Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Grindhouse’

‘Planet Terror’ Review
Written by Scott Edwards

Let’s take a quick trip back to the seventies and reflect upon the horror movies that came out in that era. Back then, horror movies were based on blood and guts and a strong story line. Not forgetting this, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino combined forces and drew upon their youth to re-invent a new cult favorite.

Having many storylines between couples, brothers and a dysfunctional father/daughter relationship, Planet Terror brought more than just relationships to the screen. With a fantastic staff comes great acting by way of horror greats Tom Savini and Michael Biehn, and they are nicely complimented by Freddie Rodriguez, Rose McGowan and Bruce Willis.

Now while nothing about this movie screams Oscar in any way, shape or form, it is a very entertaining film as you watch all of the different characters grow in one way or another. The effects are nothing less than spectacular having one of the greats, Greg Nicotero leading the charge with all kinds of splatter flying across the screen.  Not being given limits of how the infected will be disposed of makes an effects driven movie much more entertaining.

Planet Terror takes you on a spectacular ride as a type of zombie virus is released on a small town. The DC-2 gas that is released either kills people or makes them dependent on it.  The folks that are immune to its effects are ravaged by the infected.  Fighting with the Sheriff and new hero Wray, a group bands together to take on a corrupted military platoon as they try to leave town.  Meeting up with Biochemist Abby, the group takes their fight to the next level as they discover the only weakness the infected soldiers have, is the DC-2 gas.

With your main storyline hiding behind Wray, a tow truck driver that has a hidden past that only wants to save his love, Cherry, there are plenty of other stories to go around. There is Cherry, a now former Go-Go Dancer that is looking for her next profession, possibly as a stand-up comedian. Lt. Muldoon is looking for some way to keep his men alive after being exposed to DC-2 gas. And then there is the brothers, J.T. and Sheriff Hague who continually battle over the best bar-b-q in the family. Then Doctor William Block and his wife Doctor Dakota Block are at their wits ends with each other, but neither will say anything to the other as since there is zero trust between them.

If you are looking for a fast-paced horror film with tons of blood, Planet Terror is your film. Lots of blood and guts being shot all over the screen with strong performances and a story line that keeps your attention, Robert Rodriguez has brought the cult classic back to the big screen. The film even adds grain along with discoloration added in to make you feel as if you are watching an old beat-up movie that has been played many times over before getting to you. Having a missing reel is also a stroke of genius as you move from the movie's love scene to a building burning down, having no reason why. Scares, humor, action and gore, the only elements you need for a good horror movie. If you have not seen this film yet and love horror or scary movies, pick it up, you will not be disappointed. If you have seen it, give it another view, for there are scenes that will still make you smile as you remember back to your first viewing. Stay scared out there.

​‘Death Proof’ Review
Written by John Edward Betancourt

We all suffer from an interesting issue when it comes to motion pictures. We love villains. We cannot take our eyes off of them, we cannot spend enough time talking about them, they simply fascinate us. I don't know if it is a darker side of us that somehow gravitates to the evil that we see on screen, but that line of thinking moves toward an interesting discussion for another day.  

Instead, maybe, just maybe, we aren't necessarily all about the villain and what he or she stands for...but the person who plays them. It could be the actor that somehow makes the villain worth our while and that specific reason is why I think Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof is so damn enjoyable.  

Stuntman Mike lives on the edge, just as his namesake implies. It is all about thrills and chills for Mike as he brings about death-defying stuns that keep all of us in awe on the screen. He does his job from his death proof car day in, and day out and always has a smile on his face. But don't let his charm fool you, Mike has a secret. He's a sucker for a beautiful lady, and he loves nothing more than to kill them in the most thrilling of fashion.  

The second half of the film Grindhouse is not without its flaws. At times Death Proof is a little slow and seems to lose its way. Yet, you are captivated with every frame of this film. The characters manage to jump off the screen thanks in part to amazing performances from Rosario Dawson and a hell of a surprising turn from Zoë Bell. Plus, the gory special effects are about as top notch as they get courtesy of always fantastic work from KNB.  

But there is one man that steals the show in this film, and it's Kurt Russell's turn as Stuntman Mike and his performance is exactly what I mentioned earlier...this is a villain that you cannot stop being fascinated with. It's obvious that Stuntman Mike is one sick son-of-a-gun, thanks to his fiendishly disturbing skills as a stalker and well...his bloodlust to kill girls by way of car collision. Yet, Kurt's ability to turn on the charm when he needs to and genuinely terrify us a few seconds later is just incredible. It speaks to the talent that Mister Russell exudes on screen but also helps build the film up to a big surprise; the fact that when it comes down to it, Stuntman Mike is a big wimp.   

While Death Proof is a disgusting character study in the spirit of exploitation films in many ways, Director Quentin Tarantino and his unique style also make the film a fascinating character study by presenting the two halves of a killer, and I enjoyed how this film presents us with a sadistic killer that is just a man, who in the end, is terrified of death and pain like the rest of us. He's just found himself in a place where he can control and beat it and man...that makes for a smart horror flick and ends up making Death Proof completely worth your while.  ​