analogzombie Blog

Under discussion:

Grindhouse  (2007)

Both films are fun, exciting, and enjoyable. They pay decent homage to their schlocky forbearers with "Planet Terror" being the most well-rounded of the double feature. "Death Proof" is great, in parts, but Tarantino's dialogue for his female characters lacks the impact or snazz of Resevoir Dogs or even Kill Bill Vol. 2. Sure he's trying to make a B movie just like "They call her One Eye" or "Detroit 9000", but his characters, except for Kurt Russell as Stuntman Mike, are so boring, so thinly drawn that it seems like poor imitation of his earlier work.

Rodriguez, on the other hand creates some of the most fun and badass characters of his career especially with Dakota and Doc Block. His film is more rooted in the 80's gorefests that the Grindhouse era though. Not to mention Tarantino's cameo destroys Planet Terror for me, maybe that's the point though. But please Quentin, stop acting.

Bottom line; Zoe Bell is awesome as herself, and Death proof is fun with some awesome car chases. It's the ridiculous dialogue that spews from Tarantino's chatracters mouths that kills the film. Planet Terror is a gore fest romp that loses its way at the end. The best part of Grindhouse though, are the faux trailers, except for Rob Zombie's that is. 

Under discussion:

A History of Violence  (2005)

A Hostory of Violence is Cronenberg's best film in his new direction of internal exploration. Often known for his "body horror" phase i.e. Videodrome, The Fly, The Brood; A History of Violence is a lot closer in tone to his more recent Spider, an underrated gem.

The film works on a surface level as an identity crisis revenge film subplanted into an idyllic American milieu. Scratch the surface and you will find a dissection of the heart of American society. At times tortously violent and brutal, Tom Stall is a man trying desperately to cleanse himself of his past. I could go into a metaphor about his inner turmoil representing the American identity crisis but that seems too on the nose. 

A History of Violence is a story about the allure of strength and the desire for a calm life. After all,  Stall's wife is at once repulsed and attracted to her husband's dark secret. In the end we must all live with the duality of human nature. We are capable of extreme brutality, but great warmth as well.