(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
It's time to roll out my ranking of Quentin Tarantino movies, seeing as the director has announced that his next film will be his last.
Sometimes I wish I'd been born at a different time. For instance, if I'd been born in 1962 instead of 1977, I would have been 15 in 1977 and been able to bear firsthand witness to the birth of punk and hardcore. But then I eventually come back around and feel grateful to have been born when I was born.
Being born in '77 means in was 15 in 1992, and that's when Quentin Tarantino released his first film, Reservoir Dogs. The movie was a revelation for Generation Xers like me. Infinitely quotable, unexpectedly cool, and with a soundtrack of '70s throwbacks that our parents hadn't beaten to death. It's a strong debut for a first-time director, and it set the tone for what was to come from Tarantino.
Flash-forward two years and you get Pulp Fiction, Tarantino's breakthrough film. More of his signature cool-and-kitsch, more of his '70s fetishism, more killer tunes on the soundtrack. And it was rewarding when Pulp Fiction blew up: now a whole bunch of new fans went back to Pulp Fiction, and it's always fun to share your favorite films with friends.
I remember watching Reservoir Dogs on VHS at a friend's house, probably rented from Blockbuster Video. And I remember taking a date to see Pulp Fiction when it first hit theatres. I was so blown away I went back to see it a second time with friends. So you can probably guess--spoiler alert--that those two will end up pretty high up in my ranking.
Quentin Tarantino Movies, Ranked
All nine of Tarantino's films (so far), ranked from the one I liked the least to the one I liked the best. Pass the popcorn.
9) The Hateful Eight
It's not a bad film at all. It's just too damn long.
8) Death Proof
I like Tarantino's grindhouse goodies fine, they're just not my favorite.
7) Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
I feel like, in time, this one will move higher in the rankings for me. But right now, it's in the bottom-third.
6) Inglorious Basterds
A testimony to Tarantino's talent is that you can make the argument that this fine film is his sixth-best.
5) Jackie Brown
Pam Grier is so damn good, as is Robert Forster.
4) Django Unchained
Christoph Waltz.
3) Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Volume 2
Tarantino considers the two parts to be one film and I concur and add that they're one amazing film.
2) Reservoir Dogs
My favorite, but his second-best.
1) Pulp Fiction
The greatest.
