and was married to actress Demi Moore at the time of filming.
• Stacy Ferguson as Tammy Visan: Born on March 27, 1975, in Hacienda Heights, California, USA, Ferguson was around 32 years old when she acted in the film. She is 5'2" (157 cm) tall, and was not married at the time of filming.

FAQ

1. What is the significance of the film's title "Grindhouse"? The term "grindhouse" refers to a type of movie theater that specialized in showing low-budget and exploitation films, often with violent and sexual content. The film's title is a nod to this type of cinema, as it seeks to pay homage to the gritty and over-the-top films of the past.

2. What is the role of the fake trailers in the film? Grindhouse includes fake trailers for fictional movies, such as "Machete" and "Werewolf Women of the SS." These trailers serve as intermissions between the two feature-length segments, and were created as a way to further pay tribute to the exploitation cinema of the past.

3. How was Grindhouse received by critics and audiences? The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its tribute to exploitation cinema and others criticizing its excessive violence and length. At the box office, the film underperformed, failing to recoup its $53 million budget in the United States.

4. What impact did Grindhouse have on the careers of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez? While Grindhouse was not a commercial success, it is notable for being a collaboration between two highly influential filmmakers. Tarantino and Rodriguez had previously worked together on the 1995 film "Four Rooms," and their partnership on Grindhouse further cemented their status as mavericks of modern cinema.

5. Is Grindhouse suitable for all audiences? Due to its violent and sexual content, Grindhouse is not suitable for all audiences. The film is rated R in the United States, meaning that it is restricted to viewers over the age of 17 unless accompanied by an adult. Parents should exercise caution when deciding whether to allow their children to watch the film.

Reviews

1. "I loved Grindhouse! It was so crazy and fun. I especially liked the fake trailers - they were hilarious!" - Sarah, 25
2. "This movie was so gory! I had to look away during some of the scenes, but it was still really cool." - Jake, 32
3. "I don't get what all the fuss is about. It was just a bunch of violence and sex. Not my cup of tea." - Lisa, 28
4. "Grindhouse was sick! I loved the music and the way it was filmed. Definitely not for the faint of heart, though." - Max, 21
5. "I appreciated the homage to classic exploitation films, but the pacing was off for me. It dragged on in some parts and was too fast in others." - Amanda, 30
6. "I thought Grindhouse was really creative. The different segments had such distinct styles, but they still fit together well." - Nick, 27
7. "This movie was insane! I couldn't believe some of the things they got away with. Definitely not for everyone, but I enjoyed the wild ride." - Tyler, 23