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I could listen to Tarantino for hours

Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2009 6:00 AM by Paige Newman
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I had a great time seeing “Inglourious Basterds.” I felt invigorated and empowered, as though I could actually win a fight if I were to get into one. If you enjoyed the film half as much as I did, you might agree that part of the fun is just how much director Quentin Tarantino loves movies.

Our own Dave White pointed out a lot of the film’s references. But watching the film made me just want to listen to Tarantino talk about movies.

And lately the Internet has provided some wonderful opportunites to do just that. Witness these three Sky Movie clips where he talks about Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood,” Danny Boyle’s “Sunshine” and Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver.” He’s right on the money when he talks about how crucial Harvey Keitel was to “Taxi Driver,” and the last failed act of “Sunshine.” Of course, it’s hard not to wonder about Tarantino’s ego when he compares Anderson to Montgomery Clift and himself to Marlon Brando, when talking about their competitive careers and friendship. But that overconfidence is part of what makes Tarantino’s films so much fun. He has a bluster that’s the equilvalent of Tony Manero’s strut in “Saturday Night Fever.”

I really dug his recent interview on NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross, in which he talked about why he dropped out of school and how he regrets not giving college a chance. He also talks about how he went from being an actor to being a director because he loved movies so much -- he couldn’t just act in them, he had to create them. The fun thing about a Tarantino interview is that when it’s going good, the way this interview is, he doesn’t want it to end.

His interview with Charlie Rose is also a stunner. I love how he smiles when Rose refers to him as an “icon.” This is a guy who revels in being a director. He even read Joseph Goebbels' diaries to prepare for “Basterds.” That’s commitment.

How did you like “Inglourious Basterds”? Are you a Tarantino fan or foe? Share your comments below.

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Comments

Everything before Kill Bill was great.  Kill Bill and everything after has been pretty crappy.  Then again I'm not a fanboy so I probably have no right to speak in this forum.    

Pk (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 9:27 AM)

Since when did Q get all these feminine hand and facial gestures?

Anonymous (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:07 AM)

I agree wholeheartedly!  I loved listening to him on Fresh Air ,I couldn't believe the hour was up.  Now I am on a mission to see all his movies. Fortunately my brother is a huge fan so I'll just borrow his.

Mel Somerset Pa (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:12 AM)

Not a fan. Not a foe. Indifferent, simply because I've had my fill of violence, simulated in movies or otherwise. Johann Hari had a different take on Tarantino on the Huffington Post that's worth a read. Link below:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johann-hari/the-terrible-moral-emptin_b_270809.html

I must admit, Tarantino's comment on the 9/11 attacks is troublesome. Makes me think the dude loves movies a little too much.

Joe C., Houston, Tx. (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:14 AM)

This article was right on the money. I loved Inglorious Basterds but I love Quentin Tarantino.  I don't think anyone can tell a story the way he can.  The Kill Bill series is one of my all time favs!  

SD, Charlotte, NC (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:15 AM)

Tarantino is known for his over the top violence, however, I find his ability to turn a mundane dialogue into a climactic event absolutely brilliant.  I loved Basterds.  Possibly my new Tarantino favorite.  It had all of the classic Tarantino elements along with some very impressive acting from the cast.

Caleb (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:15 AM)

loved it from beginning to end...in fact, I didn't want it to end...

lucha (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:17 AM)

Pk, while everyone is entitled to an opinion, it is absolutely wrong to assume everyone who appreciate the greatness of Quentin Tarantino regarding cinema art are "fanboy[s]." That is simply too reductive and dismissive. See ya at the movies.

ColinS (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:21 AM)

I also loved the "Fresh Air" interview.  It sounded like he could go on for hours, and I would have sat in my car in the parking lot and listened to all of it.  Sure, he has an ego, but he has such passion about telling stories... fascinating.

SM, near Seattle (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:25 AM)

Tarintiono movies are easy to review, kill,kill,kill. Stop. Dialogue (to understand dialogue read comic books take testerone). Back to what is  the main theme blood kill maim.

j mcguire bethlehem, pa (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:34 AM)

Stop drinking the Kool Aid!

Linefeeder (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:38 AM)

Reservoir Dogs was a fine start, but the two KillBills stunk. The only thing I liked in either of them was the black mamba strike.   I have always said Q was a guy who has seen way too many movies, but this latest, Inglourious Basterds, was beyond a fine piece of work.  I throughout was going "now THIS is movie making". It reminded me of the Grindhouse two movies, which I was reminded later he had a part in creating.

I overheard some of the NPR interview, but until I figured out, in context, who was being interviewed, I thought I was listening to a woman, and I don't mean Terry Gross.

But Inglourious Basterds was one FINE piece of work.
Loved it.  absolutely loved it.

Mark (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:39 AM)

I saw IB and District 9 within a week of one another,They were both curious movies that as I get further away from seeing the perforamance, the more I love them. No formula's here. I loved the long character driven scenes in both films. We need more movies like these to be made!

Mark Addona NJ (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:45 AM)

Hate him, hate his movies. Won't spend a dime on seeing anything he's involved with.

kenaiqueen, Kenai, AK (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:55 AM)

Didn't like Death Proof because he focused on dialogue.  I was afraid that he would do the same in Inglorious Basterds, but every scene with extended dialogue somehow always ended up in very, very strong tension between the characters.  I loved that movie for just those moments.

Turner, Milwaukee, WI (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 11:00 AM)

I love Tarantino's films. My favorite is Pulp Fiction, but Inglourious Basterds comes pretty close. With that being said, Inglourious Basterds has his best written characters so far!

Hurmoth, Roanoke, VA (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 11:01 AM)

I went to see the movie after I heard the Fresh Air interview and saw him on Charlie Rose. I think knowing all the little inside homages to other films, actors and so on, brings an entirely new layer of interest to the film. I also thought that this film had more clearly delineated "good" vs "evil" characters than most of his other films. Some of it was a little draggy and I thought the David Bowie song from Cat People was jarring in the scene into which it was inserted--a scene, by the way, with stunning cinematography. I was not a big fan until I heard his interviews but his love for movies is contagious. The acting is super in the film--especially those European actors with whom most ofus are unfamiliar.

Shannon KCMO (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 11:17 AM)

love QT, love all his films, to date my fave is IB...no matter what role Brad Pitt plays, you forget he's just acting, you forget you're just watching a movie, and on top of that, he's gorgeous.

Maria Salinas, South SF, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 1:02 PM)

I can't call myself a Q fan, but I really enjoyed Inglourious Basterds. I thought it was masterfully shot and I loved the music.

Liz, NYC (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 1:23 PM)

I love his films. Yes, his movies are violent but his characters are always so interesting with these weird little quirks!  Hardly anyone I know has seen True Romance but it rates right up there with his best.  Can't wait to see IB.

Ann (Sent Wednesday, September 02, 2009 2:27 PM)



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