Renaissance Grrrl

I just saw the greatest movie last night: Grindhouse, or at least Rodriguez's Planet Terror. I couldn't stay for Tarantino's half, though admittedly it didn't capture me from what I did see. But Rodriguez! If you like your comedy dark, and I do mean dark, if you like zombie cheesecake, if you like movies that don't even know where over the top begins, if you like your mockery to take itself very seriously <snicker>, then you'll love this film.

Apparently when it came out this april it didn't do so well in the box offices, which I find baffling. Though, looking at a couple of the previews for it, I can see why they wouldn't entice. Save yourself the time. If you're thinking of watching the previews for Grindhouse, don't. If you're thinking of reading the wikipedia page on the anthology, don't. If you're thinking of looking at the posters of the cover for the box, don't (it'll ruin one of the cute jokes, which works better with the buildup of not knowing it's coming). If you're thinking of reading other reviews, don't (it'll just ruin a lot of the plot and atmosphere of WTF?). And if you get this joke because you've seen the movie and you're thinking of telling other people, don't. (If you're thinking of bringing up one of the other's just before it either, don't ;)

But do see the movie. This is one of the few movies on my short list to own. It's been years since the last time I've seen a movie nearly this engaging.

(There's something diabolical about having watched it at the Mission Theater too. Something about watching an anthology tribute to the trashy exploitation films of the '70s on the big screen in a theatre. Something about that theatre being one of the old kind, designed for comfort not for packing them in; the kind where you can still order a beer (in a glass!) and food to take to your seat. And something more about it being a late night showing and the place being mostly empty.

It looks like they're showing it again for a while yet. I may just have to spend my three bucks and go see it again. Anyone care to join me, this weekend or the next?)

Update (Sunday, 11 June 2007): So I went and watched it again with misshepeshu this saturday, the whole thing this time. And having seen Death Proof all the way through, it definitely picks up in the latter half. For the first half of it, go to the bathroom, get some refreshments, keep an eye on it but don't let Tarantino's wankery get too much of you. But do be sure to come back for the second half of it.