Rob Zombie's guide to 'Grindhouse'

Posted Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 11:03 AM Central

by Tim Briscoe

Prepare yourself for Grindhouse! It's one of the most anticipated and shocking films of the spring! It will be an explosive thrill ride!

OK, let's end the flashy superlatives. But of course that's the type of advertising for which "Grind House" is famous. If you're unfamiliar with grind house, rock star turned film director Rob Zombie provides a brief education in the April issue of Playboy.

Grind house is the term given to a theater known for showing mainly exploitation films. Exploitation films are movies "made with little or no attention to quality or artistic merit but with an eye to a quick profit, usually via high-pressure sales and promotion techniques emphasizing some sensational aspect of the product" according to Ephraim Katz in 'The Film Encyclopedia.'

These exploitation films (and their numerous subgenres) were at their height in the '70s but are experiencing a revival thanks in part to directors Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. Their movie double feature (the format itself a staple of grind houses) titled Grindhouse arrives in theaters Apr. 6.

Part one of Grindhouse is "Planet Terror," Rodriguez's portion of the project. It stars Rose McGowan as an amputee stripper named Cherry with machine gun for a right leg. The second segment is Tarantino's "Death Proof" starring Kurt Russell as a killer stuntman.

Between the two features will be previews for fake films in the spirit of the exploitation genre. They will be directed by other director fans of these cult films. For instance, Rob Zombie's contribution is a teaser for "Werewolf Women of the S.S."

To prepare you for Grindhouse, Zombie gave Playboy a list of five cult classics which served as inspiration to the filmmakers. This quintet serves as a worthy primer for those dying to see Grindhouse. A portion of Zombie's comments from the men's mag are included below. The full feature is on page 22 of the April issue. (You know you want to buy a copy.)

Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS (1975) - "It's intensely violent, and Nazis are unpleasant, but the sex element puts it over the top." [Note: this is not currently available on DVD. It was previously released in 2000 by Anchor Bay Entertainment so you might find a used copy.]

Coffy (1973) - "It's Pam [Grier] at the top of her game -- the Afro didn't get any bigger."

The Last House on the Left (1972) - "Wes Craven directed it, but I don't consider it horror -- to me, it's just pure grind house."

Cannibal Holocaust (1980) - "This is by far the most extreme movie ever made. It's just... sickening."

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965) - "[Russ Meyer's] crowning achievement, and it's his mildest film... It's the Citizen Kane of grind house." [Note: this one is also not currently available on DVD. It was last released in 2005 by Ventura Entertainment.]