Grindhouse Talks Too Much

Rating: 7/10 (28 April 2007)

The film is tanking at the box office and soon will be gone--I just barely caught it on its way out. Glad I did. Surprisingly (to me), I found "Planet Terror" the stronger piece; it succeeds in having an epic scope and I found most of it--including the gore--hip and entertaining. Best thing about "Deathproof" is the Kurt Russell performance. Worst thing (about both films) are the tedious talky scenes--especially Tarantino's. His self-referential schtick was especially tiresome (references to foot massages and Big Kahuna Burger . . . OK OK, we get it); and seeing Quentin in both films was a little much; his acting was alright--actually pretty good--but, he didn't need to be in both films. Although seeing his character's eye poked out with a splintered piece of peg leg was fun.
Another problem in "Grindhouse" (which given the ending I doubt was intentional) is that Kurt Russell is by far the most likable character in the film. The women are bitchy vain harpies and it was a nice payoff seeing the first batch obliterated in the head-on; it would have worked a lot better to have the second batch be somewhat likable; that way when they are in danger and when they take revenge--we would actually care. Tarantino does his usual "witty hip" dialogue thing, but the conversations amongst the females seemed forced and didn't ring true--because it all sounded too much like Q. Tarantino. I found myself wondering if he can write women's dialogue?
Finally, though I enjoyed the "thematic" grindhouse experience (the double feature, goofy trailers, missing reels, scratchy film, etc.) the experience is simply too long; they should be separately issued companion pieces--and I think that's what they are planning in re- release. Each is satisfying on its own, but together they are too exhausting and come off as a little too indulgent. Plus I had to pee so bad before it was over that I finally just went . . . sorry.