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News
Two Early "Grindhouse" Reviews Are Here!
by Jen Yamato | March 27, 2007
Discuss Article
Want to know just how excited you should be for next week's Tarantino-Rodriguez double feature schlock-fest? You've got two advance reviews to choose from, for the Sight & Sound subscriber and the basement-dweller alike, so jump in and wade through the high-octane, zombie-killing reaction action!

Usually as these things go, there are precious few options to read early reactions to big movies -- say, AICN's tireless legions of pseudonym-monikered fanboys waxing poetic on the latest coolness to hit the screen. (And, guys, I mean that in the best possible way.)

Accordingly, AICN's own Moriarty has posted a "Grindhouse" review -- modestly entitled "The Only Grindhouse Review You Ever Need To Read" -- by frequent contributor Neill Cumpston; if you've ever had the pleasure of reading Cumpston's reviews, you'll know what I mean when I say that what he lacks in grammar, punctuation, and obedience to the run-on sentence rule, he makes up for with the most entertaining and expletive-filled odes to the experience of movie-going to be put to paper in recent memory.





Sure, he doesn't remember the name of the guy who stars in "Grindhouse"'s fake trailer, "Machete" (that would be character actor Danny Trejo), and his critical assessments of the film are measured in imaginatively visceral bodily reactions. But Cumpston's review captures one thing about "Grindhouse": mainly, that it seems to deliver just what it promises, and excitingly so. In the reviewer's own words, "It's a taquito buffet that you puke up after getting hit with a motorcycle, and it turns into a bikini chick that b**** you and kills your boss with a hammer." Consider those all good things.

But perhaps you like a bit more criticism with your advance reviews. In that case, let us direct you over to IGN Movies, where Todd Gilchrist has posted his (also positive) critique of "Grindhouse." And unlike AICN's reviewer, Gilchrist doesn't use the word "splooge" as a verb.

IGN's review pays particular compliment to Rodriguez' half of the flick, the zombie outbreak feature named "Planet Terror": "As Grindhouse's anchor and what one hopes will be vindicated as the 'A' picture against Tarantino's b-movie follow-up, Planet Terror is Rodriguez' best film to date and an unequivocal masterpiece of celebratory schlock."





Of note is IGN's assessment of Tarantino's half, the vehicular homicide cat-and-mouse chronicle, "Death Proof." Gilchrist suggests that, though rife with plenty of high-achieving action and style, Tarantino's film is too talky for its own good. "Tarantino exposes his penchant for self-indulgence by allowing his characters to chit-chat until you've almost completely lost interest in what the punch line could possibly be," he writes.

Mind you, IGN enjoyed "Grindhouse" -- rating it a 4 out of 5 stars -- and agrees with AICN on a number of fronts, especially where "Death Proof" villain Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) is concerned. The term "Oscar-worthy" is thrown around somewhere; we'll leave it to you to find out who wrote it!

"Grindhouse" is due in theaters April 6; stay tuned for a Tomatometer Watch!

Source: AICN, IGN Movies

Related Items
Celeb: Quentin Tarantino
Kurt Russell
Danny Trejo
Robert Rodriguez
Movie: Grindhouse
Critic: Todd Gilchrist
Neill Cumpston
Source: Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews
IGN Movies
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Comments (1-20 of 20 posts) | Reply
Mikeal420
Mikeal420 writes:
on Mar 27 2007 05:51 AM

Rodriguez weakness has always been too little dialogue,( usually poorly written), and Tarantino strength has always been a lot of dialogue(always well written), so when the reviewer says "Death Proof" has too much dialogue, I take that as a praise.

Or maybe it's just the way Tarantino directs dialogue between actors- In "Sin City", the scene he directed was the only scene that displayed real emotion. Though when it comes to entertaining action, Rodrigues is in a league of his own. But then so is Tarantino... it's easy to tell who I feel is better overall

Also-- well written over-the-top dialogue has just as much of an impact, if not more, for me as well directed over-the-top action


(Reply to this)
Holly Jolly
Holly Jolly writes:
on Mar 27 2007 06:51 AM

In reply to this comment (#859468)
I agree, it's good to know the two movies will be quiet different from each other.

(Reply to this)
frogleg
frogleg writes:
on Mar 27 2007 07:39 AM

I can't wait.

(Reply to this)
BuckRogers
BuckRogers writes:
on Mar 27 2007 07:51 AM

Tarantino's dialogue ridden films come off just as exciting as the action itself, if not better at times. Rodrigues on the other hand doesn't faulter one bit when it comes to action, but hasn't got the total package like Tarantino.

(Reply to this)
WA-HOMEGROWN
WA-HOMEGROWN writes:
on Mar 27 2007 08:35 AM

I think that was the best review i have ever read. I was was excited before but now that I know Im gonna cluster-sp**** my pants, I cannot wait.

(Reply to this)
FILMCZY
FILMCZY writes:
on Mar 27 2007 09:37 AM

In reply to this comment (#859473)
Sorry dude...beat ya to it...I'm already cleanin' my soiled pants...

Is that too much information???


(Reply to this)
Stathis Borans
Stathis Borans writes:
on Mar 27 2007 11:18 AM

I dont see any way this won't be the best movie of all time.

(Reply to this)
Ultimale069
Ultimale069 writes:
on Mar 27 2007 01:10 PM

This movie looks craptastic beyond anything I would ever want to imagine, and I have a damn good imagination and I have done drugs. I hope it bombs. especially cause tarintino is a hack and a rip off expert who hides under guise of "paying homage."

(Reply to this)
StuntmanMike
StuntmanMike writes:
on Mar 27 2007 02:12 PM

I saw Grindhouse last week in Hollywood. If you like Tarentino/Rodriguez you will love this movie. If you're a horror movie fan you will love this movie. If you've ever liked anything resembling cool in your life you will love this movie! The trailers are just as much fun as the movies. Eli Roth's "Thanksgiving" got the best reaction (that guy's insane). The whole thing is like a party in the theatre. Be sure to go to a good theatre with a good crowd. I personally thought Rodriguez's "Planet Terror" was fun and entertaining, also one of the goriest movies I've ever seen - there is some seriously sick shit in it, but I enjoyed Tarentino's "Death Proof" more. To me it had more weight and tension to it. While it wasn't as much fun, it hit me harder. During the last twenty minutes I was on the edge of my seat. Let me just say, best car chase I've seen in over a decade and Kurt Russell rocks the shit in this movie. Fanboy's will not be disappointed. Take a date to this one, if she digs it take her home and effe her violently, if she doesn't, dump her right then and there and then go bang a hooker. The woman next to me hated it and the critics in the crowd didn't seem too pleased because "they didn't get it". Don't listen to those pretentious pricks, let them watch their advance copy of "The Queen" for the tenth time and cry about the abhorrent state of film today. Grindhouse is for people who love having a good, offensive time at the movies.

(Reply to this)
GreenBastard
GreenBastard writes:
on Mar 27 2007 02:58 PM

Sounds good, but did you get paid for that?

(Reply to this)
IMAmoose24
IMAmoose24 writes:
on Mar 27 2007 03:16 PM

Will be great. Simple as that.

(Reply to this)
dracus
dracus writes:
on Mar 27 2007 05:34 PM

[b]TARANTINO IS AN ENT.[/b]
Tarantino is the master of dialogue. He reminds me of the Ents in the Lord of The Rings; it takes him a long while to say something, so because of that he makes sure what he says is worthwhile. Grindhouse is going to be critic proof anyway, so what they say good or bad means nothing to its success. Good to see Tarantino back, now let's hope he finally gets to work on Inglorious Bastards.


(Reply to this)
lavatory love machine
lavatory love machine writes:
on Mar 27 2007 05:48 PM

the reviewer on IGN doesn't seem to like tarantino that much and everything he doesn't like on death proof is the same he didn't like on his other movies, so it doesn't count

(Reply to this)
Stavisky
Stavisky writes:
on Mar 27 2007 05:59 PM

[b]Critics aside[/b]
what if you discover, on your own, without some NY Times or auteurist geek telling you, that this really isn't very special, that's it's just another Hollywood con job without soul or spirit and isn't really very entertaining or subversive, but actually pretty lame....


(Reply to this)
Raziel66
Raziel66 writes:
on Mar 27 2007 08:07 PM

I guess I'm one of the few that think Tarantino is overrated. I felt both Kill Bill films were boring, and crappy beyond all belief. I was hoping Grindhouse would be good, but after seeing the trailer this past weekend, that hope is gone. Looks like another turd that people will proclaim "the greatest thing ever" because it's always cool to like crap. Afterall, isn't that how Hot Topic stays in business?

(Reply to this)
Jen Yamato
Jen Yamato writes:
on Mar 27 2007 11:03 PM

In reply to this comment (#859482)
Why wouldn't it count, if he's reviewing an entirely different movie here on it's own merits?

Also, I'm interested to see if you'd dismiss the AICN review as well, since he seemed to like it for the same reasons he likes other films.


(Reply to this)
GreenBastard
GreenBastard writes:
on Mar 28 2007 02:55 AM

Man, I loved Kill Bill 1 & 2! It was so different.
Usually chicks fighting is so fricking lame but he made it so fricking cool!
I love all his stuff(except Jackie Brown).


(Reply to this)
narfellus
narfellus writes:
on Mar 28 2007 10:19 AM

In reply to this comment (#859486)
You know, i really disliked Jackie brown the first time i saw it, but then i watched it again a few years later and realized what a great movie it was. You just can't compare it to Pulp Fiction, which is what i had done. On its own though, it was cool. And oddly enough, the Kill Bill movies were split for me: i liked the first one more, and the second dragged in some parts. Just my opinion though.

(Reply to this)
Rays reviews
Rays reviews writes:
on Mar 29 2007 05:10 AM

In reply to this comment (#859484)
Im glad to see some good grinder schlock. Looks like fun!! Anything would be better than some new crap from the very unfunny Will Ferrell.

Bring on the Sleaze!


(Reply to this)
Bigbrother
Bigbrother writes:
on Apr 03 2007 10:49 AM

In reply to this comment (#859488)
I'm Ricky Bobby and if you don't like Will Farrell then F*** You!!! Sorry had to defend the Anchorman there for a second. I didn't really like the Kill Bill series that much, not that it was bad, I guess I just expected better from Tarantino. My own fault for building him up I guess. That said I went into Grindhouse with slightly lowered expectations and it blew me away. The only thing that could have made it better would have been if there were still drive-in theaters in the world. Why has some billionaire nostalgia buff not caught that idea again. With Grindhouse and the new Indy movie coming out it's time to recapture the drive-in craze. So in summary Drive-ins and Grindhouse rock and F*** You. I won an award for this you know?...For best comment ever!!!!

(Reply to this)
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