30-Day #Horror Movie Challenge: Exploitation/Grindhouse Film…Death Proof

Tagline: These 8 Women Are About To Meet 1 Diabolical Man!

Synopsis: Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) is a professional body double who likes to take unsuspecting women for deadly drives in his free time. He has doctored his car for maximum impact; when Mike purposely causes wrecks, the bodies pile up while he walks away with barely a scratch. The insane Mike may be in over his head, though, when he targets a tough group of female friends, including real-life stuntwoman Zoe Bell (who served as Uma Thurman's double in "Kill Bill"), who plays herself. (Google)

I am a HUGE Quentin Tarantino fan so it's probably not surprising that this is my choice. Kurt Russell is absolutely maniacal in this movie. I really couldn't get over his transformation because he always pretty much portrays nice guys. That being said, the real stars of the film are the women. The group of women featured in the first part of the film are out having a good time. They're strong, independent, and not afraid to speak their minds. For some reason, this raises the ire of Stuntman Mike (Russell). I don't know if he just hates women, but from what ensues at the end of the first half, we find out there's more to it than that. (No spoilers...you'll just have to watch it.)

The second half also features another strong group of women taking a break from a movie shoot in Lebanon, Tennessee (just down the interstate from me. Though it was set there, turns out it was not filmed there). I adore Zoe Bell (see synopsis). As a stunt woman on the movie set, she adds some authenticity to this half of the film. This part is really my favorite because wack-a-doodle Stuntman Mike gets a run for his money.

Not really scary per se there are definite cringy, and violent (it is Tarantino, after all) moments, and it is edge-of-your-seat at times.

What is your favorite Exploitation/Grindhouse film?