Difference between revisions of "Quentin Tarantino's Trademarks"

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Introduction

Quentin Tarantino is an astute student of film and an expert on using the cinematic language in his own work to express his thrilling stories visually. On this page we have compiled for you and your viewing pleasure many of his most well known cinematic motifs. From the technical camera flourishes he adds in his scenes to special props that he places throughout his films. All these things let us know we are watching a Tarantino film. They clue us into his unique personal directing style and also show us the kinds of films/pop culture iconography he appreciates most. We hope you enjoy looking through this expansive collection of Tarantino film trademarks!

Camera Angles and Shots

The Trunk & Hood POV Shot

Quentin Tarantino has trademarked the trunk shot camera angle and he's used it in every movie he has directed. He also uses reverse trunk shots with characters being watched from outside the trunk

In Reservoir Dogs : Mr Brown, Mr Pink and Mr White looking at Marvin Nash.

In Pulp Fiction : Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield

In From Dusk Till Dawn : Ritchie and Seth Gecko

In Jackie Brown : Ordell Robbie et Beaumont Livingston. Also reverse trunk shot on Beaumont later in the trunk. Trunk shot when Jackie hides money in her suit.

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : The Bride looking at Sofie Fatale in the car

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : Budd

In Death Proof : Zoe and Kim looking under the hood of Jasper's 1970 Dodge Challenger.

The Corpse POV

In Pulp Fiction : When Marsellus wakes up after being hit by Butch's car. Later when Butch hits Maynard.

In Four Rooms : Chester listens to Ted's monologue.

In Jackie Brown : Jackie and Ray looking at Ordell dead.

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : The Deadly Vipers and Sheriff McGraw looking at The dead Bride.

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : Budd burying The Bride alive. Elle Driver looking at Budd suffering.

In CSI : Doctors

In Death Proof : Pam looking at Stuntman Mike. Stunman Mike being hit by Abernathy in the final sequence.

Long Takes & Tracking Shots

These kinds of shots let us follow the characters and spend time with them without cuts/edits. There is a real beauty and daring to these kinds of cinematic sequences

(NEED PHOTOS FOR THESE)

In Pulp Fiction: Long take: We stay with Vincent and Jules several minutes before they go to meet Brett. There are no cuts here. Tracking shot: Butch gets out of his car and walks through an alleyway to get to his apartment to retrieve his father's gold watch.

In Jackie Brown: Long take: Ordell puts Beaumont in the trunk of his car and moves the car to a vacant lot where he shoots Beaumont. Tracking shot: Jackie Brown walking through the mall during the final money switch.

In Kill Bill: Tracking shot: The Bride walks into the HOBL bathroom----->Charlie Brown & the HOBL owner walk up to O-Ren's private room then we join ----->Sofie Fatale who walks from the private room to the bathroom where we rejoin The Bride.

The 360 Shot

As Quentin Tarantino noted, his use of this shot was inspired by Director Brian DePalma who often used the 360 tracking shot to emphasize the feeling of love or togetherness. It can also be used to emphasize confusion as in DePalma's Blow Out (the scene when Jack's tapes are erased) and in QT's Jackie Brown where the camera spins around Jackie. This is actually a trick on the viewer because as we find out, Jackie plans out the entire caper and is merely acting confused

In Reservoir Dogs : Opening diner scene (NEED PHOTOS)

In Jackie Brown : Sequence at the mall (NEEDS PHOTOS)

The God's Eye POV

This shot is filmed with the camera directly above the actors. It is used to convey something bigger than the characters is watching them and what they are doing. In other words, a cinematic inner conscious. In Kill Bill, the Gods Eye POV seems to be accompanying The Bride on her justified journey of revenge.

In Jackie Brown : Jackie Brown hides money in her bag at the airport's toilets.

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : 1) The sequence at Vernita Green's kitchen ; 2) The Bride follows Sofie Fatale into the House of Blue Leaves' women's bathroom ; 3) Part of the fight in the House of Blue Leaves is also shot with The God's eye view.

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : 1) Budd looking at the money in his trailer. 2) The Bride dunks Elle Driver's head in the toilet in Budd's trailer. 3) The last sequence with The bride crying in the bathroom is also shot in a God's eye view.

The Use of Black and White

QT has had black and white sequences in two of his films. They appear in Kill Bill and Death Proof. These sequences are definitely inspired by his love of the way movies looked in the early days of cinema up to the way it was used in the French New Wave era.

In Natural Born Killers

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : Chapter 5 - Showdown at House of Blue Leaves. During the big samurai sword fight, the screen changes from color to B&W. It changes back to color when The Bride blinks.

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : Chapter 6 - Massacre at Two Pines (this entire chapter is in B&W).

In Death Proof : Beginning in the second half of the film, the color changes to B&W. We see Stuntman Mike spy on the unknowing girls while Lee is listening to her ipod and Abernathy is sleeping in Kim's car. When Lee drops some change into a Big Red soda machine, color returns to the film.

The Map Shot

Used in Jackie Brown and again in Kill Bill: Volume 1 to show you the Bride's trip to Okinawa.

Recurring Themes

Foot Fetish

Quentin Tarantino has a foot fetish? Nawww. Its gotta be a coincidence that feet play a huge part in his films!

In Pulp Fiction : Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield are talking about foot massage and Mia Wallace is often barefoot. The cab driver, Esmarelda, does not have shoes on.

In Four Rooms : Angela is barefoot throughout the fourth installment

In From Dusk Till Dawn : Ritchie Gecko (Quentin Tarantino) drinks tequila from Santanico Pandemonium's (Salma Hayek) feet

In Jackie Brown : Melanie is often barefoot. Jackie walks barefoot in her apartment.

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : 1) The Bride tries to move her feet again. 2) We also see Sofie Fatale's feet and The 5.6.7.8's play barefoot at the House of Blue Leaves. 3) O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu) is barefoot as she runs to kill Boss Tanaka.

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : 1) In the final chapter, at Bill's Hacienda, both Thurman's and Carradine's characters have bare feet. 2) The Bride is barefoot during her battle with Elle Driver in Budd's trailer. 3) Budd is barefoot when he meets Elle Driver.

In Death Proof : 1) In the opening sequence we see Arlene's and Jungle Julia's feet 2) Stuntman Mike touches Abernathy's feet 3) Shanna and Jungle Julia are both barefoot in the girl's car 4) Arlene is barefoot on the Texas Chili Parlor's porch.

In Inglourious Basterds : Col. Hans Landa interrogates Bridget Von Hammersmark and checks the shoe on her foot.

Close Ups on Lips

Nothing is more sensual then a beautiful woman's lips...well, maybe their feet

In Pulp Fiction : Mia's lips

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : The Bride's lips.

Record Player Close Ups

To give a nod to his favorite way of listening to music, QT uses shots of record players

In Pulp Fiction : Mia Wallace selects a tune from her jukebox.

In Jackie Brown : Jackie Brown selects a tune at her place.

In Death Proof : Arlene selects a tune from the Warren's AMI jukebox. (NEEDS PHOTO)

The Violent Awakening

In Pulp Fiction : Mia Wallace violently wakes up after the heroin overdose.

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : The Bride violently wakes up from her coma.

The Mirror Shot

Tarantino characters often speak and look at themselves in a mirror. It literally reflects the intimate moments of being alone

In Reservoir Dogs : Mr Orange, Mr White and Mr Pink

In Pulp Fiction : Vincent Vega in Mia Wallace's bathroom.

In True Romance: Clarence

In Jackie Brown : Jackie and Ordell

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : The Bride in the bathroom looking at her stomach.

In Death Proof : Stuntman Mike looks in his car's visor mirror

The Dance Scene

Tarantino dance scenes are (usually) a very joyous time

In Reservoir Dogs : Mr Blonde dances to Stuck In The Middle With You by Stealer's Wheel

In Pulp Fiction : Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega dance to You Never Can Tell by Chuck Berry for the Jack Rabbit Slim's Twist contest and back home Mia dances to Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon by Urge Overkill

In Jackie Brown : Simone dances for Louis Gara to Baby Love by The Supremes

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : The 5.6.7.8's dance during their gig at the House of Blue Leaves.

In Death Proof : 1) Jungle Julia first dances when she arrives at the second bar. 2 )Arlene slow dances on The Love You Save (May Be Your Own) by Joe Tex and 3) gives Stuntman Mike a lapdance to Down in Mexico by The Coasters

The Torture Scene

The torture scenes in Tarantino films are what make audiences squirm the most. When these characters are being held hostage it feels like we are too!

In Reservoir Dogs : Mr Blonde tortures Marvin Nash and cuts his ear off.

In True Romance : Clarence's father, Clifford Worley, is beaten/tortured by Don Vincenzo Coccotti.

In Pulp Fiction : Butch Coolidge and Marsellus Wallace are both tortured by Maynard and Zed.

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : The Bride tortures Sofie Fatale in the car.

In Inglourious Basterds : Aldo tortures Bridget Von Hammersmark by sticking his finger in her gunshot wound.

The Bathroom Scene

In Reservoir Dogs : 1) Mr Orange tells a story in the men's bathroom at the bar. 2) Mr White and Mr Pink smoke in the warehouse's bathroom.

In True Romance : Clarence talks to Elvis in the bathroom.

In Pulp Fiction : 1) Vincent reads in toilets at the coffee shop 2) Vincent is killed in Butch's bathroom. 3) Jules and Vincent clean blood on their clothes in Jimmie's bathroom. 4) Vincent takes a break in Mia's bathroom. 5) Mia is snorting coke in Jack Rabbit Slim's bathroom. 5) "The Fourth Man aka Seinfeld" (Alexis Arquette) hides in the bathroom. 6) Butch and Fabienne are in the motel's bathroom.

In From Dusk Till Dawn : Kate pretending to pee in the motorhome bathroom.

In Jackie Brown : Jackie hides the money in her bag in the airplane bathroom.

In kill Bill: Volume 1 : The Bride follows Sofie Fatale into the House of Blue Leaves' women's bathroom.

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : 1) The Bride dunks Elle Driver's head in the toilet in Budd's trailer. 2) She looks at her stomach in a bathroom. 3) The last sequence is also in a bathroom.

In Death Proof : Arlene rushes to Jungle Julia's bathroom to take a leak.

The Restaurant & Bar Scene

In Reservoir Dogs : Opening sequence at the coffee shop.

In Pulp Fiction : 1) Pumkin and Honey Bunny at the same coffee shop as later Jules and Vincent. 2) Mia and Vincent at the Jack Rabbit Slim's. 3) Marsellus and Butch at a bar.

In Jackie Brown : 1) Ordell and Louis at a bar. 2) Ordell and Jackie at a bar. 3) Jackie eating with Ray at a restaurant. 4) Jackie eating in the mall with Max. 4) Jackie drinks with Ordell at the mall.

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : The House of Blue Leaves is a restaurant.

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : The Bride drinks with Esteban at an outdoor bar. Budd works in the My Oh My Strip Club.

In Death Proof : The girls and Stuntman Mike drink at Guero's and the Texas Chili Parlor in Austin, Texas.

In Inglourious Basterds 1) Shoshanna reads a book in a Parisian restaraunt, 2) Goebbels, Frederick Zoller, Shoshanna and Col. Landa talk at a Paris restaraunt. 3) The secret Operation Kino meeting is held at La Louisianne tavern in France.

The Car Scene

In Reservoir Dogs : 1) Nice Guy Eddie talking on the phone. 2) Nice Guy Eddie driving and talking to Mr White and Mr Pink. 3) Mr White driving Mr Orange bleeding back at the warehouse. (NEEDS PHOTO)

In Pulp Fiction : 1) Jules and Vincent talking in the car. 2) Butch driving back to the motel.

In From Dusk Till Dawn : The Gecko Brothers

In Jackie Brown : 1) Jackie. 2) Max. 3) Ordell and Louis.

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : 1) The Bride's opening scene. 2) Bill leaving The Bride at the start of her training with Pai Mei.

In Sin City : Dwight in the car with Jackie Boy. (Tarantino directed scene only).

In Death Proof : 1) The girls drive to and back from the bar. 2) Pam and Stuntman Mike. 3) The second girls team drives at the store and talk. 4) The car chase scene.

The Mexican Stand-Off

A Mexican Stand-Off is when more than two opponents aim at each other with guns. It was originated in Sergio Leone's classic 1966 spaghetti western The Good The Bad and The Ugly, which is one of QT's favorite films. QT has used it for several of his own films.

In Reservoir Dogs : Mr White vs Nice Guy Eddie vs Joe Cabot

In True Romance : Police vs Mafia

In Pulp Fiction : Vincent Vega vs Yolanda vs Jules Winnfield

In Inglourious Basterds: Aldo and Willy discuss the term Mexican Standoff while they're in one in La Louisianne tavern.

Don't Be Such a Square

In Pulp Fiction : Mia does the "Don't be such a square" sign talking to Vincent when they arrive at the Jack Rabbit Slim's

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : The Bride does the square sign talking to Vernita Green.

Opening Definition

In Pulp Fiction : The films opens with the definition of pulp. 1. A soft, moist, shapeless mass of matter. 2. A magazine or book containing lurid subject matter and being characteristically on rough, unfinished paper.

In Grindhouse : In the original US Grindhouse trailer, there is a definition of grindhouse. A theater playing back-to-back films exploiting sex, violence, and other extreme subject matter.

Recurring Props

The Black and White Suits

QT has stated that these are his characters' suits of armor.

In Reservoir Dogs : All the guys wear black and white suits.

In Pulp Fiction : Vincent Vega, Jules Winnfield, Mia Wallace.

In Jackie Brown : Jackie buys a new black and white suit. Note: The mannequin that Jackie sees the suit on is patterned after Mia Wallace.

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : Budd and The Crazy 88

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : Elle Driver

In CSI : Catherine Willows

In Inglourious Basterds: Donny Donowitz and Omar Ulmer wear black and white tuxedos at the Stolz Der Nation premiere.

Cars

(from left to right) The same white Honda Civic is used in Pulp Fiction by Butch, by Jackie in Jackie Brown, and shows up in the parking lot of the My Oh My Strip Club in Kill Bill: Volume 2

The same 1964 Chevy Malibu is used by Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction and by Chester Rush in Four Rooms. This was Quentin's real life personal car at the time.

Elvis TCB Sunglasses

A homage to one of QT's biggest idols

Worn by Clarence in True Romance and by The Bride (stolen from Buck at the hospital) in Kill Bill: Volume 1.

Samurai Swords

The samurai sword is a weapon of honor. It shows QT's acknowledgement that there are codes of conduct even in the world of gangsters and killers.

Used by Butch in Pulp Fiction and by The Bride, The Crazy 88, O-Ren Ishii and Elle Driver in Kill Bill: Volume 1

Gas Cans

The gas can used by Michael Madsen as Mr Blonde in Reservoir Dogs shows up in Budd's trailer in Kill Bill: Volume 2. We can also see it in Vincent's trunk.

Straight Razors

Used by Michael Madsen as Mr Blonde in Reservoir Dogs and by The Bride in Kill Bill: Volume 2

Cases of Goodies

In Reservoir Dogs : The stolen diamonds are in a case.

In True Romance : Clarence accidentally comes into the possession of a suitcase full of mafia owned cocaine.

In Pulp Fiction : The mysterious "MacGuffin" briefcase owned by Marsellus Wallace, retrieved from Brett by Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield.

In Jackie Brown : Jackie hides money in her bag.

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : Elle Driver brings money in a suitcase to Budd in return for The Bride's prized Hanzo sword.

Comic Books, Cartoons and Comic Strips

In Reservoir Dogs : Mr Orange has a poster of The Silver Surfer on his apartment wall. This is an homage to one of QT's favorite films "Breathless" (1983) a remake of the 1959 Jean Luc Godard film. The remake stars Richard Gere as a rockabilly music lovin' rebel who reads The Silver Surfer comics obsessively.

In Reservoir Dogs: Mr. Orange refers to Joe Cabot as looking like The Thing a member of The Fantastic Four.

In True Romance: Clarence works at a comic books store and shows Alabama comics including Spider Man #1.

In Kill Bill: 1) The waiter at the House of Blue Leaves resembles Charlie Brown from the Peanuts comic strip. (NEEDS PHOTO) 2) The Bride looks like Pigpen from Peanuts comic strip as she walks across the street after she digs herself out of the grave. (NEEDS PHOTO) 3) Bill gives a monologue about Superman.

Buried Alive

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : The Bride is buried alive in a coffin.

In CSI : Nick Stokes is trapped underground alive in a plastic box.

Whats on Television?

In True Romance : 1) Drexl is watching the 1973 blaxploitation classic The Mack. 2) Clarence and Alabama watch John Woo's A Better Tomorrow II. 3) Floyd watches the sci fi film Freejack.

In Pulp Fiction : 1) Lance watches Brideless Groom a Three Stooges episode (by Edward Bernds). 2) Butch (as a child) watches a children's show Clutch Cargo. 3) Fabienne watches The Losers aka Nam's Angels a 70s biker-war film directed by Jack Starrett.

In Jackie Brown : 1) Melanie is watching the film Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974) which starred her father Peter Fonda. 2) In another scene she is watching the 1977 Italian crime film Mad Dog Killer starring Helmut Berger. 3) Ordell and Louis watch the "Chicks Who Love Guns" promotional spot.

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : 1) The Bride catches a glimpse of a Roy Rogers western The Golden Stallion while Bill is talking to her. 2) Beatrix and BB watch the 1980 pop samurai film Shogun Assassin. 3) At the end of the movie BB is watching a Heckyl & Jeckyl cartoon.

Who's On The Phone?

In Reservoir Dogs : Nice Guy Eddie is on the phone with Dov.

In Pulp Fiction : 1) Vincent calls Lance for help when Mia has an overdose. 2) Butch calls Scotty in Knoxville. (NEEDS PHOTO) 3) Jules calls Marsellus who calls The Wolf to help clean the car.

In Jackie Brown : 1) Ordell talking to Beaumont. (NEEDS PHOTO) 2) Jackie calling Max.

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : 1) Elle Driver calling Bill at the hospital. 2) FLASHBACK: Sofie Fatale talking on her cellphone when The Bride is being beaten up in the chapel.

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : Budd calling Elle after he shoots The Bride. Elle Driver calling Bill after Budd dies.

In Death Proof : 1) Jungle Julia text messages Christian Simonsen on her cellphone at the bar. 2) Abernathy talking to Lee at the store.

Product Placements

To further show the depth of his unique cinematic worlds, QT has created fake brands of items ranging from cigarettes to foods to drinks.

Here's the current categorized list of Tarantino Brands:

G.O. Juice

Fictional Tarantino brand juice drink. First appeared on a billboard in Kill Bill: Volume 1 and appears in Death Proof. Abernathy is drinking G.O. Juice in the car.

Red Apple Cigarettes

In Reservoir Dogs : Mr White offers a Red Apple cigarette to Mr Pink.

In Pulp Fiction : 1) Butch orders a pack of Red Apples. 2) Pumpkin also has a pack of Red Apples laying in front of him in the opening scene.

In Four Rooms : Just before Ted rings Betty, a package of Red Apple cigarettes is visible near the switchboard.

In From Dusk Till Dawn: On the dashboard of the Seth Gecko's car.

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : 1) On the Tokyo billboard advertising we see during a cityscape shot. 2) As The Bride walks through the Japan airport, we can also see a large advertisement for Red Apple cigarettes on the wall featuring none other than Julie Dreyfus who plays Sofie Fatale in the film.

In Kill Bill: Volume 2 : When The Bride meets with Esteban, a pack of Red Apples can clearly be seen on the table.

In Planet Terror : JT (the BBQ owner) tosses a pack to El Wray.

Big Kahuna Burger

Thats that Hawaiiian burger joint

In Reservoir Dogs : Mr Blonde drinks a soda from Big Kahuna.

In Four Rooms : There is a Big Kahuna soda next to the package of Red Apple's.

In Pulp Fiction : Brett and Jules eat a Big Kahuna burger and drink Sprite.

In From Dusk Till Dawn : Seth buys Big Kahuna burgers for himself, Ritchie and Gloria Hill.

In Death Proof : Stuntman Mike mentions a Jungle Julia billboard near a "Big Kahuna Burger".

Fruit Brute Cereal

"It's not a fake brand, it was really sold in the 70s" - QT.

One of the real "Monster Brands" of General Mills cereals. The Fruit Brute series was discontinued so QT uses it in his films. Other flavors include: Booberry, Count Chocula and Yummy Mummy.

In Reservoir Dogs : We can see the cereal in Mr Orange's apartment under the Silver Surfer poster.

In Pulp Fiction : Lance eats Fruit Brute cereal.

Teriyaki Donut

Fictional fast food restaraunt which serves a mixture of Japanese food and donuts.

In Pulp Fiction : Marsellus Wallace buys food at Teriyaki Donut just before being hit by Butch's car.

In Jackie Brown : Jackie eats food from Teriyaki Donut.

Jack Rabbit Slim's

Fictional 50s/60s pop culture theme restaraunt patterned after real life LA restaraunts like Ed Debevics.

In Reservoir Dogs : We can hear an advertisement for Jack Rabbit Slim's on K-Billy radio.

In Pulp Fiction : 1) Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega go to eat at Jack Rabbit Slim's. 2) Butch hears an advertisement on the radio when he is going to retrieve his father's gold watch.

Recurring Characters & Names

The Vega Brothers

Two crazy criminal brothers. Common family traits that Vic and Vincent share: Both like to dance. Neither like authority figures. The Vega name was inspired by singer Suzanne Vega, one of QTs favorite musical artists.

In Reservoir Dogs : Mr Blonde aka Vic Vega.

In Pulp Fiction : Vincent Vega.

The McGraw Family

Sheriff Earl McGraw is a character played by veteran actor Michael Parks, who appears in From Dusk Till Dawn, Kill Bill and both segments of Grind House, Planet Terror and Death Proof. Michael Parks' real life son James also appears in Kill Bill and Death Proof as Deputy Edger McGraw aka "Son Number 1". Sheriff McGraw's daughter Dr. Dakota McGraw-Block (Marley Shelton) appears in Planet Terror and in Death Proof.

The Donowitz's

True Romance's Lee Donowitz is the son of Inglourious Basterds's Sgt. Donny Donowitz

The Koons'

In Reservoir Dogs : A character Craig Koons appears in the original script of the movie.

In Pulp Fiction : Captain Koons is played by Christopher Walken.

Bonnie

In Reservoir Dogs : Nice Guy Eddie says he knows a nurse called Bonnie (unseen).

In Pulp Fiction : Jimmie's wife is a nurse named Bonnie.

In True Romance : A collegue of Alabama is named Bonnie (unseen).

Alabama

In Reservoir Dogs : Joe Cabot mentions a female partner of Mr White called Alabama (unseen).

In True Romance : Patricia Arquette's character is called Alabama.

Joe

In Reservoir Dogs : Joe Cabot

In True Romance : One of the Los Angeles policemen's name is Joe.

In Pulp Fiction : An unseen character is called Joe.

Dimmick

In Reservoir Dogs : Larry Dimmick is the real name of Mr White.

In Pulp Fiction : Jimmie Dimmick is the character played by Quentin Tarantino.

Floyd

In Pulp Fiction : Butch's opponent is called Floyd Wilson (unseen).

In True Romance : Two characters are called Floyd, both played by Brad Pitt and Laurence Mason.

Jody

In Reservoir Dogs : Jody McCluskey was a supporting actor in the movie but finally cut in the final cut.

In Pulp Fiction : Lance's girlfriend is named Jody.

Lance

Homage to Quentin's real life boss at Video Archives: Lance Lawson.

In True Romance : Clarence's boss is called Lance (unseen).

In Pulp Fiction : Lance is a drug dealer.

Marvin

In Reservoir Dogs : Marvin Nash is the cop tortured by Mr Blonde.

In Pulp Fiction : Marvin is the guy shot and killed by Vincent.

In True Romance : A supporting character is called Marvin.

In Natural Born Killers : A character was called Marvin in the original script.

Nash

In Reservoir Dogs : Marvin Nash is the cop tortured by Mr Blonde.

In Natural Born Killers : Gerald Nash is a cop killed, probably from the same family as Marvin Nash.

Marsellus

In Reservoir Dogs : A character called Marsellus Spivey was in the original script.

In Pulp Fiction : Marsellus Wallace is Mia Wallace's husband.

Spivey

In Reservoir Dogs : A character called Marsellus Spivey was in the original script.

In True Romance : Drexel Spivey

In Natural Born Killers : A supporting character is called Spivey.

Scagnetti

In Reservoir Dogs : Seymour Scagnetti works with Mr Blonde (unseen).

In Natural Born Killers : Detective Jack Scagnetti is probably from the same family as Seymour.

Laura Lovelace

Laura Lovelace is the actress playing the waitress in Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown. Laura is the sister of QT's first serious girlfriend Grace Lovelace.

Madonna

In Reservoir Dogs : Mr Brown delivers a theoretical monologue about Madonna's hit "Like A Virgin".

In Pulp Fiction : Fabienne says she has a bit of a tummy, like Madonna when she was doing "Lucky Star".

In Four Rooms : Madonna plays a role in the movie.

Pam Grier

In Reservoir Dogs : Mr Pink mentions her.

In True Romance : In the original script, Clarence says that the name Alabama Whitman sounds "like a Pam Grier movie".

In Pulp Fiction : Bonnie's character is inspired by Pam Grier's role in Coffy where she plays a nurse.

In Jackie Brown: Pam Grier plays Jackie Brown.

Elvis Presley

In My Best Friend's Birthday: Clarence Poole (Quentin Tarantino) delivers a monologue on Jailhouse Rock the same one which later showed up in True Romance.

In True Romance : 1) Clarence talks about Elvis and his film Jailhouse Rock 2) He wears Elvis TCB style sunglasses 3) Val Kilmer plays Elvis.

In Pulp Fiction: 1) Mia asks Vincent whether he's an Elvis or a Beatles man. 2) Mia later says "An Elvis man should love it" when they arrive at Jackrabbit Slims. 3) Vincent says to Mia "Lets go get a steak", this is a reference to a line Elvis says in Jailhouse Rock. 4) Mia uses an Elvis voice when she and Vincent are about to take part in the Twist Contest.

In Kill Bill: Volume 1 : The Bride steals Buck's Elvis TCB style sunglasses.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-==Introduction==
+* Back to [[Main Page]]
+====Introduction====
 '''Quentin Tarantino is an astute student of film and an expert on using the cinematic language in his own work to express his thrilling stories visually. On this page we have compiled for you and your viewing pleasure many of his most well known cinematic motifs. From the technical camera flourishes he adds in his scenes to special props that he places throughout his films. All these things let us know we are watching a Tarantino film. They clue us into his unique personal directing style and also show us the kinds of films/pop culture iconography he appreciates most. We hope you enjoy looking through this expansive collection of Tarantino film trademarks!'''
-==Camera Angles and Shots==
+===Camera Angles and Shots===
-=== '''The Trunk & Hood POV Shot''' ===
+===='''The Trunk & Hood POV Shot'''====
 '''Quentin Tarantino has trademarked the trunk shot camera angle and he's used it in every movie he has directed. He also uses reverse trunk shots with  characters being watched from outside the trunk'''
@@ Line 35: / Line 36: @@
 [[Image:Death_proof_reverse_hood_shot.jpg|260 px]]
-=== '''The Corpse POV''' ===
+==== '''The Corpse POV'''====
 * In [[Pulp Fiction]] : When Marsellus wakes up after being hit by Butch's car. Later when Butch hits Maynard.
 [[Image:Pulpfiction_corpse02.jpg|260 px]]
@@ Line 61: / Line 62: @@
 [[Image:Deathproof_corpse02.jpg|260 px]]
-===Long Takes & Tracking Shots===
+====Long Takes & Tracking Shots====
 '''These kinds of shots let us follow the characters and spend time with them without cuts/edits. There is a real beauty and daring to these kinds of cinematic sequences'''
@@ Line 72: / Line 73: @@
 * In [[Kill Bill]]: '''Tracking shot''': The Bride walks into the HOBL bathroom----->Charlie Brown & the HOBL owner walk up to O-Ren's private room then we join ----->Sofie Fatale who walks from the private room to the bathroom where we rejoin The Bride.
-==='''The 360 Shot'''===
+===='''The 360 Shot'''====
 '''As Quentin Tarantino noted, his use of this shot was inspired by Director Brian DePalma who often used the 360 tracking shot to emphasize the feeling of love or togetherness. It can also be used to emphasize confusion as in DePalma's Blow Out (the scene when Jack's tapes are erased) and in QT's Jackie Brown where the camera spins around Jackie. This is actually a trick on the viewer because as we find out, Jackie plans out the entire caper and is merely acting confused'''
@@ Line 79: / Line 80: @@
 * In [[Jackie Brown]] : Sequence at the mall (NEEDS PHOTOS)
-=== '''The God's Eye POV''' ===
+===='''The God's Eye POV''' ====
 '''This shot is filmed with the camera directly above the actors. It is used to convey something bigger than the characters is watching them and what they are doing. In other words, a cinematic inner conscious. In Kill Bill, the Gods Eye POV seems to be accompanying The Bride on her justified journey of revenge.'''
@@ Line 95: / Line 96: @@
 [[Image:Kb2_toilet03.jpg|260 px]]
+===='''The Use of Black and White'''====
-=== '''The Use of Black and White''' ===
 '''QT has had black and white sequences in two of his films. They appear in [[Kill Bill]] and [[Death Proof]]. These sequences are definitely inspired by his love of the way movies looked in the early days of cinema up to the way it was used in the French New Wave era'''.
@@ Line 117: / Line 116: @@
 [[Image:DP_b&w02.jpg|260 px]]
-=== '''The Map Shot''' ===
+===='''The Map Shot'''====
 * Used in [[Jackie Brown]] and again in [[Kill Bill: Volume 1]] to show you the Bride's trip to Okinawa.
 [[Image:Map_shot_in_JB.jpg|200px]]
 [[Image:Map_shot_in_KB.jpg|250px]]
-== Recurring Themes==
+===Recurring Themes===
+===='''Foot Fetish'''====
-==='''Foot Fetish'''===
 '''Quentin Tarantino has a foot fetish? Nawww. Its gotta be a coincidence that feet play a huge part in his films!'''
@@ Line 177: / Line 175: @@
 * In [[Inglourious Basterds]] : Col. Hans Landa interrogates Bridget Von Hammersmark and checks the shoe on her foot.
-=== '''Close Ups on Lips''' ===
+===='''Close Ups on Lips'''====
 '''Nothing is more sensual then a beautiful woman's lips...well, maybe their feet'''
@@ Line 186: / Line 184: @@
 [[Image:Uma_lips_in_KB.jpg|250px]]
-=== '''Record Player Close Ups''' ===
+===='''Record Player Close Ups'''====
 '''To give a nod to his favorite way of listening to music, QT uses shots of record players'''
@@ Line 197: / Line 195: @@
 * In [[Death Proof]] : Arlene selects a tune from the [[Warren]]'s AMI jukebox. (NEEDS PHOTO)
-=== '''The Violent Awakening''' ===
+===='''The Violent Awakening'''====
 * In [[Pulp Fiction]] : Mia Wallace violently wakes up after the heroin overdose.
@@ Line 205: / Line 203: @@
 [[Image:KB_Wake_Up.jpg|260px]]
-=== '''The Mirror Shot''' ===
+===='''The Mirror Shot'''====
 '''Tarantino characters often speak and look at themselves in a mirror. It literally reflects the intimate moments of being alone'''
@@ Line 228: / Line 226: @@
 [[Image:DP_Mirror-Shot.jpg|260px]]
-=== '''The Dance Scene''' ===
+===='''The Dance Scene'''====
 '''Tarantino dance scenes are (usually) a very joyous time'''
@@ Line 249: / Line 247: @@
 [[Image:DP Lap_dance-02.jpg|260px]]
-=== '''The Torture Scene''' ===
+===='''The Torture Scene'''====
 '''The torture scenes in Tarantino films are what make audiences squirm the most. When these characters are being held hostage it feels like we are too!'''
@@ Line 266: / Line 264: @@
 * In [[Inglourious Basterds]] : Aldo tortures Bridget Von Hammersmark by sticking his finger in her gunshot wound.
-=== '''The Bathroom Scene''' ===
+===='''The Bathroom Scene'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : 1) Mr Orange tells a story in the men's bathroom at the bar. 2) Mr White and Mr Pink smoke in the warehouse's bathroom.
@@ Line 301: / Line 299: @@
 [[Image:Deathproof_toilet01.jpg|260px]]
-=== '''The Restaurant & Bar Scene''' ===
+===='''The Restaurant & Bar Scene'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Opening sequence at the coffee shop.
@@ Line 335: / Line 333: @@
 * In [[Inglourious Basterds]] 1) Shoshanna reads a book in a Parisian restaraunt, 2) Goebbels, Frederick Zoller, Shoshanna and Col. Landa talk at a Paris restaraunt. 3) The secret Operation Kino meeting is held at La Louisianne tavern in France.
-=== '''The Car Scene''' ===
+===='''The Car Scene'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : 1) Nice Guy Eddie talking on the phone. 2) Nice Guy Eddie driving and talking to Mr White and Mr Pink. 3) Mr White driving Mr Orange bleeding back at the warehouse. (NEEDS PHOTO)
@@ Line 370: / Line 368: @@
 [[Image:DP-car01.jpg|260px]]
-=== '''The Mexican Stand-Off''' ===
+===='''The Mexican Stand-Off'''====
 '''A Mexican Stand-Off is when more than two opponents aim at each other with guns. It was originated in Sergio Leone's classic 1966 spaghetti western The Good The Bad and The Ugly, which is one of QT's favorite films. QT has used it for several of his own films'''.
@@ Line 384: / Line 382: @@
 * In [[Inglourious Basterds]]: Aldo and Willy discuss the term Mexican Standoff while they're in one in La Louisianne tavern.
+===='''Don't Be Such a Square'''====
-=== '''Don't Be Such a Square''' ===
 * In [[Pulp Fiction]] : Mia does the "Don't be such a square" sign talking to Vincent when they arrive at the Jack Rabbit Slim's
@@ Line 393: / Line 390: @@
 [[Image:KB_Square01.jpg|260px]]
-=== '''Opening Definition''' ===
+===='''Opening Definition'''====
 * In [[Pulp Fiction]] : The films opens with the definition of '''pulp'''. ''1. A soft, moist, shapeless mass of matter. 2. A magazine or book containing lurid subject matter and being characteristically on rough, unfinished paper.''
@@ Line 401: / Line 398: @@
 [[Image:Grindhouse_definition.jpg|260px]]
-== Recurring Props ==
+===Recurring Props===
+==== '''The Black and White Suits'''====
-=== '''The Black and White Suits''' ===
 '''QT has stated that these are his characters' suits of armor.'''
@@ Line 427: / Line 423: @@
 * In [[Inglourious Basterds]]: Donny Donowitz and Omar Ulmer wear black and white tuxedos at the Stolz Der Nation premiere.
-=== '''Cars''' ===
+===='''Cars'''====
 * (from left to right) The same '''white Honda Civic''' is used in [[Pulp Fiction]] by Butch, by Jackie in [[Jackie Brown]], and shows up in the parking lot of the My Oh My Strip Club in [[Kill Bill: Volume 2]]
 [[Image:CivicPF.jpg]]
@@ Line 437: / Line 432: @@
 [[Image:PF_Chevelle_Malibu.jpg|260px]]
-=== '''Elvis TCB Sunglasses''' ===
+===='''Elvis TCB Sunglasses'''====
 '''A homage to one of QT's biggest idols'''
@@ Line 443: / Line 438: @@
 [[Image:Elvis Glasses.jpg|260px]]
-=== '''Samurai Swords''' ===
+===='''Samurai Swords'''====
 '''The samurai sword is a weapon of honor. It shows QT's acknowledgement that there are codes of conduct even in the world of gangsters and killers.
 * Used by Butch in [[Pulp Fiction]] and by The Bride, [[The Crazy 88]], [[O-Ren Ishii]] and [[Elle Driver]] in [[Kill Bill: Volume 1]]
@@ Line 449: / Line 444: @@
 [[Image:Sword PF-KB 02.jpg|260px]]
-=== '''Gas Can''' ===
+===='''Gas Cans'''====
 * The gas can used by Michael Madsen as Mr Blonde in [[Reservoir Dogs]] shows up in Budd's trailer in [[Kill Bill: Volume 2]]. We can also see it in Vincent's trunk.
 [[Image:Reservoir_dogs_gasoline.jpg|260 px]]
@@ Line 456: / Line 450: @@
 [[Image:KB_2_gasoline1.jpg|260 px]]
-=== '''Straight Razor''' ===
+===='''Straight Razors'''====
 * Used by Michael Madsen as Mr Blonde in [[Reservoir Dogs]] and by The Bride in [[Kill Bill: Volume 2]]
 [[Image:RD_KB_Razor.jpg|260px]]
-=== '''Cases of Goodies''' ===
+===='''Cases of Goodies'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : The stolen diamonds are in a case.
@@ Line 478: / Line 471: @@
 [[Image:KB2_Case.jpg|260px]]
-=== '''Comic Books, Cartoons and Comic Strips''' ===
+===='''Comic Books, Cartoons and Comic Strips'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Mr Orange has a poster of '''[[The Silver Surfer]]''' on his apartment wall. This is an homage to one of QT's favorite films "Breathless" (1983) a remake of the 1959 Jean Luc Godard film. The remake stars Richard Gere as a rockabilly music lovin' rebel who reads The Silver Surfer comics obsessively.
@@ Line 491: / Line 483: @@
 * In [[Kill Bill]]: 1) The waiter at the House of Blue Leaves resembles '''Charlie Brown''' from the '''Peanuts''' comic strip. (NEEDS PHOTO) 2) The Bride looks like '''Pigpen''' from Peanuts comic strip as she walks across the street after she digs herself out of the grave. (NEEDS PHOTO) 3) Bill gives a monologue about '''Superman'''.
-=== '''Buried Alive''' ===
+===='''Buried Alive'''====
 * In [[Kill Bill: Volume 2]] : The Bride is buried alive in a coffin.
@@ Line 499: / Line 491: @@
 [[Image:CSI_03.jpg|260px]]
-=== '''Whats on Television?''' ===
+===='''Whats on Television?'''====
 * In [[True Romance]] : 1) Drexl is watching the 1973 blaxploitation classic '''The Mack'''. 2) Clarence and Alabama watch John Woo's '''A Better Tomorrow II'''.  3) Floyd watches the sci fi film '''Freejack'''.
 [[Image:TR_TV-01.jpg|260px]]
@@ Line 516: / Line 507: @@
 [[Image:kb2_tv02.jpg|240px]]
-=== '''Who's On The Phone?''' ===
+===='''Who's On The Phone?'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Nice Guy Eddie is on the phone with Dov.
@@ Line 539: / Line 530: @@
 [[Image:Deathproof_phone01.jpg|290px]]
-== Product Placement ==
+===Product Placements===
 '''To further show the depth of his unique cinematic worlds, QT has created fake brands of items ranging from cigarettes to foods to drinks.'''
 * Here's the current categorized list of [[:Category:Tarantino brands|Tarantino Brands]]:
-===G.O. Juice===
+====G.O. Juice====
 [[Image: Gojuice.jpg‎|80px]]
@@ Line 550: / Line 541: @@
 * Fictional Tarantino brand juice drink. First appeared on a billboard in [[Kill Bill: Volume 1]] and appears in [[Death Proof]]. [[Abernathy]] is drinking G.O. Juice in the car.
-=== '''Red Apple Cigarettes''' ===
+===='''Red Apple Cigarettes'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Mr White offers a Red Apple cigarette to Mr Pink.
@@ Line 572: / Line 563: @@
 * In [[Planet Terror]] : JT (the BBQ owner) tosses a pack to El Wray.
-=== '''Big Kahuna Burger''' ===
+===='''Big Kahuna Burger'''====
 '''Thats that Hawaiiian burger joint'''
@@ Line 592: / Line 583: @@
 * In [[Death Proof]] : [[Stuntman Mike]] mentions a [[Jungle Julia]] billboard near a "Big Kahuna Burger".
-=== '''Fruit Brute Cereal''' ===
+===='''Fruit Brute Cereal'''====
 [[Image:Brute.jpg|190px]]
@@ Line 605: / Line 596: @@
 [[Image:Fruit_brute_pulp_fiction_01.jpg|260 px]]
-=== '''Teriyaki Donut''' ===
+===='''Teriyaki Donut'''====
 '''Fictional fast food restaraunt which serves a mixture of Japanese food and donuts'''.
@@ Line 615: / Line 606: @@
 [[Image:JB_Teriyaki-donut.jpg|240 px]]
-===''' Jack Rabbit Slim's''' ===
+====''' Jack Rabbit Slim's'''====
 [[Image:Jack_Rabbit_Slims_Front.jpg|260 px]]
@@ Line 624: / Line 615: @@
 * In [[Pulp Fiction]] : 1) Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega go to eat at Jack Rabbit Slim's. 2) Butch hears an advertisement on the radio when he is going to retrieve his father's gold watch.
-== Recurring Characters & Names==
+===Recurring Characters & Names===
-=== '''The Vega Brothers''' ===
+===='''The Vega Brothers'''====
 '''Two crazy criminal brothers. Common family traits that Vic and Vincent share: Both like to dance. Neither like authority figures. The Vega name was inspired by singer Suzanne Vega, one of QTs favorite musical artists. '''
@@ Line 635: / Line 626: @@
 [[Image:PF14.jpg|170 px]]
-=== The McGraw Family===
+====The McGraw Family====
 [[Image:FDTD_dvd21.jpg|200px]]
 [[Image:KB1_dvd03.jpg|250px]]
@@ Line 642: / Line 633: @@
 [[Sheriff Earl McGraw]] is a character played by veteran actor '''Michael Parks''', who appears in [[From Dusk Till Dawn]], [[Kill Bill]] and both segments of [[Grind House]], [[Planet Terror]] and [[Death Proof]]. Michael Parks' real life son James also appears in [[Kill Bill]] and [[Death Proof]] as Deputy Edger McGraw aka "Son Number 1". Sheriff McGraw's daughter Dr. Dakota McGraw-Block (Marley Shelton) appears in [[Planet Terror]] and in [[Death Proof]].
-===Donowitz===
+====The Donowitz's====
 * [[True Romance]]'s [[Lee Donowitz]] is the son of [[Inglourious Basterds]]'s [[Sgt. Donny Donowitz]]
-=== '''The Koons''' ===
+===='''The Koons''''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : A character Craig Koons appears in the original script of the movie.
@@ Line 651: / Line 642: @@
 * In [[Pulp Fiction]] : Captain Koons is played by Christopher Walken.
-=== '''Bonnie''' ===
+==== '''Bonnie'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Nice Guy Eddie says he knows a nurse called Bonnie (unseen).
@@ Line 659: / Line 650: @@
 * In [[True Romance]] : A collegue of Alabama is named Bonnie (unseen).
-=== '''Alabama''' ===
+===='''Alabama'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Joe Cabot mentions a female partner of Mr White called Alabama (unseen).
@@ Line 665: / Line 656: @@
 * In [[True Romance]] : Patricia Arquette's character is called Alabama.
-=== '''Joe''' ===
+===='''Joe'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Joe Cabot
@@ Line 673: / Line 664: @@
 * In [[Pulp Fiction]] : An unseen character is called Joe.
-=== '''Dimmick''' ===
+===='''Dimmick'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Larry Dimmick is the real name of Mr White.
@@ Line 679: / Line 670: @@
 * In [[Pulp Fiction]] : Jimmie Dimmick is the character played by Quentin Tarantino.
-=== '''Floyd''' ===
+===='''Floyd'''====
 * In [[Pulp Fiction]] : Butch's opponent is called Floyd Wilson (unseen).
@@ Line 685: / Line 676: @@
 * In [[True Romance]] : Two characters are called Floyd, both played by Brad Pitt and Laurence Mason.
-===''' Jody''' ===
+====''' Jody'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Jody McCluskey was a supporting actor in the movie but finally cut in the final cut.
@@ Line 691: / Line 682: @@
 * In [[Pulp Fiction]] : Lance's girlfriend is named Jody.
-=== '''Lance''' ===
+===='''Lance'''====
 '''Homage to Quentin's real life boss at '''Video Archives''': Lance Lawson'''.
@@ Line 699: / Line 690: @@
 * In [[Pulp Fiction]] : Lance is a drug dealer.
-=== '''Marvin''' ===
+===='''Marvin'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Marvin Nash is the cop tortured by Mr Blonde.
@@ Line 709: / Line 700: @@
 * In [[Natural Born Killers]] : A character was called Marvin in the original script.
-=== Nash ===
+====Nash====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Marvin Nash is the cop tortured by Mr Blonde.
@@ Line 715: / Line 706: @@
 * In [[Natural Born Killers]] : Gerald Nash is a cop killed, probably from the same family as Marvin Nash.
-=== '''Marsellus''' ===
+===='''Marsellus'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : A character called Marsellus Spivey was in the original script.
@@ Line 721: / Line 712: @@
 * In [[Pulp Fiction]] : Marsellus Wallace is Mia Wallace's husband.
-=== '''Spivey''' ===
+===='''Spivey'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : A character called Marsellus Spivey was in the original script.
@@ Line 729: / Line 720: @@
 * In [[Natural Born Killers]] : A supporting character is called Spivey.
-=== '''Scagnetti''' ===
+===='''Scagnetti'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Seymour Scagnetti works with Mr Blonde (unseen).
@@ Line 735: / Line 726: @@
 * In [[Natural Born Killers]] : Detective Jack Scagnetti is probably from the same family as Seymour.
-=== '''Laura Lovelace''' ===
+===='''Laura Lovelace'''====
 * Laura Lovelace is the actress playing the waitress in [[Pulp Fiction]] and [[Jackie Brown]]. Laura is the sister of QT's first serious girlfriend Grace Lovelace.
-=== '''Madonna''' ===
+===='''Madonna'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Mr Brown delivers a theoretical monologue about '''Madonna''''s hit "Like A Virgin".
@@ Line 748: / Line 739: @@
 [[Image:FR_dvd02.jpg|260 px]]
-==='''Pam Grier''' ===
+===='''Pam Grier'''====
 * In [[Reservoir Dogs]] : Mr Pink mentions her.
@@ Line 758: / Line 749: @@
 * In [[Jackie Brown]]: Pam Grier plays Jackie Brown.
-=== '''Elvis Presley''' ===
+===='''Elvis Presley'''====
 * In [[My Best Friend's Birthday]]: Clarence Poole (Quentin Tarantino) delivers a monologue on '''Jailhouse Rock''' the same one which later showed up in True Romance.
@@ Line 768: / Line 759: @@
 * In [[Kill Bill: Volume 1]] : The Bride steals Buck's Elvis TCB style sunglasses.
+__NOTOC__
 [[Category:Resources]]