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Hello kiddies, I’ve been away awhile but Grindhouse brought me back. For good or evil? Well a little of both, I’d guess. As you all know Grindhouse is a double feature from Rodriquez and Tarantino comprised of Planet Terror and Death Proof, respectively.

We’ll break this down into three parts. Each movie individually and then the experience as a whole. So first up, Planet Terror! In my mind, vastly the superior of the two films, this offering from R.R. takes the “grindhouse” mentality and runs with it for the full length of the field and then spikes the severed head of awesomeness into the ground. And then shows you some titties.

The plot is a fun little bit of crazed genius that revolved around a secret weaponized gas that turns anyone in contact with it into a bubbly gobly zombie that, of course, hungers for flesh. The movie follows a group of ass kicking survivors armed with knives, revolvers, M-16s and of course, that bitchin’ if not ridiculous leg cannon. SCORE. We get lots of bullets, blood, outrageous adventures, scantily clad women. It’s awesome. If Grindhouse is interesting to you in the least, this movie will seal the deal and be exactly what you want it to be. I couldn’t ask for a more fun, ridiculous, and awesomely pleasing time.

Death Proof, however, fell a bit flatter. Full of lengthy and ultimately useless and stilted dialog, the movie takes too long in delivering what are ultimately one of the coolest car crashes ever and one relatively standard car chase. Now,I enjoyed it. Not nearly as much as Planet Terror, mind you, and it is clearly the weakest thing Tarantino has done to date. Quentin tried to turn the genre a bit and basically just ignored traditional buildup and replaced it with “character” building through his trademarked superfluous “real world” dialog. Then we get some action. Then more “character” building. Then a car chase.

Ultimately, Death Proof keeps a plot out of a grindhouse fare movie but abandons the grindhouse feel. It lacks, especially later in the film, the style and camp factor of Planet Terror to its detriment. I was, to say the least, disappointed, though held it to high standards.

As an experience Grindhouse is the most fun I’ve had in awhile. There was laughing, cheering, buckets of popcorn. It felt like a day at the movies rather than just going to see a movie. It was really an enjoyable fun time for me, as a mature moviegoer. I recommend this to anyone who has the sensibility to appreciate Grindhouse for what it is and can differentiate from this campy fun and say, Jackie Brown or Schindler’s List.

Let’s not forget to mention that the fake trailers by guest directors were hilarious and I hope to God we see Thanksgiving and Machete made some day soon!

All in all, get your pasty ass out there and see this righteous experience.