Kill Bill Vols. I and II

[Fierce Critter]

These films were already pretty heavily discussed on EZBDGN when they first came out, so I guess not much needs to be said here.

I LOVED these films. Wanted to see them in the theater, but circumstances didn't allow.

They had Vol 1 on the .99 cent shelf, so I got it and watched it during the day Friday. LOVED it so much, I had to get Vol II and watched it that same night.

Yes, they're violent. But just as I've read in magazine articles and seen on interviews, the violence really does have a place in the story. I wouldn't have changed a thing.

The references to genre films and directors - GREAT tributes. The Peckinpah slow-motion spurting of blood, the Shaw Brothers and Sergio Leone bits - I recognized all of it.

My brother used to watch those old martial arts shows with me, and we never missed an episode of Kung Fu. Though I can't name the directors, producers, studios or actors, I know I saw a lot of what influenced Tarantino.

I wouldn't be surprised if I saw the same film BB saw at the same age.

Anyway, I will probably re-watch Vol II before I return it.

Extras: Surprisingly little. Each had a "making of", and footage of bands playing music from each film. One cut scene that was great to see. No commentary, which really surprised me.

I suppose they saved most of the extras for some 2-disc set of both movies. If I ever get Netflix, I'll rent those if they exist.

[gothicmom]

I haven't seen the second one yet. Not sure why though

I enjoyed the movie.....the box of Kaboom cereal, the flow of blood spurting out the arms.....I loved it!

[Troy Spiral (13)]

I "liked" Kill Bill, but dont view it as the end-all-be-all of action filmaking that many do. I'd recomend it, but it would be below virtually all the modern "good director" films that draw from the same cinematic asian martial / US western pool that he did, in my recomendations list.

Im a bit jaded , as i'd already seen this film 20 times the first time i watched it , via all the (Chinese) Kung Fu , and (Japanise) Samurai) movies The Q man rips off in part one , and the John Ford through Segio Leone - era westerns he rips off in part two. I didnt feel i was seeing even one "original" scene through the whole run. I felt like i was watching a collage of a million different movies, with even less of a plot than many of the "light on plot" films that are being refrenced... Once Upon a Time in The West, My Darling Clemetine, The Serchers, the Lone wolf and cub series, The Zatoichi films, several Sonny Chiba (who actually plays the swordmaker in KB) movies , The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy, ...The 36th Chamber of Shaolin... and on and on... ;D

Thats not to say this makes it "not good" but im frustrated at all the credit Lord Master Of Film gets for this movie. Theres scarcely a non-ripped off idea throughout the whole thing. Im probably a bit bitter after years of suffering through many girlfriends telling me the movies i was watching were "boring" (voilence with scant few "motivation" scenes i guess) , only to see the exact same movie, with a female in the lead, hailed by thoes same GFs and others of similar opinion, as a great film. "its a girl doing the killing so its fun!" LOL

The casting choices are pretty interesting as , for instance , David Carradine is a link to the John Ford/Bud Boetitcher films that are the basis for the "revenge serial" structure of KB. Whos father was in Fords film company.

I have both of the KB movies. Although i really do buy into the idea that they are one movie. There isnt really any "resolution" in the first one so its hard to view them (storyline wise anyhow) as seprate movies. The first is sort of the "result" of many things you have no clue about until you see the second one. Im a veteran of many of the films that Lord God Tarentino That Shall Never Be Critisized borrows from (make that scene for scene rips off) and , even with their massive violence, often have far more motivation for that violence, than this film has.

Even films like John Woo's "The Killer" which is basicly one long amazing violence orgy, has more motivation scene-time for that violence.

I litterally, fell asleep the first time i tried to watch part one, something that pretty much NEVER happens to me, as i can sit through the most slow-paced "boring" silent films without batting an eye. Which, says something. hehe ;D Although i've since watched it all the way through and liked it.

[JaneDead]

Yes, they're violent. But just as I've read in magazine articles and seen on interviews, the violence really does have a place in the story. I wouldn't have changed a thing.

--i agree.

when i watched these i enjoyed them more than i thought i would. i originally didn't have too much interest in watching them. but did anyways- and was glad i did. i like the music in them too. and the little "animated" part.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

The violence, especialy in part one, 90% of is 'voilence for the sake of voilence' in a sense, and was intended as such. The long-form blood and guts has no "need to be placed in the arc", by design. Dont kid yourself into thinking its somehow fully motivated by the story. Its meant to be "cartoonish" the same way as the films he rips off are done, intentionally. Part I is taken directy from all the Hong Kong Kung Fu and Japanise swordplay male-ego-fetish/cartoon/sadistic/grindcore/ constructions and much of part II was taken from the WWF style cowboy fights of western films.

Grindhouse Kung Fu and Samurai/swordplay cult films have "voilence for the sake of voilence" in spades, and he purposly added it in the same way that they do, and in a few cases has even more long-running "pointless" bloodbaths that even the originals do.

The Q man seems to have a facination with thoes films far beyond even the most fanatical late-night B movie fan i've ever met, and Part I (and some of part II) are nearly scene-by-scene rip offs of the movies i listed above, and more. That doesnt mean its "bad", its just the way it is.

I seem to be repeating myself. >stops

[Daniel]

You can't fairly call it ripping off when the man fully intended, with nothing short of explaining all of this before the movie was released, to basically pay homage to all these various exploitation films. That was the point of it all. Every character, theme, cliche, scene, music, camera angles even(Jesus, go watch "Lady Snowblood" after Kill Bill) was a recreation in an attempt to pay a true modern homage to those old, fantastic movies, which have not properly seen the light of day for two decades. I loved every minute of Kill Bill. I loved his casting of Sonny Chiba and Gordon Liu, his use of Ennio Morricone music, and Shaw Brother characters and plot lines. I think the true skill in what he did is in how well he put all of the cliches together, and how he orchestrated them into a cohesive and modern movie. It was all rehashed elements, but supremely fresh and up-to-date.

It seems fair to me for someone to not like the movie, but to site it as unoriginal as a criticism seems preposterous to me. That seems to be missing the point, to me. Besides, it is a fairly original idea to go so no-holds-bared in an extremely fun tribute to something you really enjoyed in your youth. No big film makers have gone that crazy with such an idea before, that I am aware of. What a fantastic opportunity that would be to do, given the resources.

[Fierce Critter]

You know, I've been trying to figure out how to tactfully say EXACTLY what Daniel just said. I mean - EXACTLY.

Thanks for doing the work for me, Daniel. : Big ole' dittos all over the place.

[fallennon]

I watched these non stop when I was bedridden in the hospital waiting to deliver my son. These movies somehow brought me peace in a time when there was nothing but stress and turmoil. I loved them to death!

[Troy Spiral (13)]

Yes i did use the term "ripped off" but , if after reading my whole comentary you think im saying "god damnit hes a theif" its being miss read.

"ripping off" ideas is an age-old practice, even shakespeare himself ripped off many earlier works in varying degrees. To re-state my point(s) a third time would be a waste of time so ill just address the problem with internet communication.

Im active on a lot of film buff sites, and its a common problem when talking about "beloved" movies, add that to the general problem of communcation, and internet communciation especially and it can be really frustrating.

Take the time to explain a well thought out, somewhat critical cometary about a much-loved film, and the weight of numbers will beat you into submission , or at least , non-comentary fairly quickly.

I thought i pre-empted that, with , way more explination than was nessiary, but, alas, i failed. >hangs head in shame:tongue:

[Rivet_HeadINC]

I really think Terantino really out did himself with these movies. I loved every minute of them both. The end was just awesome, but part of me wishes that they would have not mentioned her name at the end. It kinda lifted that vail of mystery that the first one had. IMOPO.

[Saephyr]

Loved Kill Bill both versions. Hands down.

Saw them at the brew & view and found them both a blast!

Chicks kicking ass is always a riot! If you don't like it ok but I think you're screwy! :