Tarantino's Top 20: From Reservoir Dogs to Now

Could someone help me understand why people say there's a connection between movies like *Se7en* and *Fight Club* that would somehow prevent them both from appearing on the same list?

Samuel Baker3 said:Could someone help me understand why people say there's a connection between movies like *Se7en* and *Fight Club* that would somehow prevent them both from appearing on the same list?

Well, the way he structured it ensures no single director takes up more than one slot. Personally, I think it's a smart move. We have so many talented directors out there, and space is always at a premium.

Samuel Baker3 said:Could someone help me understand why people say there's a connection between movies like *Se7en* and *Fight Club* that would somehow prevent them both from appearing on the same list?

In theory, they absolutely could be. However, it seems Tarantino likely intended to limit the list to just one film per director. Since both of those movies were directed by David Fincher, he probably felt it was best to pick just one.

The Insider, Memories of Murder and Lost In Translation —I don't know, man... they just don't really scream Tarantino to me.

ruggedridge22 said:I’m not particularly surprised by this list; it makes perfect sense given how much Quentin Tarantino was influenced by grindhouse cinema and East Asian cult classics growing up. You’ll find a mix of hits and misses here, but there are several undeniable modern masterpieces included—films like *Boogie Nights*, *Fight Club* (though I have a slight soft spot for *Se7en*), *Lost in Translation*, *Unbreakable*, and *The Insider*. In my opinion, *The Insider* is actually the standout achievement on this entire list, though I can't help but feel *Heat* really deserved a spot here too.

As for *The Matrix* and *Speed*, those are two stellar examples of genre filmmaking. Even Tarantino's nods to his Far East inspirations, such as *Kill Bill* or *The Host*, are certainly worth watching, though personally, I think a film by Takeshi Kitano would have been a more fitting addition.

Vote ruggedridge22 for President! 🙏 Honestly, the biggest pleasant surprise on QT’s list has to be The Insider. It’s kind of nice seeing him include that Mann flick, even if it doesn't exactly scream his usual style—there isn't a shred of pure "entertainment" in The Insider. And holy crap, where is Heat? 😲 Leaving Heat out is definitely rubbing some people the wrong way. I guess he didn't want to repeat himself, and as the esteemed David Price5 so eloquently put it: David Price5: He did it so that no single director takes up two spots... maybe that's actually a good thing, given how many directors there are and how little space we have here... Still, choosing between The Insider and Heat is a tough call...

Emily Thomas3 said:But why even take it personally? Is it because of snobbery? Or some high-brow view on art? Maybe it's because movies shouldn't just be made for those little boys living inside men even when they hit their 20s? You have no idea how many memories can be triggered by that goofy scene where Keanu Reeves is on a skateboard trying to defuse a bomb. Forget Proust and his madeleines! Tarantino has dedicated a huge chunk of his career to chasing lost time, and he does it with a genuine love for his characters that you rarely see from any other director.

I don't mind if you aren't into Tarantino's "pre-teen" action flicks, but don't dismiss them so easily. They actually mean something to people. For some, it's just ninety minutes of mindless fun, but for others, it's a massive connection to their childhood.

brightridge59 said:It’s been a while since I’ve come across such a beautifully written and concise post. 🙂 👍

I know, I'm being boring and childish, repeating myself and quoting things unnecessarily—please forgive me, Emily Thomas3 and everyone else on the forum, especially the veterans... Props to 🙏 Hebiga, I just can't help myself—this is one of those posts you only stumble upon once every few years. By the way, I'm actually planning to print out that "ridiculous scene" from Speed: huge poster for my office and pair it with Emily Thomas3's exact comment right next to it. 🙏

northerncrane4 said:Maybe it’s just me—but pulling off the jump from a 22-minute TV format to a 90-minute feature film this smoothly, without it feeling like a "stretched episode," is a massive achievement. I'm not certain if anyone else has pulled that off before or since. Plus, BLU is arguably much more subversive than that polished, hyper-explicit Team America.

But clearly, Tarantino's brand of explicitness works. To hell with Jan de Bont.

And then there's Roger Ebert
😁

Speaking of the devil, a little off-topic moment (which it really isn't): just yesterday, a review for Inglourious Basterds popped up on Roger Ebert's website: "To hell with the history books, this is Tarantino's own war".

"After I saw “Inglourious Basterds” at Cannes, although I was writing a daily blog, I resisted giving an immediate opinion about it. I knew Tarantino had made a considerable film, but I wanted it to settle, and to see it again. I’m glad I did. Like a lot of real movies, you relish it more the next time. Immediately after “Pulp Fiction” played at Cannes, QT asked me what I thought. “It’s either the best film of the year or the worst film,” I said. I hardly knew what the hell had happened to me. The answer was: the best film. Tarantino films have a way of growing on you. It’s not enough to see them once."

🙂 👏 🙂

p.s. Look, one single Roger fuckin' Ebert isn't going to dictate my taste; who even is this guy? Most of it holds water, though, so my apologies in advance to anyone who thinks I'm trying to push a specific opinion on them regarding a movie (the "critics" would probably chime in: Oh, he gave Speed four stars but only three and a half to The Insider—old bastard, absolutely crucified him!). That's not the point; Ebert is one of a kind. When a legend like him finally kicks the bucket, a huge chunk of objective, relevant film criticism is going to die right along with him. Again, that's just my two cents.

David Price5 said:Well, the way he structured it ensures no single director takes up more than one slot. Personally, I think it's a smart move. We have so many talented directors out there, and space is always at a premium.

What do you mean? Both "Memoirs of a Murderer" and "The Host" are right there on the list.

As for "Lost in Translation"... was Sophia being catered to during production, before, or after? 🤔

northerncrane4 said:What do you mean? Both "Memoirs of a Murderer" and "The Host" are right there on the list.

As for "Lost in Translation"... was Sophia being catered to during production, before, or after? 🤔

I had a feeling that was the case. I just couldn't be bothered to check IMDb myself. 😁

For those who have seen his other lists—and he definitely has quite a few—did he ever include any animated films on them?

Christian Taylor3 said:Vote ruggedridge22 for President! 🙏 Honestly, the biggest pleasant surprise on QT’s list has to be The Insider. It’s kind of nice seeing him include that Mann flick, even if it doesn't exactly scream his usual style—there isn't a shred of pure "entertainment" in The Insider. And holy crap, where is Heat? 😲 Leaving Heat out is definitely rubbing some people the wrong way. I guess he didn't want to repeat himself, and as the esteemed David Price5 so eloquently put it: David Price5: He did it so that no single director takes up two spots... maybe that's actually a good thing, given how many directors there are and how little space we have here... Still, choosing between The Insider and Heat is a tough call...

I know, I'm being boring and childish, repeating myself and quoting things unnecessarily—please forgive me, Emily Thomas3 and everyone else on the forum, especially the veterans... Props to 🙏 Hebiga, I just can't help myself—this is one of those posts you only stumble upon once every few years. By the way, I'm actually planning to print out that "ridiculous scene" from Speed: huge poster for my office and pair it with Emily Thomas3's exact comment right next to it. 🙏

And then there's Roger Ebert
😁

Speaking of the devil, a little off-topic moment (which it really isn't): just yesterday, a review for Inglourious Basterds popped up on Roger Ebert's website: "To hell with the history books, this is Tarantino's own war".

"After I saw “Inglourious Basterds” at Cannes, although I was writing a daily blog, I resisted giving an immediate opinion about it. I knew Tarantino had made a considerable film, but I wanted it to settle, and to see it again. I’m glad I did. Like a lot of real movies, you relish it more the next time. Immediately after “Pulp Fiction” played at Cannes, QT asked me what I thought. “It’s either the best film of the year or the worst film,” I said. I hardly knew what the hell had happened to me. The answer was: the best film. Tarantino films have a way of growing on you. It’s not enough to see them once."

🙂 👏 🙂

p.s. Look, one single Roger fuckin' Ebert isn't going to dictate my taste; who even is this guy? Most of it holds water, though, so my apologies in advance to anyone who thinks I'm trying to push a specific opinion on them regarding a movie (the "critics" would probably chime in: Oh, he gave Speed four stars but only three and a half to The Insider—old bastard, absolutely crucified him!). That's not the point; Ebert is one of a kind. When a legend like him finally kicks the bucket, a huge chunk of objective, relevant film criticism is going to die right along with him. Again, that's just my two cents.

Man, you guys seriously need to pick up a book more often 🤣 but hey, I'm glad a lazy bum like me actually wrote something decent for a change 🙂

northerncrane4 said:What do you mean? Both "Memoirs of a Murderer" and "The Host" are right there on the list.

As for "Lost in Translation"... was Sophia being catered to during production, before, or after? 🤔

Holy cow, I somehow managed to miss those too 😲 (I wish there was an emoticon for just flicking ash off my sleeve). Man, my knowledge is pretty fragile... I guess we can't all be Mr. Smoogj, right? 👍

northerncrane4 said:What do you mean? Both "Memoirs of a Murderer" and "The Host" are right there on the list.

As for "Lost in Translation"... was Sophia being catered to during production, before, or after? 🤔

Around the time of, well, Sophie's Oscar—before or after, whatever.

"As for Sofia, she has great taste in director dating material. She, Jonze, and QT should have an epic threesome, mixing their creative efforts (and bodily fluids) to create The Ultimate Director offspring." 😁

hmmm... maybe QT is a much bigger ladies man than we originally thought... I can only imagine what it would be like to actually watch him work: Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! 😂

So, it looks like I haven't actually received an answer yet ☕

Such a massive meltdown just because of someone's taste 🙄
The guy is a film legend, but even if he wasn't, he’s got his own taste like anyone else. And we all know arguing about what someone likes is total bullshit

What kind of bile-spilling are we talking about here? Who, where? 🤷 Again, you're right—arguing over someone else's taste is basically a waste of breath. But... we aren't really debating QT's taste, are we? By commenting on Quentin Tarantino's list, we're actually just revealing our own preferences, aren't we? Jebomipas, I'm clearly a genius 😵

I don't know, man... you're low-key giving off the vibe that these drugs are actually obsessed with you. 😁😁
So why the hell did you even bother posting that list? I don't get it. 😕
Like, the whole squad is out here preaching about how brilliant Quentin Tarantino is and acting like he's some kind of god. 🤷

Personally, that list was a total letdown 😢... but hey, I'm no authority on the subject. In my book, the best thing QT ever touched is Jackie Brown. 😁😁

Your taste in movies is just straight-up weird. ☕

I've been watching a few Quentin Tarantino movies lately, and honestly, I haven't really liked any of them. I say "unfortunately" because maybe I'm just not much of a fan when it comes to all that heavy macho stuff.

Rachel Sullivan2 said:I don't know, man... you're low-key giving off the vibe that these drugs are actually obsessed with you. 😁😁
So why the hell did you even bother posting that list? I don't get it. 😕
Like, the whole squad is out here preaching about how brilliant Quentin Tarantino is and acting like he's some kind of god. 🤷

Personally, that list was a total letdown 😢... but hey, I'm no authority on the subject. In my book, the best thing QT ever touched is Jackie Brown. 😁😁

Your taste in movies is just straight-up weird. ☕

Thanks for those lovely "compliments."☕ Why did I post it? Well, presumably so you could feel free to tear it apart like this (by the way, what a charming vocabulary for a lady, I envy you...)👍 Exactly, the whole squad is out here raving about how brilliant QT is and they're totally obsessed. 😁 And why shouldn't they be? After all, this says enough about QT's genius; "IB" is getting stellar reviews, everyone agrees Christoph Waltz is a lock for an Oscar (and probably QT for Best Original Screenplay, too)...



It’s just another list in a long line of lists... thrilling, I know. For instance, just a few days before (the list for HBO) he put together something similar yet different for "EW": Quentin Tarantino: 20 Movies There, maybe that one won't disappoint you quite as much... Maybe if you watch all those films, scrape some cash together, and manage to shoot something better than Reservoir Dogs, you'll become his female counterpart.😁 We're all just waiting with bated breath...

Christian Taylor3 said:Well, I certainly do 😍 (since we're looking at Tarantino's list, it's hardly surprising Speed made the cut). For instance, Roger Ebert (and yes, you read that right—four stars. For those of you who struggle with clicking links, or for anyone looking to defend QT's honor or our very own Jan De Bont against Karen's blistering critique, I'll just lay Ebert's review of Speed right here alongside her take):

"Speed is like an ingenious windup machine. It's a smart, inventive thriller that starts with hostages trapped on an elevator and continues with two chases—one on a bus, one on a subway—so that it's wall-to-wall with action, stunts, special effects and excitement. We've seen this done before, but seldom so well, or at such a high pitch of energy. Films like 'Speed' belong to the genre I call Bruised Forearm Movies, because you're always grabbing the arm of the person sitting next to you. Done wrong, they seem like tired replays of old chase cliches. Done well, they're fun. Done as well as 'Speed,' they generate a kind of manic exhilaration. The director, Jan De Bont, has worked as a cinematographer on many action classics, including 'Total Recall' and 'Die Hard.' Here he shows his own mastery, in a great entertainment."

"Keanu Reeves has never had a role like this before. In fact, in his previous film, he played the mystical Prince Siddhartha, and generally he tends toward dreamy, sensitive characters. That's why it's sort of amazing to see him so cool and focused here, a completely convincing action hero who is as centered and resourceful as a Clint Eastwood or Harrison Ford in similar situations. He and Bullock have good chemistry; they appreciate the humor that is always flickering just beneath the surface of the preposterous plot. And Hopper's dialogue has been twisted into savagely ironic understatements that provide their own form of comic relief."

(Wait, what? Speed actually snagged some awards? It probably just swept the Razzies. My mistake, that list is way too long).

We could really dive deep here: what did Spielberg, Lucas, and Coppola have to say about Speed (it’s almost hard to believe); how it stands as Keanu Reeves' only decent role besides Matrix; plus, if we ignore that tiny cameo in Crash, it's the only legit performance from Sandra Bullock; and of course, the consistently great Dennis Hopper (back then he was drifting through all sorts of low-budget B and C-list productions, when he wasn't being great, that is)... Last but not least, all my friends seem to think Speed is a pretty okay or even great movie...

Off-topic:

Okay, so Seven isn't there—but Fight Club is! (either way, northerncrane4 would probably recommend a hospital visit 🤦). No Oldboy—but we've got South Korea! We have Speed, so does that end the debate? Or is everything included and nothing is actually good? (hiddenhound3, you broke my heart—what about Michael Mann's The Insider??? Good grief, where in the 21st century have you seen something like this, such a massive breakdown of how and why America sold its soul?).

Personally, looking at that famous Quentin Tarantino list—at least from my uneducated perspective—I don't think Speed is a true interloper. Brothers and sisters, let's find the real intruder! Singular, plural, whatever. Squawk, scream, call 911—which title on Quentin's list hits your stomach, your liver, or your nerves the hardest???

p.s. as for me, the sequel—who in their right mind even watched that?

Good heavens, man, you are being quite dramatic... 🙄 I was very explicit about which specific films I find to be rubbish. Besides, if I recall correctly, Emily Thomas3 wrote that charming little post advocating for Q as if he were just some wide-eyed boy. And yes, that is precisely the case. A boy hungry for action, chaos, and excitement. That is exactly the type of cinema he crafts. I hold no grudge against him for that; I am simply stating that his list does not appeal to me. I am equally certain that my list would not sit well with him either. However, I see absolutely no reason for all this theatrics. In my view, it is entirely possible to discuss matters of taste in a civilized manner. Just observe how gracefully I am handling it 😁 😍

Christian Taylor3 said:Thanks for those lovely "compliments."☕ Why did I post it? Well, presumably so you could feel free to tear it apart like this (by the way, what a charming vocabulary for a lady, I envy you...)👍 Exactly, the whole squad is out here raving about how brilliant QT is and they're totally obsessed. 😁 And why shouldn't they be? After all, this says enough about QT's genius; "IB" is getting stellar reviews, everyone agrees Christoph Waltz is a lock for an Oscar (and probably QT for Best Original Screenplay, too)...



It’s just another list in a long line of lists... thrilling, I know. For instance, just a few days before (the list for HBO) he put together something similar yet different for "EW": Quentin Tarantino: 20 Movies There, maybe that one won't disappoint you quite as much... Maybe if you watch all those films, scrape some cash together, and manage to shoot something better than Reservoir Dogs, you'll become his female counterpart.😁 We're all just waiting with bated breath...

I'm telling you, you're just like QT—one tiny insult and you just snap😢

Hold up... are you seriously using box office numbers and glowing reviews as proof of someone's genius while we're talking? And 😕
what the hell is 😕

Another list, just like the last one... Thrilling. For instance, just a few days before (that list for HBO) he put together something similar yet different for "EW": Quentin Tarantino: 20 Movies There, maybe that one won't disappoint you... Maybe you can watch all those movies, scrape some cash together, make a better film than Reservoir Dogs, and become his female counterpart 😁 We can hardly wait...

And I see this list isn't quite as special to you as it was a couple of days ago either 😁

Look... QT doesn't move the needle for me at all, ever. He might have been cool when I was a kid, but never enough to sit around debating his "genius"
Jackie Brown, for example, is great, and that's where I saw he actually knows how to get the job done, and the die-hard fans usually lose their minds watching that one... especially the hardcore crowd 🤷
Personally, I'd rather die than have to have a civilized conversation about someone else's taste 😁
And hold on... Reservoir Dogs is treated like the ultimate benchmark for everything 😕
Man... I'm just not feeling it. But fine... I'll admit the soundtrack for RD is a masterpiece ☕

😁

I lowkey love it when girls swear 🤷

hiddenhound3 said:Good heavens, man, you are being quite dramatic... 🙄 I was very explicit about which specific films I find to be rubbish. Besides, if I recall correctly, Emily Thomas3 wrote that charming little post advocating for Q as if he were just some wide-eyed boy. And yes, that is precisely the case. A boy hungry for action, chaos, and excitement. That is exactly the type of cinema he crafts. I hold no grudge against him for that; I am simply stating that his list does not appeal to me. I am equally certain that my list would not sit well with him either. However, I see absolutely no reason for all this theatrics. In my view, it is entirely possible to discuss matters of taste in a civilized manner. Just observe how gracefully I am handling it 😁 😍

You're right, of course—it's not like we're dealing with the legacy of Oscar Schindler here where we can't poke fun at, criticize, or disagree with the list (by the way, word on the street is even old man Schindler was a heavy drinker, a total rogue, and a bit of an exploiter—nothing in life is ever purely black and white 😁). I’m not the world’s most enthusiastic defender of Quentin Tarantino... Look, I value your opinion, I was just trying to bait a little concession out of you: Come on, The Insider isn't actually that bad. Can you forgive me? 🤣 Btw, your new avatar is über cool; looks like your dad has good taste too—lovely.

Rachel Sullivan2 said:I'm telling you, you're just like QT—one tiny insult and you just snap😢

Hold up... are you seriously using box office numbers and glowing reviews as proof of someone's genius while we're talking? And 😕
what the hell is 😕

Another list, just like the last one... Thrilling. For instance, just a few days before (that list for HBO) he put together something similar yet different for "EW": Quentin Tarantino: 20 Movies There, maybe that one won't disappoint you... Maybe you can watch all those movies, scrape some cash together, make a better film than Reservoir Dogs, and become his female counterpart 😁 We can hardly wait...

And I see this list isn't quite as special to you as it was a couple of days ago either 😁

Look... QT doesn't move the needle for me at all, ever. He might have been cool when I was a kid, but never enough to sit around debating his "genius"
Jackie Brown, for example, is great, and that's where I saw he actually knows how to get the job done, and the die-hard fans usually lose their minds watching that one... especially the hardcore crowd 🤷
Personally, I'd rather die than have to have a civilized conversation about someone else's taste 😁
And hold on... Reservoir Dogs is treated like the ultimate benchmark for everything 😕
Man... I'm just not feeling it. But fine... I'll admit the soundtrack for RD is a masterpiece ☕

😁

It wasn't an insult, who's getting angry? (though my mom might be 😁). Speaking of which, my dad won a gift card from $167 at the Walmart sweepstakes yesterday—he spent the whole day treating us (he ended up dropping a solid $150! 😵). Long Story Short, he happened to stumble upon this thread today (typical guy, obsessed with QT and his flicks) and saw your post: The drugs must be calling your name. Being the dad he is, the worried fool probably thought his only son was out there doing hard drugs... Are you smoking?! -No, I'm not! Yes, you are!!! (In the heat of the argument, I accidentally let slip: Go screw yourself!). Now he won't take me to see "Inglourious Basterds"—instead, he wants to introduce me to this machine 🤣

Emily Thomas3 said:I lowkey love it when girls swear 🤷

I don't want to come off like some kind of Boy Scout here, but my absolute dream woman would have to be Mercedes Ruehl or Anna Napolitano in "The Fisher King" (specifically that line, "You are a sick fuck, you know that?"). Personally, I'm more of an Amanda Plummer or Lydia Sinclair type of guy, definitely.

Anyway, getting back to the actual topic... Quentin Tarantino's 5 most insufferable female characters. Honestly, if I had to pick, I’d say Vernita Green played by Vivica Fox in "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" takes the cake for me.



YUM! 🙂