I haven't really talked about my love/hate relationship with Tarantino. It basically goes like this; I really like most of his films, but I don't particularly like the man behind the camera. He just seems like a bit of a jerk. But I can't deny his influence on the film industry and I do genuinely enjoy the majority of his films. There are a couple I don't like as much, but that's more down to personal taste than anything else. And I do think he knows how to write some very interesting and memorable characters. So here's some of my favourites, because I haven't done enough lists already recently. Anyway, enjoy!
10. Mr Pink from Reservoir Dogs
In all honesty, if they released a film that was just Steve Buscemi complaining for 90 minutes, I would go and see it. I'm not the biggest fan of Reservoir Dogs, I think it's an okay film but not the most brilliant ever made, so I haven't seen that many times. But Mr Pink is pretty much the reason as to why I keep re-watching this film, and I think a lot of that is Steve Buscemi being awesome. It's also because his character is pretty much the only one who survives that we don't much about, except that he doesn't tip waitresses. And I always liked slightly mysterious characters as opposed to one where we know a lot of their back story. Also, Steve Buscemi.
9. Sex Machine from From Dusk Til Dawn
The only character to appear on this list from a film that Tarantino scripted rather than directed, and I have two words as to why he should on this list; crotch gun. Motherfucking crotch gun. Also, for a role that is so small, only Tom Savini could've played him with as much gusto to make him memorable. And you can tell that Savini is just having so much with the role. So yeah, not much to this character except an awesome name and a motherfucking crotch gun, but sometimes that's all you need.
8. The Wolf from Pulp Fiction
Harvey Keitel is one of those actors who can never be uncool, and Winston Wolfe is the epitome of cool. And he's the one of the only people who can talk down to Samuel L. Jackson and survive with his dignity intact. While the cleaner character has been used before (Tarantino has said that Jean Reno's character from La Femme Nikita was an influence), but I doubt he has ever been as suave as he is in Pulp Fiction. Even though he only appears for a brief time at the end, he is one of the best characters in the film.
7. Calvin Candie from Django Unchained
I don't know any other actor who could create a villain so sleazy, racist, disgusting (both ethically and physically) and yet still retain some atom of charm. Leonardo DiCaprio created a villain that everyone should've hated, and yet people couldn't help but like him. And I think that it's down to the performance. If it had been any less over the top and flamboyant, then I doubt people would've enjoyed this character as much as they. Certainly I enjoyed watching him, although there was this little voice in the back of my head telling me I shouldn't. But I did. Damn Tarantino.
6. Aldo Raine and Shosanna Dreyfus from Inglourious Basterds
Yeah, I couldn't choose between these two awesome people from possibly my favourite Tarantino film (there is still a debate going on in my mind). And I don't think you could have two characters who are as different as these two are. First up, Lt. Aldo Raine, a man who would rather bash you over the head with a machine gun than ask questions, whose incompetence when it comes to blending in is only matched by his enthusiasm for scalping Nazis. In short, a man who prefers strength over tactics. And then there's Shosanna Dreyfus, probably the only Jewish person to ever survive a visit from Hans Landa, and then, when the opportunity arises, concocts a revenge plot to kill off all of the most important officials in Germany by burning down her only source of economic security. And she almost gets away with it! Shosanna makes up for the subtlety that Raine lacks in bucket loads. If only Daniel Bruhl and his dimples hadn't interfered.
5. The Bride from Kill Bill vols. 1&2
The Bride is one of those characters who always comes into my head whenever I think of strong female characters. And there are many reasons why. Getting attacked before her wedding by her former accomplices, falling into a coma for four years, having her baby taken away from her and waking up to find out that she's been repeatedly raped by one of the orderlies is enough to make anyone want to crawl into the ocean and never come out. But not the Bride, who instead goes on a massive revenge spree, taking out each of her former allies. She's not called the deadliest woman in the world for nothing.
4. Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction
Jules is another one of those characters who oozes coolness out of his boots, and part of that is due to the fantastic and iconic speech he delivers in two very different situations. It also helps that he's played by Samuel L. Jackson, who can be both threatening and charming at the same time. The segments that he's in are my favourite in Pulp Fiction, and it's mainly due to Jackson's complete presence. When he's on screen, you don't watch anyone else. At least, I certainly don't. And out of the multitude of parts he's had in Tarantino's films, Jules is by far my favourite.
3. O-Ren Ishii from Kill Bill vol. 1
I don't think I've yet had the pleasure to talk about how much I love Lucy Liu. I think she's one of the most awesome actors around, and it just takes her name to make me want to see something. I put O-Ren above the Bride partly for this reason, but also because I just love this character. Which a back story of revenge much like the Bride's, she becomes the head of the Tokyo Yakuza, and kicks arse in board meetings against idiotic douchebags.
2. Col. Hans Landa
The choice between number 1 and number 2 was a tough, but I went with my gut instinct and this is the result. Again, a villain no one should really like and yet he was the most popular character in the film, and Christoph Waltz won an Oscar for this. Of course, being played by someone like Christoph Waltz certainly helps. But the writing for this character also gives him something that Calvin Candie lacked; depth. There is something to this character that makes him intriguing, especially towards the end of the film. He's an opportunist of every sense of the word, and when he knows that the Nazi party is going to fail, he looks for a way out. Which makes him even more despicable, if you think about it. But this is what makes him different and ultimately one of the best characters that Tarantino has ever written.
1. Jackie Brown from Jackie Brown
I've talked about coolness throughout this list, but I don't think anyone can beat Pam Grier when it comes to being cool. So, if you hadn't already guessed it, Jackie Brown is also possibly my favourite Tarantino movie (that debates still going on). And it's mainly for this character, who I think is one of the smartest characters in the Tarantino-verse. When you consider how many people she manipulated to get what she wanted, and when she must've started planning all the events of the film, it makes you realise how cunning she really is. Apart from that, she feels like an actual person, having kick-ass moments then vulnerable moments, feeling confident one minute and scared the next. I love women who wield swords and defy physics with their fighting skills, but it's characters like this who I really love. Characters who feel like real people, and that's why Jackie Brown is number 1.
I'm going to have to do a proper blog on Jackie Brown one day. But until then, I hoped you enjoyed this, I hope I didn't piss too many people off. Keep in mind, these are my favourites, my opinion. And if you don't agree, then good for you. Until next time, readers.
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