I suspect that Tarantino is probably celebrated by a good number of people on here for making 'brilliant' films, but I have always found him creepy, and his films too clever by half.
That's not to say that films like Pulp Fiction weren't vaguely interesting; indeed, some of what Tarantino did in that film in particular was entirely novel and amusing. But even at that, the constant mantra that he was 'paying homage' to this or that film or this or that genre seemed like a cover for 'like a pubescent boy, Tarantino likes sex and violence, and has cobbled together a bunch of old ideas and images in a hip, post-modern way.'
From the beginning, I felt he was just an over-praised, rather depraved, former video store clerk. Later, this turned into unparalleled arrogance.
Anyway, I am glad that, in the wake of the Weinstein scandal, people are starting to dismantle the Tarantino edifice, and see what he is really like underneath. I am feeling mildly vindicated.
Although people still seem loathe to call him out completely, in light of this article, I don't imagine it will be long:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/quentin-tarantinos-history-of-disturbing-behavior-toward-his-actresses
Always thought he was over-rated, and sometimes by a lot. Ripping off ideas, stupid amounts of gratuitous violence, always appearing as a character in his movies even though he was sh1t. Generally does the homage bit quite well though - music and feel in Jackie Brown, etc.
I have always found him creepy, and his films too clever by half.
Yep. I liked Reservoir Dogs and found Pulp Fiction entertaining, but was never much impressed by his stuff after that.
He's a shit actor and his Australian accent is one of the worst i've ever heard.
I enjoy some of his films though.
I think as time goes on we are going to hear more and more and more similar stories about a great many high profile people in Hollywood.
That article is utter cobblers. Its moaning about violence against women but off the top of my head, the two particularly violent scenes in his films that spring to mind are
1) A bloke getting tied up then having his ear sliced off with a cut-throat razor
2) A bloke being bound and gagged, then bummed senseless by a bunch of hillbillies, who are then killed with a samurai sword
So you can complain about the violence, but I'd say he was pretty equal opportunities in that respect. Maybe someone who obviously doesn't like him should right an article on his terrible violent attitude towards men?
Where did the phrase to "call somebody out" come from (apart from Americay, obvs)? They even use it on the BBC now.
Could be worse. It could be Woody ******* Allen!
Tarantino likes sex and violence, and has cobbled together a bunch of old ideas and images in a hip, post-modern way.’
You say that like it's a bad thing!
I'm happy to separate my thoughts about the man from my opinions of his films.
I haven't stopped listening to Bowie, Jimmy Page, etc.
But yeah, he always came across as a massive egomaniac and a bit of a bell end..
"But yeah, he always came across as a massive egomaniac and a bit of a bell end.."
You say that as if it's a bad thing ...
"Hit 40 miles per hour or your hair won’t blow the right way and I’LL MAKE YOU DO IT AGAIN". (My caps)
Says it all.
That article is utter cobblers.
Perhaps, but it's being corroborated by other observers as well.
Was just about to say something similar to Binners - I got as far as
"Tarantino’s women find themselves on the receiving end of the director’s graphic imagination—raped, beaten, killed, whipped and branded."
Yeah and Tarantino's male characters get off scott-free eh?
What a load of bollocks.
Trying to make out that he's another Weinstein (oh have we gone and misinterpreted ANOTHER SaxonRider OP?!) is just ****.
Some of his films are great, some aren't. That's all I know about him.
And WTF is thedailybeast crap anyway?
So you've linked to another article that implies that 'you know... he knew Harvey Weinstein so.... you know......."
More cobblers!
If someone is going to accuse him of being a bit rapey, then do it.
The sentence that stands out in that article is
Two members of a Hollywood film awards institution said the director would probably survive since he had not been accused of sexual harassment.
No he hasn't. But its certainly being implied. This all just looks like a hatchet job by people who don't like him
When someone has any actual accusations, never mind evidence against him, then voice them! But publishing crap like that in a nudge, nudge, wink wink manner just devalues and undermines the no doubt massive problem of blokes who have actually abused women i.e. Weinstein
The Daily Beast? WTF?
And the Guardian should know better!
have we gone and misinterpreted ANOTHER SaxonRider OP?
No. You haven't. And I have only claimed that with respect to one OP I have made on here ever (as far as I know). Yesterday's. And considering the number of interesting and helpful responses that thread generated, it's not like my explanation can't be substantiated.
I'm expressing thoughts/ideas/opinions/questions with a view to generating interesting discussion. What's with the hostility?
I'm with Binners on this one.
Knocking Kill-Bill for not being an accurate representation of post rape trauma is kinda missing the point. Does reservoir dogs merit comment because it basically involves a load of blokes dying, is that misandry?
What’s with the hostility?
It's the negative, judgemental tone you've acquired.
I'm a fan, he's a great film maker.
I like the edginess and unpredictability of his films, not often seen in the mainstream.
First 20 minutes of inglorious bastards were genius IMO, as an example.
Whatever he has got up to won't affect my view of his films.
Tarantinos' films in general are excellent to well above average. Not really seeing what you're feeling vindicated about?
Has there been some media revelations about taratino or something? (I basically pay no attention to those tbh, so clueless there.)
What’s with the hostility?
That's what I wondered.
While there’s a number of Tarantino films I’ve not seen, I’ve seen a reasonable number, and my main recollection is of the extreme violence meted out on men by men, or a woman, in the case of Uma Therman, and the Japanese schoolgirl fighter.
And while the likes of Weinstein and others in Hollywood who perpetuated the ‘casting couch’ culture need to be made to answer for it, there are aspects that are starting to resemble a witch hunt, which is unhealthy in and of itself.
OP, to me this comes across as a bit of virtue signaling, trying to show how prescient you are by pointing out how you found him creepy and his films far too clever. And now the media have cottoned on to what you've known for oh so long...
Caught up on the story and does seem a bit of a witch hunt.
Seems it's all about the driving scene?
And that tarantino regrets it and has apologised.
What's to look at here?
If he's done something wrong why not just let the law deal with it.
If someone is going to accuse him of being a bit rapey, then do it.
Well, he's certainly an apologist for the likes of Wienstein and Polanski. I was reading an interview with him a couple of days ago, essentially saying that it's fine for Polanski to be shagging a 13-year old because she was up for it and he "likes young girls."
Uma Thurman said that Tarantino expressed remorse over the (car crash) incident and provided her with the footage of the accident, knowing it could do damage to his career.
“Quentin Tarantino, was deeply regretful and remains remorseful about this sorry event, and gave me the footage years later so I could expose it and let it see the light of day, regardless of it most likely being an event for which justice will never be possible,” Thurman wrote. “I am proud of him for doing the right thing and for his courage.
I don't think we can really put that in the same ballpark as the Harvey stuff.
Yeah that's what I found too mattyfez , wondering if we've missed something.
“Hit 40 miles per hour or your hair won’t blow the right way and I’LL MAKE YOU DO IT AGAIN”. (My caps)
Says it all.
Not too many actors/lady actors can make there hair act like it's doing 40 when it's only doing 30.
I like Tarantino films mostly but don't know the man personally so can't really comment if he's a dick or not.
While QT is on my "wouldn't be surprised if he turned out to be a wrong un" list - and his comments from 15 years ago about Roman Polanski were ill-advised to say the least - he's not been accused of anything and it seems unfair to try to conflate him with Weinstein.
That article in the OP is just a good old fashioned hatchet job.
Obvious witch hunt is obvious.
Tarantino does come across as a bit of an arrogant arse at times but last I checked that wasn't a crime.
The "accusations" arrayed against him seem pretty weak at this point. I'll reserve judgement until there is actually something substantive associated with him.
Tarantino is a superb film maker who seems to be getting tarred with the Weinstein brush, despite there being no evidence, so yes: It seems like a bit of a witch hunt.
On the car crash: Even Thurman doesn't hold any grudge against Tarantino and, as other have said, Tarantino has apologised and provided her with the footage. She actually goes on to blame Weinstein, and two others, who tried to cover up the crash, whereas Tarantino has been fairly open, not to mention remorseful, about the incident.
Is he dodgy? I have no idea, and it's not up to me to judge. Let's wait until there is some conclusive evidence, huh?
Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs and Inglourious Basterds are three of my favourite films.
[i]I have always found him creepy, and his films too clever by half.
That’s not to say that films like Pulp Fiction weren’t vaguely interesting; indeed, some of what Tarantino did in that film in particular was entirely novel and amusing. But even at that, the constant mantra that he was ‘paying homage’ to this or that film or this or that genre seemed like a cover for ‘like a pubescent boy, Tarantino likes sex and violence, and has cobbled together a bunch of old ideas and images in a hip, post-modern way.’[/i]
I agree with that.
[i]Well, he’s certainly an apologist for the likes of Wienstein and Polanski. I was reading an interview with him a couple of days ago, essentially saying that it’s fine for Polanski to be shagging a 13-year old because she was up for it and he “likes young girls.”[/i]
I read that too. Nice, eh?
Uma Thurman said that Tarantino expressed remorse over the (car crash) incident and provided her with the footage of the accident,
Yeah 15 years later after refusing to hand it over previously. Tarantino's problem is he has admitted he knew all about Harvey Wienstein and did nowt. He was also very close to Wienstein, so Tarantino is going to get some heat, what falls from the tree when it's shaken we shall see.
"Tarantino’s problem is he has admitted he knew all about Harvey Wienstein and did nowt."
Along with about 10 billion other people.
What obvious conclusion should i reach here? Genuine question What i get is he want the scene to look like he wants it or he will re do it till it does ....surely all filmakers share this attitude ? I assume you want me to reach another conclusion?“Hit 40 miles per hour or your hair won’t blow the right way and I’LL MAKE YOU DO IT AGAIN”. (My caps)Says it all.
... when he knew how dangerous it was and Thurman had already asked for a stunt double...
A controlling bully.
His career has been on a largely downwards trajectory since Reservoir Dogs.
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #eeeeee;">His career has been on a largely downwards trajectory since Reservoir Dogs.</span>
Now That’s What I Call Edgy
Pulp Fiction was good I think stand-alone. But the rest of it got tired and gimmicky trying to re-hash the same sort of vibe. Like a band making albums full of similar sounding tracks.
"… when he knew how dangerous it was and Thurman had already asked for a stunt double…"
He did drive it himself first. It's a matter of debate whether he thought it was dangerous or not, he says he thought it was simple (and says he blames himself totally for getting it wrong when Thurman trusted him). Supposedly the people who provided the car didn't think it was safe, but he says he was unaware of that.
Dragon: "Yeah 15 years later after refusing to hand it over previously."
Again, open to debate, he says Weinstein refused to release it and that there was an NDA agreement and the like.
So here's what Thurmann herself said which seems more important really:
"the circumstances of this event were negligent to the point of criminality. i do not believe though with malicious intent. Quentin Tarantino, was deeply regretful and remains remorseful about this sorry event, and gave me the footage years later so i could expose it and let it see the light of day, regardless of it most likely being an event for which justice will never be possible. he also did so with full knowledge it could cause him personal harm, and i am proud of him for doing the right thing and for his courage. THE COVER UP after the fact is UNFORGIVABLE. for this i hold Lawrence Bender, E. Bennett Walsh, and the notorious Harvey Weinstein solely responsible. they lied, destroyed evidence, and continue to lie about the permanent harm they caused and then chose to suppress. the cover up did have malicious intent, and shame on these three for all eternity.
Out of his body of directorial work, only Hateful 8 is an obvious mis-step
Jackie Brown is a joy to watch
his position on Roman Polanski is abhorrent though. Listen to him discuss it on the Howard Stern show. Apparently it’s not rape (what Polanski did)
Someone once made it all the way to the White House after they started to get ahead by throwing mud at others.
You're going to have to narrow that down.
The only presidential candidate I remember in recent history not to do a smear campaign on their opponent was Bob Dole, and he got utterly mullered as a result.
Regan was the head of the Actors Guild in the 1940s (he was a Democrat at the time). There are lots of contradicting reports but it’s said that the FBI approached him about communists in Hollywood. He originally refused but went on to testify against the Hollywood 10, a bit like the ‘MeToo’ movement it started with the best intentions (well if you think being a communist is a bad thing) but Hollywood being Hollywood it didn’t take long for various players to jump on the bandwagon to lay the boot into their competition or to settle old scores.
His strong anti-communist stance (even though most of the people he accused had nothing to do with communism) was a great spring board into politics, as a Republican this time.
Cougar- "The only presidential candidate I remember in recent history not to do a smear campaign on their opponent was Bob Dole, and he got utterly mullered as a result."
Trump's presidential campaign started with the "birther" fantasies. Everyone does smear campaigns, but most people don't get into politics because of the opportunities to do more of them.
Good point, well made.
Django is bloody brilliant .. a return to form after loads of boring films since his hey day.
I'm not an apologist, but I think tarrtanino deserves the benefit of doubt unless something else comes out in the wash.
It's bad he didn't speak out, but it seems there's a systemic issue that's a lot bigger than one person, that's an utterly reprehensible situation, and it's not to do with stressed directors and dodgy stunt cars.
Capable of great scenes and shook things up when he first started, but most of his films are style over substance, and pretty boring. I'd agree the opening of Inglorious Basters is masterful, the rest of it is mediocre.
Django Unchained was good until that incredibly tedious speech by Leonardo DiCaprio in the middle.
Also, why does he love the N-word soooooo much?
Talented but ultimately has wasted his talent, IMO.
Talented but ultimately has wasted his talent, IMO.
Is this the Kevin Smith problem? The bigger the budget, the worse the film?
essentially saying that it’s fine for Polanski to be shagging a 13-year old because she was up for it and he “likes young girls.”
This is one of the Polanski lies you hear over and over, that the girl somehow wanted it. It's a narrative that Polanski put out to make the fact he drugged and sodomised a 13-year old more palatable to his supporters, saying in his autobiography that there was some sort of erotic connection between them. Given the woman (who admittedly wants people to shut the **** up about it) said that she was raped, I'll go with her opinion.
This article from the Guardian ([url= https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jan/30/hollywood-reverence-child-rapist-roman-polanski-convicted-40-years-on-run ]What does Hollywood's reverence for child rapist Roman Polanski tell us?[/url]) is a pretty good summary of the hypocrisy of Hollywood. Support people until it becomes unpopular then either avoid the issue or apologise. Then move on.
Tarantino has always come across like a creepy prick but I just don't buy that people don't know that, particularly those who've worked with him repeatedly. Lots of people in positions of authority cross boundaries that they shouldn't and I imagine if you throw "art" into the mix too it's an accident waiting to happen. The line between "pushing actor into uncomfortable place to get great performance" and "pushing actor into something physically or mentally dangerous" isn't that big. I'd be interested to know if he behaved badly towards male actors as well as the women.
[i]only Hateful 8 is an obvious mis-step[/i]
Hilarious to see a whore get punched in the face though!
Oh.