Machete/Machete Kills (Robert Rodriguez)

[Dukefrukem]

Worst cast ever?

Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Alba, Don Johnson, Cheech Marin & Steven Seagal

Grindhouse trailer in cast you forgot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8cCzltPD6Y)

[[ETM]]

If by "worst" you mean "awesome"... yes.

[Mara]

Cheech Marin is fun.

Other than that, bleh.

[[ETM]]

Oh come on. It has "so cheesy it's awesome" written all over it.

[Acapelli]

interesting cast, except for jessica alba. i don't i've ever seen anything i liked her in

[[ETM]]

interesting cast, except for jessica alba. i don't i've ever seen anything i liked her in

She can get naked...?

[Dukefrukem]

;192758']She can get naked...?

She never would.

[[ETM]]

She never would.

I was clinging onto hope. It's far more likely than her turning in a decent performance, that's for sure.

[Dukefrukem]

;192782']I was clinging onto hope. It's far more likely than her turning in a decent performance, that's for sure.

She just had a baby. So now which do you think is more likely?

[Sycophant]

If this movie has to happen, that might as well be the cast.

[Rowland]

I thought most of the cast was still in "rumored" stages.

[Ivan Drago]

;192700']Oh come on. It has "so cheesy it's awesome" written all over it.

And that's exactly what they're going for.

I wonder if they'll keep the same plot that the trailer suggests.

[MacGuffin]

It's probably not going to be a good movie, of course. Tarantino and co. just don't seem to understand when enough is enough.

[Bosco B Thug]

Robert De Niro and Michelle Rodriguez, too, according to Bloody-Disgusting.


If this movie has to happen, that might as well be the cast. Nice way of putting it.

[Ezee E]

I doubt this movie will ever happen.

[Dukefrukem]

Is Danny Trejo even confirmed as Machete? Isn't that the whole point?

[[ETM]]

She just had a baby. So now which do you think is more likely?

Nothing wrong with MILFs.

[Dukefrukem]

;192875']Nothing wrong with MILFs.

I know that, but do you think her body is up to par yet?

[[ETM]]

I know that, but do you think her body is up to par yet?

If I know anything, her bosom is.

[number8]

Is Danny Trejo even confirmed as Machete? Isn't that the whole point?

They're replacing him with a different Rodriguez actor:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/db/JacobBlack.jpg/250px-JacobBlack.jpg

[Dukefrukem]

They're replacing him with a different Rodriguez actor:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/db/JacobBlack.jpg/250px-JacobBlack.jpg

Oh good, he IS confirmed.


Robert Rodriguez has cast Jessica Alba (Sin City), Robert De Niro, Michelle Rodriguez (Fast & Furious), Lindsay Lohan ("Mean Girls), Cheech Marin ("Once Upon a Time in Mexico), Jeff Fahey (Lost), Don Johnson and Steven Seagal (Under Siege) alongside Danny Trejo in the highly anticipated spin-off action flick, Machete.

[kuehnepips]

Oh good, he IS confirmed.

No Jason Statham?

Meh.

[Ivan Drago]

No Jason Statham?

Meh.

As awesome as this'll be in a cheesy way, it would improve with Statham's presence.

[DavidSeven]

Re-cut for relevance or serendipitously timely? You decide.

Machete Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnOczvV5Arc&feature=player_embedded)

[chrisnu]

That's fantastic.

[Spinal]

Anticipated.

[Grouchy]

"Introducing Don Johnson"? What the fuck.

But yeah, I will very much see this.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Even I'm excited after that trailer.

[D_Davis]

Yes, please.

[Sycophant]

I should probably still be skeptical, but I'm sold.

[Watashi]

This is the movie that The Expendables should have been.

[eternity]

That was way better than I was expecting it to look.

[B-side]

Nice.

[Morris Schæffer]

Took me some time to check out this thread, but holy cow! Steven Seagal!!!!

[Bosco B Thug]

That was way better than I was expecting it to look.
Whoa, seriously. I've forgotten why I was resenting the idea of this picture.

It looks quite respectable. Clean, without any of that kinetic BS.

[MadMan]

The cast, plus the fact that this movie looks even more ridiculous and over the top than it did before, means that I'm sold. Its going to be hilarious and craptastic awesome.

[Morris Schæffer]

The cast, plus the fact that this movie looks even more ridiculous and over the top than it did before, means that I'm solid. Its going to be hilarious and craptastic awesome.

As opposed to when a movie just doesn't do it for you in which case you're liquid? :)

[eternity]

Whoa, seriously. I've forgotten why I was resenting the idea of this picture.

It looks quite respectable. Clean, without any of that kinetic BS.
There are a few shots in there that make it look like they're clearly going for the "old, low budget, ugly direct-to-VHS 90s look", which I prefer far more than the 1970s grindhouse theater look of the fake trailer.

[MadMan]

As opposed to when a movie just doesn't do it for you in which case you're liquid? :)Depends on the movie :P

But yeah, sure....heh.

[Sxottlan]

Trailer (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=67792).

This really cheered me up. I needed that today.

[Morris Schæffer]

Trailer (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=67792).

This really cheered me up. I needed that today.

That shit'll cheer any man up. I can't believe Steven Seagal is back in theaters. :pritch::cool:

[eternity]

New trailer is lame and this movie won't make any money but I'm okay with that.

[Grouchy]

New trailer is lame and this movie won't make any money but I'm okay with that.
Huh? Shut up.

[[ETM]]

New trailer is lame and this movie won't make any money but I'm okay with that.

Controversy! Please don't shut up. Do tell.

[B-side]

Great trailer is great.

[Ezee E]

The Cinco De Mayo one is better.

Funny that they took Lindsay Lohan off the credits. Would've just added to the bizarreness of it all.

[Sxottlan]

I take it this is Danny Trejo's first leading role? Can't wait. Jeff Fahey also looks awesome.

I suddenly feel like watching Once Upon a Time in Mexico again.

[Ezee E]

Trejo is wasted in Predators by the way. I've always liked his screen presence. Although I can't really think of his best role.

[[ETM]]

Although I can't really think of his best role.

Hehehe, Spy Kids, probably. He has a comedic quality to him that is not often explored.

[number8]

Sherrybaby.

[number8]

Great interview with Trejo. (http://www.avclub.com/articles/danny-trejo,40541/)

[Dukefrukem]

Saw the trailer in front of Predators, looks so funny.

[eternity]

;271506']Controversy! Please don't shut up. Do tell.
It's a lame trailer and I don't see it selling. At all. I love the other trailer and I still am going to see it at the first opportunity, but you know.

[MacGuffin]

For me, the reason certain "grindhouse" movies work is because the filmmakers don't explicitly go: 'let's make a grindhouse movie!'.

[MadMan]

I liked Trejo best in Desperado, as the knife throwing badass. But he was also awesome in OUATIM. And yes he was quite good in Spy Kids. I'm just glad that he's finally getting a starring role, as he's overdue.

[Morris Schæffer]

From time to time my brother and I still replay the scene from Con Air when he takes of his shirt, climbs the construction and yells "Hey, we got company! We got company."

[Morris Schæffer]

http://www.empireonline.com/images/image_index/hw800/42820.jpg

[Dukefrukem]

he looks less fat compared to 'Lawman'

[Dukefrukem]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/07/14/article-0-0A6F4A55000005DC-572_468x371.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/07/14/article-0-0A6F9CA6000005DC-713_468x474.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/07/14/article-0-0A6D1BEB000005DC-911_224x305.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/07/14/article-0-0A6F9C9D000005DC-699_224x318.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/07/14/article-0-0A6F9C95000005DC-921_224x318.jpg

[Ezee E]

Always preferred Michelle Rodriguez over Jessica Alba. For once, I'm right in these posters.

[Dukefrukem]

I'm surprised Jessica isn't showing a lot of skin here...

[MadMan]

Always preferred Michelle Rodriguez over Jessica Alba. For once, I'm right in these posters.They are both hot, but I prefer Alba overall.

[Dukefrukem]

Two sequels planned! (http://www.infowars.com/rodriguez-plans-at-least-two-machete-sequels/)

[Spinal]

I find myself really excited for this film. Hopefully it lives up to the previews.

[DavidSeven]

Filmmakers Reveal That Hidden 'Machete' Message Is Exploitation - Not Immigration (http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/the-real-hidden-machete-message/#more-64829)


What they really wanted was to bring back the spirit of exploitation films which seemed to seize on a political issue, only to use it as an excuse to blow shit up and drop in as much nudity and over-the-top violence as they could get away with. Mission accomplished. . .

Rodriguez:

"What they did back in the day was, run out, make an over the top movie that exploited a story in the news so that it felt like it was ripped from the headlines of today, and move faster than studios could. That's what we did.

. . .

Immigration is still relevant, nobody has done anything about it, but it's a smokescreen. The real Machete story underneath was always about an action hero you underestimate, who comes from a violent background, this incorruptible former Federale hiding out as a day laborer."

[B-side]

Not as awesomely vicious as I was hoping, but still fun.

[Sxottlan]

Enjoyable and fun, but could have been more so.

Danny Trejo carries himself well here. So glad he got a leading role.

Loved the shot of Booth (Jeff Fahey) stalking down the hallway of a drug den spinning around back and forth after wasting everyone inside. I was cracking up at Booth's thugs being the only ones to seriously debate and consider the immigration issue.

And that was obviously not Lindsay Lohan making out with Trejo.

Anyone else notice how Tom Savini just disappeared in the last third of the film? Also loved the church battle between him and Cheech Marin. Ave Maria always goes well with a gun battle.

[Henry Gale]

Basically going to agree with the two above posts.

The movie is really slow when it's not interesting and then seems to speed past all of the exciting bits that may have been even better if they had lingered a bit. (The way they work in the motorcycle bit from the original trailer, for example, could have been so much more.)

I'm somewhere between a **1/2 and a ***, the first being pretty much a "nay", but I think I was on its side enough of the time to enjoy it just the right amount tonight. So I would say I liked it.


Anyone else notice how Tom Savini just disappeared in the last third of the film?

He was the 1-800-HITMAN guy. Pretty sure that was about halfway through it.

[Spinal]

I really like the spirit of this film. Wish that I was more pleased with the execution. Though it has its moments, it's not nearly as consistently fun or humorous as Planet Terror. Jeff Fahey and Michelle Rodriguez shine. Cheech Marin amuses in his brief screen time. Jessica Alba and Steven Seagal (sigh) drag the film down by showcasing their extremely limited acting skills.

[Spinal]

And that was obviously not Lindsay Lohan making out with Trejo.



One of my pet peeves is when I can picture the exact wording of an actress's nudity clause as I watch the film. Body double in one scene ... hair draped over breasts in other scene ... etc. It really kills the mood.

[EyesWideOpen]

One of my pet peeves is when I can picture the exact wording of an actress's nudity clause as I watch the film. Body double in one scene ... hair draped over breasts in other scene ... etc. It really kills the mood.

The weird thing for me in the scene where her hair is draped over her breasts you can still see everything including her nipples. So I think it's more that she didn't want to make out with Danny Trejo.

[number8]

He was the 1-800-HITMAN guy. Pretty sure that was about halfway through it.

Sxottlan meant that the character had no resolution.

Sequel, probably.

[Spinal]

The hitman video was one of the funniest parts of the film.

[baby doll]

I really enjoyed it. Then again, how can you not like a movie where Jessica Alba channels Malcom X?

[Henry Gale]

Sxottlan meant that the character had no resolution.

Sequel, probably.

Oops, I think I read it as "just appeared in the last third". So yeah, you're both right. They definitely need a few villains to carry over to Machete Kills if Rodriguez actually wants to make it.


I really enjoyed it. Then again, how can you not like a movie where Jessica Alba channels Malcom X?

Or De Niro briefly a taxi driver once again.

Silly? Yes.
Funny? Yeah, that too.

[Spinal]

Machete Kills

I assumed that this was a joke.

But then, this movie originated as a joke, so who knows?

[number8]

No, Rodriguez and Trejo both said they want to do it. Then again, why wouldn't they want to do it?

[Spinal]

No, Rodriguez and Trejo both said they want to do it. Then again, why wouldn't they want to do it?

Well, at least ...

... Steven Seagal's character is dead.

[baby doll]

Well, at least ...

... Steven Seagal's character is dead.Yeah, I don't think it's a spoiler to say that this is the sort of movie where the bad guys all die at the end, and the good guys mostly live except for the requisite martyrs who are needed so that the hero's desire to kill the villains is sufficiently personal (see: Death Wish, Lethal Weapon 2, etc.).

Anyway, Segal didn't do much for me here as an actor, but he had a funny death scene.

And on a totally unrelated note, the camera loves Michelle Rodriguez.

[baby doll]

Well, at least ...

... Steven Seagal's character is dead.He could play his own brother out for revenge. There, that's the plot of Machete Kills. One million dollars, please.

[Spinal]

And on a totally unrelated note, the camera loves Michelle Rodriguez.

This is very true.

[Stay Puft]

I loved Segal's death scene. I thought that was one of the best parts.

[Boner M]

What a shockingly un-fun film. Rodriguez doesn't know how to stretch his (overrated) source's absurdity into feature length, so he beefs it up with more lame stunt casting and a half-hearted anti-immigration treatise. Can't imagine this being much better than Bitch Slap or Hell Ride, and it's singlehandedly made me wary of Hobo With a Shotgun.

[Derek]

What a shockingly un-fun film. Rodriguez doesn't know how to stretch his (overrated) source's absurdity into feature length, so he beefs it up with more lame stunt casting and a half-hearted anti-immigration treatise. Can't imagine this being much better than Bitch Slap or Hell Ride, and it's singlehandedly made me wary of Hobo With a Shotgun.

Had he stretched it to 80 or 90 minutes, it could've been a tight, enjoyable little film, but this has to be the most bloated 105-minute film I've seen in a while.

EDIT: I agree with the Michelle Rodriguez looking good comments and that Fahey was the highlight.

[BuffaloWilder]

What a fun movie. Surprisingly, less self-referential than one would think, going in. I mean - yeah, it's extremely silly and over-the-top, but it's not doing it in such a way that it's winking you in the face. It's earnest, just like any of the other action-exploitation movies of the 70s and 80s that it shares blood with.

Hobo With A Shotgun will crown this genre, however.

[megladon8]

I thought this was a lot of fun.

[Derek]

No, The Beach Boys are fun.

KoLMLFz2Hg8

[Rowland]

I really liked this. Less a slick satire of exploitation (like Planet Terror, which I also enjoyed) than the honest-to-goodness real thing, this is probably the grungiest, least polished or processed movie Rodriguez has made since El Mariachi (excepting the unfortunate reliance upon CGI blood), and it's all the more winning for this approach. There's a feeling of sincerity here, to make a straight-up kick-ass revenge flick that earns its outrage; to make a funny action movie that doesn't bury itself in winks and nudges, though there are plenty, smartly paced so as not to overwhelm with cutesy; and most curiously, however steeped in irony the film sometimes is (certainly less obnoxiously so than I anticipated), to make an earnest slice of agitprop, and one that allows even its villains affectionate grace notes at that.

It's probably overlong (though I scarcely noticed), its hit-to-miss ratio joke-wise hovers around 50/50 (not bad however for an industry thats comedies generally score around 10/90), it's more than a bit obvious in its politics (however appropriately so), and some of the actors are more wasted than others (Johnson didn't get to do much/Cheech on the other hand was a hoot, and Seagal's death scene is one for the books). So while it isn't particularly smart in its meta or in its politics, it's deeply felt, and because it isn't just a self-consciously empty, mean-spirited yukfest (fuck you Piranha 3D), it's less a pomo homage than an authentic model of its forebears with some degree of integrity, however sleazy, jokey, and over-the-top it may be.

Also, I'll second/third/whatever Fahey FTW.

[Boner M]

Dammit Rowland, I was hoping you'd be on my team.

[Rowland]

Dammit Rowland, I was hoping you'd be on my team.That's okay, we can share our indifference for Please Give. WTF RT 88% etc.?

[Boner M]

That's okay, we can share our indifference for Please Give. WTF RT 88% etc.?
Yeah, it's not actively bad or anything (save for stock embarrassing-granny) and Holofcener remains laudably rigorous about the presence of money in her characters' lives, but as with Lovely and Amazing I found myself so profoundly disinterested in them that I wondered if unconscious sexism was the reason for my lack of caring.

[Rowland]

Yeah, it's not actively bad or anythingIt's a pretty ugly film, being almost completely indifferent on a formal level, to be polite. Also, the outcome to the subplot concerning the antique Keener returns to its rightful owner was mega-lame. "Whoops!" *CRASH*
(save for stock embarrassing-granny)Though I liked the joke about menopausal red, largely because I've made the same observation.

I wondered if unconscious sexism was the reason for my lack of caring.You're sounding like Sicinski circa his Greenberg review.

[Boner M]

You're sounding like Sicinski circa his Greenberg review.
An homage worthy of Rodriguez.

[number8]

this is probably the grungiest, least polished or processed movie Rodriguez has made since El Mariachi

Yes, I was thinking of El Mariachi the whole time. Except this time there's a forward momentum that was sorely lacking in El Mariachi (which I've always found kind of boring).

[megladon8]

I found Michelle Rodriguez achingly sexy here.

[baby doll]

I found Michelle Rodriguez achingly sexy here.I'd totally fuck her eye hole.

[megladon8]

I'd totally fuck her eye hole.


When she stepped out of the back of the ambulance in the leather bikini and brandishing an assault rifle?

I think I came.

[number8]

I'd fuck Danny Trejo.

[Chac Mool]

I really liked this. Less a slick satire of exploitation (like Planet Terror, which I also enjoyed) than the honest-to-goodness real thing, this is probably the grungiest, least polished or processed movie Rodriguez has made since El Mariachi (excepting the unfortunate reliance upon CGI blood), and it's all the more winning for this approach. There's a feeling of sincerity here, to make a straight-up kick-ass revenge flick that earns its outrage; to make a funny action movie that doesn't bury itself in winks and nudges, though there are plenty, smartly paced so as not to overwhelm with cutesy; and most curiously, however steeped in irony the film sometimes is (certainly less obnoxiously so than I anticipated), to make an earnest slice of agitprop, and one that allows even its villains affectionate grace notes at that.

It's probably overlong (though I scarcely noticed), its hit-to-miss ratio joke-wise hovers around 50/50 (not bad however for an industry thats comedies generally score around 10/90), it's more than a bit obvious in its politics (however appropriately so), and some of the actors are more wasted than others (Johnson didn't get to do much/Cheech on the other hand was a hoot, and Seagal's death scene is one for the books). So while it isn't particularly smart in its meta or in its politics, it's deeply felt, and because it isn't just a self-consciously empty, mean-spirited yukfest (fuck you Piranha 3D), it's less a pomo homage than an authentic model of its forebears with some degree of integrity, however sleazy, jokey, and over-the-top it may be.

Also, I'll second/third/whatever Fahey FTW.

Nail -- head.

I loved it. It's not just made in the image of its forebears -- it's a genuine entry in the genre. Great casting. Great pacing (didn't find it overlong). Great laughs (I loved the increasingly elaborate improvised weapons).

And the subtext, while overt, is obviously close to the filmmakers' heart, and as often happens, since they really care, we care too.

[MadMan]

This movie was hilarious. I think in some ways it was a spoof of grindhouse movies, as well as a loving homage. To me its kind of this year's Black Dynamite, and I'm glad that Danny Trejo finally got a major starring role in one of RR's movies. The action sequences were gory and awesome, and really I too like this one better than Planet Terror as well. I wouldn't say its better than El Marachi, although they both get the same score.

Rodriguez is a poor man's QT of sorts, and yet I like him because he makes entertaining movies that work despite limitations or the fact that he's not incredibly talented. He has a knack for working with a good bunch of actors, as well, and even the lesser ones like Seagal or Lohan he gets decent performances out of (Seagal was great in Machete, actually). The best of his that I've viewed is From Dusk Till Dawn, but my favorite might be Desperado.

[Derek]

it's a genuine entry in the genre.

I can't buy into this. The genuine grindhouse flicks were made by directors outside of the mainstream, with shoestring budgets (because no one wanted to finance them) and with no-name or amateur actors. This has numerous internationally known actors and a $20 million dollar budget. At best, one could call this a loving homage to exploitation/grindhouse films, but much like the mock trailer, it feels more like mimicry to me. I don't necessarily mean that as a negative, but the fact that Rodriguez, for the most part, plays it straight only reminded me more often that this is a big-budget film by an established director trying to recreate the experience of a trashy, no-budget film.

EDIT: Also, the film's political ideology is relatively mainstream as well. I'd imagine that at least half of all Americans are against rounding up the 11+ milliion illegal immigrants and shipping them back across the border. There's not even much of an attempt at subversiveness.

[megladon8]

You thought the movie was played out straight-faced? Are you kidding me?

I don't think we saw the same movie.

This was a comedy first and foremost. It would make a fine double feature with Black Dynamite.

[Derek]

You thought the movie was played out straight-faced? Are you kidding me?

Can a comedy not be straight-faced? I mean that it attempts to play as a genuine, heartfelt exploitation flick, but does so without the actual limitations or political subversiveness of the originals. I'm pretty sure we saw the same film...the 105-minute Machete directed by Robert Rodriguez, right?

[Derek]

This was a comedy first and foremost. It would make a fine double feature with Black Dynamite.

Also, while I didn't like Black Dynamite either, it had a self-referentiality to it, mocking the originals limitations (boom mike in the shot, accidental camera moves etc.). I don't think anyone would say that BD was trying to come off as a genuine exploitation film, rather a satire/spoof of one. Did you take Machete the way?

[megladon8]

I didn't see this film's comedy as being straight-faced, no. Which is why I make the comparison to Black Dynamite.

I do agree with you that it is a loving tribute to the grindhouse exploitation films of the '70s rather than a genuine entry into that genre, but I don't see this as a bad thing at all.

Even the film's politics were tongue-in-cheek at times. Of course it's preaching equal writes for Mexican immigrants but it does so with a light heart and a wink.

I just do not see how one could say that this film was straight-faced. It was sarcastic and knowingly tasteless, and was an absolute riot.

[megladon8]

Also, while I didn't like Black Dynamite either, it had a self-referentiality to it, mocking the originals limitations (boom mike in the shot, accidental camera moves etc.). I don't think anyone would say that BD was trying to come off as a genuine exploitation film, rather a satire/spoof of one. Did you take Machete the way?

Yes.

[number8]

It was straight faced.

[megladon8]

I find this definition of straight faced quite dubious.

The violence in this movie was slapstick comedy.

[MadMan]

If it wasn't a comedy, then it was a very funny action movie. Because I laughed my ass off at numerous moments, and many scenes were very obvious camp.

[Chac Mool]

Rodriguez is a poor man's QT of sorts, and yet I like him because he makes entertaining movies that work despite limitations or the fact that he's not incredibly talented. He has a knack for working with a good bunch of actors, as well, and even the lesser ones like Seagal or Lohan he gets decent performances out of (Seagal was great in Machete, actually). The best of his that I've viewed is From Dusk Till Dawn, but my favorite might be Desperado.

I was thinking about this yesterday, and I think they operate on different planes. Rodriguez obviously loves guerilla filmmaking and the movies he grew up on -- seedy, low-budget, exploitation, grindhouse, cult set in the Texas-Mexico borderlands. The majority of his filmography is a continuation of those movies.

QT is, in my eyes, a much more ambitious, muscular and accomplished filmmaker. Whereas Rodriguez operates within the confines of certain genres, Tarantino uses genre tropes in new and fresh ways; he expands the boundaries of what "genre" means and applies cult filmmaking conventions to much larger canvases.

(This is by no means intended to put down Rodriguez. As one of my friends said as the Machete credits rolled, "I'm just happy Robert Rodriguez exists to make movies like this...")


I can't buy into this. The genuine grindhouse flicks were made by directors outside of the mainstream, with shoestring budgets (because no one wanted to finance them) and with no-name or amateur actors. This has numerous internationally known actors and a $20 million dollar budget. At best, one could call this a loving homage to exploitation/grindhouse films, but much like the mock trailer, it feels more like mimicry to me. I don't necessarily mean that as a negative, but the fact that Rodriguez, for the most part, plays it straight only reminded me more often that this is a big-budget film by an established director trying to recreate the experience of a trashy, no-budget film.

EDIT: Also, the film's political ideology is relatively mainstream as well. I'd imagine that at least half of all Americans are against rounding up the 11+ milliion illegal immigrants and shipping them back across the border. There's not even much of an attempt at subversiveness.

I've always seen Rodriguez as the most visible and successful grindhouse/guerilla filmmaker around. Consider: he directs, writes, produces and edits his own movies. He's also the chief VFX supervisor. And he composes and performs the music (often in his garage). He sold his body to science to make his first movie. He quit the WGA and DGA. He works on (relatively) small budgets, outside the main current of Hollywood productions.

"Grindhouse" films are not necessarily about budget or casting, but about spirit. Yes, Machete has a $20 million budget, but that's on the low end for an action movie. Yes, Machete is peppered with known faces, but they are character actors, luridly cast for maximum effect. And the fact that he "plays it straight" is the most telling aspect -- this is not a farce, a mere homage or a spoof, but a movie that takes its grindhouse nature seriously and to heart.

And about the subtext. On one hand, it's a question of locale: I'm sure the illegal alien issue is much more salient in Texas than elsewhere, and the film is both set and made there. On the other, it's not about popular opinion, but about the elected officials. It doesn't take more than half the population to elect someone and give them the power to shove everyone out.

[Bosco B Thug]

Ummm. Middle-of-the-road YAY.

I largely enjoyed it, which I can't say about Shutter Island, and I see no reason to NAY/unrecommend it for its mostly-engaging stylized throwbacking and unapologetic, hearty comic fantasy of complete social and political justice, which I'd say mostly answers for the bottom-barrelness of the concessionary loads and loads of Cool Violence.

[Dukefrukem]

awww Jessica Alba's nude scene was CGI... the future of nude scenes (http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/kiBNVSzVcaQ/jessica-albas-cgi-nude-scene-is-this-the-future-of-movie-nudity)?

EDIT: NSFW - This link contains some very nekkid ladies. - Spinal

[number8]

I thought that was already pretty well known. Guess not.

[Dukefrukem]

sorry Spinal... i couldn't open it at work (i guess that's why) and thought it was a write up of the technology used.

[Ezee E]

To think that this is being played straight makes me wonder what movie people were watching.

However, it overdoes its welcome, and Alba doesn't have a funny bone in her body.

Michelle Rodriguez is the highlight to me.

[Grouchy]

I don't remember if I posted about this - but this movie was terrible. A couple of funny moments, I guess, but they do not a movie make.

Black Dynamite wipes the floor with it. Much more respectful homage to '70s exploitation, better script, better protagonist and endlessly higher quality of comedy. It's funny how Tarantino has constantly evolved and changed since his debut, but Rodriguez is the same filmmaker he was when he did El Mariachi, only he has worse ideas now. The pinnacle of his career has been From Dusk 'Till Dawn.

[number8]

It's funny how Tarantino has constantly evolved and changed since his debut, but Rodriguez is the same filmmaker he was when he did El Mariachi, only he has worse ideas now. The pinnacle of his career has been From Dusk 'Till Dawn.

So much truth in this. Rodriguez basically makes movies like a studio hack, except he owns the studio.

[Ezee E]

I'd like to see Rodriguez make a movie from another script. He's just an awful, awful writer.

I still think Sin City is pretty good.

[Megiddo]

I'd like to see Rodriguez make a movie from another script. He's just an awful, awful writer.

I still think Sin City is pretty good.

Yeah, pretty much everything else of his is complete garbage. I actually had somewhat high hopes for Machete and while some of it was enjoyable I was left profoundly indifferent by the end. One more exploitation movie with a trailer far better than the feature.

[lovejuice]

I am surprised by how little I care for this movie. I consider Rodriguez among my favorite directors. His films always have cultish sensibility, but when he ostentatiously tries to make one, it doesn't work (at least not for me).

Rodriquez usually sets his films in a world where giants roam the earth. Colorful, larger-than-life characters show up here and there without much explanation, and sometimes just to die on the spot. Machete is the origin stories of those giants. Take Lohan's character; I could see her appear in other movies, and I would love this machine-gun-wielding nun. The impact is, however, much less when we see how she's the way she's.

[Dukefrukem]

The new films is said to find Machete in Mexico, battling his way towards a bat-shit-crazy arms dealer who is gonna spoil the world with war, and has a some sort of space weapon to back up his ambitions. This reference to a space weapon is interesting, as Rodriguez has previously indicated that a potential third MACHETE film would send the character into space.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/coolproduction/ckeditor_assets/pictures/5472/original/machetekillsartsmall.jpg?13288 05695

[MadMan]

I will gladly see that in theaters. More Machete movies, please.

[Chac Mool]

Oh my god.

[Spun Lepton]

Machete in space? Sounds novel, I guess.

[eternity]

Robert Rodriguez is never going to be good again, is he?

[number8]

Robert Rodriguez is never going to be good again, is he?

The only great movie he ever did was written by Quentin. Maybe that's what's needed.

[Dead & Messed Up]

My favorite film of his is Sin City. I could eat that thing up with A1. Mmmm-m! From Dusk Till Dawn is awesome too. And I kinda dug the go-for-broke cartoonity of Once Upon a Time in Mexico. It was awful, but in wonderful ways. Shotgun blasts kick people thirty feet away. Banderas climbs up a church wall like a spider. Johnny Depp develops sonar on the fly.

And The Faculty. Enjoy the hell outta that one.

[Rowland]

From Dusk Till Dawn is fucking awesome, and easily my favorite Rodriguez flick. The Faculty sucks, not sure why that one is held in such high regard around these parts. Once Upon a Time in Mexico is bad as well, but I agree with DaMU that it's at least kinda awesomely bad.

[Boner M]

Yeah I was surprised at how well FDTD held up on a recent viewing. That and The Faculty are the only RRs I need, the latter mostly cos Body Snatchers is as failsafe as genre templates get.

[Pop Trash]

From Dusk Till Dawn is fucking awesome, and easily my favorite Rodriguez flick. The Faculty sucks, not sure why that one is held in such high regard around these parts. Once Upon a Time in Mexico is bad as well, but I agree with DaMU that it's at least kinda awesomely bad.

I pretty much agree with this. Imma fan of his Latino culture related movies, so the Mariachi Trilogy, Machete, and FDTD are all cool with me, whatever their flaws. Planet Terror was entertaining as well. Not nearly as much of a fan of Sin City (or uh The Faculty apparently) as others.

[Dukefrukem]

There’s one reason to hate FDTD; for being the source of tribal tattoo popularity.

[number8]

There’s one reason to hate FDTD; for being the source of tribal tattoo popularity.

I really don't think this is true, is it?

[number8]

I've heard that claim before and I know that style of tattoos was really popular around the same time the movie came out; I just don't know if it's actually the cause. Was FDTD even popular enough during its release to influence culture like that?

[Dukefrukem]

I really don't think this is true, is it?

My tattoo artist told me after that movie came out, that was the busiest he’d ever been. (He's been tattooing for 30 years now) He believes tribal tattoos became popular in the 90s because of that movie. Just like barbwire tattoos became popular after Barbwire.

[Dukefrukem]

I've heard that claim before and I know that style of tattoos was really popular around the same time the movie came out; I just don't know if it's actually the cause. Was FDTD even popular enough during its release to influence culture like that?

To put it in perspective, I was 12 when that movie came out, and I remember begging my parents to see it. They refused. So I was well aware of that movies existence as a 12 year old.

[Scar]

I went into FDTD with no prior knowledge of the film, and was able to enjoy the Hell out of it at the theater. I've watched it many subsequent times on home video, and still love the shit out of it.

[number8]

Putting that movie on and telling people who haven't it that it's a Quentin Tarantino crime movie and watching their reaction when it turns into a vampire movie is one of life's greatest pleasures. I have done this three times so far.

[Scar]

Putting that movie on and telling people who haven't it that it's a Quentin Tarantino crime movie and watching their reaction when it turns into a vampire movie is one of life's greatest pleasures. I have done this three times so far.

I've done it twice. And you are correct.

When it turned into a vampire movie in the theater, I cackled loudly. Man, I might have to watch it again tonight.

[Ezee E]

I was the opposite. The previews made it out to be a vampire movie. I waited a freakin hour for it, but I was loving it no less.

BUT.... I did hate Tarantino's acting, even at whatever young age I saw it at.

[Rowland]

I actually think it may be the only film in which a Tarantino performance really works for the character. That said, I've never been bothered by his appearances in RD, PF, and DP.

[Kiusagi]

Clooney's performance in FDTD is one of my favorites of his. Some of his lines had me in hysterics.

I kinda wish I hadn't known about the vampires when I saw it. Might have been cool to have that "WTF?" feeling.

[MadMan]

I watched From Dusk Till Dawn on DVD one or two years ago, I believe. Sure I knew it had vampires, but still when the movie suddenly turns into a vampire film it still caught me a bit off guard, which was cool. I love how the film is a combination of crime drama/action and vampire film standards, which makes for a good mix. I own it on DVD, and I'm a bit tempted to throw it in right now even though I have two rentals to watch and a bunch of movies on my Netflix queue.

[lovejuice]

I love Rodriguez, and it still surprises me to these days how I find Machete so so subpar.

[KK2.0]

I love Rodriguez, and it still surprises me to these days how I find Machete so so subpar.

this, first minutes of Machete were fun, and that's it. I guess Rodriguez only had enough ideas for a trailer after all.

[KK2.0]

My favorite film of his is Sin City. I could eat that thing up with A1. Mmmm-m! From Dusk Till Dawn is awesome too. And I kinda dug the go-for-broke cartoonity of Once Upon a Time in Mexico. It was awful, but in wonderful ways. Shotgun blasts kick people thirty feet away. Banderas climbs up a church wall like a spider. Johnny Depp develops sonar on the fly.

And The Faculty. Enjoy the hell outta that one.

To me his horror flicks are his best. The Faculty, FDTD and Planet Terror. The rest i think it's ok, Sin City has it's moments.

[Dukefrukem]

hahahahahahahahaha. (http://www.deadline.com/2012/04/mel-gibson-to-join-machete-kills-mayhem/#utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)

[Yxklyx]

Planet Terror is a cinematic masterpiece. I think he just got lucky with that one - sometimes it takes more than a director to make a great movie and the pieces all fell into place in that one.

[Morris Schæffer]

Charlie Sheen will play the American President apparently. :)

[MadMan]

Charlie Sheen will play the American President apparently. :)That's awesome news. This will hopefully be even more fun and over the top than the first installment.

[Morris Schæffer]

I was looking for this thread since I could have sworn I had updated it. But I kept looking in the upcoming films thread thinking this was a Machete Kills thread. :)

[MadMan]

They might as well just turn this thread into a thread about Machete Kills. But I imagine that when it gets released it will have its own thread in the new movies released forum.

[number8]

Fine, I'll go see it, I guess.

http://pmcmovieline.files.wordpress.c om/2012/07/gaga-chameleon5.jpg?w=398

[Dukefrukem]

Ugh,,,,

Me too.

[Spinal]

Is it possible they will be screening a non-Mel Gibson version of this film?

[Ivan Drago]

So that's where she's disappeared to.

[MadMan]

Okay that's one reason not to be excited about this movie. But hey Charlie Sheen as the president should be awesome.

[Raiders]

Okay that's one reason not to be excited about this movie. But hey Charlie Sheen as the president should be awesome.

This is the exact opposite of my reaction.

[Watashi]

People actually like Charlie Sheen?

[Irish]

Is it possible they will be screening a non-Mel Gibson version of this film?

I don't understand. Is Gibson in this movie?


People actually like Charlie Sheen?

Unrepentant drug addicts creep me out.

[number8]

I don't understand. Is Gibson in this movie?

He's the villain of the movie.

[Irish]

He's the villain of the movie.

Wait, of the new one or the old one? I haven't paid any attention to these since the original Grindhouse trailer.

[MadMan]

This is the exact opposite of my reaction.Charlie Sheen entertains me. Lady Gaga does not.

[Morris Schæffer]

http://youtu.be/V53kqEKiyYU

with Carlos Estevez! Loooolz

[Dukefrukem]

That cast is so lol.

[MadMan]

Yep I'm going to see this movie in theaters. That trailer was equal parts cool and hilarious. I love that its going to be even more over the top than the first one.

[Skitch]

So bizarro. I'm in.

[Ivan Drago]

Looks better than the first one, anyway.

[Morris Schæffer]

New trailer


http://youtu.be/BO1WwOQowlg

Rodriguez makes the same movie over and ovr again, but that looks okay.