Check Out The Big Brain On Brad!
March 31, 2004
Over last weekend, I realized I hadn't watched any of the special features on the second DVD of my Collector's Edition Pulp Fiction DVD that I bought a couple of years ago.
So Sunday afternoon, after a long run, I plopped myself on the ol' sofa and sat down to receive some background information on one of my favorite directors and his greatest work to date.
After watching it and the subsequent Trivia version of the film, which is basicly like watching the movie with VH1's Pop-Up Video, I realized that although I thought I was a fan, there is a whole world of Pulp Fiction that has been hidden from me.
Quentin Tarantino, the film's director, is admired by many, and scorned as a violence-monger by equally as many. But one of the things discussed in the special features is his image of being a violent director, when most of the violence is not even shown, but simply implied. I really enjoyed Tarantino's remarks to this in that he said he takes it as a compliment that people view him this way because he must be making very visual scenes if a critic thinks he watched something very graphic, when in reality, he didn't see any violence.
He is also scorned because his movies feature criminals and show drug-use. But the interesting thing about this is that the criminals often "turn good" or give up the criminal lifestyle (Jules deciding to "walk the earth") and that drug-use can be detrimental (Mia over-dosing).
One of the documentaries discussed Tarantino's use of cinematography and his use of classic devices which have been abandoned by most directors today in favor of faster, easier alternatives. By devices I mean, switching from distance, scene-setting shots to very close headshots and then back again. I had noticed this, but never knew, until now, that these were made to increase anxiety for the viewer in expectation for an upcoming event. There were several other examples like this that help the viewer appreciate the amount of thought put into a film.
If you haven't seen Pulp Fiction, or haven't seen it in awhile, go pick it up. It has single-handedly shaped the way movies are made today.
I need to buy this DVD. My hubby loves this movie. Thanks for outlining some of the features for me! That is really interesting some of the comments on the perceived violence. Now, did I just perceive violence in Kill Bill Vol. I?
Posted by: Jill at March 31, 2004 06:17 PMNo, there was some definite violence in that film too. But you have to admit it was very stylized, very "unrealistic", classic kung fu violence. Again, I think this was a choice made by Tarantino to keep things light amidst the obviously graphic violence required by the storyline.
Posted by: Neil at April 1, 2004 07:26 AMTarantino makes some bold choices, but they're just.... right. The style in which all of the violence was done in Kill Bill was incredible. The choice of the anime, the black and white, etc. It was all genius and fantastic cinematography. Seriously, I am so excited for Vol. II.
Posted by: Jill at April 1, 2004 08:30 AMYeah, he definitely does things "just right" for my taste as well. Good point on his choice of style. Volume II is going to be awesome!
Posted by: Neil at April 1, 2004 08:35 AM
Past Months