Pop Culture Buzz

GRADE: A+

Let me just say right off the bat that “Death Proof” is my FAVORITE movie of 2007 (so far) and it is also my favorite Quentin Tarantino movie of all time, hands down! Those are big words, I know. “Pulp Fiction” is a classic and I have seen it a dozen times, but it is not my favorite. My second favorite of Tarantino’s is actually “Reservoir Dogs”. Something about this movie just worked on all levels for me. As a comedy, a smart/witty “talkie”, a suspense thriller and horror. This movie is a movie geek’s wet dream and it is full of sexy, fun dialogue and acting worth some recognition around award season this winter.

The first half of this movie is full of your typically delightful Tarantino banter. I held onto every word and nuance that was spoken in these first scenes. Tarantino delivers ripe and fresh conversation that comes off as “real” and not contrived. There are some shear moments of genius screenwriting in the first hour of this film. The camera angles, the type of camera used, the soundtrack..they all have such a cohesive feel which makes this movie believable.

Tarantino wrote and directed this high-octane thriller that stars Kurt Russell as a serial murderer who uses his revved-up car as a killing machine. After transforming his Dodge Charger into an indestructible weapon, Stuntman Mike climbs behind the wheel to terrorize a group of women on the road. But Russell’s character later finds out that he may have picked the wrong girls to fuck with. Rose McGowan, Rosario Dawson, Jordan Ladd and Vanessa Ferlito also star in the ultimate road rage film.

The final half of this movie is where all of the really, really good stuff is. Professional stunt woman Zoe Bell (who plays herself) has a tense well choreographed 15 minute car chase scene that will have you sweating bullets the whole time. You will be on the edge of your seat with your fists clinched during this hair raising uncut chase. Rosario Dawson has never been so bad ass and lovely as she is here in this portion of the film. The last few minutes of this movie give it one of the best endings of a movie I have EVER seen. “Death Proof” kicks major ass and it will leave you slack jawed and in shock….but in a good way!

I was hypnotized by this movie, it had me in it’s grip throughout every tightly woven scene with it’s exquisite dialogue and taught acting. Kurt Russell is dead on with his delivery as the sociopath “Stuntman Mike”. Russell is truly in his prime with “Death Proof” and Tarantino tapped the right guy for this role. I cannot say enough about this film, I am excited to watch it over and over to catch what little moments I may have missed the first few times.