zamboni
Footballguy
One might say American Beauty has created quite a ripple effect.
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The 100 Greatest movies of the 1990s 1. Goodfellas (21 Viewers)
- Thread starter timschochet
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timschochet
Footballguy
25. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Starting: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Chris Penn, Michael Madsen
Synopsis: A group of robbers bungle a jewelry store heist.
You shoot me in a dream, you better wake up and apologize. - Harvey Keitel as Mr. White
And so the Tarantino era begins. I find it fascinating that Harvey Keitel was also the star of Martin Scorsese’s first film, Who’s That Knocking On My Door (1967) also an independent film. Scorcese and Tarantino have a good argument as the two greatest crime film directors of all time.
Anyhow this is a great movie with great quotes; what’s not to love? I’m sure some of you would rank this even higher but we’re getting into pretty elite territory here.
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Starting: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Chris Penn, Michael Madsen
Synopsis: A group of robbers bungle a jewelry store heist.
You shoot me in a dream, you better wake up and apologize. - Harvey Keitel as Mr. White
And so the Tarantino era begins. I find it fascinating that Harvey Keitel was also the star of Martin Scorsese’s first film, Who’s That Knocking On My Door (1967) also an independent film. Scorcese and Tarantino have a good argument as the two greatest crime film directors of all time.
Anyhow this is a great movie with great quotes; what’s not to love? I’m sure some of you would rank this even higher but we’re getting into pretty elite territory here.
BlackCrowes
Footballguy
I don’t tip
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I think the bag scene was parodied and laughed at a bit and that has lost it's appeal and comes off a bit silly now. Somebody above posted that the scenes with him and the teen were cringey at the time, but IMO they aren't really shot that way and seeing him lust after her all movie is a bit rough now. I mean, they only stop because he finds out she was a virgin, not because of a bigger change of heart or negative consequence.
It was #86 on our countdown, so one of us ranked it. It could have been me. It's a good movie, but it's probably not one I'd watch again and have soured on more and more.
For me the best laugh is still Benning and Gallagher in the motel. "you like getting nailed by the King??"
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KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I was just re-reading some of the heat we took for not having Reservoir Dogs on our countdown. 
I've always wanted to see the sliding doors version of Tony Scott directing Reservoir Dogs and Quentin Tarantino directing True Romance.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
You deserved itI was just re-reading some of the heat we took for not having Reservoir Dogs on our countdown.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I think 80s was to blame for that one, but I didn't have it ranked high either. I don't like Tarantino movies as much anymore, especially if he is acting in them.You deserved itI was just re-reading some of the heat we took for not having Reservoir Dogs on our countdown.
Dan Lambskin
Footballguy
Larry stop pointin' that ****in' gun at my dad!!!
Dan Lambskin
Footballguy
I haven’t seen it in forever, thought it was great at the time
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I did too, but I've shifted on some movies over the years like this one, Almost Famous, Tarantino, Clerks, etc. My rankings for these are about what I watch now or would be in my collection, and those are not movies I'd probably watch much again. If it were greatest "90s" movies, then 100% Reservoir Dogs and Clerks would be towards the top.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
IMO he stops because taking her virginity would be a negative consequence. It's where his dalliance with the juvenile, DGAF lifestyle comes to a screeching halt.
I think American Beauty and Fight Club are thematically similar. Each just chooses a different life stage to examine the idea of perceived hopelessness and futility. Both main characters see their humanity restored.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I guess on rewatches it's not enough for me in my old age. Lusting after, rubbing one out to, and nearly banging his daughters teenage friend plays a little different for me at 50 vs. when I was closer to their age in 99. It being Spacey just adds another layer of ick to it for me. It's just not something I'd want to rewatch tonight despite being a well acted and put together movie and having other scenes I really love (Spacey at his old job, him applying for his burger job, etc.)
General Malaise
Footballguy
I'll take the soundtrack of Reservoir Dogs over the soundtrack of Dazed and Confused every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Mr. Mojo
Footballguy
This has actually grown on me over the years (some have said the opposite).
Annie Lennox's "Don't Let It Bring You Down" near the end is a favorite movie song.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
It's been about a month for me - and I'd say you're right.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I know we can say this about a lot of movies and directors, and it's just the evolution of movies and building on ideas of the past, but a bit part of the reason I loved RD so much in the 90s is because I hadn't seen a movie like that and liked how it played with the timeline. Then I watched more and more old movies and see how much Quentin apes old movies, IMO to a fault. Now if I am in the mood for a movie like this I will rewatch Kubrick's The Killing or something similar.
As was brought up with Dazed, I think what he really excels at is the kick *** soundtracks and that carries a lot of the load of the movies, and he is great with dialogue. Jackie Brown is still my favorite of his, but most of the others have moments that I really don't like and it makes it hard for me to commit to a full rewatch of his movies - even the other one I expect is coming up in a bit. Just when I think I am watching something amazing and he sucks me in a scene of silly violence or an annoying character or odd scene hits me and takes me out for a little bit.
massraider
Footballguy
Personally, I cherish these indy movie classics as yet another year of cartoons and Super Heroes fill the theaters.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
He’s in it for less than 10 minutes of screen time.I think 80s was to blame for that one, but I didn't have it ranked high either. I don't like Tarantino movies as much anymore, especially if he is acting in them.You deserved itI was just re-reading some of the heat we took for not having Reservoir Dogs on our countdown.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
He bothers me much more in Pulp, and I really don't like that whole scene. It's still better than Fabienne, though. My ding on RD is more what I said above - if I am in the mood for a movie like that I watch The Killing or other classic crime movies. I had Reservoir Dogs ranked, I just don't remember where. Not high enough to get into our combined top 100. Besides Jackie Brown there isn't a movie of his that doesn't have scenes and characters I don't like so I tend to not watch them and they fall down my personal rankings, despite the absolute brilliance I see at other times during most of his movies.He’s in it for less than 10 minutes of screen time.I think 80s was to blame for that one, but I didn't have it ranked high either. I don't like Tarantino movies as much anymore, especially if he is acting in them.You deserved itI was just re-reading some of the heat we took for not having Reservoir Dogs on our countdown.
FarFromHome
Footballguy
Reported to moderators for blasphemy.
Dan Lambskin
Footballguy
You could combine them together and it still wouldn’t be as good as The Crow Soundtrack
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Add all three and it's still not as good as the Judgement Night soundtrack.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Jackie Brown is easily a top 3 QT flick along with Inglorious Basterds and the one with the tasty burger obviously still to come.
TripItUp
Footballguy
I enjoyed it but never liked it as much as many of the critics. It's hard to pinpoint why it wasn't amazing for me, was good but not amazing for me.
Trip's Official Ruling: Slightly Overranked (probably around 50 for me)
TripItUp
Footballguy
I love Tarantino so I'm a big fan of RD obvi. To me QT is a national treasure that dares to be artistic and original in an industry that seemingly discourages it.
Trip's Official Ruling: Appropriately Ranked(in my top 20)
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KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I wonder if we could agree on 10 movies in 100. We agree less than Andy and I do.
Interesting you point to someone who basically repackages old movies he loved growing up in a slick new way with a cool soundtrack as original.
The Dreaded Marco
Footballguy
I still love American Beauty.
Despite Spacey’s awfulness in real life. His performance as well as Annette Bening, Chris Cooper, Allison Janney and Birch, Bentley and Suvari are all very good. Chris Cooper delivers another great performance.
Love the cinematography and soundtrack too.
The Dreaded Marco
Footballguy
I was laid up on my couch for two weeks after knee surgery in July, 1994. I was flipping through the channels and luckily stumbled upon this movie on cable.
The witty dialogue had me immediately. The Roth/Keitel bond was awesome. The overt gore is outstanding. The soundtrack is great. I wondered how I’d missed out on it from the beginning.
Researched this Tarantino guy and was happy to learn he had a new movie coming out a few months later. Saw that one on opening day.
timschochet
Footballguy
I don’t think I used the word original. I wrote that he’s one of our greatest crime film directors and I think he is. It’s not that he does anything especially new, just that IMO he does it better than most othersI wonder if we could agree on 10 movies in 100. We agree less than Andy and I do.
Interesting you point to someone who basically repackages old movies he loved growing up in a slick new way with a cool soundtrack as original.
BlackCrowes
Footballguy
yeah this
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
You didn't, Trip did in the post I quoted. I can see your point and don't really disagree with it. I am coming off a bit strong on QT - it's not like I think he sucks or I don't like and watch his movies, it's just one or two things in most of his movies that bothers me and keeps me from rating his movies at the top of my personal lists of movies and him as a director. From the overuse of the N word to Butch's girlfriend to his love of grindhouse violence, something holds me back from each of his movies. I am struggling with this in the 21st century output of his as well as I recently rewatched Inglorious and Once Upon a Time. Trip's use of the word original just stood out to me last night.I don’t think I used the word original. I wrote that he’s one of our greatest crime film directors and I think he is. It’s not that he does anything especially new, just that IMO he does it better than most othersI wonder if we could agree on 10 movies in 100. We agree less than Andy and I do.
Interesting you point to someone who basically repackages old movies he loved growing up in a slick new way with a cool soundtrack as original.
I also think the last part of that sentence is a bit hyperbolic and think people look at the box-office numbers too much to determine the quality of movies available. It's not like directors from Wes Anderson and the Coens to Damien Chazelle and Ari Aster are prevented from making movies now. The public just don't go to see those movies in the theater very often anymore.
I thought it was overrated then. And now? Blech. One giant meh of a film.
How many times did you ask yourself, “lets watch American Beauty” after the first time you saw it. Yeah that’s what I thought.
Just another flick.
Casino is a fantastic romp. I can watch this flick anytime.
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KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I still haven't managed the courage to watch this one.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
It's probably a short cut just to say I have never really liked the typcial "guy" movies. You know, the ones that usually get the man card revoked when you don't like them. Reservoir Dogs is one that I did like, but most others you can probably list in your head I don't - typically westerns, gangster, sports, and action movies.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Inglorious is the only QT movie I like. Can't get past the campy (not sure if that's the right word) dialogue and gratuitous violence that are his hallmarks.
Never seen Reservoir Dogs though.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Lol... Based on that, No need.
I like, not love it.
Certain writer/directors have a specific style with words.I quickly reached a point with Mamet where I just couldn't any more. Everything felt way too repetitive (literally and intentionally) across characters and movies. Never felt genuine to me- felt like a writer writing for his own sake, and not writing actual people. QT is somewhat similar, but I buy what he's selling in terms of character driven dialogue far more.. still too much for me though. I found Inglorious Bastards not so great for that reason, despite it being a fun romp.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Reservoir Dogs is great, but I probably overlook it a bit since I consider every main film QT made for the next 20 years (PF, JB, both KBs, IB and DU) to be a lot better and more rewatchable. Plus, it does have a scene that I am uncomfortable rewatching. Not saying I ding it for that, but I am less likely to just turn it on and let it play since I'd don't want to see that scene again.
As for American Beauty, I think it is a magnificent film that has held up well. The cinematography and music are both absolutely splendid, and all of the principle actors do a tremendous job. Yeah, the middle-aged guy lusting after a teenager when going through a midlife crisis is super creepy, but who says we are always supposed to like the characters in the films we love? Literally every main character in Reservoir Dogs is a despicable killer, for example.
As for American Beauty, I think it is a magnificent film that has held up well. The cinematography and music are both absolutely splendid, and all of the principle actors do a tremendous job. Yeah, the middle-aged guy lusting after a teenager when going through a midlife crisis is super creepy, but who says we are always supposed to like the characters in the films we love? Literally every main character in Reservoir Dogs is a despicable killer, for example.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
I still find myself reluctantly defending American Beauty but I do need to revisit it. Will I still find it so profound? I’m not sure.
I never liked Reservoir Dogs even in the 90s when I was in HS and all my friends did. I don’t think the dialogue is actually good. It feels like a rough draft for Pulp Fiction. It’s low budget and a bit sloppy which I guess is part of the appeal but for me he is too green. I get no entertainment out of listening to their banter. Of his 3 big crime movies, Dogs is by far his weakest imo.
I never liked Reservoir Dogs even in the 90s when I was in HS and all my friends did. I don’t think the dialogue is actually good. It feels like a rough draft for Pulp Fiction. It’s low budget and a bit sloppy which I guess is part of the appeal but for me he is too green. I get no entertainment out of listening to their banter. Of his 3 big crime movies, Dogs is by far his weakest imo.
Dude….it’s a must watch. If you loved Goodfellas you will love this. And if you loved going Vegas in it’s precovid heydays (it literally sucks balls post covid) you will also love and appreciate this really fun mobster movie.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I don’t, that's the point. Scorsese's use of voiceover tends to drive me crazy, and i have been told Casino is 3 more hours of that. Never been to Vegas, either.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
This is definitely not my point, more the framing of his character, how it is shot, and the resolution. I watch and love movies with all sorts of despicable characters.
Also adding to the creep factor is Thora Birch being underage while filming, i had forgotten that part. Born March 1982.
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