Quentin Tarantino is a film-maker whose legacy is something generations ahead can never forgo thanks to the kind of films he made. And to think, this man never got formal training in the field of film-making. Quentin Tarantino is what you call a big movie geek, whose love for cinema, from the masterpieces to the trashier ones, is what made him what he is today. From being a clerk at a video store to a cinema legend, that journey is really fascinating. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino – Who Is Playing Who in Quentin Tarantino’s Film!
In a career spanning more than three decades, Quentin Tarantino has only made eight released feature-length films till date. And each of them stands apart on its own feet, and remains shy from the weathering of time. His films are often criticised for being overtly violent and for the frequent use of the word' nigger', but Tarantino continues to make the films he believes in, attempting different genres and revelling in various cinematic styles and pop culture references.
Quentin Tarantino is all set to release his ninth film in Once Upon A Time in Hollywood. Like most of his films, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood features an ensemble cast in Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Kurt Russell, Al Pacino, Emile Hirsch, Luke Perry and more. Needless to say, we are eagerly awaiting what Tarantino has made with Leo and Brad together for the big screen. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Teaser Out! Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie Take Us Back To The Good Old 60s (Watch Video).
But before that, on his 56th birthday, we look at all the films that QT has directed till now and pick out our personal favourite scene from all of them. Please feel free to disagree with our selections in the comments section below.
Reservoir Dogs
Scene: Cop Torture Scene
Does it make me vicious for liking this scene that kind of glorifies torture? The whole sequence reeks of sadism as a maniac Mr Blonde (Michael Madsen) mutilates a captured cop to the beats of the song "Stuck In The Middle With You". You are really terrified to see what Mr Blonde can do, but you really can't take your eyes off the screen!
Pulp Fiction
Scene: The Gold Watch Story
Pulp Fiction is an amalgamation of terrific scenes tied together, not in proper order, by a superlative narrative. It is difficult to pick out any great scene out of many - from Mia and Vincent's dance, to Jules' Bible rant to that unexpected death in the car to Butch saving his foe by fighting a gimp. However, my personal favourite is the scene where Christopher Walken makes a cameo as Butch's father's Vietnam War colleague who delivers a watch to him and narrates a very fascinating backstory. From Walken's spellbinding performance to the quirkiness of the whole story, this one is a gem!
Jackie Brown
Scene: Jackie and Max's Final Scene
Who says Quentin Tarantino can't do romance? The final farewell scene between Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) and Max Cherry (Robert Forster is tender and beautiful and will make you wish that they really go for that happy ending. In a film that is filled with deceptions, double-crossings and murders, this scene definitely stands out.
Kill Bill: Volume 1
Scene: House of Blue Leaves Takedown
If I compile a list of most amazingly choreographed action sequences of all time, this scene would make it to the top 5! From the action choreography to the choice of music to the cinematography, everything about the scene screams BRILLIANCE!
Kill Bill: Volume 2
Scene: The Bride Meets Bill
Of course, the Bride meeting her ultimate nemesis was something everyone was waiting to happen ever since the first scene of the duology. Surprisingly, Tarantino keeps it the most low-key of all the Bride's encounters with her enemies; instead focussing more on developing the bond between the arch-enemies at the point of no return. All it took was a punch in the right place for things to end!
Grindhouse: Death Proof
Scene: Stuntman Mike's Death
This is the weakest of Tarantino's cinematic efforts, but the movie has its moments. Kurt Russell's Stuntman Mike McKay is one of the most underrated terrifying villains in Hollywood, revelling in killing girls who are unlucky enough to come across his car. So it feels satisfying when he gets his comeuppance at the hands of his could-be female victims in a grisly manner that his death demands.
Inglourious Basterds
Scene: The Brawl in the Tavern
I know that everyone's favourite scene in QT's alternative take on Allied takedown of Nazis is the opening conversation between SS Colonel Hans Landa (an excellent Christoph Waltz) and the French farmer Perrier. However, my favourite scene is when the disguised British soldiers try to pass themselves off as German soldiers in a German tavern with the help of actress Bridget von Hammersmark. The tension in the whole scene is very nerve-racking, resulting in a shootout that no one expects.
Django Unchained
Scene: Calvin Candie Goes Bonkers!
Christoph Waltz certainly deserved his second Oscar for his performance in Django Unchained. But the real scene-stealer in the film was Leonardo DiCaprio and his antagonistic portrayal. As the racist slave-owner Calvin Candie, Leo is particularly terrific in the dinner table scene when he finds out that his 'guests' are about to deceive him. Note that blood on his hand? It's real, after the actor accidentally injured himself but continued to shoot the scene as of nothing had happened! What a dedication!
The Hateful Eight
Scene: Warren Taunts Smithers
Like Death Proof, The Hateful Eight is one of Tarantino's weaker efforts, though it is bolstered by some strong performances from the entire cast. Tarantino's attempt at making a western whodunit has its moments with its peak being how Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L Jackson) taunts a racist old white former General Smithers (Bruce Dern) by revealing how he killed his son after making do an unspeakable act. Considering no one in the film exactly evokes your sympathy, this is the vilest moment of human vengeance in a film where a woman is beaten, spit at and vomited on. Which also makes it the best scene in the film!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 27, 2019 10:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).