Ok, so I cheated. I saw Grindhouse with someone who had seen it already. He warned me seconds before something gross came on the screen giving me time to look away.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t warned about the "Thanksgiving" preview directed by Eli Roth. I wish I had been. (Though I don’t recommend it, but if you are incredibly curious, you can view this preview somewhere online.)

Both "Planet Terror" and "Death Proof" pay homage to the cheesy double features of the 70’s: gore, bad dialogue, gratuitous violence, and plenty of campy moments which can either have you laughing or just plain disturbed and maybe both at the same time.

I liked "Planet Terror" more so than the second feature. Normally, I hate zombie stories but this feature, directed by Robert Rodriguez, had PLENTY of fun moments: Cherry (Rose McGowan) with a machine gun for a leg, Wray’s (Freddy Rodriguez) method of transportation, and the rapist played by Quentin Tarantino …well, you’ll have to see that for yourself. Plus, the anticipation for something bad to happen actually had its payoffs.

As for Tarantino’s  “Death Proof", there was a wait for any real payoff. The pace felt slower (especially after an action packed Rodriguez flick) and I actually lost interest during all the dialogue since the "cool and casual" nature felt forced. I actually wanted more "missing reel" moments. But there were a few good moments once the action started.

A pivotal crash scene is what you’ll be remembering. That and a Kurt Russell moment that you might just giggle with delight at.

“Grindhouse” is 3 hours long and you’ll definitely get a kick out of the ensemble cast in both features. As for everything else, that’s for you to decide on! Grade: B

After seeing Zodiac, I remembered what my mom asked me. "Why do you want to see that? They never caught the guy!"

I took it as a warning…maybe there was plenty to still be scared about. But I wanted to see a movie which took place in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I grew up.

Ok, so not as exciting as Jack the Ripper or the Son of Sam…but in what else can you see some exciting police carchases with awesome shots of cars jumping those famous SF hilly streets while just barely missing innocent pedestrians and oncoming trolleys? Alright, so maybe there weren’t any scenes like that in this movie…

But the music was fitting and the cinematography was impressive. And there were plenty of violent moments when I either jumped in my seat or turned away and waited for other people’s reactions before looking back. Sadly though, the novelty wore off.

I found myself checking my watch a couple of times and wondering about a clock toy in the background in one scene. Hey, we used to have a toy like that!  

Don’t get me wrong, the story kept me captivated but it lulled at times. I couldn’t help but focus on other puzzles I’m sure the movie didn’t mean to create. I became puzzled when it had occurred to me that a story covering 20 years of investigation should have resulted in Robert Graysmith, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, aging just a little bit more than just a scruffy face. While other characters grew grey, changed with the times, or bald….Gyllenhaal’s character remained forever young.That’s certainly a benefit of living in the Bay Area I suppose.

Oh, but it can get pretty rainy. Gyllenhaal’s character remained in serious outerwear for what seemed like a good part of the movie. Wait a second, is it me or doesn’t he wear a coat in every movie he’s in? And not every movie he’s in takes place in Northern California. Hmmmm.

All and all, it was a good thriller/crime drama. That’s why it’s worth seeing. Now, if you’re not up for 2 hours and 40 minutes of crafty speculation, then it may not be worth staying for. Grade: B+

Tags: Zodiac, Jake Gyllenhaal, Bay Area