5 Movie MEGA Review: Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino is a madman.
Quentin Tarantino is a genius.
Chances are, you hold one of those views. He's either f'in nuts or f'in brilliant, as my friend would say. Well, risking my very sanity, I spent two weeks watching all five of his major films--Reservior Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Volume 1, and Kill Bill Volume 2. By the time I'm finished, I'll be able to tell you what I think of him.
Reservior Dogs (1992)
Rated R
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen
The Plot: When a robbery goes horribly wrong, the surviving criminals must figure out what's left, and what to do about it.
The Good: This is a great movie. It has a very cool visual tone, the dialogue is perfect for the film, and the music choices are just brilliant. I liked it a lot.
The Bad: It slows down at a few points, but it still managed to keep my interest from beginning to end.
The Ugly: "Stuck in the Middle With You" (see below)
The QT Moment: I maintain that in every Quentin Tarantino film, there is at least one scene that will stick with you long after you finish watching it. The QT Moment, as I call it. RD's QTM is the afore-mentioned Stuck in the Middle with You scene, where Mr. Blonde (Madsen) tortures a captive cop (Kirk Baltz) to the classic tune. You'll never look at that song the same again.
The 24 Connection: Kirk Baltz played disgruntled sniper Teddy Hanlin in the show's first season.
The Bottom Line: Reservior Dogs is a very cool movie. It's graphic--very graphic--but still a classic flick.
My Rating: 5 out of 5.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman
The Plot: A series of interlocking stories centered around the criminal associates of a kingpin played by Ving Rhames.
The Good: Pulp Fiction is definitely very cool. It's just got this great style about it that makes the movie a lot of fun. There's a lot to like here.
The Bad: I've always said that PF is like a stalling car--it starts, then it stops, then it starts again. This film is just filled with moments that are BORING. The boredom is punctuated by some explosive event, but it just doesn't help with the movie.
The Ugly: Poor Marvin.
The QT Moment: PF's QTM is the opening scenes between Sam Jackson and "Brad." The dialogue there is everything you'd think it would be, and it's quotable, too! "Mmmmm...now that IS a tasty burger!"
The Bottom Line: PF is a cool thriller that stalls a little in the middle, but picks up momentum for a morbidly funny third act.
My Rating: 4 out of 5.
Coming up next time: Jackie Brown and the Kill Bill films.
Quentin Tarantino is a genius.
Chances are, you hold one of those views. He's either f'in nuts or f'in brilliant, as my friend would say. Well, risking my very sanity, I spent two weeks watching all five of his major films--Reservior Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Volume 1, and Kill Bill Volume 2. By the time I'm finished, I'll be able to tell you what I think of him.
Reservior Dogs (1992)
Rated R
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen
The Plot: When a robbery goes horribly wrong, the surviving criminals must figure out what's left, and what to do about it.
The Good: This is a great movie. It has a very cool visual tone, the dialogue is perfect for the film, and the music choices are just brilliant. I liked it a lot.
The Bad: It slows down at a few points, but it still managed to keep my interest from beginning to end.
The Ugly: "Stuck in the Middle With You" (see below)
The QT Moment: I maintain that in every Quentin Tarantino film, there is at least one scene that will stick with you long after you finish watching it. The QT Moment, as I call it. RD's QTM is the afore-mentioned Stuck in the Middle with You scene, where Mr. Blonde (Madsen) tortures a captive cop (Kirk Baltz) to the classic tune. You'll never look at that song the same again.
The 24 Connection: Kirk Baltz played disgruntled sniper Teddy Hanlin in the show's first season.
The Bottom Line: Reservior Dogs is a very cool movie. It's graphic--very graphic--but still a classic flick.
My Rating: 5 out of 5.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman
The Plot: A series of interlocking stories centered around the criminal associates of a kingpin played by Ving Rhames.
The Good: Pulp Fiction is definitely very cool. It's just got this great style about it that makes the movie a lot of fun. There's a lot to like here.
The Bad: I've always said that PF is like a stalling car--it starts, then it stops, then it starts again. This film is just filled with moments that are BORING. The boredom is punctuated by some explosive event, but it just doesn't help with the movie.
The Ugly: Poor Marvin.
The QT Moment: PF's QTM is the opening scenes between Sam Jackson and "Brad." The dialogue there is everything you'd think it would be, and it's quotable, too! "Mmmmm...now that IS a tasty burger!"
The Bottom Line: PF is a cool thriller that stalls a little in the middle, but picks up momentum for a morbidly funny third act.
My Rating: 4 out of 5.
Coming up next time: Jackie Brown and the Kill Bill films.
