and now, little green bag
Threadless finally reprinted a shirt I've been waiting a long time to get, and it went on sale today.
When I posted about this a few months ago, we all lamented that they sold out before we could buy them and make them the official T-shirt of our gang, so I'm doing my civic duty and letting everyone know that it's available again.
For you damn kids today, this references a movie we all liked when we were young, called Reservoir Dogs. It was made by the guy who made Kill Bill.
What? You don't know Kill Bill? Christ. Okay, how about Grindhouse?
No, he didn't make the cool movie in Grindhouse. He did the other one, Death Proof.
I know, I know. But Reservoir Dogs is really a great movie, I swear.
Okay, how about Pulp Fiction? You ever hear of Pulp Fiction?
I know it came out when you were in elementary school, but you walk around in 80s clothes like they're cool -- they're not, by the way, and I was there so I know what I'm talking about -- and you weren't even born then.
Look, the point is, when you're as old as we are, you'll want to have semi-obscure cultural references to share with other old folks, so you can spot each other in the line to work in the sugar mines and jointly recall a time when you were cool, and old people just didn't get it.
Now get off my lawn, before I blast you with my laser before our evil alien overlords get back.



Did you say 'overlords'? I think you meant 'protectors'.
Posted by: cubegeek | March 17, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Somebody has Pee MMMM essss!
Posted by: camias designs | March 17, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I take exception that rate 'Death Proof' as 'uncool' - we've just got the full cuts of Planet Terror and Death Proof (we never got the Grindhouse release in the UK). Both are cool, but differently so.
I prefer Death Proof - Zoe Bell is just great. The DVD extras are worth a watch...
Hey Sally!
Posted by: Murky | March 17, 2008 at 01:10 PM
typo - sorry. 'that you rated'
Personally, I've a soft spot for 'Jackie Brown'. Pam Greer is great in that, the opening sequence is fantastic.
Posted by: Murky | March 17, 2008 at 01:12 PM
I know it came out when you were in elementary school, but you walk around in 80s clothes like they're cool -- they're not, by the way, and I was there so I know what I'm talking about -- and you weren't even born then.
Hey, at least they're not pegging the cuffs of their jeans. Yet.
(A word to the wise, in case this does come back into vogue, kiddies - the tighter you can get those cuffs, the COOLER YOU WILL BE!)
*ahem*
Posted by: Samurai Avon Lady | March 17, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Wil, I know you weren't a fan but death proof was easily one Tarantinos best. In any case I highly reccomend you check out "Jackie Brown". It's still my favorite QT flick. This shirt is indeed awesome.
Posted by: logicalnoise | March 17, 2008 at 01:28 PM
I saw a kid the other day wearing those godawful black plastic bracelets that some of us wore by the thousands back in the day. I just looked at him & thought, "You weren't even born when they were popular the first time." Yep, one of the benefits of being old, you can see recycling in action. Or something like that.
Please, don't let the acid washed stuff come back. Or turning up the collar on your polo shirt... Some stuff was too scary the first time around.
Posted by: Anellas | March 17, 2008 at 01:35 PM
The multi-layered Polo shirts with the collar up are already back.
Posted by: Renshai | March 17, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Death Proof was awesome! Shut up!
Posted by: Andrew | March 17, 2008 at 01:53 PM
I thought Death Proof had magnificent car chase scenes, and great music and photography.
However, I thought the dialog sucked. It felt too clever by half, went on way too long, and felt like it was written by a film student who had just seen Reservoir Dogs for the first time and was inspired.
Taken in the context of the entire Grindhouse experience, after Planet Terror and all the trailers and other material, Death Proof just didn't hold up for me.
I thought Planet Terror was a brilliant homage to the Grindhouse double feature phenomenon (which I'm just slightly too young to have experienced in its full glory, but did see in occasional ironic revivals in the 90s) but Death Proof let me down; it felt like QT was trying too hard to force a concept he'd already developed into this movie, and it didn't work for me.
Now: Lawn. Lasers. I'm serious this time.
Posted by: Wil | March 17, 2008 at 01:59 PM
So... what about 'Jackie Brown'?
Personally, my list of favourite Tarantinos changes with mood... but Jackie Brown is often a top contender.
Posted by: Murky | March 17, 2008 at 02:13 PM
However, I thought the dialog sucked. It felt too clever by half, went on way too long, and felt like it was written by a film student who had just seen Reservoir Dogs for the first time and was inspired.
I love dialog like that. OK, it probably doesn't fit the grindhouse esthetic, but I can live with that. I was entertained; all else is ephemera.
Posted by: Andrew | March 17, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Pegging the jean cuffs FTW. I will own up to admitting that I pegged my jeans EVERY SINGLE DAY in middle school (While wearing hawesome high top sneakers with three different colored laces in them.) and I apologize for nothing. For what it's worth I still wear those black plastic bracelets. But only three at a time these days -- not thousands. But I don't wear 100 Swatch watches on the same arm anymore. I do have my pride.
And I'll meander off your lawn when I'm good and ready, lasers or no! :)
Posted by: angie k | March 17, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Just watched Death Proof this weekend, and the last 20 minutes rescued the first 90. They could have easily chopped 20 minutes of dialogue, but Quentin is Quentin, so...you know. I'll indulge him.
Fantastic shirt, by the way - my order is in!
Posted by: tomservojr | March 17, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Just the other day a pal and I were discussing how much we loved pegging our jeans. Personally, my fave was pegging baggy pants (which I recall as being basically roomy khakis). I also liked the jelly bracelets (black mostly with a few clear neon green thrown in for good measure) and wearing several watches at once. I did wear acid-wash jeans (and shirts for that matter), but mostly because that is what was available for purchase not because I thought it looked good or stylish.
I did, however, never care for or take part in the double polo with the popped collars trend. Why did THAT come back in style and pegged baggy pants remain lost in style history? I would peg my pants in a minute if it was socially acceptable to do so :)
And, Death Proof was the only part of that movie I stayed awake for. The dialog _is_ obviously self-aware and clever, but I felt like that was expected.
Posted by: Tim Bond in Augusta | March 17, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Hey now, you're not giving us young people enough credit. I not only got the joke in this shirt, I also HAVE the shirt, ordered it before you, apparently. And I also enjoyed Death Proof.
Posted by: em*ly rose | March 17, 2008 at 03:31 PM
I don't know what this 'pegging the cuffs' thing is all about.
But let me tell you... The word's other meanings are brings up straaaaaaaaaange images in my visual imagination.
Posted by: Nentuaby | March 17, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Ordered. I bet it will be sold out again soon.
I didn't see Dogs when it came out. I suppose I was a little young (though that did not stop me from catching every slasher flick in the local video store before I hit puberty).
I should probably add the DVD to my collection, along with Boondock Saints.
Posted by: theCurse | March 17, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Pulp what now?
Posted by: fich | March 17, 2008 at 03:59 PM
I saw Planet Terror this weekend instead of Death Proof. Would someone please include me on the next memo so I don't watch the wrong thing again?
I also saw Bee Movie which, oddly enough, is related to working in the sugar mines.
Posted by: Alan | March 17, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Enjoy your obscure cultural references now. It sucks when the the whole room only stares at you and the only one that chuckles at your references is the old guy in the corner rocking and looking for his teeth. "Who are Mr Greenjeans and Dancing Bear"?
Posted by: Butch | March 17, 2008 at 05:47 PM
I'd like to point out that in their own way, both movies in Grindhouse were equally good. Although zombies ARE my cup of tea. But Death Proof was a girl power flick. :-D
-Ali
Posted by: Miss Ali | March 17, 2008 at 06:45 PM
I was so happy when I got the e-mail about this shirt being reprinted and snatched up mine right away. It's an awesome shirt for one of the best movies ever.
Posted by: zorak163 | March 17, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Curse you! I had to order it, plus The Communist Party one. I've been waiting for both of those to come back in stock.
Posted by: Jessika | March 17, 2008 at 07:10 PM
I don't know what this 'pegging the cuffs' thing is all about...
Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up:
Pegging the cuffs = Take the cuff of your jeans and fold it over to the side, so that it is really tight around your ankle. Then, roll up the hem two or three times, so that it stays pinned (or "pegged") there.
Bonus points if you wear two or more pairs of socks in contrasting colors.
(I remember explaining this to the kids who'd come through my ropes course, back in the day, with their baggy pants that I told them to not wear, because they'd get caught in the pulleys. I made them peg the cuffs. BWAHAhahaha!!!)
Posted by: Samurai Avon Lady | March 17, 2008 at 07:13 PM