Tag: pulp fiction

The Tarantino Influences: Rolling Thunder

Rolling Thunder is a 1977 movie directed by John Flynn. Known as one of Tarantino’s favorite movies, its theme of retribution and stylized violence could have been influences on Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction.

Rolling Thunder tells the story of Major Charles Rane, a Vietnam veteran returning home after being a prisoner of war. Rane struggles to assimilate back into civilian life, before his wife and son are killed in a home invasion. This tragic event leads Rane to seek justice on the thugs responsible for the murders.

It’s difficult to classify Rolling Thunder as a particular type of movie. A case could be made that it’s an exploitation movie or at the least, a loose version of a road movie. It’s definitely a revenge movie and it’s violent. Yet, Rolling Thunder takes on that gritty, 1970’s sensibility where the story is allowed the space to breathe. We learn about the characters and their baggage – their personal futility is captured far before the chaotic final shootout, which ultimately defines the movie.

The layers found in Rolling Thunder likely inspired Tarantino – along with other writer/directors. It’s a heavy movie featuring a main character who is emotionally broken after suffering years of torture. It’s a tragic story, yet the bad guys who propel Rane to act are outlandishly bad – almost to the point of being unrealistic and cartoonish. There’s a love interest that never materializes, subtle statements made about patriotism and quirky, offhanded humor found throughout.

There’s a gimmick in Rane using his hook hand to cause havoc, yet Rolling Thunder is a unique mix of heart and action. It’s tempting to separate these characteristics to make an easier movie – but combined they form an intriguing creation.

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The Tarantino Influences: Deliverance

Deliverance is a 1972 movie by John Boorman that tells the story of four men looking for adventure in wild nature. Its themes of survival and danger of the unknown are universal and one scene in particular served as an inspiration for Tarantino.

Deliverance tells the story of four city dwellers taking a canoe trip along the Cahulawassee river in Georgia. The trip begins as a scenic, weekend adventure before turning into a violent struggle of survival. The men encounter locals who prey on them, leading to murder and questions of morality and justice. The brutality of the river then causes death and injury, forcing the men to adapt to primitive means to escape back to their familiar civilization.

Deliverance is known largely due to its most famous scene, which is referenced in Pulp Fiction. In some respects, both movies are notorious in shocking viewers with scenes of sexual assault. However, to stereotype both Deliverance and Pulp Fiction ignores the brilliance and star power of each work.

Reynolds is compelling as Lewis, a weekend thrill seeker who arranges the canoe trip. He emerges as the group’s leader and in true Reynolds fashion serves as the movie’s most masculine and vibrant character. He’s definitely the alpha of the group, yet reveals himself to be in awe of the nature he’s about to face. When asked by Jon Voight’s Ed why we wants to “fuck with the river”, Lewis replies: “Because it’s there.”

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The Tarantino Influences: Band of Outsiders

Band of Outsiders is a 1964 Jean Luc Godard movie that focuses on a trio of students who attempt to pull off a robbery. Its style, attention to subtext and tone may have served as inspiration for Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction.

The most common link between Tarantino and Band of Outsiders is the movie’s famous dance scene. According to Tarantino historians, the scene was a direct inspiration for Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace’s Jack Rabbit Slims dance in Pulp Fiction. However, the subtext floating around the story’s main plot celebrating American gangster movie culture is what makes Band of Outsiders a quintessential Tarantino influence.

The story is pretty simple. Two students, Franz and Arthur, decide to rob a house. They enlist the help of Odile, who lives in the house with her Madame Victoria. It’s a strange arrangement, as both Franz and Arthur are smitten with Odile and are competing to be with her sexually. Yet, they also need her to pull off the robbery. Odile seems to be both enraptured by and scared of Arthur and Franz’s attention towards her. The relationship is often muddled, as Odile is a pawn in the overall scheme, yet also is the fulcrum of the rampant teenage emotions permeating each encounter.

Franz and Arthur were clear Tarantino inspirations in that they are consumers and actors of American pop culture. Franz in particular dresses like a 1950’s mobster and attempts to wear the menacing scowl of a movie bad guy. Arthur reads comic books and talks about X-ray vision. Both play extended games of Billy the Kid, drawing on each other with finger guns and playing out exaggerated imaginary death scenes.

However, Arthur and Franz prove to be vastly different characters. While both are playing the roles of robbers both literally and figuratively, it’s clear Arthur is better equipped to pull it off. He’s the leader of the trio and we later learn that his family appears to have real-life criminal connections. Arthur is the realist of the duo – he’s direct, purposeful and confident in his actions, while Franz sometimes exists in a more philosophical realm of being. Each is dangerous – perhaps as a result of their criminal intentions, imagination and youthful arrogance, which can lead to accidental disaster.

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The Quentin Tarantino Movie Rankings

Quentin Tarantino movies have now been a part of my life for 25 years. I recently decided to take the time to rewatch and rank all nine of his movies – mainly because I wanted to see if tastes have changed and really, because why not? I’m far from a movie critic and I’m not concerned about film theory or anything like that. These are my personal rankings.

1. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

2. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Without Pulp Fiction, I would have never known that movies existed. Of course, I was aware of movies and sometimes went to the movies. However, movies were a passing interest – something easily detachable. Pulp Fiction changed that. I had no idea that something could be so cool, original, fun, violent, hilarious – let alone a movie.

What I later learned was that Pulp Fiction was an entry to everything that made it cool, original, fun, violent and hilarious – all the little movie, TV and pop culture references that shaped Tarantino’s vision. Because of this one movie, I discovered hundreds more and all the wormholes attached – great directors, cool actors – all the influences both great and awful. I learned movie history from Anthony Cocca 49 cent general rentals and in each one, there’s some path that leads you back to Pulp Fiction.

Naturally, I’ve followed Tarantino ever since. And naturally, the movies have changed. Tarantino is still innovative, writes killer dialogue, creates visually stunning environments and is remarkably – still cool. I’ve loved all of his movies but I would always go back to Pulp Fiction as his best work. Or at least my favorite.

Maybe nostalgia informs this ranking – there’s a comfort in the characters, the soundtrack, the moments – being in the Warren Twin Cinema and for the first time experiencing a Royale with Cheese, personality going a long way or “I shot Marvin in the face!”

But then again, maybe there’s more to nostalgia.

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