As a long-time admirer of Robert Rodriguez and his cinematic prowess, I must say that his journey through the world of filmmaking has been nothing short of inspiring. From gritty adult flicks like “Sin City” to family-friendly adventures such as the “Spy Kids” series, he truly is a master of multiple genres.
One aspect I appreciate greatly during Hispanic Heritage Month is the spotlight it shines on the rich diversity and unique blend that defines “Hispanic culture.
Example: Robert Rodriguez stands out as an extraordinary figure in the world of cinema. His work possesses a unique blend of distinctly Mexican elements, yet it transcends cultural boundaries in a manner seldom achieved by other directors.
And, while people are always talking about Spielberg, Tarantino, and Scorsese (and for good reason!), I think it’s time for us to finally give Robert Rodriguez his flowers, too. Because he certainly deserves the whole bouquet.
His Low Budget Entry Into The World Of Cinema Is A Case That Should Be Studied
Robert Rodriguez’s first movie, El Mariachi, is simply astounding! In fact, the director penned a book about its creation titled, “Rebel Without a Crew: Or How a 23-Year-Old Filmmaker With $7,000 Turned Himself into a Hollywood Player“.
Indeed, while “El Mariachi” stands as an excellent movie in its own league, boasting two sequels titled “Desperado” and “Once Upon a Time in Mexico,” what truly sets it apart is its remarkable professionalism. This is particularly noteworthy considering the film was made on a shoestring budget. To be fair, Columbia Pictures did invest additional funds into it once they decided to distribute it.
Rodriguez is among the ’90s filmmakers who made a big impact when they debuted with their initial films, similar to Kevin Smith and Tarantino. However, unlike those two directors who primarily launched their careers with small-scale movies, Rodriguez’s “El Mariachi” appears more expansive in its vision, featuring action scenes and a plot revolving around mistaken identity.
Indeed, while many have discussed the remarkable achievement of the film El Mariachi, I firmly believe that there’s still value in further conversations about it. In truth, it’s a truly unique piece of cinema.
He Made A Grindhouse Movie Long Before He Actually Helped Direct Grindhouse
Initially, “Grindhouse” was released as a single film in theaters in 2007, consisting of two parts: “Death Proof,” which isn’t my favorite Quentin Tarantino movie but let’s move on, and “Planet Terror.” However, when it was distributed for home viewing, it was divided into these two separate movies.
Instead of waiting until 2007, Rodriguez created a grindhouse-style movie reminiscent of today back in 1996 with the film “From Dusk till Dawn.” This action revolves around a pair of bank robbers who capture a family, but their journey leads them to a bar filled with bloodsucking creatures – vampires.
1992’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” and 1994’s “Interview with the Vampire” were films that brought vampires into the spotlight, portraying them in a more serious and dramatic manner. However, Robert Rodriguez shook things up with a film featuring a character (Tom Savini) wielding a gun shaped like a penis, and Selma Hayek delivering one of the most sensual dance performances ever captured on screen, which she performed while under a trance.
In numerous aspects, “Planet Terror” expanded upon the groundwork laid by “From Dusk Till Dawn”, and we’re perfectly content with this evolution of events.
At The Same Time, Kids All Over The World Love His Movies, Too
As a gamer, I was taken aback when I learned that George Miller, the mastermind behind the Mad Max films, is also the director of Happy Feet. It’s not every day you find directors known for hard-R movies venturing into the world of kid’s flicks.
Speaking of Rodriguez, he frequently engages in such activities. It’s quite possible that by the end of his career, he could have made a greater impact on children’s films than adult movies. This is largely due to his popular Spy Kids series and also the movie The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl (along with its sequel, We Can Be Heroes).
Rodriguez is a versatile filmmaker who seamlessly transitions between adult and children’s cinema, as if flipping a switch. For instance, have you ever wondered about the film he created prior to “Sharkboy and Lavagirl“? That would be “Sin City“. And following that, his next creation was “Planet Terror“.
Despite any concerns, I’m quite comfortable letting my kids meet Robert Rodriguez since there’s a part of his work that’s perfectly suitable for children. Can you name many other prominent directors whose films you could confidently show to your kids? Go ahead, I’m curious.
He Was Even Deep In The Television Scene With El Rey Network For A Little While
When I think of people starting their own TV networks, I think of Oprah Winfrey. I think of Ted Turner. But, do you know who I never thought about before I wrote this article? Robert Rodriguez.
Although I was familiar with El Rey Network, which began in 2013 and ceased operations in 2020, I didn’t previously associate it with Rodriguez, its founder.
As a gaming enthusiast, I was tasked with creating games that catered to exploitation-style entertainment for English-speaking Hispanic audiences. To achieve this goal, I rolled out productions like the TV series Matador, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, and Lucha Underground, just a few of many titles under my belt.
Instead of calling it a network, isn’t it amazing that Rodriguez managed to launch something like this from scratch? He seems to have no limits!
Plus, He’s Still At It
I love Robert Rodriguez, but one movie of his that I had no interest in whatsoever was Alita: Battle Angel. I don’t know. It just didn’t appeal to me. But, one of my friends kept asking me at every barbecue that I would see him at if I had seen the movie yet, and I kept telling him no. Until, that is, I eventually saw it, and let me tell you. It’s freaking awesome.
Rodriguez expresses his desire for creating a follow-up film, as he is consistently engaged in work. His latest production was “Spy Kids: Armageddon” released in 2023, and he has numerous ideas for projects that might see the light of day if he manages to secure sufficient funding and studio support.
The fact, though, is that despite coming onto the scene back in 1992, Rodriguez is still very much at it. Now, if only we can all live long enough to watch his already filmed sci-fi movie, 100 Years, which is set to come out in…2115!? Well, I guess I’ll get in line now then.
However, until the release of more Robert Rodriguez films, remember to check back frequently as we’ll be sure to update you on any new ones!
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2024-09-23 01:07