Posted for Abbie Bischoff
Before this week, I’d never seen Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. I was a little confused by people’s reactions when I mentioned what movie I would be presenting over. Watching the film for myself, I know understand a little better why Pulp Fiction is a well discussed movie that has debatably been the end of real independent films. I felt as though I’d been watching a low budget Holly Wood film and the appearance of several well-known and popular actors threw me off. I had trouble distinguishing the aspects of what made this film independent until I watched the second disc that came in the DVD pack, containing bonus material such as a documentary behind the work that went into the movie. I discovered that Tarantino didn’t have a lot of money which surprised me again as I truly felt as if I’d just seen a Holly Wood produced drama or slasher film. However, TriStar Pictures had invested well over five hundred thousand dollars for the project, and Pulp Fiction wasn’t taken around and shown in art houses but appeared in theaters (Seal, 2013).
Tarantino definitely has a unique style in which he presents his film. I admit that I’m still confused about the plot despite having watched the film three times now. From what I gather, there are several different plots, or characters’ points of view, that add up to create a suspenseful and bloody story in a way that reminds me of the Coen Brothers’ Blood Simple. Perhaps this is part of what ultimately drives Pulp Fiction from the realm of independent movies and into a cult classic.
Our textbook, Indie: An American Film Culture by Michael Z. Newman, states in the fifth chapter on page 184, Pulp Fiction’s storyline encourages the “rearranging [of] segments to form a coherent linear story…..in an unorthodox, puzzle-like format” (Newman, 184). While the film did not make a favorable impression on me and lost me in the intricate twists and loops of its plot, Pulp Fiction struck a chord in many viewers.
Tarantino’s film not only brought in a little over two hundred million dollars, but also in an article appearing in Entertainment Weekly, a quote was made referring to Pulp Fiction in that the film had caused a huge change in the culture of mainstream media (Seal, 2013). For an ‘independent’ film, Pulp Fiction stepped outside of its boundaries and crossed that line into mainstream cinema. An interesting result from this is that it appears people either love the film or hate it. On page 211 of our textbook, the author defines cult independent films as “those [films] that inspire intense and exclusive fandoms” (Newman, 211).
To compare Pulp Fiction’s potential status as a cult film, regardless of its dubious independent status, we should take note of the fans of the film’s response and compare it to those who belong to true mainstream fandoms. Such fandoms could include, and are not limited to, the fandoms of Star Trek and Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and perhaps even the new Avengers series.
While there are still debates about Pulp Fiction and whether or not it is a cult film, looking at true fans’ reverence for the movie is identical to the reverence shown by classic fandoms for great pop culture films like Star Trek and Star Wars. There is not a doubt in my mind that Pulp Fiction has shattered the realm of independent films with its huge success and made its way into the category of cult classics, and while I still don’t understand people’s fascination with the film, as a person belonging to the Star Trek fandom I can respect the amount of love a person has for films others might not understand or appreciate for its cultural value.
Works Cited
Newman, Z. Michael. “Indie: An American Film Culture.” Columbia University Press. New York 2011.
Seal, Mark. “Cinema Tarantino: The Making of Pulp Fiction.” Vanity Fair, March 2013.
Before this week, I’d never seen Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. I was a little confused by people’s reactions when I mentioned what movie I would be presenting over. Watching the film for myself, I know understand a little better why Pulp Fiction is a well discussed movie that has debatably been the end of real independent films. I felt as though I’d been watching a low budget Holly Wood film and the appearance of several well-known and popular actors threw me off. I had trouble distinguishing the aspects of what made this film independent until I watched the second disc that came in the DVD pack, containing bonus material such as a documentary behind the work that went into the movie. I discovered that Tarantino didn’t have a lot of money which surprised me again as I truly felt as if I’d just seen a Holly Wood produced drama or slasher film. However, TriStar Pictures had invested well over five hundred thousand dollars for the project, and Pulp Fiction wasn’t taken around and shown in art houses but appeared in theaters (Seal, 2013).
Tarantino definitely has a unique style in which he presents his film. I admit that I’m still confused about the plot despite having watched the film three times now. From what I gather, there are several different plots, or characters’ points of view, that add up to create a suspenseful and bloody story in a way that reminds me of the Coen Brothers’ Blood Simple. Perhaps this is part of what ultimately drives Pulp Fiction from the realm of independent movies and into a cult classic.
Our textbook, Indie: An American Film Culture by Michael Z. Newman, states in the fifth chapter on page 184, Pulp Fiction’s storyline encourages the “rearranging [of] segments to form a coherent linear story…..in an unorthodox, puzzle-like format” (Newman, 184). While the film did not make a favorable impression on me and lost me in the intricate twists and loops of its plot, Pulp Fiction struck a chord in many viewers.
Tarantino’s film not only brought in a little over two hundred million dollars, but also in an article appearing in Entertainment Weekly, a quote was made referring to Pulp Fiction in that the film had caused a huge change in the culture of mainstream media (Seal, 2013). For an ‘independent’ film, Pulp Fiction stepped outside of its boundaries and crossed that line into mainstream cinema. An interesting result from this is that it appears people either love the film or hate it. On page 211 of our textbook, the author defines cult independent films as “those [films] that inspire intense and exclusive fandoms” (Newman, 211).
To compare Pulp Fiction’s potential status as a cult film, regardless of its dubious independent status, we should take note of the fans of the film’s response and compare it to those who belong to true mainstream fandoms. Such fandoms could include, and are not limited to, the fandoms of Star Trek and Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and perhaps even the new Avengers series.
While there are still debates about Pulp Fiction and whether or not it is a cult film, looking at true fans’ reverence for the movie is identical to the reverence shown by classic fandoms for great pop culture films like Star Trek and Star Wars. There is not a doubt in my mind that Pulp Fiction has shattered the realm of independent films with its huge success and made its way into the category of cult classics, and while I still don’t understand people’s fascination with the film, as a person belonging to the Star Trek fandom I can respect the amount of love a person has for films others might not understand or appreciate for its cultural value.
Works Cited
Newman, Z. Michael. “Indie: An American Film Culture.” Columbia University Press. New York 2011.
Seal, Mark. “Cinema Tarantino: The Making of Pulp Fiction.” Vanity Fair, March 2013.
It was easier to watch it on the big screen, because I wasn't distracted with stuff I needed to do at home. However, I still don't see what the big deal is about this movie. I enjoyed the music ( think it was more 1960s than 1970s) but that's about it. It seemed like the dialogue was sprinkled with one-liners which now are iconic.
ReplyDeleteBy having gone into this film with no knowledge of what is was about, it gave me an unique appreciation. I have heard multiple times that this film was a "classic", but that is far as what was presented to me. When viewing this film, I found my attention being drawn to many different subtle themes. I found it hard to pull one main topic that the film touched on, but rather, many different “hard hitting” emotional points that led to conflicting views. This film was exceptional to me because it allowed the viewer to have complete freedom on what they wanted to take from the actors and scenes. I understood the film to have experiences rather than a direct message.
ReplyDeleteI really like your analysis Abby, because you did a really good job at looking at what makes Pulp Fiction a "cult classic" while still admitting that it did not make a favorable impression on you. I felt the same way. For example, so many people had "talked up" this film to me, but I honestly was not impressed. I like I even would rate Blood Simple more highly than this film. I do think it is great that Pulp Fiction shattered the scene so to speak for mainstream films and helped possibly make them what they are today.
ReplyDeleteI have a question unrelated from what is being discussed thus far. I was wondering if anyone else had an opinion on Tarantino's appearance in the film? I personally feel that his acting seemed too memorized and forced. I liked the idea of him appearing in the film, especially as a role that is semi important to the plot. However, it seemed that with his presentation of his lines, he was just reciting them. Anyone else feel that he presence in the film was a little off?
ReplyDeleteI really feel like he's a poor actor. I think if he wants to be in his own films he should take the route Jarmush took in Stranger Than Paradise and just be in the background and not have any lines. Overall, I don't think that it really took anything away from the movie though.
DeleteI really feel like he's a poor actor. I think if he wants to be in his own films he should take the route Jarmush took in Stranger Than Paradise and just be in the background and not have any lines. Overall, I don't think that it really took anything away from the movie though.
DeleteI don't think I enjoyed it the first time I watched the film. I was kind of like who is this guy? Then I realized it was the director making an appearance in his own film which wasn't too terrible. I've become accustomed to the role but I still feel like it is too forced. Maybe I don't like the character because he shouts the N word a bunch or it could be how after his yelling he settles into a role where he says little.
ReplyDeleteI can understand a director wanting to be in his own film though.
Pulp Fiction is an interesting movie as it causes everyone who sees it to think and to question. Is it a good film? Is it a relevant film? What is the meaning of the film? What is the big deal? What is the end? The best part of the film is that it causes you to think.
ReplyDeleteYou might think about the sequence. You might think about the characters. You might think about the dialogue or you might think about the plot. No matter what however, you have to think. You are forced to think. When was the beginning? When was the end? How are the characters related?
The one liners help it become a classic. The bible references are memorable. The events and violence are memorable. However, when you think about the film in a deeper sense, the plot is totally memorable.
It was interesting how the different characters were seemingly unrelated and yet totally related.
Bruce Willis’ character seems so unrelated but yet was very interesting. The storyline about his great grandfather, grandfather, and father was interesting. They were all in the military but Bruce’s character was not and yet he was in a “combative” position. He was a boxer living in a lower income apartment and seemed liked a desperate character on the edge. He was willing to enter an agreement with the shady character, Marcellus, to throw a fight, which does not seem ethical or in line with what his family what his family would ever do. He bet on winning and tried to flee. It seemed uncharacteristic for his lineage. He asked his girlfriend to retrieve the watch but she didn’t know how important the watch was to him. He even said, “I should have let you know how important the watch is to me”. His father’s friend knew how important it was to the father because he did exactly what the father did to preserve the watch. The Bruce Willis character still showed he had an ethical side by not leaving the Marcellus character in the hands of the unscrupulous characters. He showed that despite not treasuring the watch as the three before him he still showed he had a moral side and was willing to put himself in danger to go and save an enemy.
I found this online and thought it was funny:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRodrZNAZYs
I was glad I saw this on the big screen. I'd tried watching it several times at home, but it didn't really grab my attention. Seeing it in a theater helped, but I don't think it will ever be one of my favorite movies, although the soundtrack is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI had heard about how great the movie was and was really looking forward to seeing it for the first time. This definitely was controversial. I was disturbed be the F word used more than I thought anyone could use along with some other "locker room" talk. Was really put off by the police officer seen in the basement. Tarantino definitely knows how to get a rise in emotions out of you. Wow...what a movie. Mentally exhausting with a bunch of great actors....but I would not call it a great movie.
ReplyDeleteThis movie was awesome I do have to say that the rape scene was kind of unexpected I first thought that the cop was there to pick them up and take them to jail, but when they pulled the guy in the black suit from the room I was like ok what's going on. So, overall the movie was great except for that disturbing part.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the scene where butch kills the guy in the back seat was funny but kind of wrong at the same time, because someone getting their head blown off should not be funny but the way it was presented in the film it made it funny.
ReplyDelete