Worth A Matinee or Full-Price Ticket: Full Price - You get 2 films, 4 Trailers and 3 plus hours of entertainment.
Will I Own It On DVD: Yes
1) "Grindhouse" is compulsively watchable from Rodriguez's zombie-splatter flick to the talky car-chase implosion of Tarantino and the even previews for movies that don't exist at all combine for a hell of an enjoyable trip to the theater.
2) That being said, I enjoyed "Planet Terror" by Rodriguez more than I thought I would going into it, and "Death Proof" by Tarantino a bit less than I anticipated. This is likely due to expectations as I always have very high ones for QT and the problem with those kinds of preconceived notions is that it's damn hard to live up to them. 
3) The casting is excellent as these are glorified B-movies and so the actors populating "Grindhouse" - James Fahey (Lawnmower Man), Michael Bien (Terminator, Tombstone), Josh Brolin (Invisible Man) Danny Trejo (Desperado, Marked For Death) - and many lesser-known thespians who you'll remember from other movies that you can't quite name truly add an authentic feel to the action.
4) I particularly enjoyed Rose McGowan in "Planet Terror" as she looked great before and after she got her machine-gun leg, and in "Death Proof" the opening scenes were peppered with constant references and local shots around Austin as several scenes were shot about 5 minutes from my loft, including one at Gueros on S. Congress where I have eaten and drank many a margarita inside their walls. 
5) The fake previews - made by real directors like Eli Roth and Rob Zombie - were hilarious because who can't laugh at sneak peeks for trash like "Werewolf Women Of The S.S" or "Thanksgiving" where Roth proves once again that he man has some serious issues with violence and women (I refuse to divulge more).
All in all, "Grindhouse" was simply a fun movie that should be packaged together and not split apart as the Weinsteins apparently plan to do for its overseas run.
It creates a particular dynamic and world where anything seems reasonable and even if it's about as deep as a rain puddle, sometimes a movie just needs to be cool.
-BDS
ACK! Horror movies...slaughter movies...ick... Glad someone enjoys them though. How else would they sell them? : )
I like your rating system of matinee or full price worthy. This one was more than worth the price of admission, for me, and will have a spot on my DVD shelf as well!! Glad you enjoyed "the experience".... I think Grindhouse is so much more than just a movie.
I didn't care for the movies (I saw them at a drive-in, how's that for authenticity). It was funny seeing people honk their horns during the mock failures. But other than that, I'd say if you're not sure you want to see it, wait and rent it. For me it was the worst movie I've seen in a long time.
It looked dumb to me from the previews and I wasn't disappointed (I realize it was a joke). I've never been much of a Tarantino fan (I think the only one I liked was Resevoir Dogs). Tarantino's section bored me to tears. If you like the droning of endless, meaningless chatter, you'll probably like that movie. I kept thinking, "When is this movie going to end?" Not knowing how much longer it was going to be, and when I realized we weren't listening anymore, we left. Turns out it was about 45 minutes before the end. I actually went to see Shooter (double-featured with Grindhouse) but was so bored I skipped it rather than suffer through any more. There aren't many movies that I've paid for and left early (Wayne's World was the other). I'm glad I left even though I missed what I intended to see.
As a pseudo-fan of old B-movies (as opposed to a rabid one, the way some of my friends are), I have really been looking forward to seeing this. This review clinches it for me. I'm finding ten bucks and hitting the cinema!
Symplyamused - I'm generally not a big horror movie fan at all, but this was a bit of an exception for me.
Linda - Thanks as I think that makes the most sense (to me at least). I think you're right as it is an "experience" rather than just a movie and it was a great way to spend a bit of a Saturday.
Robert - The drive-in angle is very cool as I haven't been to one in about 10 years or more. Anyway, if you don't like Tarantino, then I wouldn't have gone at all, but you're right to the extent that I felt some of the dialogue just went on and on and on and wasn't necessarily good enough to justify the amount of screen time. That being said, if you missed the ending car chase then you should have stuck around for a bit.
Bostonpobble - Truth be told, I only paid for a matinee ticket, but I would still recommend it at night. Just go into it with relaxed expectations and try to get into the sense of msichief and fun that the movie provokes and you'll have a good time.
as I love horror movies and ass-kickin' chick movies - I loved both of these films.
I don't know which film I enjoyed better. Planet Terror rawked my world in that it had 'B' film special effects for all zombies - but spend ALL their CGI budget on the machine gun leg. Outstanding!
And as for Death Proof - I couldn't take my eyes off the stunt woman who did the longest, fastest hood stunts WITH NO ROPES! and Charger vs. Challenger?
enough to make me squirm in my seat!!!
and good call 2 dollar. if you don't like Tarantino - don't see it!
You nailed it up and down the line as I agree with yr. review. I had a great time.