Quentin Tarantino - 60: rating of his films from worst to best

To this day, Quentin Tarantino has directed nine films. The latest Once Upon a Time in Hollywood came out in 2019. He recently announced that he is ready to shoot the tenth picture. The plot will focus on a female film critic and Hollywood of the 70s and 80s of the last century. What will come of it, we will know in two years. And now, on the occasion of the anniversary of the famous director, let's take a look at his filmography again through the prism of the same film critics, and, of course, the box office. Despite the fact that Tarantino does not shoot big-budget blockbusters, his work has always been a steady success. And this happens, in many respects, thanks to the unique author's style, which at the beginning of his career was developed by this native of the small American city of Knoxville in Tennessee. So, nine of Quentin's films - from worst to best.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

For Tarantino, this tale of a bounty hunter and his prisoner seeking refuge from a blizzard in a stagecoach with six nefarious strangers was a win-win from the start. Which, of course, excited potential viewers. Especially when Quentin announced a "killer" cast with Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Walton Goggins, as well as "old friends" Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Roth and Michael Madsen. But the result, unfortunately, did not justify itself. The story turned out to be sluggish and formulaic, the plot was weak, and the pace was confused. And worst of all, the film is boring, which rarely happens with Tarantino.

"Death Proof" (2008)

The film looks a bit odd in his career. The second part of "Grindhouse" (2007), a double feature film that Tarantino shot with his friend Robert Rodriguez as a tribute to his childhood favorite slashers. Set in the 1970s, the story follows aging Hollywood stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) as he kills young women with modified cars that he says "protect from death." We observe the hero during two such missions. Very stylish, no doubt, but for Quentin a strangely slow film, in stark contrast to Rodriguez's Planet Terror (2007), a frank, uninhibited, gore-splatter adventure. Nearly two hours is too long for a thin plot, and it lacks the tension and suspense of Tarantino's best work.

"Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood" (2019)

We've reached a turning point in Tarantino's career where personal sympathies take over. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a very good movie, but there are six other films that are better in our opinion. Spread over 161 minutes of epic 1969 Los Angeles, the film is an odd symbiosis. Most of the time, he follows Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). They are struggling to survive in Hollywood and trying to find a place in a rapidly changing industry. Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who lives near Dalton, wreaks havoc with a hunter-prey relationship for the "Manson family," bringing the "happy" hippie culture of the 1960s to a bloody end. As the director has done with every one of his films, starting with the double Kill Bill, everyone goes a little crazy at the end, but it's a very watchable and enjoyable experience.

"Inglourious Basterds" (2009)

After the Death Proof disappointment, Tarantino is back on the trail of success with a great World War II comedy. This is Tarantino's first experience with Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz. The film tells about two conspiracies organized to eliminate the leadership of Nazi Germany. One by a group of American Jewish soldiers, the other by the owner of a French cinema, out of revenge. The film is a great occasion to have fun, which is uplifted by the strong performances of Waltz, Pitt and Mélanie Laurent. Sometimes it's mind blowing fun, sometimes it's intense drama, but miraculously it all adds up to an unbridled adventure.

"Jackie Brown" (1997)

In a way, it's an anomaly in Tarantino's career because it's the first time he's adapted something for the silver screen. In this case, Elmore Leonard's novel Rum Punch. Otherwise, this is the director's classic film, with signature swagger, a great soundtrack, and an irresistible cast. Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton and Robert De Niro star in this film, which follows a flight attendant (Grier) with a criminal record who is forced to partner with an FBI agent to avoid jail. Which, of course, leads to irreversible consequences ...

"Reservoir Dogs" (1992)

Debut Tarantino. Still as vital, charged and witty as on the first day of film distribution. Shot for just $1.2 million, this is a heist movie with no heist involved. Instead, we see a gang of villains before and after a jewelry store robbery that doesn't "go according to plan." The main roles were played by Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth and Michael Madsen, who later became Tarantino's permanent "stars". The film introduced the audience to what later became the hallmark of the director - jerky dialogues, a lot of swearing, cool soundtracks and a plot that ignores Hollywood conventions, but for some reason is so exciting and compelling.

Django Unchained (2012)

The revenge saga is loud, brash and entertaining romp. Jamie Foxx plays Django, a slave who unexpectedly gains freedom after a German bounty hunter offers to work with him. After the end of the mission, Django dreams of finding his long-lost wife and, together with the "liberator", sets off again on the road. Another example of collaboration with Waltz and DiCaprio. Tarantino's film is an ode to spaghetti westerns and gives a similar feel. The action turned out to be fun with great combination of scenes.

"Kill Bill" (1 and 2, 2003-2004)

When Tarantino announced that he would make only 10 films, talk began about whether to count the two parts of this picture as one or still for two. The director calmed down, no, for one, he shared because the action is too long. It's a stylish revenge fantasy of Uma Thurman's character, The Bride, who vows to get even with a group of assassins and their leader after trying to kill her and her unborn child. A longtime martial arts fan, Tarantino directed one of the most incredible ballet scenes ever. The film is a real roller coaster, emotional and physical, with a tense plot and unexpected twists.

"Pulp Fiction" (1997)

After the witty and innovative Reservoir Dogs, no one could have imagined that Tarantino would be able to surpass them with Pulp Fiction and others. The film follows several Los Angeles criminals whose lives and plans intersect. John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman, Ving Rhames and Tim Roth make up a sparkling ensemble cast. Witty, with a superb storyline and action-packed scenes, Pulp Fiction is a true Hollywood classic and one of the greatest films ever made. He deserves to be at the top of any list.