Why did I even long for a Grind House revival, when it was happening right under my nose? You may be surprised to hear this, but I can be a bit slow witted at times. Right now, there are about a hundred young directors creating movies, all of whom are just clamoring to re-invent the Grind House and exploitation genre, and they just don’t get enough of the credit that they deserve for accomplishing what Hollywood has tried so desperately to do. The proof in the pudding is this utterly fantastic production short from Cinephreak Pictures that aces every feeling and novelty you get from a Grind House film, with a touch of Blaxploitation for good measure.
Bilinski adds a production quality to the film that’s just all out exhilarating to watch, from the groovy opening theme, to the montage set to a neon backdrop, it was almost as if American International had distributed it themselves. The plot to “Foxxy Madonna” is a bit of a more supernatural vibe, as Foxxy is a gun slinging, trench coat sporting fighter for good, battling all sorts of demonic baddies. When a mob boss named Black Death plans to release a toxin to poison the world for a bigger scheme, Foxxy Madonna is on the case.
One of the true highlights beyond the genuine atmosphere is the great direction by Bilinski who is able to conduct great action scenes on an obviously low budget, and make it look so streamlined from the very beginning. The entire film has an overall grainy quality to it that helps with the experience and paired with the great script, the film simply never misses a beat. There’s also Monica Barajas who bears a slight resemblance to Frigga of “Thriller: A Cruel Picture,” popping cigarettes in her mouth like it’s a bodily function, and blasting her weapons with sheer precision, she’s a bad ass of a heroine, and she’s drawn with enough depth to warrant a rally from the viewers, and Bilinski thankfully never turns her into a cliché.
Jomar Banks is a great antithesis to Foxxy Madonna providing an over the top antagonist that’s entertaining and threatening enough to warrant him a proper threat, and the two just tussle from the first time they meet, and Bilinski never lets up. I wish all directors were this inventive in their short film efforts, and Bilinski just aims for the sky, here. The best way I can put it is: This movie fucking rocked. It’s rare there are films out there under twenty minutes that can tell such a linear and entertaining narrative, with sheer creativity, imagination, and an atmosphere that perfectly capture the Grind house motif. I’m surprised, and this movie is excellent.