Boxing Day

5 Great Quentin Tarantino Films Now Playing on Satellite TV

Say what you will about Quentin Tarantino, he has made a tremendous impact on the world of cinema with a relatively small number of films.  Taking great care to envision his films from start to finish, the writing blends with the direction and cinematography as a matter of course.  With a new Tarantino film hitting the theaters, it's a good time to watch the revivals of these five gems on satellite TV networks in high definition.

1. Jackie Brown.  The most understated Tarantino film deserves another look.  There is a quietness and sensitivity that's rare in his films, and the middle-aged Pam Grier gives a performance Quentin must have cherished.  Forget about the silly interludes with De Niro, Bridget Fonda et al -- the scenes between Grier and Robert Forster are oddly moving.  This film remains a fixture on satellite TV and probably has the strangest part ever for Michael Keaton.

2. Kill Bill, Vols. 1 and 2.  It's definitely a Kung-fu movie, but it's almost as much a Western.  Uma Thurman's husband is killed on their wedding day, setting off an intercontinental revenge quest with Bill (the late David Carradine) as the target.  You'll see Tarantino's imagination really letting loose, with situations and characters you'd never dream were possible.  Of course, the actions scenes never disappoint.  No martial expert ever had hair as perfect as Uma's in this film.

3. Death Proof.  Quentin's homage to 70s schlock films suffers a little from a heavy amount of dialogue, but there are enough thrills to go around.  Stunt Man Mike didn't seem too terrifying, but once he gets strapped into his car, look out'Tarantino's women display an invincibility once again, and the director's use of music is perfectly executed.  See this film on HBO or Showtime in HD.

4. Pulp Fiction.  Tarantino's ego took over for the second installment of his directing career.  One of the most-discussed films in the past twenty years, Pulp Fiction is many movies in one: John Travolta revival, mob tale, vintage boxing film, Deliverance-style freak show, cautionary tale against drug use and piercing, among others.  More than anything, it's clear how much Tarantino loves his characters, making them completely beloved by the audience.  He also shot and edited the film like a master.

5. Reservoir Dogs.  This film seems like classic Tarantino, or humble Tarantino.  Any way you cut it, it's a terrific crime film with memorable performances by Harvey Keitel and Steve Buscemi.  Credit Tarantino's writing for the excellent characters and dialogue, as well as encyclopedic knowledge of cinema history for entering the fray as a director with such grace and style.  The elements he lifted from Hong Kong cinema went largely unnoticed, another example of his geekiness working out perfectly.  See this film in HD on the Independent Film Channel.