In what was supposed to be the great re-launch of ’70s grindhouse-style horror and action films into multiplexes “Grindhouse,” the double header of films by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, arrived in theaters with a whimper, instead of a bang. The two features were not the best material by either director with “Planet Terror” not finding enough juice to sustain its minute run time, while “Death Proof” got sidelined by the endless chatter between the leads.
Oddly enough, however, the best part of the film was the fake trailer sequence in front of and between the features. With spots directed by Eli Roth (“Thanksgiving”), Edgar Wright (“Don’t”), Rob Zombie (“Werewolf Women of the S.S.”) and Robert Rodriguez (“Machete”) these brief spots were actually more in spirit with the rough and ready films of the ’70s than the actual features were (with “Machete” spawning a feature length adaptation hitting theaters in September).
While “Grindhouse” was a box office failure, fans were eager to relive the experience at home, but never got the chance. “Planet Terror” and “Death Proof” both received extended and uncut standalone releases (and the films opened separately in many parts of the world) but the combined “Grindhouse” experience in a single disc wallop, never arrived. But that seems to be on its way to being rectified.
Edgar Wright hit Twitter yesterday and not so cryptically revealed, “So, get this, tomorrow I am doing a commentary on ‘Don’t’. Some of you will know what that means is finally happening.” While we wonder how much info Wright will cram into the one minute and twenty second trailer for “Don’t” this is certainly good news for fans, and really, it’ll be nice to have those trailers (which didn’t appear on the standalone releases for the features) available. No word yet on when this will hit store, but our guess is that by Christmas time isn’t an unreasonable suggestion.
We’re kind of curious to revisit “Grindhouse” and take a shot at watching it as these movies really deserve to be watched: very late at night, and very very drunk. That’s not a slight to the films, it’s just that grindhouse films have a certain quality to them that air conditioned, brightly lit theaters selling popcorn and soda don’t quite evoke.
So with this one on the way, are we one step closer to Tarantino’s much talked about “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” finally making its way to store shelves? Let’s hope so.
Just what we need a longer more indulgent version of Death Proof, I really want to see a 55 minute cut of that film.
Those who own the Japanese six-disc edition of GRINDHOUSE have been satisfied for awhile. Whether we need a blu-ray edition is another matter entirely.