What Movie Did You Just See?

[capt. scotty]

I dont think Id say the acting is better overall in RD, but it is grittier. Its hard to really compare stories unless theyre fairly similar

[capt. scotty]

I agree with them being overrated. I think theyre my least favorite Tarantino flicks besides Death Proof, but I still even liked that.

You like Vol 1 or Vol 2 better??

My Personal Tarantino Rankings would probably be:

1) Jackie Brown
2) Pulp Fiction
3) Reservoir Dogs
4) Kill Bill Vol 1
5) Kill Bill Vol 2
6) Death Proof

I have a feeling Inglourious Basterds will end up right in the middle at #4. Higher than that, and it outdoes my expectations based on the story/cast/trailer. Lower, and well, you know.

Reverse Jackie Brown and Pulp Fiction and that's my list. I thought Death Proof sucked.

Not saying it is in your case, but I find Jackie Brown to be his most underrated movie by far. It doesnt even get mentioned in the same breath as PF, RD, or KB typically

[xmascriminal]

I agree with them being overrated. I think theyre my least favorite Tarantino flicks besides Death Proof, but I still even liked that.

You like Vol 1 or Vol 2 better??

My Personal Tarantino Rankings would probably be:

1) Jackie Brown
2) Pulp Fiction
3) Reservoir Dogs
4) Kill Bill Vol 1
5) Kill Bill Vol 2
6) Death Proof

I have a feeling Inglourious Basterds will end up right in the middle at #4. Higher than that, and it outdoes my expectations based on the story/cast/trailer. Lower, and well, you know.

Reverse Jackie Brown and Pulp Fiction and that's my list. I thought Death Proof sucked.

Not saying it is in your case, but I find Jackie Brown to be his most underrated movie by far. It doesnt even get mentioned in the same breath as PF, RD, or KB typically

It's definitely underrated. And, in my opinion, Kill Bill is overrated. But this new film is already his most overrated yet. I really think Quentin's going downhill and this movie will prove it, but no one will be able to admit it, least of all him.

[Jaimoe]

Both Kill Bills are great. I don't think Quentin's lost it, yet. We'll see how Inglorious Bastards turns out, but on paper it looks very interesting.

[capt. scotty]

I almost said in my initial post that Tarantino should really be directing more often than he does and I think that would give him a little more leeway (sp?) without having the great movie expectation movie each time.

I didnt say it because he's going to have had directed 7 movies in 17 years, which I wouldnt say is active, but at 1 movie every 2.4 years, its not quite slacking either IMO. Still, I think the movies he's "presented" (ie, Hostel etc) have amounted to many more than hes actaully been a part of in the last decade.

I think 1 thing that hurts him is he only directs movies he writes. In that respect, they're always going to have Tarantino-isms and a relatively confined genre/plot, but mostly I dont think he can direct around a movie a year if hes also writing the script for each one as well.

Not so sure that Inglourious Basterds is his most overrated already by any means. He's just done so few movies since Pulp fiction it almost seems that way. Think about it - when Jackie Brown came out in the latter 90's indie directors werent really in, so it went under the radar. I remember Kill Bill getting a lot of pub and was actually 1 of probably 10 movies Ive seen in theaters over the last 5-6 years. Not that thats the reason I went, but I just remember all kinds of buzz for it.

I dont think Inglourious Basterds will get quite as much publicity, although were 6 months away from it opening so its hard to say, but I kind of feel like its been so long since Tarantino had that "great" movie, combined with Death Proof only being pretty good for the most part, that this movie isnt really that "must see" movie when it comes out in blockbuster box office season.

[Jaimoe]

Jackie Brown didn't fly under the radar so much as it isn't that great of a movie. I saw it in the theatre at the time and thought it was good, but not great. I've seen it since and it hasn't gotten better, but I still lust for Pam Grier.

Inglorious has the cast, a good plot and a great writer/director, so I'm expecting big things.

I really admire directors that also write and produce. Sure, they don't put out movies every year, but quality takes time. Most of the great combo director/writers were overly prolific on paper, but coming up with ideas or adapting novels and then directing the film takes time.

[capt. scotty]

I probably wouldnt say Jackie Brown is his best actual movie as far as story/cinematography/art direction etc goes, but its still my favorite. I am for certain that the largest reason for this is the acting. Pam Grier and Robert Forster IMO have had the 2 greatest performances of any Tarantino movie, and DeNiro's performance in JB was and still is his best since Goodfellas. Its hard to say if Id call it a "great" movie, but if you dont think its even close, I recommend watching it again, without thinking its a Tarantino movie if thats possible.

Maybe the biggest reason its underrated, like I previously said, is because it is hands down the most un-Tarantino movie of any of his movies. If you didnt know who directed it, I doubt Tarantino would even come to mind.


.....Im also expecting big things with Inglourious Basterds, but your saying it has the cast?! It has the least accomplished cast of any Tarantino movie. Yeah it has Brad Pitt, but the only other people who I even recognize by name are Diane Kruger, Mike Myers, and Cloris Leachman - and none of them for their actual acting.

[Jaimoe]

I love that Inglorious Bastards has an unconventional cast that flies in the face of being predictable (other than Pitt, who is a fantastic actor regardless). The great Rod Taylor as Churchill, horror director Eli Roth, B.J. Novak from The Office, one of the best international actors in Maggie Cheung (Police Story I and 2, Hero, In The Mood For Love) and a bunch of great German actors. Mike Myers has shown he can play serious roles.

One thing about the cast that should make folks excited is the fact that most are not household names, which, if you look at the way great westerns were cast, most had a few stars and the rest of the cast were no-names or good character actors. Essentially, the story is what's important and not the celebrity.  

[capt. scotty]

If youre taking that angle with the cast, then I agree with you. By saying it has the cast (compared to previous Tarantino movies) like you did had me  :-? before that.

I definitely agree that it makes this movie that more intriguing. Outside of a rip roaring, dramatic ass beating, I have no idea what to expect with Inglourious Basterds.

I do think Pitt is a great actor as well, like you noted earlier, and gets discounted because of his looks in that area, but his accent in the trailer has me questioning things. Sounds really out of place and im not sure.

[Jaimoe]

Kubrick rarely filled out his cast with big actors. His films are all about the story.

No, Inglorious doesn't have the star cast as all of his other films, but it's got me excited because of its unpredictability.

[xmascriminal]

I usually don't like Brad Pitt, but that's because he typically gets stupid roles that focus on his looks. When he gets an interesting part, like The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford or Twelve Monkeys, he's great. But I agree with you, Capt. Something about his accent seems a little off. Doesn't look like a great performance to me. But then again, it's hard to tell from a trailer. I remember seeing trailers for the Dark Knight where they showed clips of Heath Ledger and going "What are people getting so excited about? A Beetlejuice imitation?" Then I got to the theater. . .

[capt. scotty]

You usually dont like Pitt?!? You think he usually takes roles that are based on his looks?!?

I have to disagree with that. I think despite his sex symbol title as a person, his acting resume and performances are quite impressive

A River Runs Thourgh It
Kalifornia***
True Romance
Interview with the Vampire
Legends of the Fall
Seven
12 Monkeys***
Sleepers
The Devil's Own
Fight Club
Snatch***
The Mexican
Babel
Assassination of Jesse James***
Benjamin Button

Stars denote some of my favorite performances  :)

The only appearance centered roles to me appear to be Meet Joe Black, 7 Years in Tibet, the Ocean's series, and Mr and Mrs Smith. Maybe you can include Troy as well, but either way, he typically doesnt take this type of role.

[Jaimoe]

Pitt's been great in many movies. Of course, his funniest  role came from a film he was never in: Living in Oblivion. See this hilarious attack on Pitt  ASAP. It's a film within a film. The director and writer wrote it after he worked on Johnny Suede.

[capt. scotty]

Pitt's been great in many movies. Of course, his funniest  role came from a film he was never in: Living in Oblivion. See this hilarious attack on Pitt story ASAP.

I dont get it..his funniest role is in a film hes not in?!!!?!!

[Jaimoe]

Pitt's been great in many movies. Of course, his funniest  role came from a film he was never in: Living in Oblivion. See this hilarious attack on Pitt story ASAP.

I dont get it..his funniest role is in a film hes not in?!!!?!!

It's a film written and directed by Tom DiCillo, who also directed Johnny Suede. The film never says the James LeGros character is Brad Pitt, but he most certainly is. Pitt drove everyone nuts on the set of Suede, so DiCillo created this film as a savage, satirical homage. It's fucking hilarious. No doubt Pitt wasn't amused when it came out. Great cast too.

http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:133594~T1

[xmascriminal]

I would say Fight Club is a role based on his looks as well, even if it's more interesting than any of the movies you listed at the bottom. I remember Legends of the Fall being pretty centered around looks too. But maybe I'm wrong since I only saw a piece of it a long time ago. I didn't like it enough to keep watching. And yeah, he was good in Snatch. I forgot about that.

[capt. scotty]

I would say Fight Club is a role based on his looks as well, even if it's more interesting than any of the movies you listed at the bottom. I remember Legends of the Fall being pretty centered around looks too. But maybe I'm wrong since I only saw a piece of it a long time ago. I didn't like it enough to keep watching. And yeah, he was good in Snatch. I forgot about that.

Looks might be something in Fight Club as far as thats something that Ed Norton's character desires to have himself, but its hardly an even somewhat major part of that movie.

I did just list around 75% of his movies though, and you seem to basically agree with me.

I recommend re-evaluating him as an actor. He takes on plenty of good/challenging roles and succeeds almost every time.

[xmascriminal]

Okay, out of the ones you listed, the ones I haven't seen are Kalifornia, True Romance, Interview with the Vampire, Sleepers, The Devil's Own and Benjamin Button. Which ones are worth watching? And be advised that I will NEVER see Benjamin Button under any circumstances.

[capt. scotty]

Okay, out of the ones you listed, the ones I haven't seen are Kalifornia, True Romance, Interview with the Vampire, Sleepers, The Devil's Own and Benjamin Button. Which ones are worth watching? And be advised that I will NEVER see Benjamin Button under any circumstances.

Well if youll never see Button...

True Romance (written by Tarantino, Pitt's part would be called a cameo had he been famous then).. An immediate must see because its a great movie and not becuase of Pitt

Sleepers....outstanding movie, totally original story. Pitt has a bigger part than TR, but its a supporting one nonetheless..

Been awhile since I saw both Interwiew with the Vampire or Devils Own, but theyre both solid flicks.

Kalifornia is an awesome movie. As the movie goes on, your jaw drops more. Im pretty sure this is the role/movie that put Pitt on the map as an actor with real skill, though it still is overlooked as a movie. David Duchovny, Michelle Forbes, and Juliette Lewis are all great is big suporting roles as well. A Must See...

[xmascriminal]

I have always wanted to see True Romance since it was written by Tarrantino, but I thought that it might be ruined by Tony Scott's direction. Good to know that's not the case. Sleepers and Kalifornia were totally off my radar, but I'll check those out too. I won't see Benjamin Button for four reasons:
1. It was made specifically to win Oscars, which always pisses me off.
2. Many parallels to Forrest Gump, which I despise (same writer even).
3. The trailer looked lame, and even terrible movies usually have good trailers.
4. If Brad Pitt truly aged backwards so that he'd be born a tiny old man and die as a huge baby, I'd see it in a second. Big missed opportunity.