QT8: The First Eight

I didn't know I was a Tarantino fan until I watched this documentary with some friends. 21 seconds in and I was hooked. The pace and visual impact of the graphics hit you as fast and hard as the unapologetic assault of the taboo set against a backdrop of a kick ass sound track that leaves you at a strange, gripped pause when the music stops and Christoph Watlz opens with "and then there are the movies...". The clips took me through time as they visited movies that left lasting impressions on me; having never known who the director or writer was. This documentary taught me it doesn't matter that our VHS tape of Reservoir Dogs has been played more times than I can count and still sits on the shelf in the family vacation home for reunion visits; I still never saw the connection of the of the Vega brothers. My absolute love for the gratification of an alternate ending in Inglorious Bastards did nothing to show me the Red Apple pack of smokes in the soldier's pocket. I knew while watching Wood Entertainment's QT8 that I wanted to re-watch all of the previous films to catch the threads that I had been missing. I actually watched a Tarantino film in the middle of watching 21 Years Quentin Tarantino after Robert Forster describes the scene in Jackie Brown of the long walk where you're watching a man fall in love with a woman. The way director, Tara Wood, moved between Robert Forester and the Jackie Brown scene when Pam Greer is walking out of jail made me want more. I paused the documentary and watched Jackie Brown for the first time, and I know I saw it in a different way than I would have had QT8 not introduced me to these actors, their characters and their appreciation for Tarantino.

For a purported documentary about QT, the film is very short of material of the man himself. Instead, we get lots of talking heads from many of his collaborators, but hear precious little from Tarantino. A lower rating for not having access to the auteur himself. The thematic groupings of the films was a new way of looking at the work and made it an interesting take. The Weinstein stuff felt like an easy target and wasn't particularly insightful.

Being a big fan of Quentin Terantino I really loved this documentary. I especially loved the interviews of the actors. It shows how much of a genius he is and how much he cares for the movie industry. I also think it delved a little deeper in the behind the scenes. It also shows how much he loved older movies and how much he used them in his own films. This documentary is a great watch for QT fans and even better for people who are not really aware of who he is. It could have done without the Harvey Weinstein pieces. Yeah I know, they were buddy's at one point but that was not needed in this documentary.

Documentary looking at Quentin Tarantino's first 8 films with contributions and insight from his usual cast and crew members.

Enjoyable enough ride, looking at each film in turn with clear fandom coming from his co-workers. Best bits are the little stories from the various locations and sets clearly showing what a fun, zany and confident guy he is and how movies shape his life completely.

Greetings again from the darkness. Quentin Tarantino has been praised as the cinematic "voice of his generation." His influence on other filmmakers is as obvious as those who have influenced him. This is a celebration of Tarantino the filmmaker, and also somewhat of a response to his critics. Tara Wood's documentary never hides that she's a fan, and to her credit, she hits head-on the 3 controversies associated with her subject: the use of the "N-word", Uma Thurman's stunt car accident while filming KILL BILL, and his friendship and business relationship with the despicable Harvey Weinstein.

Tarantino has publically stated that he will retire from filmmaking after directing his 10th film. Ms. Wood's film covers his first eight, from RESEVOIR DOGS in 1992 to THE HATEFUL EIGHT in 2015. Because this documentary was tied up and delayed in the Miramax quagmire, there is also a brief mention of Tarantino's 9th film ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, released this year. The film kicks off with some background information from Producer Stacey Sher, mentions of his writing for TRUE ROMANCE and NATURAL BORN KILLERS, and a fascinating tidbit involving how QT used his pay from appearing as an Elvis impersonator on "The Golden Girls" to initially fund his career in filmmaking.

Ms. Wood then divides her film into three chapters, thereby categorizing and providing insight on each. "Chapter 1 - The Revolution" includes RESERVOIR DOGS and PULP FICTION, both ground-breakers in their own way and they announced "an astonishing new voice" in movies. The best behind-the-scenes bit comes courtesy of actor and Tarantino regular Michael Madsen who initially objected to being Mr. Blonde, complaining "I didn't want to get killed by Tim Roth." Of course, it was PULP FICTION that elevated Tarantino to a new stratosphere - oh, and it also allowed for the stunning comeback of John Travolta.

"Chapter 2 - Badass Women and Genre Play" covers JACKIE BROWN, KILL BILL and DEATH PROOF. The first of those films, each which featured very strong women, was an ode to the Blaxploitation era, the second was influenced by Hong Kong cinema, and the third is described by Zoe Bell as Tarantino's 'thank you' to industry stunt people. Perhaps the most important element of this chapter was that, despite the affirmations, he refused to serve up a repeat PULP FICTION ... yet another thing that set him apart from other filmmakers.

"Chapter 3 - Justice" finishes up the catalog with INGLORIOUS BASTERDS, DJANGO UNCHAINED, and THE HATEFUL EIGHT. 'Basterds' is renowned for what may be the most fascinating opening sequence in any movie, 'Django' shows his love of westerns (especially Italian), and 'Hateful 8' stands as a 'western RESERVOIR DOGS'. With his many references to earlier cinema, Tarantino shows no hesitancy in spinning or changing history to fit his story. While many disparaged the infamous Hitler scene in 'Basterds' (and subsequently the Manson killings in his latest), Tarantino firmly believes that viewers know they are watching a movie, and can easily separate this from real life and historical fact. It's noted that this is what story telling is all about ... asking 'What if?"

Many of Tarantino's collaborators offer insight and memories. Those appearing include: Samuel L Jackson, Christoph Waltz, Kurt Russell, Michael Madsen, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Diane Kruger, Lucy Liu, Bruce Dern, Jamie Foxx, the late Robert Forster, Tim Roth, Eli Roth, and Lawrence Bender. Most obvious in their absence are Uma Thurman, Pam Grier, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Travolta, and Tarantino himself. There is also a nice segment included as a tribute to the late Sally Menke, Tarantino's long-time film editor.

Quentin Tarantino has been described as an overzealous geek with the talent to back it up. In reality, he's a walking and (fast) talking encyclopedia of movie knowledge, trivia and history. He is also described as creating an exuberant infection with cinema, and his frequent scenes of ultra-violence are interpreted by Christoph Waltz as "opera". It was October 5, 2017 when the Harvey Weinstein story broke, and immediately, since many films connect them, Tarantino was part of the story. It's a blight on his record, just as it is for countless other actors, celebrities and film industry types who knew and chose to stay silent. But when it comes to making movies, few have ever done it better. There is an on-set clip where Tarantino says "One more take. Why? Because we love making movies!" It's clear from the interviews here that QT reveres making movies. He also loves watching movies - so much so that he bought and renovated the New Beverly Cinema. He's a proud film geek. Ms. Wood's film is pure pleasure for QT fans and will explain a lot for those who aren't so sure about his work.