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News & ArtsTuesday, September 1, 2009
Film Blood for Oil
Posted by Paul Constant on Tue, Sep 1, 2009 at 3:02 PM
I simply cannot get over how much I loved Inglourious Basterds, which I think is probably my favorite Quentin Tarantino movie, above even Jackie Brown. But even if you dislike Tarantino as a director, you can't deny that the former video-store clerk really knows how to talk up a movie.
Below, Tarantino discusses There Will Be Blood, which is one of my all-time favorite movies. He gives a great analysis of the first couple of scenes, and just generally makes you feel enthusiastic for the movie all over again. I do disagree with Tarantino's so-so take on Paul Dano, who I think is a really fine young actor, but that's a minor quibble. He is so infectious in his excitement for this movie that I almost wish he was still the nerdy guy at the video store so I could get recommendations from him all the time. And now I have to re-watch Blood.
1
While it's true that Tarantino as a director isn't fit to eat the corn out of Paul Anderson's turds, it's also true that without the Weinsteins blowing Tarantino's doors open first, Anderson never would have had the career he has. So credit where credit's due. They're both a couple of obnoxious, coked-up jackasses, though.
2
Tarantino doesn't take himself as seriously as Anderson does, which is a big point in Tarantino's favor.
3
Wait, wait...you like BOTH Basterds and Jackie Brown more than Pulp Fiction? C'mon dude. PF is QT's masterpiece...everyone knows that.
4
Thanks for posting this, Paul. I'm not a Tarantino fan, but this was a very moving analysis. I'm stunned that anyone would leave this film and not find the final extended encounter a cinematic set piece-- too much of a dialogue scene?
His criticism of Dano reminds me of people's criticism of Anne Baxter in "All About Eve," not understanding that their failure to prove adequate adversaries to the protagonists of their respective films shows both great talent and great courage. Paul Dano is no callow little worm-- that's ACTING! And doubly impressive since the double role was taken on, I believe, literally on set.
Neither Anderson nor Tarantino appears to be a pleasant human being. They say Van Gogh was obnoxious, as well.
His criticism of Dano reminds me of people's criticism of Anne Baxter in "All About Eve," not understanding that their failure to prove adequate adversaries to the protagonists of their respective films shows both great talent and great courage. Paul Dano is no callow little worm-- that's ACTING! And doubly impressive since the double role was taken on, I believe, literally on set.
Neither Anderson nor Tarantino appears to be a pleasant human being. They say Van Gogh was obnoxious, as well.
6
Thanks Paul, for posting this. I watched this clip last week and have shared it with many, as it made me excited all over again in rewatching one of the best movies ever made, being There Will Be Blood. It also excites me to think that PT Anderson and Tarantino are competitive friends, as having them make each other rise up to higher heights is a joy for us film buffs.
8
Tarantino's enthusiasm for cinema is totally compelling and refreshing but it's been almost 20 years and the guy is still a painfully awkward motherfucker when he steps in front of a camera.
9
"Neither Anderson nor Tarantino appears to be a pleasant human being. They say Van Gogh was obnoxious, as well. "
It's the same thing with musicians and any sort of artist, I suppose. Outside of outright abuse of others, as long as the end-product is enjoyable or worthwhile enough I don't care how douchey the creator is.
It's the same thing with musicians and any sort of artist, I suppose. Outside of outright abuse of others, as long as the end-product is enjoyable or worthwhile enough I don't care how douchey the creator is.
10
PT Anderson and Quentin Tarantino both have a lot in common...immensely talented assholes who were too overpraised early in their careers. But Anderson is growing as a filmmaker (TWBB is a masterpiece and 100 times better than the ersatz Altmanesque Boogie Nights and Magnolia), but Tarantino seems like he is coasting and not showing any signs of artistic growth. Parts of Basterds are brilliant but for every great moment there's a lazy, ill thought out one, (Landa the brilliant "Jew hunter" turns into an idiot in the last 5 minutes of the movie; really Quentin?)
11
10, Landa did the best he could. It's his adversarial respect that ultimately clouds his judgment. Also he was smart enough to know Germany would lose the war.
IB is excellent, because Tarantino is beautifully aware of his own talents. Storytelling and language, his two most praised attributes, are the chief weapons wielded by his characters. Every act climaxes with the translation of language. Aldo vs Landa is a battle of the myths. And Shoshanna becomes a guerrilla filmmaker to fight the artistically fascist Goebbels.
Oh yeah the movie is fucking awesome too, so that helps.
IB is excellent, because Tarantino is beautifully aware of his own talents. Storytelling and language, his two most praised attributes, are the chief weapons wielded by his characters. Every act climaxes with the translation of language. Aldo vs Landa is a battle of the myths. And Shoshanna becomes a guerrilla filmmaker to fight the artistically fascist Goebbels.
Oh yeah the movie is fucking awesome too, so that helps.
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