Is Inglorious Basterds Tarantino's Best Film?
Pitt, Hitler, Nazis, and Gore Rival Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs
Oct 5, 2009
Known for fusing authentic dialogue and macabre violence into amazing cinema, Quentin Tarantino with his latest release, Inglorious Basterds, exhibits a unique style, matured. Once again, Tarantino proves himself as one of the premier figures in cinema.
Quentin Tarantino
According to IMDB, Tarantino was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on March 27, 1963. When asked if he went to film school, the iconic movie genius replied, "No, I went to films." Indeed, one of his first jobs was working at the local video store. From a young age, Tarantino immersed himself in a range of cinema. In an interview with Charlie Rose (Friday, August 21, 2009) Tarantino admitted that today he is now among the greatest of film critics.
However, despite the fact that his latest film's final line ends with Brad Pitt staring into the camera, saying the word "masterpiece," Tarantino says that it is too early for him to judge Basterds. The "hoity toity serious American critics," as he refers to them, consider Jackie Brown his greatest film, while legions of fans consider Pulp Fiction, nominated for Best Picture in the Academy Awards, as his finest work. And then there is Reservoir Dogs, the sentimental favorite that spawned it all.
A World War II Film, Expectations Thwarted
The World War II film genre provides Tarantino with ample subject matter to work with. Sadistic Nazis, heroic Jews, violence, gore, suspense, and revenge in a cinematic collage, all held together with impeccably crafted strings of dialogue. From the carnage of history and the wreckage of his mind, Tarantino creates compelling, classic characters, an unforgettable plot, and an explosive climax.
However, by working within the frame of World War II, Tarantino immediately opens himself up to an assault of criticism and claims that his work is insensitive or sensationalistic. In a reply to Charlie Rose, Tarantino put a positive twist on such comments, saying that his work is "refreshingly free" of moralizing.
Filmography of a Writer/Director
It is a high form of art to both write a text and then bring it to life on the silver screen through effective directing and cinematography. Though Tarantino has participated in numerous side-projects such as guest directing, acting, and writing for television programs such as CSI, his finest works are the ones that he both wrote and directed.
These films that Tarantino created (though he adapted Jackie Brown) contain an aesthetic focus that utterly transcends generic film-making. They have what so many of today's films lack, a recurring and identifiable, authorial voice. This collection consists of:
- Inglorious Basterds (2009)
- Death Proof (2007)
- Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
- Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
- Jackie Brown (1997)
- Pulp Fiction (1994)
- Reservoir Dogs (1992)
- My Best Friend's Birthday (1987)
Expect Tarantino to continue writing and directing for years to come and hope that his cinematic prowess also continues to rise.
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