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Death Proof DVD Review

by Kam Williams

Horror Double-Feature for Fans of B-Flicks from the Fifties

Originally released in theaters as part of a twin bill entitled Grindhouse. Death Proof was deliberately designed to look like a low-grade B-flick from the Fifties.. For in their heyday, trashy "grindhouses" catered to a clientele with an appetite for any of a variety of sensational, shocking or salacious fare, ranging from the sexploit to the screamer to the shockumentary to the chopsocky to the blaxsploit to the splatter genres.

Now film enthusiasts somehow nostalgic for that brand of mediocre moviemaking can be magically transported back to the era era via this slasher adventure from Quentin Tarantino which revolves around a psychopathic stuntman (Kurt Russell) with a muscle car and murder on his mind. Be forewarned, in order to recreate an authentic B-movie aura, the director has gone out of his way to degrade the quality of the production.

So, don't be surprised to see deliberately choppy editing, seasick cinematography, obviously excised scenes, cheesy dialogue, unrelated filler sequences and low-budget special effects, along with obvious scratch marks etched into the screen to convey the idea that you're watching a well-worn print.

As for the plot, Death Proof is yet another female empowerment flick, this featuring a trio of two-fisted cuties (Rosario Dawson, Zoe Bell and Tracie Thoms) who decide to turn the tables on their maniacal tormentor.

While this film fails to sustain itself in terms of intensity, that's beside the point. Boasts a talented ensemble which includes Josh Brolin, Freddy Rodriguez, Nicky Katt, Sydney Poitier (Sidney's daughter) and Tarantino, himself, along with cameos by Nicolas Cage and Bruce Willis.

A guaranteed treat for fans of the worst in cinema.

Very good (3 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 120 minutes
Studio: Genius Products