RETURN OF QT - "Celebratory in its approach to violence (and with a body count far higher than that of "Pulp Fiction"), it is rife with severed limbs and flying gore." What, you thought Quentin Tarantino's next movie was going to be a light-hearted romantic comedy? That's how the New York Times describes Tarantino's long-awaited next film, Kill Bill, in a recent piece titled "Return of a Violence Auteur". Kill Bill stars Uma Thurman as a pregnant bride and professional assassin -- yes, you read that right -- who is shot and left for dead on her wedding day. Did I mention that the guy who pulled the trigger was none other than her groom-to-be, Bill, who is also a professional assassin? This is either the worst case of cold feet in history, or the textbook example for why people in the workplace should never get romantically involved. After five years in a coma, the Bride (her actual name is never used) wakes up with only one thing on her mind -- no, not a glass of water or plate of prime-rib; she wants revenge. Warren Beatty was originally slated to play Bill, but dropped out and was replaced by David Carradine, a likely favorite of Tarantino's from the 70s TV show Kung Fu. Never one to try and hide his influences, here's what the Times says about QT's upcoming ode to gore:

"Kill Bill," in contrast, pays homage to the "grindhouse" exploitation films produced by the Shaw brothers of Hong Kong and others. Unlike the current hits, which avoid serious bloodshed, these cult films — from spaghetti Westerns like Sergio Leone's "A Fistful of Dollars" to the Shaws' kung-fu classic "The Five Deadly Venoms" — revel in the details of violence, whether by gun, sword or fist.

Anyone hoping for CS to go against conventional wisdom here and suggest that Kill Bill doesn't sound like a very good film, or that Tarantino is unoriginal and crude, let me apologize now. Like most critics and assorted movie geeks, I'm a huge fan of all three of his previous films -- Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and Jackie Brown, all recently released (finally!) in special edition DVD sets -- and if anyone can make me enjoy watching a movie "rife with severed limbs and flying gore," it's Tarantino. The film is scheduled to premiere at Cannes in May, with a release date slated for Oct. 10, 2003. All the latest Tarantino hype/info can be found over at Ain't It Cool News. Harry Knowles is actually on the set of Kill Bill in China and is sending back daily diary entries. I'd recommend them except I'm still trying to wade through his comments. Is there anyone more in need of an editor than this guy? The entries are called "set reports," but all I gleaned from the first one was how sexy his Chinese waitress was and how Beijing is a lot like Austin. And here I thought one of the most fascinating filmmakers in recent cinema history was shooting his first project in six years.

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