Grindhouse and Mainstream: Not Always so Different

There’s not much in the way of Grindhouse parodies on YouTube, which probably speaks volumes about the film’s failure. However, I found this stylistic take-off of the trailer, which is worth a look. In the interview with Bill Lustig in the Grindhouse issue of Rue Morgue, he mentions that Jaws was essentailly an exploitation movie that actually delivered on its promises, and this illuminates his argument.

The Star Wars one, though, I don’t think works. Even with some faux-film damage, it still looks much larger than life. They should’ve chosen something gritty, like The French Connection and riffed on Death Proof. Even the title, “French Connection,” sounds like an Italian import that might’ve played the exploitation circuit. Plus, it also has Roy Scheider in it! Take a look at the trailer below for the multi-Academy Award-winner (including Best Picture). Don’t you think, with some quicker cuts, flashier music and slightly more outlandish narration that it could fit right in with the so-called grindhouse flicks? And that’s just one reason mainstream movies were so much better in the ’70s.

And speaking of Death Proof, check out the chase scene from The French Connection for some banged-up ’70s car action. Stuntman Mike wouldn’t stand a chance against Popeye Doyle.