Netflix #46 – Planet Terror – Suggested by Michelle
Yes! This movie was a blast. It reminded me of the also awesome Slither, with it’s blend of over the top gore, humor, and homages to classic horror movies. In case you don’t know, Planet Terror is one half of the Grindhouse double feature made by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. Planet Terror is Robert Rodriguez’s zombie movie, while Death Proof is Quentin Tarantino’s killer car movie, which I guess I should rent now, since I liked this one so much. This is also the first movie I’ve seen with Rose McGowan (believe it or not, I’ve never seen Monkeybone) and she was incredible. Also incredible was Freddy Rodriguez, who I love from Ugly Betty, where he plays Gio, the guy Betty better end up with! (I’m so over Henry!) Anyway, this movie was awesome. The action was incredible, and I will guarantee that you will reach a certain sense of euphoria when Rose McGowan’s character gets the gun leg and kicks serious amounts of ass. If you don’t want to rent it though, you can just watch the euphoric scene of awesomeness right here:
Netflix #47 – Not Without My Daughter – Suggested by Mom, Amanda, and Nicolle
You may take this to be a bad thing, but I’d compare this movie to a Lifetime Original Made for Television Movie with it’s poor production values, evil men, and heightened melodrama. But um, who doesn’t love Lifetime Original Made for Television Movies? I really like Sally Field and she was great as the wife and mother trapped in Iran by her husband in the 1980′s who has to escape with (you guessed it!) her daughter. I’m actually surprised this even made it to the theaters, since it would have been more suitable as a Lifetime Original Made for Television Movie (how many times do you think I can say Lifetime Original Made for Television Movies in this review?) but for a Sunday afternoon in my pajamas on the couch, this worked just fine. It’s based on a true story, and my Mom and brother Adam told me that the book was better, so I may have to give it a try at some point. But unless the movie just happened to cutout the spaceship battles (due the constraints of a Lifetime Original Made for Television Movies budget) I’m not sure that’s going to be a top priority just yet. Funny story about Iran: My friend’s dad is Iranian, and when he came over to America for the first time, as he stepped out of Grand Central Station there was a demonstration going on, and he was so excited to be in America where demonstrations could take place he just automatically joined in. When he got around to asking someone what the demonstration was for they told him it was a gay pride rally. Woops! Oh and Lifetime Original Made for Television Movie. That’s six.
I’m so glad that you enjoyed Planet Terror. I LOVED it and also think that scene in particular was plain awesome. Did you listen to it with the audience track on?
Death Proof unfortunately was a disappointment for me. It’s mostly talking, the only real action being a long car chase at the end. Some people have said it was one of the best car chases but it did nothing for me. Planet Terror was much, much more fun.
Man, I’ve been wanting to see Planet Terror since it was first released. Now I *definitely* have to catch this flick. And, Michelle, I heard the same about Death Proof — that it didn’t measure up to the awesomeness of Planet Terror.
Oh no, I forgot about the audience reaction track! I bet it was great during that scene. We might have to watch it on your enormous TV next time I’m over.
I heard a lot of people saying that they liked Death Proof better also, but you recommended Planet Terror and thought it looked more up my alley so I got that one first. Maybe I’ll take my time seeing Death Proof.
Never seen either but I can tell my Iranian story. I worked with a lot of Iranian engineers at a university (many moons ago) and when one family was getting ready to move to Canada they were told how cold it gets here and to make sure they had warm clothes, etc. So they get off the plane wearing heavy coats, hats, gloves …. in July. LOL Seems we neglected to mention its only cold in the winter months. Ooops.
But, but, Christopher Gorham is so cute!
Actually I don’t watch Ugly Betty, but I did catch some re-run episodes of Jake 2.0 which is where my Gorham crush started.
The scene looks very campy and fun.
I also have an Iranian story. I was traveling as a student in Germany in the late 80′s and was walking out of a youth hostel in Munich with a traveling companion and we passed two fellows with huge hair sitting on a wall outside. We said hello and, as we all did in those situations, they asked us where we were from and we said the US, and then they said “We are from Iran. So you are our hostages now! Ha Ha!!”
Not so funny.
Didn’t see either movie, and I’ve never seen Ugly Betty, and I don’t have an Iranian story, but I DO have an Iraqi story, which is really close to Iran. When I was in Toronto once i met this guy Sam, who was born Iraqi, but now a Canadian citizen. We hooked up several times over three successive trips there.
……..um, yeah, that’s it. That’s all I got. Well, he was really good in the sack, but other than that, no, I got nothing else.
HUGS…
My Iranian story: My grandparents lived in Iran in the 70′s when the Shah of Iran controlled the country (grandfather worked for a US phone co. and they were expats there). At the time I collected beer cans and when they would come home once a year they would bring me some from overseas. When the uprising started there they were evacuated but expected to go back when things quieted down so instead of bringing all their valuables and sentimental objects back to the US with them they brought me back a suitcase full of cans. Of course the Shah was kicked out and my grandparents were never allowed to go back losing all the possessions they left behind.
Best Iran/Iraq story Polt, bar none.
Polt: Come on, how can that story be true? The leaders of Iran and Iraq have publicly said that there is no such thing as homosexuality in Iran or Iraq. Sam must have said he was from there just to make the hook-up hotter, you know that forbidden love thing is a turn-on to some…
Marco: Its us Canadians, with our loose liberal morals we turn you gay when you immigrate.
I’m sure Sam wasn’t gay until he got to Toronto. Then, the liberalism there, and the gay marriage and all that just turned him gay. That can happen, right?
Frankly, I don’t care HOW he got to be gay, I’m just glad was so damn GOOD at it.
HUGS…
Polt and Tam: Ahhhh, that explains it, it all makes sense now. I am proud to say that I have a Canadian flag hanging in my bedroom after a short but very happy fling with one of you happy maple leafs…
Craig: We should! I haven’t watched Planet Terror since I’ve gotten my new TV & sound setup so that would be cool. And the audience track is a must!
So all of you who have rainbow flags — replace them with the flag of Canada!
Dave S.: I have a rainbow flag, a Canadian flag, AND an American flag all hanging in my dining room. I got all the bases covered.
HUGS…
Gotta say that Planet Terror is the more awesome of the 2 Grindhouse movies, Death Proof is slow and talky, and not even that cool Tarantino talkiness. Hm so recently I saw The Happening, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Indiana Jones, and MIss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (which I recommended last time). I’m going to say that the happening and Indiana Jones were crap but Forgetting sarah marshall was amazingly awesome.
I actually liked Death Proof more than Planet Terror… maybe because the first part of the story takes place in Austin. Not that I didnt enjoy the gore of Planet Terror but I like action that Taratino invokes with just a car scene that most movies now spend millions of CGI to try to invoke.
I cant believe someone even recommended Not Without My Daughter, and worse, that you watched it.
Planet Terror? Bossy doesn’t even like one word of that title.
GoKitty: I know, but my Mom and sister Amanda were talking about the real life events, and were surprised that I had never even heard of it, and demanded I watch the movie. Resistance against McAnally women is futile.
Then when I searched the comment database, I saw that Nicolle mentioned it on a post I did about guilty pleasures. So no one really gave it a hugely popular review, but I was intruiged and gave it a shot, and am glad I did. Now I will know what people are talking about.
I think my favorite part of Planet Terror was the psycho babysitters. They were so random and bratty and fought with each other the whole time. And then all of the sudden they turn into amazing marksmen with semi automatics.
Woah. First movie with Rose McGowan? You never saw Scream? That’s just crazy talk.
Deathproof is actually my favorite movie of all time. Yes, there’s a lot of dialogue, but it’s GREAT dialogue. The whole movie is a quote fest.
Zee Brat: Woops. You got me. I guess I didn’t scroll down far enough on her IMDB page. Looking at it now I’ve seen her in Scream, Speed, and Encino Man (!?!?!?!)
Grindhouse has been in my Tivo list for a couple of weeks now, maybe I’ll give it a whirl soon after all these glowing recommendations.
I’m so not into Horror or Gore, but I loved the Scream trilogy, maybe because of the humor and the kick-ass female parts. Am a fan of Neve Campell since, even watched her dance-movie.
Bernd just reminded me to tell you something Craig. There’s a movie called the canterville ghost. It’s a cheezy kids hallween type movie remake of Oscar Wilde’s story.
Big english castle + Mysterious stain on the floor = Hours of fun for the whole family.
Really though. It’s because there was a version released in 1996 with Patrick Stewart not only producing, but starring in along side Neve Campbell.
It’s a great movie to watch while carving pumpkins.
Joemosexual: I’m so there! Especially since Patrick Stewart looks like this in it:
http://videodetective.com/photos/147/00618728_1020.jpg
Yes maam honey, his eye makeup is FIERCE in that move. ::Snaps::
Joemo and Craig, I also hate Zombie-flicks and prefer Patrick Stewart bald to his undead look in the pic.
I don’t like scary movies either unless they are campy scary movies. No excessive blood and gore either. I’m too wimpy for that stuff.
I don’t like gore, but 28 Days Later freaking ROCKED!!!
HUGS…
Polt: YES!!! That is one of my favorite movies. Absolutely love it. I saw it three times in the theater and numerous times via my DVD.
Stylish, fun, and damn creepy. That’s the movie that spawned the running zombie craze.
Oh, and I love gore.
Maybe it’s the serial killer inside trying to get out…
Oh, I meant *cereal* killer. Silly me.
I thought you were all talking about Al Gore…
Weird, I was thinking Leslie Gore…..
That’s funny, I was thinking Gore-tex.
….trys to think of something funny about gore-tex that doesn’t involve innuendo…..
Aw come on Joe, inuendo is good.
sigh. It’s TRUE! it IS good! I will say that i looked at their website and instantly saw wording like, “stretch your limits”, “warm fuzzy”, and “experience more”.
It made me instantly uncomfortable.
I’d like to get warm and fuzzy with Joe while stretching his limits and allowing me to experience more.
I never liked Al Gore either. Pretty much ambivalent on Leslie Gore. But yeah, 28 Days Later, probably the ONLY gorefest I’ve enjoyed. Enjoyed it so much I bought the DVD. oh, and by the way, Torchwood stills rocks, even though there’s very little gore involved.
HUGS…
Wow Craig. I think I need a fan.
HA! Ok kudos for using them all….now I don’t feel so uncomfortable.
Craig: That made me literally laugh out loud just now.
dont watch Death Proof
it sucks…alot
Rose McGowan is in that one too tho
That story about the Iranian accidentally joining in with the gay pride rally totally made me LOL at work. thanks ALOT.
Sorry to be totally off topic, but, I was showing my cousin Erik your site using Safari. He has Epilepsy, and as soon as he started scrolling down his vision started to strobe (prelude to seizure). He looked away soon enough, he’s fine. We’ve always known that he was reactive to herring bone patterns, but this is the first time he reacted to Argyle. No point, I just think it’s fascinating how the mind works. BTW, the argyle doesn’t show in IE, and you have a new fan.
Sorry to be off topic.
OMG! Way to go craaaaaig! Mark, I hope this doesn’t offend, but for a split second your comment made me laugh out loud at work. Not about epilepsy, but about the fact that I’d never thought of argyle as particularly dangerous. I’m glad to hear your cousin is ok.
Oh no! I’m really sorry about that Mark and (especially) Erik! Who knew argyle could use its dorky powers for nefarious deeds? I never thought I’d say this, but thank goodness for Internet Explorer! Glad to have you onboard Erik!
Oops, now it shows up in IE, don’t know why it didn’t before. Oh well.
Joemoesexual: Erik says no offense, we laughed too.
Craig: He’s gonna try with his old computer at home, thinks maybe he can tweak it so the argyle doesn’t show.
Problem solved, I just don’t look at the screen while scrolling. Duh!
It only strobes when it’s moving.