ZebraspotsDeathproof (2007)
March 16th 2008 05:40
Seriously, why would you want to kill Rose McGowan?
In 2003, legendary cult directors, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez came up with the idea of making a film each, and playing them together as a double feature. The two films, Planet Terror and Deathproof (2007) were released under the name Grindhouse, which is what old movie theatres that screened B-grade exploitation films were called back in the day.
Deathproof is Tarantino’s attempt at an old school slasher flick- except replace a knife wielding maniac with a psychopath driving an invincible stunt car. Kurt Russell is actually in form playing a creepy, chauvinistic weirdo who for some reason loves driving his car into young pretty ladies, who include Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Verlito and stuntwoman, Zoe Bell, playing herself.
When characters in a film are having long conversations about nothing, then you know you’re watching a Quentin Tarantino film. Get ready to listen to a lot of Tarantino type conversations when watching the stand-alone extended version of Deathproof.
Surprisingly, there isn’t very much action in the film, but there is a lot of talking. Everyone loves a Tarantino conversation, but in this case, there might be too much of a good thing.
When there is action, the movie becomes a lot more interesting. The car chase scenes are enthralling as is a steaming lap dance by actress, Vanessa Verlito. On a similar topic, in classic 70’s exploitation style, there are a lot of butt close-ups. Funnily enough, despite the grainy film, bad camera zooms and “accidental” jump cuts reminiscent of a low-budget 70’s film, the movie is set in present day. So, basically, Tarantino is giving us a modern thriller that looks like its shot in the 70’s, which is an interesting use of juxtaposition.
I think this film would have worked better in its shorter edited form. For a lot of the film, girls sit around having Tarantino conversations, but they have them for a long time, and besides some dancing, that’s all they do.
3.5 out of 5
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Considering my adoration for Vanishing Point and its super charged brethren I was destined to lap up Death Proof. The soundtrack, the cars, the chicks...a big tick, tick, tick!
The lap dance was missing from the cinema edit, so the extended does have that going for it.....Planet Terror was grat guns fun too, in a zombie slash way.