Four Rooms (1995) review

Poorly conceived anthology film by Tarantino and three filmmaker friends centers around newly-hired bellhop Ted (Tim Roth) and four bizarre experiences he has with four different sets of guests. None of the bits mesh together particularly well - despite having Roth there to tie the 'events' together - and the 'comedic exaggeration' by Roth and company is grating. Tarantino lifts from an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (courtesy of Roald Dahl's short story), Anders' story of witches goes nowhere, Rodriguez's spoiled, mischievous kids (who discover a dead hooker) is tolerable (I suppose) and Rockwell's bickering husband/wife is barely watchable. Had I seen this when it was first released in the mid-90's I would have argued Tarantino and Rodriguez should never attempt this type of collaborative effort again, but then I would have had to take it back when the very good Grindhouse came out over a decade later. It's all about hindsight, you know....