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Pulp Fiction v Reservoir Dogs

Justin Biberkopf

over 4 years ago

For me, Tarantino has always been a novelty act. His films are best the first time you see them; without the element of surprise they wear thin. Having said that, the same applies to his entire career, so Reservoir Dogs is best because it has the greatest element of surprise. The identification of men by colors rather than name is kabuki enough, and Beckett enough, to pass as more than ordinary inspiration. And the western-style shootout is fulfilled at the end, rather than teased to death, as it is in Pulp Fiction.

Doinel

over 4 years ago
Pulp Fiction contains more of Tarantino’s favorite motifs. Black guys with white women. Oh, he is so naughty and probably thinks the topic is controversial. And those crackers butt bumping slaves in their basement. I can’t imagine where he got such an innovative idea. Then there’s “the Wolf” in Pulp Fiction. Wow, clean up the car and put it through a crusher. How daring, it’s worthy of Melville. Tarantino is a joke.

Bobby Wise

over 4 years ago

what’s naughty about his depiction of mixed race couples? do you ever see those couples have sex, or anything remotely controversial at all? they’re normal depictions, just like in real life. the reality of a new generation.

why is the wolf so important to “pulp fiction” as a device? he’s only in one short modest scene. if you’re gonna criticize, pick a more substantial issue.

Maicol Andrés Ordoñez

over 4 years ago

BOOOOOOO! Vs. posts stink!

Bobby Wise

over 4 years ago

says you.

Lester Burnam

over 4 years ago

Pulp Fiction is a far superior work because of its originality. Reservoir Dogs was essentially a remake of an old bank heist movie. The theme of using colors to identify the different robbers was stolen from another old heist film as well. As a matter of fact, ALL of Tarantino’s ideas aren’t really his ideas, that’s why he’s a hack. Pulp Fiction, however, seems to be an original vision, so it ranks higher.

Paya

over 4 years ago

I like Reservoir Dogs more, but I don’t like comparing

CineSna​g

over 4 years ago

I adored PF when it initially came out. Upon reflection, I don’t think its as strong or relevant of a film as RD, but by no means is it a bad film. Tarantino seems to have matured as a film maker by the point he made PF, so to compare a novice attempt to that of a seasoned pro seems a bit unfair. I do believe that a significant amount of RD’s appeal lies in the fact that it was Tarantino’s first major contribution, so people tend to get blown away “Oh what a great first attempt!”
Then the cast for either film deserves praise…however RD doesn’t seem to be looking for praise and attention. PF is. I really think if someone held a gun to my head and made me pick my favorite Tarantino flick, it would be “Jackie Brown.”
Pam Grier is phenomenal in that movie (as are basically everyone else). I also really liked “True Romance” even though I don’t believe he directed that one. It’s still slathered with the Tarantino influence.

House of Pleasur​e

about 4 years ago

Pulp Fiction

Zachary W

almost 4 years ago

Pulp Fiction is a great movie, while Reservoir Dogs is kind of a pointless exercise in cynicism. It has some good scenes, but it doesn’t hold up that well.

Carter Smith

almost 4 years ago

Everyone hates to love Tarantino.

Dogs is basically held up by dialogue alone. It’s a greater feat if you ask me.

Bobby Wise

almost 4 years ago

“dogs” is very theatrical, true.

and actually, everyone loves to hate tarantino more than they hate to love him. based on the general reactions i’ve read on this site.

Perfumed Dandy

almost 4 years ago

Neither. I think the production of Lava soap has been discontinued and mobile phones are no longer the size of Shaquille O’Neal’s shoe. A visionary, he is not.

never mind pop film

almost 2 years ago

Calling Pulp Fiction revolutionary always seems facetious in nature because most of its elements are borrowed. And as for the dialogue, it does pop one the first viewing but after several subsequent viewings it feels like it drags the film more slowly than it should be moving.

never mind pop film

almost 2 years ago

That’s not to say the dialogue doesn’t serve purpose, because it does illuminate background aspects, but it still feels a little slower.

Brad S.

almost 2 years ago

>>Calling Pulp Fiction revolutionary always seems facetious in nature because most of its elements are borrowed.<<

So were Elvis’. Its all about how you put the pieces together, even if you didn’t invent the pieces.

Jazzalo​ha

almost 2 years ago

Are you really that bored, Brad? :)

Brad S.

almost 2 years ago

It’s more a hobby, really.

Jazzalo​ha

almost 2 years ago

Well, some people like sewing and collecting stamps. It takes all kinds, I guess. :)

Chris R Grudge

almost 2 years ago

I don’t really think any of Tarantino’s movies are great, so to me a lot of his stuff falls around the same level.

I used to think Reservoir Dogs was better than Pulp, but last time I saw it I remembered I was unimpressed. Kinda seemed too short and not all that thrilling compared to Pulp Fiction, which I suppose is designed to be more epic.

I might like that Nazi movie more than both just because of the “Jew Hunter”. But all of Quintin’s stuff is kinda retarded :P.

Matt Parks

almost 2 years ago

^ Best to pay attention to spelling when calling somebody a “retarded.” :)

“The identification of men by colors rather than name is kabuki enough, and Beckett enough, to pass as more than ordinary inspiration”

On the other hand, it’s also The Taking of Pelham One Two Three enough to not.

Bobby Wise

almost 2 years ago

People always talk about the color-coding scheme and where it comes from but no one ever talks about the best scene in the film: when the gangsters start arguing about which color to take. I find it brilliant and absolutely hilarious. The funniest line is when they ask Tierney if they can pick their own colors and he says, “No way. Tried it before. You got 10 guys arguing over who gets to be Mr. Black. No one knows each other, so no one wants to back down.” I’d like to give credit due to “Reservoir Dogs” for being a first-rate comedy.

yuriwal​ker

8 months ago

Reservoir Dogs.

Nadafin​gah

8 months ago

Well, I like all of his films up until Kill Bill, so I’m not jumping on the Tarantino sucks bandwagon. The order would go something like this:

1. Jackie Brown (which actually has some real emotion in there)
2/ Pulp Fiction (which is fun)
3. Reservoir Dogs (Which is more mechanical, but I’ve gotten more into recently)

My only beef with Dogs is the “who’s the rat” dialogue seems to have no pizzazz to it, Keitel’s weird bonding with the Tim Roth character needed to be defined more and the “dance” for all its shock value is really just shock value.

I don’t hate Dogs, but the budget limitations and staginess make its flaws a little clearer. Against that, I don’t think Pulp takes itself seriously for a second, it’s a group of isolated vignettes and that’s really what Tarantino does best. And throwing Jackie Brown in there, it shows him stretching himself with a sharp plot and a suprisingly adult romance.

Alex

8 months ago

1-Jackie Brown

2-Pulp Fiction

And miles away from these 2: Kill Bill 2

Loverof​LeCinem​a

8 months ago

I love both of them and have probably seen them a dozen times now. Pulp Fiction is probably the one that always edges into my top ten list.

Jirin

8 months ago

I’d say Pulp Fiction.

Though I think Kill Bill is almost as good as Pulp Fiction.

Semih Diktaş

8 months ago

Reservoir Dogs