You would likely never desire to be in a
Quentin Tarantino
movie, where the likelihood of being unexpectedly shot in the face is alarmingly high, yet you can easily recognize when you’re watching such a film.
Firstly, there’s the bloodshed and extreme violence. Along with that, naturally, comes the profanity. Not to mention the main characters.
who don’t lean heroic
And the profound impact of the soundtracks, ranging from funky tunes to those that are simply awesome. Plus, the overall stylishness. However, what stands out the most is an unwavering level of excellence throughout.
Indeed, the films in Tarantino’s varied body of work—including his Oscar-nominated director’s masterpiece “Pulp Fiction”—stand out.
Pulp Fiction
, marking its 30th anniversary – span from good to legendary. He doesn’t have a single dud in the collection.
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Here’s how “Pulp Fiction” compares to Quentin Tarantino’s other movies:
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10. ‘Kill Bill: Volume 2’ (2004)
The significant difference in quality exists between the outstanding first “Bill” and the merely average follow-up, as action scenes take a back seat to more dialogue-heavy sequences in this martial arts continuation. Uma Thurman returns as The Bride, pursuing the remaining members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad who were involved in nearly causing her demise—among them her ex-lover Bill played by David Carradine. Additional kudos go to compelling revelations towards the end and the intriguingly named Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique.
9. ‘Jackie Brown’ (1997)
The sole Tarantino film derived from external source material – here,
Elmore Leonard’s novel “Rum Punch” from 1992
— “Jackie Brown” pays tribute to the blaxploitation movies from days gone by, featuring an impressive ensemble cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton, and Robert De Niro. However, it’s
Pam Grier
As a mid-40s flight attendant who dabbles in smuggling cash on the side and who proves to be remarkably talented, this role marks a fantastic comeback for her on the big screen.
8. ‘Death Proof’ (2007)
As part of the “Grindhouse” double bill (which was paired with Robert Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror”), this film ventures into fascinating territory by blending various genres, ranging from classic slasher elements to themes of feminine strength. The movie also presents a seldom-seen portrayal of Kurt Russell as an antagonist; Stuntman Mike is a ruthless murderer who targets women and kills them using his indestructible vehicle. However, when he crosses paths with three spirited female friends—played by Zoe Bell, Rosario Dawson, and Tracie Thoms—he finds himself facing adversaries just as fierce and vengeful.
7. ‘Django Unchained’ (2012)
Tarantino offered a distinctive Spaghetti Western spin on Southern slavery and racism through a notable collaboration: freed slave Django, played by Jamie Foxx, joins forces with dentist-turned-bounty-hunter King Schultz, portrayed by Christoph Waltz. Together, they target outlaw siblings in Tennessee before journeying to Mississippi to reunite Django with his wife. The graphic and harsh scenes depicting violent confrontations among enslaved individuals can be difficult to endure; however, Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a captivatingly wicked performance as the flamboyant plantation owner Calvin J. Candie.
6. ‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992)
Starting with mobsters debating Madonna’s music catalogue at the outset to the subsequent violence and treachery, Tarantino’s debut showcased early hints of his signature style of intertextual and non-linear narrative techniques which he would later refine for “Pulp Fiction.” The ensemble casts shines brightly too, featuring notable performances by actors such as Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, and Michael Madsen—portraying stylish criminals facing desperate situations.
5. ‘The Hateful Eight’ (2015)
Quentin Tarantino ventures into the Western genre once more, this time featuring a group of dubious characters trapped in a cabin during a snowstorm, entangled in a murder mystery thriller. This ensemble includes two bounty hunters from the post-Civil War era (played by Jackson and Russell), an unstable criminal (portrayed by Jennifer Jason Leigh), and a talkative hangman (acted out by Tim Roth). Each character boasts questionable morals, making them just the sort of individuals Tarantino excels at portraying.
4. ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ (2019)
Tarantino’s homage to the Los Angeles of his youth in the 1960s centers around the story of a declining television actor (DiCaprio) and his stunt double.
Pitt
, who won an Oscar for her performance) intertwining with the destiny of a rising star.
Sharon Tate
(Margot Robbie) – This visionary interpretation of Hollywood’s past allows the director to recreate the evolving cultural landscape of the era brilliantly. It also provides outstanding opportunities for the male lead actors, particularly Leonardo DiCaprio, delivering exceptional performances.
3. ‘Kill Bill: Volume 1’ (2003)
Tarantino doesn’t often feature straightforward protagonists in his movies, but Uma Thurman’s character “The Bride” comes close — and audiences readily support her due to the actress’ inherent charm, her dire situation (being shot in the head on her wedding day), and the sheer vengeance she exacts dressed in a Bruce Lee-inspired outfit. The action scene set in Tokyo, where The Bride battles an entire gang of Yakuza thugs armed only with a sword and faces off against a schoolgirl wielding a lethal ball and chain, ranks among some of the best cinema moments ever made. However, Tarantino pushes boundaries even further by incorporating unconventional elements such as animating the origin story of The Bride’s adversary, O-Ren Ishii, played by Lucy Liu.
2. ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009)
Quentin Tarantino creates a war movie that doubles as a vengeance tale, featuring a playful use of a David Bowie track leading up to an avenging woman (Melanie Laurent) setting fire to a theater packed with Nazis. Although perhaps not the most historically precise depiction of World War II, “Inglourious Basterds” stands out for being exceptionally enjoyable and entertaining—depending on how you look at it—with Brad Pitt portraying the head of a squad of scalpers targeting Germans, alongside Christoph Waltz playing one of the director’s craftiest and vilest antagonists in his gallery of villains.
1. ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)
It’s rare these days to come across a movie that completely revolutionizes the industry, but viewers who experienced this at the cinema initially struggled with its complex web of narratives and interwoven characters before realizing how extraordinary it really was. This celebrated 1990s independent film resurrected careers for actors like John Travolta and Bruce Willis and propelled Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson into stardom within popular culture. Memorable quotes from the movie quickly became commonplace, prompting people to quote passages from the Book of Ezekiel after years without doing so. Overall, despite being unconventional, the film managed to resonate widely among audiences. It remains intriguing as Quentin Tarantino has yet to reveal what was inside that enigmatic gold briefcase.
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY:
As “Pulp Fiction” celebrates three decades, we’re ranking all of Quentin Tarantino’s films.
