Review of Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives (2010) by Denis O — 20 Jan 2012

Back in 2007, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez teamed up to make the film GRINDHOUSE: DOUBLE FEATURE, a film that was meant to be a homage to the exploitation films of the 60â(TM)s and 70â(TM)s. While the project was a box office failure, what it did start was a renaissance of film directors trying to make exploitation films in the same style. Now, while most of these films did do a good enough job capturing the spirit of a Grindhouse flick, it is sad that the best of all of these films happens to be one that went unnoticed by the main stream media. That film is: Ticked-Off Trannies With Knives.

For a quick idea of this film, it is basically about a group of transsexuals who try to get revenge on a bunch of rednecks that tried to rape them. Yes. The film is as weird as the description makes it out to be. And all of that is complete with gritty film prints, martial arts, obscene language, and some of the most quotable dialogue you will find in any recent film.

Okay, where do I start with this film? I think the best way for me to start would be my feelings when watching this film. Going in with absolutely no idea of what to expect, I literally had to take pain pills after words because I was laughing so hard. Before you start giving me weird looks, this film is actually intelligent humor, and not stupid. Yeah, there are some scenes that makes you think it will be. But, in reality, if you have a strong understanding of transsexuals, you will get this film.

If I had one complaint about this film, it would be that this film tries so hard to be a tribute to Tarantino that, honestly, it gets a bit tiresome. I mean, I am all for showing tribute to one of the greatest directors alive. But this film just overdoes it with the title cards, the dialogue, the numerous shots of peopleâ(TM)s feet, etc. If that was the directorâ(TM)s intention, to pay tribute, then she did a rather decent job at it. But if it was not, then that is a bit of a failure.

The best thing, above all, with this film is that all of the transsexuals are real life transsexuals and not actors/ actresses paid to be transsexuals. The reason I point this out is that in films, it is rare to see transsexuals portrayed with respect, honor, and dignity. Here, they are shown as powerful, caring, loyal people that disserve respect from other people.

This film is one that is bound to shock some people, make people fall down laughing, or offend some others due to the depiction of southerners as being transsexual hating rapists. But, in the end, this is still one of the finest examples of Grindhouse entertainment and the best offspring of Tarantino and Rodriguezâ(TM)s GRINDHOUSE: DOUBLE FEATURE.