Top Ten Tarantino Movies
One of the most famous directors working today, Quentin Tarantino, is known for making movies which feature great dialogue, lots of violence and a distinct style. His film style has been coined “Tarantinoesque,” describing anything reminiscent of one of his top films, has even found its way into the general vernacular. The former video store clerk is lauded for his writing skills and homage to cult films and genres. Below is the top ten picks from the Tarantino compilation of movies he directed, produced, appeared in, and/or took inspiration from.
1. Pulp Fiction
Pulp Fiction tells three interwoven tales of seedy Los Angeles. There’s robbery, hit men, drugs, overdoses, murder, rape, and wit. It’s a film bursting with irrelevance that somehow managed to start a revolution in the film industry.
2. Inglorious Basterds
This World War II Western doubles as Tarantino’s epic love letter to cinema. The plot centers around two revenge plots against the Nazis, there’s the “Basterds,” a group of American-Jewish soldiers in the killing Nazi business, and cinema-owner Shosanna Dreyfus. The film is tense, graphic and somehow, very comedic.
3. Kill Bill, Vol. 1 and 2
Filmed as one movie but released in two volumes, Kill Bill is a movie that’s just as precise, brash, and aggressive as the main character’s plan for revenge. Tarantino has stated that he’d like it to be his franchise, where he’ll release a new one every decade or so. He’s on the right path as the next on is scheduled for release in 2014.
4. Rio Bravo
Paced slower than most movies released today, Rio Bravo is a character-driven Western starring John Wayne, Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson. More than that though, it’s an under-rated masterpiece that is fantastic for its unabashed mythologizing of the West.
5. Jackie Brown
This film is often referred to as Tarantino’s most mature work. It’s accused of having no humor. Nonetheless, this adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel follows flight attendant Jackie Brown as she attempts to steal half a million dollars right under the nose of an arms dealer and the police.
6. Reservoir Dogs
This crime drama, which put Tarantino on the map, follows the surprisingly intellectual characters in a crime gang. It’s a violent, non-linear movie that works just as well as a character ensemble. Reservoir Dogs is a “cops and robbers” flick that achieves more than most other films in the genre.
7. Breathless
This nihilistic road movie sparked the infamous French New Wave style. The plot revolves around a criminal running away from the cops and looking for an American girl. There’s nerding out over movies, rockabilly, and comic books, but the film never ceases to be cool.
8. From Dusk ‘Till Dawn
Back in ’96, Tarantino accomplished something that seems impossible today— he helped make a vampire movie actually worth watching. Starring George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino himself, this film follows two fugitive brothers in a Mexican town where the crooks turn out to be vampires. The result is almost two hours of pure fun.
9. Suspiria
One of the director’s favorite grindhouse films, Suspiria is an over-the-top, lush nightmare committed to film and backed by a killer soundtrack. The many quiet, tense, and graphic murder scenes only contribute to the general senselessness.
10. Sukiyaki Western Django
Tarantino plays a gunslinger in this ambitious though not wholly successful Japanese remake of Django (itself a remake of Yojimbo), which pairs philosophizing with slapstick. The hefty dialogue is mumbled with heavily accented English. The film is entertaining and visually striking even if certain aspects lag behind.
Read More»Why Women Love Vampires
What Makes Vampires So Lovable?
With Vampires running loose on today’s screen, big and small, it is no wonder that they have stolen the hearts of many women and girls alike. With today’s depiction, it is very easy to forget that this hunted beast once haunted the nightmares of many. Today’s vampire is as suave as he is good looking. This has granted him easy access into the homes and hearts of many. The reasons that so many love the dark and brooding creature, as there are plentiful scripts in Hollywood calling for them.
1. Vampires are just so darned good looking. Maybe it is the many years on Earth that they have had to perfect their looks. Whatever it is, vampires are as gorgeous as ever.
2. They offer the promise of eternal youth. Imagine meeting someone in their prime knowing this is the way they will be until the end of time. No worrying about graying hair or wrinkled skin here.
3. They always know the correct way to whisper a brooding thought or lovelorn sentence. Once again, this probably harkens back to their many years of experience.
4. Even the bad boys of the vampire world seem to know just how to treat the love of their life. Ever the ultimate gentleman, vampires just seem to have it, whatever it may be.
5. Vampires offer the ultimate in protection. Every female wants to feel safe and protected. Vampires offer this in thanks to their great strength, speed and immortality. Okay, well not so much during the daytime.
6. Even a good girl wants a bad boy. Vampires offer this thrill wrapped up in once nice and very good looking package. Sure, he has to kill and feed to stay alive, but deep down he does not really mean any harm by it.
7. Vampires offer eternal love. They seem to forever be looking for the one. So, if you catch his eye, to know that you must be awesome. Also, you can rest assured that after you are long in the ground, he will spend the rest of his days mourning the loss of you.
8. Vampires seem to be the most romantic men (or creatures) on Earth. Raised in an era of chivalry, they are not afraid to open doors, hold an umbrella or face an entire group of “bad” vampires to defend your honor.
9. Power is a great aphrodisiac and vampires are dripping with it. Even the weakest vampires seem to possess more power than the average teenage girl knows what to do with. Whether it is unlimited monetary funds or actual physical prowess, vampires rank high among the powerful.
10. The thrill of immortality and the possibilities that it brings with it are very alluring. Imagine the love of your life granting you the power to be with him forever. With that much time on your hands, you can finally do everything on your bucket list and then some.
Read More»More Pirates And Die Hard??
Upcoming Movie Sequels 2011
Playing off successful previous sequels… Hollywood is at it again. Here are some upcoming movie sequels that are sure to please movie goers.
• Johnny Depp has insisted he wants to make a simpler fourth installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. The actor is currently in London promoting his latest flick Alice in Wonderland, in which he plays the Mad Hatter.
Speaking in an interview with the UK’s Daily Mirror newspaper, Depp explained that he’d like the next appearance of Captain Jack Sparrow to be straightforward and uncomplicated with subplots and unnecessary characters.
The 46-year-old star added that the Pirates franchise changed his life. “When I decided to take the role it was pure instinct. I didn’t know it was going to be such a huge hit,” he revealed.
Pirates 4 is to release in summer 2011 under the title of ‘On Stranger Tides.’
• Die Hard 5 coming to a cinema near you? That could well be the case in 2011, if a suggestion from Bruce Willis on the subject is to be taken seriously. In an interview with MTV Movies, the actor said that he thinks a fifth installment in the popular film series could begin filming next year.
“The John McClane that exists is only in film and in people’s minds. And it continues to grow, that mythology continues to grow,” Willis added.
Fans of the fourth Die Hard, which came out in 2007, may be interested to hear of Willis’ choice of director if a fifth is made.
“I would hire Len Wiseman right now,” he claimed.
Originally released in 1988, Die Hard followed the adventures of NYPD cop McClane and his battles against terrorist Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman. It was followed by Die Hard 2 (1990), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) and Live Free and Die Hard (2007).
Read More»Penelope Cruz Stars In New Lars Von Trier Movie
Penelope Cruz New Movie 2010
Penelope Cruz may be starring in the new film by Antichrist director Lars von Trier.
The Spanish beauty, who dated Tom Cruise, is reportedly signed up for Melancholia, described by the Danish director as a “psycho-drama”.
The melancholia of the title refers to a large planet which looms too close to the Earth.
Von Trier’s last film, starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg, was reviled by critics for its graphic depictions of self-mutilation.
Fellow helmer John Waters praised the film on Artforum, saying, “If Ingmar Bergman had committed suicide, gone to hell, and come back to earth to direct an exploitation/art film for drive-ins, Antichrist is the movie he would have made.”
Before Antichrist, the director had already polarized critics with films featuring scenes showing actors actually having sex.
According to rumors, the role to be played by Cruz was written for her by the director, who is known to cast Hollywood beauties, such as Nicole Kidman, in his famously bleak and tragic films.
Other stars to work with Von Trier include Emily Watson and singer Bjork,who played a poverty-stricken single mother who sacrifices her eyesight for her young son.
He has promised that he will no longer direct “happy endings,” though these generally have not been features of his films.
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Read More»Transformers to Win 2010′s Razzie Awards
Transformers in Running to Scoop Razzies
Transformers may sweep the board for the worst film of last year at 2010′s Razzie awards.
Director Michael Bay’s real-life action film based on the 80s cartoon about alien robots disguised as cars garnered nominations for the worst actress, worst director and worst screenplay.
Despite this, it failed to appear in the worst film of the decade category, which was graced by Freddy Got Fingered, Battlefield Earth, Gigli, Swept Away and I Know Who Killed Me.
The Razzies celebrate the embarrassing excesses of Hollywood in the ceremony that is held the night before the more prestigious Oscars.
Madonna will beat Paris Hilton in her race to win the most number of Razzies given to any actress in the history of the ceremony, if she wins again in this year’s ‘worst actress’ or ‘worst actress of the decade’ categories.
The material girl currently ties with the sexy hotels heiress, both unashamedly possessing four of the dishonorable awards.
Nominations for worst male actor of the decade include Ben Affleck, John Travolta, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers and Rob Schneider.
Razzies come back to haunt you – Mariah Carey is up for worst actress for the career-low Glitter, despite critical acclaim for her performance in this year’s Precious.
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Read More»Top 10 Movies For 2010
The Most Anticipated Movies of 2010
10 – Arrested Development: Fans of the television show have long been pining after a big-screen adaptation ever since the show was canceled. Rumors have been flying for a while, but now we’re being told that it’s definitely happening. We just have to keep hoping.
9 – Inception: What we are told about this one is to think contemporary sci-fi, action and architecture. This flick is from the director that brought you The Prestige, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and Memento, meaning it should be good, whatever it is.
8 – Iron Man 2: The first Iron Man movie was excellent, and so we are expecting nothing but the best from Iron Man 2. The casting for this one is perfect, and if it is half as great as the first movie, then it is going to be one of the best movies of the year.
7 – Jonah Hex: Josh Brolin and Megan Fox are staring in this one, which means you’re going to get incredible action and hot Megan Fox. The plot synopsis, involving a Wild West bounty hunter, a voodoo practitioner and Confederate zombies sounds wicked cool.
6 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I: Every Harry Potter movie so far has been awesome, the special effects only get better, and everyone wants to find out what happens to Harry, Hermione and Ron during their final year at school. This is part one of a two part ending, bringing about the near-end of the Harry Potter saga and is said to be the darkest of the Harry Potter films yet.
5 – Date Night: This is a team up between Steve Carell and Tina Fey, but the rest of the cast is also perfect and it’s easy to assume anything that Steve Carell acts in is going to be funny. Ruffalo, Henson, Kunis, Franco and Whalberg only make the deal that much sweeter.
4 – The Book of Eli: This is a movie about a man fighting his way across America post-apocalypse so that he can save a book that supposedly holds the secrets to saving all of mankind. Denzel Washington stars in this one, which is touted as being the best post-apocalyptic movie to come out in some time.
3 – The A Team: They’re making a feature-length A-Team movie, what else is there to say? We are really hoping that they are going to stick to the formula as much as they possibly can, but without the real Mr. T, we have our doubts. Common is going to be playing the new Mr. T. We still have high hopes, but we will have to wait and see.
2 – The Expendables: Look at the cast on this one! Sylvester Stallone, Mickey Rourke, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Brittany Murphy and Jet Li! Could you ask for a better cast in a movie about mercenaries overthrowing a South American dictator?
1 – The Three Stooges: Here is another excellently cast movie, a comedy based on all of the original exploits that Larry, Moe and Curly were known for, with Jim Carry, Sean Pen and Benicio Del Toro. It’s a brand new Three Stooges adventure, and you’re going to want to watch it.
For more articles about entertaining news and much more please visit the Entertainment section on GKMen.
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