I'd like to be on a fly on the wall as Isabelle Huppert, jury president of the forthcoming 62nd Cannes Film Festival (5.13 to 5.24), steers the debate over Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds (Weinstein Co., 8.21). Except now that I think about it, Basterds -- a surreal jape if I ever read one -- is almost certain to play out-of-competition. Or am I being too straight-laced about this?

After reading the Basterds script last July I called it a "categorically insane World War II attitude comedy on top of a quasi-exploitation film about angry Jews paying back the Nazis for their many atrocities. It begins and ends in QT's movie-nut head, and is very entertaining for that.
"It is absolutely the most inauthentic, bullshit-spewing World War II movie that anyone's ever written. Every other line is a howl or a chortle. It almost could have been written by some 15 year-old suburban kid who used to play pretend WWII games with his friends when they were 10 or 11. Four or five times I literally laughed out loud, and that's rare for me. And every scene is pure popcorn, pure shit-kickin' Quentin, pure movie poontang.
The script "flaunts its fakery and movie 'tude to such a degree that it's pure adolescent (i.e., teenage boy) pleasure. The Europe it depicts doesn't exist and never will exist, and that's fine. The German and French characters are so idiotically cliched they almost sound like the kind of material that a John Candy SCTV skit would use. But not quite. It's actually kind of perfect that way. The balance, I mean.
"The film is going to seem loony-tunes to some, and that's good. The Cinema Paradiso section (pretty young Jewish refugee running a Paris cinema, changing reels, not smoking for fear of burning the stored silver nitrate film reels) goes on a bit, page 50 to 100, give or take. A lot of bodies hit the floor from page 100 to 165. A lotta blood and bullets. The violent finale is wackjob. It's either insane beyond measure or wildly imaginative in a good way, or both."

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on January 2, 2009 at 6:20 AM
comment #1
petehowell
says ...
Bet you a baguette and espresso that Inglourious Basterds
plays in competition at Cannes.
As long as Brad Pitt is willing to walk the red carpet.
Posted by petehowell
at January 2, 2009 7:44 AM
comment #2
Sabina E
says ...
oh come on. This script sounds awesome, and I can't wait to see the film!!!
If anyone has a copy of the PDF screenplay, drop me a line. I'd like to read it.
Posted by Sabina E
at January 2, 2009 8:43 AM
comment #3
Majorian99
says ...
DeafBrown I have it. As crazy as Wells says it is -- it's also a masterpiece in my book -- keeping the strangeness with strict discipline making it work. We've never seen anything quite like this. The movie I'm looking forward to the most in 2009 bar none...
Posted by Majorian99
at January 2, 2009 10:29 AM
comment #4
Floyd Thursby
says ...
Why is it being released in August? Isn't that traditionally a dumping ground for the lesser summer movies?
Posted by Floyd Thursby
at January 2, 2009 11:01 AM
comment #5
Edward
says ...
Tarentino gets an automatic pass for "Jackie Brown," I'll see anything he does.
Posted by Edward
at January 2, 2009 11:31 AM
comment #6
pchu
says ...
The last Aug release date is interesting. I think it depends on the Cannes screening, if the reaction is great, then I think they will move it.
Posted by pchu
at January 2, 2009 12:40 PM
comment #7
Mr. Buckles
says ...
You're worse than this sheriff when they get you Tarantino fanboys together:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=smioOkwR3lw
Posted by Mr. Buckles
at January 2, 2009 2:01 PM
comment #8
corey3rd
says ...
He's letting Eli Roth act, again? What Nazi could withstand that force of lameness?
Posted by corey3rd
at January 2, 2009 2:19 PM
comment #9
/3rtfu11
says ...
That bitch was in that awful i Heart Huckabees.
Posted by /3rtfu11
at January 2, 2009 2:36 PM
comment #10
arturobandini2
says ...
Yeah, and that bitch was hysterical in it. And very fine in Hal Hartley's Amateur and practically every French film she's been in since Going Places back in 1974.
Posted by arturobandini2
at January 2, 2009 3:10 PM
comment #11
D.Z.
says ...
Man, Jesse James, Benjamin Button, and Inglorious Bastards. Three major flops in three years for Pitt. He's starting to become the male equivalent of Nicole Kidman.
Posted by D.Z.
at January 2, 2009 5:16 PM
comment #12
Mr. Belding
says ...
I think Wells is saying it'll be interesting because Huppert had a role in the film and was fired for not showing up for meetings amongst other things, according to the French Press.
Posted by Mr. Belding
at January 2, 2009 5:40 PM
comment #13
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
All three of those movies have their staunch defenders and appeared on many respected critics' top ten lists. I get the feeling they'll stand the test of time. Throw Tree of Life and Burn After Reading on there, and I'm not sure there's a mainstream Hollywood actor who's had a more interesting string of five consecutive projects. And yes, I'll include IB, too, since you included it on your list of flops 8 months before release.
Ass.
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 2, 2009 5:41 PM
comment #14
D.Z.
says ...
Kane: Tree of Life isn't out yet, and Burn After Reading was an ensemble Coen film, not a Pitt film.
Posted by D.Z.
at January 2, 2009 8:31 PM
comment #15
D.Z.
says ...
So I'm finally reading the script, and I consider it really lazy for him to swipe that Damocles line from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I know that's not where it originated, but his "education" makes it clear he wouldn't have known about it otherwise.
Posted by D.Z.
at January 2, 2009 8:40 PM
comment #16
frankbooth
says ...
I was almost gonna ask somebody to pass the script on, but why ruin the experience of watching it for the first time?
I have great reservations about QT these days, but I'll still be there, unless the advance word is Spirit-level horrible.
Posted by frankbooth
at January 2, 2009 9:56 PM
comment #17
Jonah
says ...
Follow the DZ logic:
DZ: "Man, Jesse James, Benjamin Button, and Inglorious Bastards. Three major flops in three years for Pitt. He's starting to become the male equivalent of Nicole Kidman. "
CitizenKaned: "Tree of Life and Burn After Reading on there, and I'm not sure there's a mainstream Hollywood actor who's had a more interesting string of five consecutive projects. "
DZ:"Tree of Life isn't out yet, and Burn After Reading was an ensemble Coen film, not a Pitt film. "
DZ listed a film, Inglorious Bastards, that hasn't been released. But says Tree of Life doesn't count because it hasn't been released yet.
It doesn't get any more clear that DZ not only doesn't believe a word of his own bullshit, he's just making it up as he goes along. Dude needs to get laid more.
Posted by Jonah
at January 2, 2009 10:45 PM
comment #18
ZayTonday
says ...
Wow Inglourious Basterds already flopped? Damn, that was fast.
Posted by ZayTonday
at January 2, 2009 10:48 PM
comment #19
DavidF
says ...
Jonah - you forgot to point out that DZ considered Burn After Reading a Coen ensemble, while describing Basterds as a Brad Pitt film. I'm not sure Pitt even has significantly more screen time in the latter and it's sure as shit an ENSEMBLE film, if nothing else.
Also, DZ's "Sword of Damocles" comment has really put his ignorance right out there. Rocky Horror? Do you even know what the metaphor MEANS? That it's from Greek mythology?
Next you'll be telling us how Prince of Egypt stole several elements from The Ten Commandments and, yes, you know that movie originated with some old book but it's still clear the filmmakers were lifting. DAMN, you're dumb!
A bit high and mighty to be criticizing Tarantino's lack of eduaction, fool.
Posted by DavidF
at January 2, 2009 11:32 PM
comment #20
Jonah
says ...
He also declared Benjamin Button a major flop. It's already made over 60 million in eight days. With the expected Oscar nominations it'll get a bump, even more if it wins any. It may turn a profit, it may not. But at the end of the day it won't be a major flop. It'll probably be his biggest lead role hit since Seven.
But DZ, don't get distracted by that. I'd like you to explain your Inglorious Basterds/Tree of Life gaffe.
Posted by Jonah
at January 3, 2009 1:48 AM
comment #21
D.Z.
says ...
Jonah: The difference is Bastards has technically been "released" through the script, and will probably cost a fortune, just to nab Pitt as the lead. [Hence why TWC and Miramax are splitting production costs.] Tree of Life is more low-key, so I'm assuming Brad will waive his usual asking fee to get another "classy" director added to his resume, thus at least insuring it makes its money back on home video. I imagine that's the only reason Burn After Reading was profitable.
Zay: It's coming out only a few months after Valkyrie, so probably.
David: No, Bastards is a Pitt flick, because it wouldn't have gotten off the ground without him, especially after Grindhouse tanked. And you really didn't pay attention to my Damocles rant, as I said I recognized its origin. And I can criticize QT's education all I want, since I'm not a high school drop-out ripping off scenes from videos I watched while working in a store.
Anyway, while reading the second half of the script, it appears QT hasn't learned a damn thing from the mistakes associated with "Lady in the Water". Worst friggin' cinematic wank-fest I seen since "Eternal Sunshine".
Oh, and I'm pissed that he ripped off a gun scene from Kitano's "Brother" and (possibly) that horrible "Fritz the Cat" sequel. [I'm also guessing Woo's "Bullet in the Head". Yeah, I know the latter's an "homage" to Deer Hunter, but at least Woo is honest about his influences.]
Anyway, other than the movie being a propaganda vehicle for Bush's illegal extradition and torture policies, I'm not sure what the point of the flick is, besides explaining the set-up every 10-15 minutes, rather than executing said set-ups.
Oh, and what the hell is QT doing inserting a dialing phone in a WWII drama?! Plus the homoerotic subtext in a later scene's going to really go well with people who wanna see an action flick. [Yes, I know that a lot of action flicks tend to be homoerotic, anyway, but at least
they don't have two male characters waste time discussing their feelings.]
Ok, now that I finished that sucker, I have to say that its ending is dumb and anti-climactic. It doesn't even count as a war flick, since the characters rarely fight behind enemy lines. It's mostly just a series of casual conversations and occasional physical confrontations, without the pay-off of any sense of credibility or realism. So I guess it's like all his films.
Posted by D.Z.
at January 3, 2009 3:03 AM
comment #22
D.Z.
says ...
Jonah: Actually, Pitt's biggest lead role hit since Seven was Troy. And that still made more money internationally than domestically.
Posted by D.Z.
at January 3, 2009 3:04 AM
comment #23
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
"Burn After Reading was an ensemble Coen film, not a Pitt film."
Yes, you're clearly right. That wasn't Brad Pitt I was staring at throughout BAR, it was some handsome doppelganger covertly sent by Angelina Jolie.
If you could actually read, I was talking about Pitt's choices in roles, not whether or not a film was defined by his presence.
So, yes, Brad Pitt was in Burn After Reading. I am literally holding my breath to see what batshit insane tactics you will deploy in an attempt to argue that he wasn't. Just like a movie set to be released in August '09 has already bombed.
It's D.Z.'s world, baby, we're all just visitors!
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 3, 2009 4:27 AM
comment #24
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
"The difference is Bastards has technically been "released" through the script"
Yes, and the box office "returns" from that script leakage have been very disappointing, so it's a bomb. Did you just seriously attempt to argue that a movie bombed because people have already read the script?
P.S. You obviously haven't been paying close enough attention to Quentin's movies. Actors usually take big pay cuts from their normal salaries in order to work with him.
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 3, 2009 4:37 AM
comment #25
D.Z.
says ...
Kane: For eff's sake, Pitt played the goofy sidekick in Burn After Reading. He was hardly a main character. And if you think Pitt's going to take a pay cut to be in a movie from that guy he only once worked with over 15 years ago, you're sadly mistaken. As for the script, maybe I was being too literal. It bombed, because of the concept in the script, which Valkyrie got to first, and which will probably be a real bore-fest at an additional unnecessary half hour or two longer than Singer's flick-thus killing off any potential success.
Posted by D.Z.
at January 3, 2009 5:09 AM
comment #26
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
1. Pitt never "worked" with Tarantino before. Quentin simply wrote the screenplay for $, and handed it over to Tony Scott (with a few suggestions). He was never even on the set of "True Romance." Nice try, though.
2. Um, Valkyrie got to what first? You are aware that these kind of WW2 men-on-a-mission movies existed well before Valkyrie, yes? Guns of Navarone, Dirty Dozen, the original Inglorious Bastards...hello?
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 3, 2009 5:56 AM
comment #27
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
Also, Bruce Willis took a huge paycut ($800,000) to be in "Pulp" when he was commanding around $15 mill a picture. He had never worked with Quentin before. He followed that up with an extended cameo in "Four Rooms" for FREE.
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 3, 2009 6:00 AM
comment #28
D.Z.
says ...
Kane: The fact that Pitt only showed up years later for another QT-related project shows how seriously he takes the guy. And Valkyrie's the most recent take on that war theme, which is why 'Basterds will look like a low-budget rip-off in comparison.
Posted by D.Z.
at January 3, 2009 6:06 AM
comment #29
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
Yes, if Pitt was more "serious" about working with Quentin he would have taken Pam Grier's role in Jackie Brown, Uma Thurman's in the Kill Bills, or Zoe Bell's in Death Proof...
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 3, 2009 7:16 AM
comment #30
DavidF
says ...
I'm sorry but I think we need to stop looking at DZ's riddiculous statements about Brad Pitt's career and instead focus on his riddiculous statements about Basterds itself. I see Citizen already dealt with his curious theory that a script leak constitutes a release (and one DZ is months behind on - nice!).
But how has everyone let this chestnut go by:
"Other than the movie being a propaganda vehicle for Bush's illegal extradition and torture policies, I'm not sure what the point of the flick is."
I hardly know where to start! The suggestion that the film is "political" in any way seems absurd but the idea that it has anything to say about Abu Ghraib, or waterboarding is truly sublime. Next you can tell us how Jackie Brown is flawed because of its riddiculous attempt to spin Brown vs The Board of Education.
And, dude, I know that you PRETENDED to act like you knew where "Sword of Damocles" comes from (while suggesting QT didn't) but it was pretty clear from your vagueness that you were just winging it and really have no clue. beyond that it does have a deeper meaning. It's a common expression which people other than you can understand without picturing a dancing bodybuilder in gold lame briefs.
The mere fact that you would assume people only know it from Rocky Horror shows the depth of your cultural knowledge. If you've looked on Wikipedia since last night, bully for you.
The real joke is you're just like QT - your "canon" is derived from movies so "Sword of Damocles"=Rocky Horror, any reference to Russian Roulette is ripping off The Deer Hunter etc.
You really have no clue and you keep showing it over and over and over again. So, thanks for that.
Posted by DavidF
at January 3, 2009 9:48 AM
comment #31
Jonah
says ...
I honestly gave this thread a moment's thought last night while browsing around online.
I had a few ideas of what bs DZ woudl spin. I had no idea he would say that Basterds had already been released because of the script leak.
In nearly ten years of IMDB and AICN and other message boards I've never read anything quite so stupid.
But DZ doesn't even believe it. He just likes to keep the ball rolling.
Posted by Jonah
at January 3, 2009 11:28 AM
comment #32
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
Yeah David...as though he actually expects us to give him the benefit of the doubt (re: Sword of Damocles) when he continues to make the most asinine statements about movies on the entire internet (as Jonah pointed out, between IMDB and AICN, that's quite the accomplishment!).
Anyway, it looks like he's abandoned this thread to spew his poison elsewhere.
My goal here was just to outlast him (for once) and call him out on every illogical statement (fuckin' exhausting). Mission accomplished, but at what a price. I feel filthy.
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 3, 2009 1:01 PM
comment #33
D.Z.
says ...
Kane: "Yes, if Pitt was more "serious" about working with Quentin he would have taken Pam Grier's role in Jackie Brown, Uma Thurman's in the Kill Bills, or Zoe Bell's in Death Proof..."
Or he could've taken Bobby Deniro, David Carradine, or
Kurt Russell's parts...
DavidF: "The suggestion that the film is "political" in any way seems absurd but the idea that it has anything to say about Abu Ghraib, or waterboarding is truly sublime."
Well, it's re-writing WW2, Bush Doctrine style. Sort of the way that Kill Bill had a "happy" ending for people who believed in that "cakewalk" clap-trap regarding Iraq. Godard felt that way about RD. http://www.16beavergroup.org/mtarchive/archives/001536.php
"Next you can tell us how Jackie Brown is flawed because of its riddiculous attempt to spin Brown vs The Board of Education."
Actually, Jackie Brown is flawed, because it endorses the same anti-social safety net mentality which led to the flooding of New Orleans.
"And, dude, I know that you PRETENDED to act like you knew where "Sword of Damocles" comes from (while suggesting QT didn't) but it was pretty clear from your vagueness that you were just winging it and really have no clue."
Actually, I've read my fair share of Greek mythology, Robert Graves-style. I might be a little rusty, but I get the gist of it better than QT did when he used the analogy in a lame context.
Posted by D.Z.
at January 3, 2009 1:32 PM
comment #34
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
"Actually, Jackie Brown is flawed, because it endorses the same anti-social safety net mentality which led to the flooding of New Orleans."
Dude, seek help immediately. You are clearly insane.
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 3, 2009 4:36 PM
comment #35
D.Z.
says ...
Kane: That line about not being held responsible for what happened hundreds of years ago ring a bell?
Posted by D.Z.
at January 3, 2009 4:48 PM
comment #36
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
That line doesn't necessarily "endorse" anything. It's a piece of dialogue from a film. Good writing has a built-in dichotomy that is meant to provoke thought, discussion, and personal reflection on issues. So I'm glad you think Quentin's a good writer.
Having said that, I fail to see how the shameful government inaction during a natural catastrophe has ANY bearing on a bail bondsman not taking any personal blame for social inequalities that were perpetuated decades before by members that just happened to be the same race as him. Maybe you can enlighten me (I doubt it).
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 3, 2009 5:57 PM
comment #37
D.Z.
says ...
"Good writing has a built-in dichotomy that is meant to provoke thought, discussion, and personal reflection on issues. So I'm glad you think Quentin's a good writer."
No, I think he's a "safe" writer who peddles dumbed-down interpretations of niche genres, in order to appeal to novices who are too stupid or lazy to seek the source material themselves. Those audiences then swallow up his variation as "original". Thus, he cashes in on the praise deemed for other talent.
For example, why watch Boys in the Hood, when you got a white guilt-free version of it in Reservoir Dogs? Why bother with Goodfellas, when you got a younger and hipper cast in Pulp Fiction? And why should any one care about Heat, when it doesn't have Bridget Fonda half-naked, like in Jackie Brown? QT's the Michael Bay of drama, and he knows it.
The fact that his work provokes any negative comments is due to its lack of substance, not because there's some deeper subtext and nuance to be discovered.
"Having said that, I fail to see how the shameful government inaction during a natural catastrophe has ANY bearing on a bail bondsman not taking any personal blame for social inequalities that were perpetuated decades before by members that just happened to be the same race as him."
Well, did Mike Brown or Bush take any personal blame for what happened at Katrina? Only after they were caught with their pants down. How long did McCain take to apologize for voting against MLK's birthday? If there wasn't such a destructive flood that year, that mentality of that character in Jackie Brown would have continued to exist.
Posted by D.Z.
at January 3, 2009 8:08 PM
comment #38
frankbooth
says ...
Boys in the Hood? Right.
We haven't had a full-on crazy, D.Z. - dominated thread in a while. He's been slacking. But an imminent new Tarantino film seems to have roused him from his unholy slumber.
Posted by frankbooth
at January 3, 2009 9:14 PM
comment #39
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
D.Z. - At his best, Quentin makes deconstructionist comedies. He mixes and matches styles and genres that at first would seem to be strange bedfellows - "Dogs" is like a staged Mamet version of a Hong Kong film in which the central event is only hinted at, French New Wave meets Italian gangster films in "Pulp", "Jackie Brown" is blaxploitation by way of gritty, 70s crime novels - part of the fun is recognizing the influences, and seeing the interesting places he takes them. At his worst (so far, "Kill Bill" and "Death Proof" IMHO), his films don't mix the melting pot quite enough and can just come off as sub-par retreads (Asian action cinema and Roger Corman drive-in flick, respectively).
However, even when he falters, his films are always interesting, especially his dialogue, which you have to admit IS (and has always been) original. To call him the Michael Bay of drama is completely inaccurate and unfounded because a) Tarantino makes comedies, b) Bay's editing style is the complete opposite of Tarantino's, c) QT is a true cinephile, as his influences clearly span nearly all of world cinema (whereas Bay seems influenced entirely by 80s American action cinema of Jerry Bruckheimer/Don Simpson/Joel Silver/Tony Scott, d) Bay is not a screenwriter (thank God), purely a director-for-hire.
I still have NO idea whatsoever what your point about Katrina is in relation to Jackie Brown -- your response connected absolutely zero dots between the two. Then again, that has always been your modus operandi -- throwing out ridiculous statements with all of the cohesive logic of an ADD Alzheimer patient.
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 4, 2009 12:17 PM
comment #40
masanf
says ...
"The difference is Bastards has technically been "released" through the script, and will probably cost a fortune, just to nab Pitt as the lead"
And based on ticket-sales to read the script it's a flop? Huh? What a lame fucking explanation.
Posted by masanf
at January 4, 2009 1:02 PM
comment #41
D.Z.
says ...
Kane: "At his best, Quentin makes deconstructionist comedies."
They seem more like ego-centric parodies to me.
""Dogs" is like a staged Mamet version of a Hong Kong film in which the central event is only hinted at, French New Wave meets Italian gangster films in "Pulp", "Jackie Brown" is blaxploitation by way of gritty, 70s crime novels -part of the fun is recognizing the influences, and seeing the interesting places he takes them. "
So you're basically supporting my argument that he doesn't have an original bone in his body.
"However, even when he falters, his films are always interesting, especially his dialogue, which you have to admit IS (and has always been) original."
No, it's not, especially when you read off a friggin' encyclopedia in one movie.
"To call him the Michael Bay of drama is completely inaccurate and unfounded because a) Tarantino makes comedies, "
Unintentional comedies, maybe.
"b) Bay's editing style is the complete opposite of Tarantino's,"
Not when it comes to action scenes.
"c) QT is a true cinephile, as his influences clearly span nearly all of world cinema (whereas Bay seems influenced entirely by 80s American action cinema of Jerry Bruckheimer/Don Simpson/Joel Silver/Tony Scott,"
So I guess that time QT asked Stallone and Arnie to be in 'Bastards puts Rambo and Commando in the same realm as world cinema.
"d) Bay is not a screenwriter"
Neither is QT, if Roger's complaints about him are any indication.
Posted by D.Z.
at January 4, 2009 4:45 PM
comment #42
D.Z.
says ...
masan: "And based on ticket-sales to read the script it's a flop? Huh? What a lame fucking explanation."
No, based on production, location, and shooting costs, versus the actual demand for it.
Posted by D.Z.
at January 4, 2009 4:47 PM
comment #43
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
"They seem more like ego-centric parodies to me."
How can a parody ever be egocentric? A parody implies poking fun at established traditions, how can this ever be construed as egocentric? Makes absolutely zero sense.
"So you're basically supporting my argument that he doesn't have an original bone in his body."
No, I'm supporting the idea that everyone is influenced by everything they do and see in their life. If you want to make the leap from there and say nobody can ever be original, that's on your conscience and not mine.
"No, it's not, especially when you read off a friggin' encyclopedia in one movie."
What encyclopedias are you reading? That must be one entertaining entry on "foot massages"...
"Not when it comes to action scenes."
Get back to me after you've compared the long-takes with Zoe Bell on the hood in "Death Proof" with the chop suey editing of Bad Boys' car chases, then we'll talk.
"So I guess that time QT asked Stallone and Arnie to be in 'Bastards puts Rambo and Commando in the same realm as world cinema."
Never actually happened; it was a rumor. As someone who is constantly pointing out how much Tarantino is "ripping off" Hong Kong and French New Wave, you know damn well that he's fairly well-versed in world cinema.
"Neither is QT, if Roger's complaints about him are any indication."
Show me the quote where Avary says Quentin is a bad writer. Or save yourself the trouble, you won't find one. Post-Tarantino, Avary's writing credits include such gems as Driver, Beowulf, and Return to Castle Wolfenstein -- I think he's missing Quentin's a helluva lot more than vice versa. Perhaps for his "comeback", Roger can do an interesting documentary on the effects of DUI/manslaughter.
"No, based on production, location, and shooting costs, versus the actual demand for it."
Actual demand for WHAT? It's a script, you imbecile. It's impossible to weigh demand for fictional works in any sort of monetary way so that you could weigh it against factors such as production costs. By the way, trying to estimate production costs from even the most detailed script is impossible because there are a million different ways of interpreting words on a page into moving images onscreen. That is the director's job.
Jesus Christ, you spend so much time on movie sites one would think you would know something about movies, if only by accident.
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 5, 2009 11:16 AM
comment #44
JapAdapters
says ...
Man, I love when DZ leads people around by the nose in these threads.
"For example, why watch Boys in the Hood, when you got a white guilt-free version of it in Reservoir Dogs?"
Best. Sentence. Ever.
Posted by JapAdapters
at January 5, 2009 1:29 PM
comment #45
D.Z.
says ...
Kane: "A parody implies poking fun at established traditions, how can this ever be construed as egocentric?"
When it thinks it's better than its source material? [See Alanis' "cover" of that humps song.]
"No, I'm supporting the idea that everyone is influenced by everything they do and see in their life."
But not everyone lives off the influences, without adding their own material.
"What encyclopedias are you reading?"
The passage on snakes?
"Get back to me after you've compared the long-takes with Zoe Bell on the hood in "Death Proof" with the chop suey editing of Bad Boys' car chases, then we'll talk."
What Zoe Bell did was just hang on a car. That does not equal "action". It usually involves more than that.
"you know damn well that he's fairly well-versed in world cinema."
So well-versed that he has the gall to libel someone else for plagiarism in regards to Casino Royale.
"Show me the quote where Avary says Quentin is a bad writer."
Do you want the part where he complains about QT's hand-writing, or the lack of structure?
"Post-Tarantino, Avary's writing credits include such gems as Driver, Beowulf, and Return to Castle Wolfenstein -- I think he's missing Quentin's a helluva lot more than vice versa."
Yeah, I'm sure Roger would want to be associated with such gems as Switchblade Sisters and Hell Ride.
"Perhaps for his "comeback", Roger can do an interesting documentary on the effects of DUI/manslaughter."
And QT can do a documentary on assaulting a critic.
"It's impossible to weigh demand for fictional works in any sort of monetary way so that you could weigh it against factors such as production costs."
Then you don't know how Hollywood works.
Posted by D.Z.
at January 5, 2009 11:10 PM
comment #46
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
"When it thinks it's better than its source material? [See Alanis' "cover" of that humps song.]"
You mean the song that was actually amusing, and not that lame-ass Black Eyed Peas shit?
"But not everyone lives off the influences, without adding their own material."
So by that rational, My Best Friend's Birthday is a great Tarantino film.
"The passage on snakes?"
And that's all you got, isn't it?
"What Zoe Bell did was just hang on a car. That does not equal "action". It usually involves more than that."
Oh, and the car was moving. And the cars were trying to ram each other off the road. Normally all that constitutes "action" even without the stunt person hanging onto the hood for dear life. See any Michael Bay film.
"So well-versed that he has the gall to libel someone else for plagiarism in regards to Casino Royale."
What kind of bizarro definition of the world libel are you using? Anyway, CR hardly had any action to it, it was just about Daniel Craig alternating between playing cards and weeping for that chick who was 100x hotter in the Dreamers.
"Do you want the part where he complains about QT's hand-writing, or the lack of structure?"
Both. So where's the quote, then?
"Yeah, I'm sure Roger would want to be associated with such gems as Switchblade Sisters and Hell Ride."
I thought we were talking about his (lack of) writing talent? I guess that means "Standing Still" and "Phantasm IV" are fair game for Avary, then. I still take Quentin in a landslide.
"And QT can do a documentary on assaulting a critic."
Nah...a Folger's commercial might suffice, tho.
"Then you don't know how Hollywood works."
Thank Christ.
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 5, 2009 11:56 PM
comment #47
D.Z.
says ...
Kane: "You mean the song that was actually amusing, and not that lame-ass Black Eyed Peas shit?"
More like a singer so desperate for attention, she has to resort to making fun of a one-hit wonder, because she's that washed up.
"So by that rational, My Best Friend's Birthday is a great Tarantino film."
Well, yeah, if he probably didn't see other camcorder recordings over the years.
"And that's all you got, isn't it?"
That's all he's got, really.
"Oh, and the car was moving. And the cars were trying to ram each other off the road. Normally all that constitutes "action" even without the stunt person hanging onto the hood for dear life. See any Michael Bay film."
Michael Bay films would include shoot-outs and jumping
from one car to another.
"What kind of bizarro definition of the world libel are you using?"
Ask QT, not me.
"Both. So where's the quote, then?"
His dead site. He was saying that he had to correct the grammar and that a big chunk of Pulp Fiction was his material.
"I guess that means "Standing Still" and "Phantasm IV" are fair game for Avary, then."
How about a Muppets special for QT?
"Nah...a Folger's commercial might suffice, tho."
How about a CSI appearance?
Posted by D.Z.
at January 6, 2009 4:53 PM
comment #48
Jonah
says ...
Geez, DZ, it's not even funny anymore. I just feel bad for you.
Posted by Jonah
at January 6, 2009 8:09 PM
comment #49
kastablog
says ...
I am curious, when are you going to write blog posts praising the prescient genius of Mao Tse Tung and Pol Pot?
And seriously, anyone who calls the man who laid the intellectual groundwork for the most destructive political philosophy in the history of mankind a genius is an absolute idiot. There is no more morally and intellectually bankrupt philosophy than Marxism, which thankfully has been relegated to the ash heap of history. The only people who still praise Marx are left-wing movie critics, clueless college professors and idiots who think T-shirts emblazoned with mass-murdering thug Che Guevara are cool.
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Posted by kastablog
at March 19, 2011 7:11 AM
comment #50
dicknoe
says ...
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at June 23, 2011 3:21 PM