Skip to main content

#010 Quentin Tarantino: Pulp Fiction vs. Death Proof w/ Guest Michael Denniston

By


In today's episode Nate and Austin compare Quentin Tarantino's best and worst rated films, Pulp Fiction (1994) and Death Proof (2007), respectively. Nate gets a weird feeling in his pants every time Tarantino is on screen, Austin cried during Marley & Me, and special guest Michael Denniston names Click as his favorite movie of all time. Check back next Sunday at 7pm PST where we will compare Spike Jonze's Her (2013) and Where the Wild Things Are (2009), his best and worst rated films. Be sure to follow Michael's podcast War Machine vs. War Horse on twitter @warmachinehorse and check out his podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or followingfilms.com.
And hear about Quentin Tarantino's inspiration for Pulp Fiction: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5KkI_YS4ug[/embed]
[gallery columns="1" size="medium" link="none" ids="652"]

Pulp Fiction Notes

PLOT: The lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.
  • Ratings: IMDb 8.9 | RT 94% C / 96% A
  • Released: 1994
  • Director: Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds, Kill Bill, The Hateful Eight, Django Unchained, Reservoir Dogs)
  • Writer(s): Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary
  • Cinematographer: Andrzej Sekula (Reservoir Dogs, American Psycho, Four Rooms)
  • Notable actors: Tim Roth, John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Amanda Plummer, Phil LaMarr, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Rosanna Arquette, Uma Thurman, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Walken, Kathy Griffin, Harvey Keitel
  • Budget: $8.5 million
  • Box office: $213.9 million
  • Fun Facts:
    • The shot of Vincent plunging the syringe into Mia's chest was filmed by having John Travolta pull the needle out, then running the film backwards.
    • Uma Thurman originally turned down the role of Mia Wallace. Quentin Tarantino was so desperate to have her as Mia, he ended up reading her the script over the phone, finally convincing her to take on the role.
    • The movie cost $8 million to make, $5 million of which went to pay the actors' salaries.
    • The word "fuck" is used 265 times.
    • Quentin Tarantino wrote "The Wolf" character specifically for Harvey Keitel
[gallery columns="1" link="none" size="medium" ids="653"]

Death Proof Notes

PLOT: Two separate sets of voluptuous women are stalked at different times by a scarred stuntman who uses his "death proof" cars to execute his murderous plans.
  • Ratings: IMDb 7.1 | RT 67% C / 72% A
  • Released: 2007
  • Director: Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds, Kill Bill, The Hateful Eight, Django Unchained, Reservoir Dogs)
  • Writer(s): Quentin Tarantino
  • Cinematographer: Quentin Tarantino
  • Notable actors: Kurt Russell, Zoe Bell, Rosario Dawson, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Eli Roth, Omar Doom, Michael Bacall
  • Budget: $8.5 million
  • Box office: $25 million as Grindhouse, $30 million as Death Proof
  • Fun Facts:
    • Zoe Bell does all of her own stunts
    • Quentin Tarantino stated he came up with the idea of "Death Proof" when he was talking to a friend about buying a car. Tarantino wanted to buy a Volvo because he "didn't want to die in some auto accident like the one in Pulp Fiction". In regards to the safety of the car, his friend had said, "Well, you could take any car and give it to a stunt team, and for $10,000 or $15,000, they can death-proof it for you." The "death proof" phrase had stuck to Tarantino after that.
    • The film was physically scratched to achieve its dirty look, rather than digitally scratch the film footage.
    • The only Quentin Tarantino movie that takes place completely in chronological order and without flash-backs.
    • Quentin Tarantino admitted later in an interview that he believed he "over-tweaked" Death Proof, but was still very proud of it.
  Intro music by: Calm The Fuck Down (Broke For Free) / CC BY 3.0  

Check out this episode!
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

MULHOLLAND DRIVE Ending Explained

By
MULHOLLAND DRIVE is a complex and surreal film directed by David Lynch, known for its non-linear narrative and dreamlike sequences. The ending is open to interpretation and has been the subject of much debate among viewers. Here's a breakdown of the ending: Diane's Dream vs. Reality: Throughout the film, there are two main narrative threads: one follows Betty/Diane's dreamlike experiences in Hollywood, and the other delves into Diane's harsh reality. The ending reveals that the majority of the film has been a dream constructed by Diane Selwyn, a failed actress, as a means to escape the guilt and pain of her actions. Betty/Diane's Descent into Madness: Betty, played by Naomi Watts, represents Diane's idealized self—a hopeful and innocent aspiring actress. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Betty's story is unraveling, and her identity begins to merge with Diane's. This culminates in the revelation that Betty is merely a construct of Di...
Read More

Final Destination Bloodlines Set to Bring Fresh Horrors to the Franchise

By
The long-running and fan-favorite horror series Final Destination is set to make its return with Final Destination Bloodlines, bringing a new chapter of supernatural terror to the big screen. Scheduled for a theatrical and IMAX release on May 16, 2025, in the U.S. (and internationally beginning May 14), the film promises to continue the franchise’s tradition of chilling premonitions and inescapable fate. The upcoming installment features a fresh ensemble cast, including Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game, The Flash), Teo Briones (Chucky, Will vs. The Future), Richard Harmon (The 100, The Age of Adaline), Owen Patrick Joyner (Julie and the Phantoms, 100 Things to Do Before High School), and Anna Lore (They/Them, Gotham Knights). Also joining the cast are Brec Bassinger (Stargirl, Bella and the Bulldogs) and horror icon Tony Todd, who reprises his role from the original Final Destination films. Todd, best known for his chilling portrayal of the titular character in the Candyman fra...
Read More

Blu-ray Review: Presence

By
Steven Soderbergh’s Presence is not just a ghost story—it’s a deeply personal, introspective, and stylistically daring supernatural thriller that stands out for its bold use of perspective and moral depth. Shot entirely from the first-person point of view of a spirit, the film immerses the viewer into the consciousness of an unseen entity navigating a family’s domestic unraveling. It’s not only a technical experiment, but a story with emotional weight, subtle revelations, and a chilling undercurrent of tragedy. Premiering at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and released by Neon in early 2025, Presence has become a sleeper hit, earning $10.5 million on a modest $2 million budget. Directed, shot, and edited by Soderbergh, with a script from veteran screenwriter David Koepp, the film offers an experience that is simultaneously eerie, emotionally nuanced, and structurally inventive. From the very first frame, Presence makes its unique perspective clear. The camera doesn’t merely observ...
Read More