A director whose perspective almost entirely relies on his historical perception of art as he weaves in generations of influence, Quentin Tarantino isn’t only one of the great American visual stylists but also an incredible writer of character and dialogue. His words have a specific rhythm and the characters exist in some peculiar meta-verse of cinema where every tick is a critique or conversation with the genre. Tarantino has given us decades of memorable moments, names, and characters. Attracting some of the biggest stars to collaborate like Brad Pitt and Leonard DiCaprio, the vulgar auteurism and brash controlling nature of his directing style hasn’t scared talent away but welcomed it. From the iconic speeches of Pulp Fiction to the smooth-talking double-crosses of Jackie Brown and the free-wheeling dervishes of Once Upon A Time in Hollywood—Tarantino is very much in his own league.
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10 Stuntman Mike in Death Proof
Stuntman Mike is the vessel for all of Tarantino’s B-movie fetishes: the psycho stuntman, lowly obsessed with feet but has an affinity for danger and death by way of a high-speed car chase. Death Proof saw Tarantino indulge all of his lowly film obsessions but, more than that, create one of his signature characters while working with an actor who continues to find himself in his troupe. Stuntman Mike is as sadistic as they come and stands out because of Kurt Russell’s make-or-break performance.
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MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
9 Shoshanna Dreyfus in Inglorious Basterds
A character written with humanity and passion, Shosanna Dreyfus’ revenge-seeking adventure intermingled with taking down The Third Reich is the driving force behind an unforgettable climax in Tarantino’s masterpiece Inglorious Basterds. The cinema-loving, theatre-managing Dreyfus has the most at stake as she manages to hide her identity from the Nazis who massacred her family. Thusly, giving her character the most to die and fight for.
8 Mr. Pink in Reservoir Dogs
A debut so bold, brash and violent, that it would immediately solidify Tarantino’s brand. Mr. Pink steals the show as the sleazy, fast-talking criminal in a film crowded with hall of fame scumbag performances. From the opening scene debating the nature of Madonna’s “Like A Virgin”. to refusing to tip the waitress on principal, Steve Buscemi is a one-of-a-kind criminal in Reservoir Dogs.
7 Nicky & Mallory in Natural Born Killers
One of three original scripts Tarantino wrote but did not direct, Natural Born Killers was Tarantino’s violent odyssey across the American Midwest. Creating a badass serial killer cute that could equal parts scare and defy your expectations for lead movie protagonists but at the same time, have a love that will keep you invested. Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis were the perfect matches for the punk rock and dangerous energy the films live on.
6 Django Free in Django Unchained
In Tarantino’s neat filmography, weaving together long and epic revenge tales while doing a bit of revisionist history has been a reoccurring focus of the auteur. Django Unchained aims at one of the darkest parts of American history while creating a tale of heroism. Jamie Foxx is perfect as the enslaved man taken from his wife but given a new chance at vengeance by a bounty hunter. Django transforms into a badass bounty hunter-killer who deals out justice slaying slave owners and criminals alike while finding a way to free his wife from the evil Calvin Candie.
5 Rick Dalton in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
One of the greatest lead performances in any Tarantino film, Leonardo DiCaprio was pitch-perfect in his sensitive but hilarious portrait of fading movie star Rick Dalton. No moment is better to suffice to speak on that nature of Dalton than his epic meltdown in the trailer when he forgets one of his lines. A moment, partly improvised by DiCaprio, the actor goes for the full swing as his redemption starts to near in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
4 Jules Winfield in Pulp Fiction
A hitman whose epic monologue in Pulp Fiction will be memorized and impersonated for years on end, Jules Winfield is a badass. Samuel L. Jackson partnered with John Travolta, conversing about international affairs like the status of The Big Mac in European countries, were just a few signifiers that the character was unique to the crime genre. But, his faith and belief in divine intervention make the arc of the character all the more compelling as it pertains to his order of business, which is a murder that turns into absolute resolution. He and his partner Vincent go on different paths at the end, but it’s Jules who finds the right way to walk.
3 Jackie Brown in Jackie Brown
In part, a revitalization of former blaxploitation star Pam Grier and the slow-burning plot, quick-witted dialogue machine that Elmore Leonard novels wield, Quentin’s follow-up to Pulp Fiction was an exercise in subtlety. While not possessing the fantastical orgy of violence like most of his films, Grier was the perfect counter with easy-going cool and power in Jackie Brown. Using her criminal intellect to double-cross the criminals and make her way out while everyone is looking, Grier steals the show in a stacked cast while making it out alive with a briefcase full of cash.
2 Hans Landa in Inglorious Basterds
A character written with such specific ticks that it almost became impossible to cast, so much so, Inglorious Basterds may have never happened had it not been for Christoph Waltz. The German actor came to the rescue for being fluent in German, English Italian, and Dutch. Lighting the screen up as the enigmatic but relentless Nazi Colonel. Waltz’s performance is deliciously evil because you hate how much you love watching him in action. Waltz wowed the audiences and critics alike leading him to Oscar gold in his debut American film.
1 The Bride in Kill Bill Vol.1 and Vol. 2
Tarantino has had a knack for writing women-driven revenge stories throughout his career. But none got the time and space to deliver ass-kickings like Uma Thurman did in The Kill Bill films. As she pulls herself from the depths of death and wakes from a coma after taking a bullet from her gang leader, the eponymous “Bill," The Bride goes on a redemptive killing spree to right the wrongs of those who left her behind her. Thurman brings beauty, grace, and strength to the screen as she wiggles her big toe to victory.
