Do not, under any circumstances, miss this movie.

Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino have recreated, with psychotic glee, the glory days of '70s grindhouse cinema -- cheaply made, often highly entertaining exploitation movies whose sole stated purpose was to make money. But they offered high-octane action and never pretended to be anything but what they were. Some of them rose above genre and launched some major talent. ("Caged Heat," for instance, directed by Jonathan Demme.)

"Grindhouse" sets out to recreate the '70s drive-in experience with two 90-minute features and it really succeeds, right down to the scratchy prints, the broken film and even the trailers, which provide some of the most entertaining bits. I hope Rob Zombie actually does make "Werewolf Women of the SS" after this, and I really want to see "Machete."

Rodriguez' "Planet Terror" is easily the more entertaining film of the two, jamming in bioweapons, zombies, violence, explosions, a Mysterious Stranger, some really sick cripple jokes and Tarantino showing his full range as an actor, among many other things. (Get thee behind the camera, Quentin!) My friend Rich and I were aching with laughter by the end of it. And I will always hold a special place for Rose MacGowan in my heart after this.

With "Death Proof," Tarantino did the job too well. Rarely was writing the strong suit of these movies, and that meant a lot of padding between the scenes you paid to see. Far too much of "Death Proof" is chicks sitting around talking, and Tarantino knows better. I know he did that so we'd really appreciate the action when he finally got around to it, but even within the confines of the genre he could have crafted a much better story.

But when it's good, it's damn good. The car chases, particularly the second one, rival "Bullitt," and Kurt Russell is in fine form as Stuntman Mike. I've been told that Tarantino has been threatening to expand "Death Proof" and bring it to Cannes. Maybe that's where the missing subplots will turn up.

I repeat: do not miss this movie. But do a couple of shots first.

Tags: grindhouse, rodriguez, tarantino
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