Years ago, Quentin Tarantino promised to retire after ten films. With Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, the main director now has nine left (considering the Kill Bill double as one film, just like the filmmaker himself). There’s still no information on Tarantino’s possible graduation film – his ‘Star Trek’ project is unlikely to come to fruition – but fans of the eccentric director have been able to look forward to fresh supplies several times in recent weeks.
On December 1, his debut work “Reservoir Dogs” celebrated its 4K premiere, followed a week later by “Pulp Fiction”, the Ultra HD debut of what is probably his most famous film. In addition, there is also a very special, long-awaited treat for Tarantino disciples: Because Quentin Tarantino has released his first official movie book, Cinema Speculation (Of course we haven’t forgotten about the new adaptation of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood) and realized his dream of taking his career in a new direction.
» “Cinema Speculation” at Amazon: German edition* / English version*
Because Quentin Tarantino is not only a gifted screenwriter and director, but first and foremost probably the biggest movie nerd Hollywood has ever seen. – who always used his almost endless film knowledge to entertain his audience in a way that almost no other filmmaker can. With his first non-fiction book, he finally begins to give his fans detailed insights into his world of ideas, sources of inspiration and role models.
In the book, Tarantino enriches his very personal experiences with film and television with a seemingly endless wealth of film-historical know-how, that he appropriated it over time – and in a way that was as entertaining and entertaining as no other person could ever be.
“Cinema Speculation”: From “Bambi” to “Bullitt”
While the general public viewed Quentin Tarantino’s filmmaking as a film revolution, especially in his early years, he was often criticized by others for not reinventing the moving image in any way and – on the contrary – merely copying other filmmakers and their work . And with “Cinema Speculation” Tarantino himself underlines: that’s how it is! The art, masterfully mastered by the director, lies much more in forming something new, something unique, out of the familiar. Because that’s exactly what cinema is: less As much as .
The creator of Pulp Fiction is a cinema omnivore, both foodie and garbage cheater, who draws inspiration from a wide variety of genres, some of which the average Joe audience may never have heard – from blaxploitation boards to grindhouse – Slaughter, rape -and-revenge rippers or kung fu smashers: Tarantino soaks it all up like a sponge. And if it is wrung out at some point, movies like “Jackie Brown”, “Kill Bill”, “Death Proof” or “Django Unchained” come out of it.
Anyone who reads “Cinema Speculation” or gives it as a Christmas present should have a pen and paper on hand or wrap it as an extra. While the book is no less entertaining than Tarantino’s films, Tarantino’s signature articulation, even through the written word, makes it seem as if the director was speaking straight from the heart (the author of this article refers to the English edition of “Cinema Speculation “), his first non-fiction book is one thing above all: a smorgasbord of classics that every movie fan should have seen, as well as insider tips that even many cinephiles may not have heard of. Here everyone is likely to find some education gap that he or she can fill.
Tarantino tells how he followed the hustle and bustle on Hollywood Boulevard as a child – and how he came from the dream factory’s most famous street once the tourists disappeared into their hotels at night – about how no movie shocked him like “Bambi”, until one day Wes Craven’s “The Last House on the Left” ripped the rug from under his feet or about his unique relationship with Producer and director Floyd Mutrux, who accompanied him on the road.
And who knows, as detailed and insightful as Tarantino analyzes films like “Dirty Harry”, “When You Die, Everyone Is First” or “Taxi Driver”, you might even see one or the other cult classic with completely different eyes afterwards. .
A must for Tarantino fans
Conclusion: For Tarantino and movie fans in general, there’s really no way past “Cinema Speculation”. Those who not only love Tarantino’s films, but also like to be infected by the passion that the filmmaker brings to the cinema in interviews, will enjoy Quentin Tarantino’s first non-fiction book.
There are countless books him, one but reading it is a completely different song – and a unique opportunity to get to know QT in a more exciting, but above all more intimate way than ever before. And on top of that is a truckload of movie recommendations!