Laremy Legel,
Apr 06, 2007
Cargill caught the premiere with Quentin. Laremy attended a press screening without Quentin. Both have opinions. The guys were held in a soundproof chamber and quizzed, neither had prior knowledge of the other's thoughts. So let's get it on!
Grindhouse has a collection of jokes that stem from knowing what grindhouse movies are and what they're made up of. How well do you have to know this to enjoy the film?
Laremy:
I don't think you have to know the genre very well, especially with the Robert Rodriguez film. If you've ever seen a zombie movie, period, you'll get the idea that they're spoofing everything. Perhaps I missed something on the Tarantino effort, but that stood alone as a movie too, without any external references. So while hard-core fans may truly love it, I think it's accessible to everyone.
Cargill:
Well, the films are still in and of themselves films. But there are a few things that might surprise average audiences and cause them to scratch their heads. Things like missing reels and projector meltdowns might be funny to some, but just annoy others.
Do you prefer your Rose McGowan blonde or brunette?
Laremy:
I've got to go brunette, especially given she dances and has a machine-gun leg. She's much more of a lead in the first film (maybe that's why Robert has been rumored to have fallen for her, ahem, cough). In the Tarantino half she's not exactly a throwaway, but she's not given more than 10 minutes either.
Cargill:
Personally, I prefer her as far away from the films I want to see as humanly possible. I hear she's a very sweet girl, but she stretches the term 'actress' about as far as it goes. That works for Grindhouse -- but I hope she doesn't become a staple of the Rodriguez/Tarantino stable.
How does this stack up against Tarantino's prior work?
Laremy:
Very well in the sense that he's building a diverse portfolio. Like all the directors I love, he doesn't fit nicely into a category. Kill Bill I was an action film. Kill Bill II was much more dialogue and plot-driven. Who knows what the hell Pulp Fiction was, other than a life preserver for John Travolta. This is a good film -- Tarantino hasn't really made a bad one yet (even his part in Four Rooms was the good part).
Cargill:
Neither film truly stacks up to the previous efforts of their respective directors. They're not really supposed to. This is them cutting loose and deliberately making films outside of their comfort zone. That's not to say they aren't great fun -- but don't expect to really see a new hard-core Tarantino or Rodriguez film.
Is this three-hour experience worth it for the average viewer, or is this ultimately a vanity project for a small audience?
Laremy:
Somehow I think it's both, meaning it's a vanity project that's worth it for the average viewer. I'm not fully convinced that it's going to make huge dollars, even after winning this weekend, but in general Tarantino and Rodriguez (outside of Spy Kids) are financially smaller directors. Profitable, but not mega-wattage guys of the Lord of the Rings or Pirates variety. The boys clearly did what they wanted here, but that's not a bad thing, as they're both upper echelon in terms of talent.
Cargill:
While a vast majority of the "in" jokes are for hard-core cinemaphiles, both movies really are a lot of fun to watch and provide for a good time at the movies -- especially if you're prepared to just give yourself over to it.
Which film did you like better overall?
Laremy:
Easily the Tarantino one. It's more balanced and less prone to punch lines. Tarantino's version of an homage also stands on its own. Yeah, it incorporates some of the old-school style, but it does it in a way that feels surprisingly fresh. Planet Terror by Rodriguez is sort of like Spaceballs -- it's not a serious film, it's a funny film. Death Proof, on the other hand, is a movie with substance, acting, and plot points.
Cargill:
Tarantino's. There's a point about a half-hour away from the end in which he stops joking around and decides to make a really killer piece of film. The last act of Death Proof would be a great last act in any self-respecting action film.
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