Quick Review: American Grindhouse (2010)

AMERICAN GRINDHOUSE

BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELL
OCTOBER 27, 2013

Perfect for those interested in film history, “American Grindhouse” takes a look at American exploitation films from their start in the early 1900s to the present day with directors like Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez bringing the classic nature of the film back. Focusing on giving the audience what they want, like sex, violence, and special effects, these films took on a life of their own. What will surprise you from this documentary are certain films that are considered exploitation films, like Hitchcock’s “Psycho” and Spielbergs’ “Jaws,” as well as how popular many of these films were, even the ones ultimately considered smut. With many interviews with film historians, directors, and actors, “American Grindhouse” feels like a quick starter course for anyone interested in the subject. Showing many clips from the films it references, it is one of the most well put together film documentaries I’ve seen in a long time.