Best Tarantino Rip-off

[The Creeper]

What is the best Tarantino rip-off/homage or whatever you want to call it?

I just rented Love and a .45 and Things to do in Denver when you're Dead because of the Tarantino-esque influence on them, but I've haven't watched them yet. I've heard of others, but what's the best one?

[VicVega]

I hate the term "Tarantino-esque". It seems nobody these days could make a hip and violent film without it being a QT ripoff. I enjoyed Guy Ritchie's early films (Lock Stock, Snatch) and those were considered Tarantino-esque.

I dont see the similarities.

[QUENTIN]

Lock, Stock, and 2 Smoking Barrels, Snatch, The Boondock Saints, Blood Guts Bullets and Octane, Sucide Kings, Love and A .45, Truth or Consequences, N.M., and Go are all complete and total Tarantino rip-offs. Go is my favorite.

[ToRontoRon]

I don't know if you can call these types of movies Tarantino rip-offs. I consider them Tarantino inspired. That's sort of like saying any movie with a lot of suspense is a Hitchcock rip-off. If the actual plots are similar, it's a rip-off, if the styles are similar, it's just the newer movie using a new genre created by Tarantino.

[XvoorheesX]

'Two Days in the Valley' might as well have been called 'Pulp Fiction 2, but with different characters and not nearly as good'.

[QUENTIN]

Originally posted by XvoorheesX
'Two Days in the Valley' might as well have been called 'Pulp Fiction 2, but with different characters and not nearly as good'.

Oh yeah, that one too. Big-time rip off, I did dig it though, 7/10, and I'm sure it's among Grebdron's faves...

[Lazy Boy]

As for my favorite QT ripoff, I'd say I really enjoyed Go and Guy Ritchie films (even though he really has no original bone in his body).

I also seem to remember this mobster movie called Flipping that was, in sugarcoated terms, a total wank job. It mixed in a little bit of colorful QT-esque dialogue with some heavy profanity, a couple of sleazy gangsters, and out came a shit loaf too awful to be in theaters, and not worthy of being seen on video. I don't even remember where I saw it, but man, was it bad. And, it starred Keith David, of all people! Poor guy...

[El Bracamonti]

i wouldn't call if a ripoff, but maybe the boondock saints?

[randythetool]

Boondock Saints is most definitely a QT ripoff, but I'd have to say the best one is Snatch. Another that has an undeserved cult following is Suicide Kings, which is worth watching simply for Christopher Walken's hilarious performance.

Snatch, ****
Go, ***1/2
Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, ***
Suicide Kings, **1/2
Boondock Saints, 1/2*

[QUENTIN]

I thought about it some more and actually, a crazy young Spaniard ripped off my namesake best, Amores Perros is my favorite QT movie not made by QT...

[The Creeper]

I'm sorry for the termenology that I used. Rip-off usually is a bad thing, but what I meant to say was that I'm a huge Tarantino fan and was looking for movies that were in the same vein as Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction.

Things to Do in Denver... 8/10, by the way. Now I have Love and a .45 to watch. Back to work...

[ilovemovies]

I loved Go and 2 Days in the Valley.

I haven't seen The Boondock Saints but I'm begining to be interested. Someone from work recommended this movie to me and for a film that went straight to video it sure has accumulated a fairly big cult following.

[Raoul Duke]

Snatch.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

[Klownzilla]

Jeffrey Combs said that Love and a .45 was made before Reservoir Dogs and it's NOT a rip-off of Natural Born Killers. It's just that the film was delayed for so long that when it was finally released, critics assumed it was a Tarantino rip-off. I'll take Combs' word over what others have to say.

[Damned Martian]

GO - 9/10

[Neesh]

Theres a huge difference between an homage and a rip-off

[Antonio]

GET SHORTY (yeah, I know the novel was written pre-PULP) and GO!

[Jerk Shapiro]

Snatch ~ 9/10

[syxxpac]

Snatch

[A.J. Hakari]

Originally posted by Lazy Boy
As for my favorite QT ripoff, I'd say I really enjoyed Go

First picture that popped into my head.

[Michael_myers]

If Get Shorty is a Pulp Fiction rip-off than I'd say that it's my favorite.

[QUENTIN]

Originally posted by Neesh
Theres a huge difference between an homage and a rip-off

Right, for instance I think Tarantino has many clever homages to past films in his work. Whereas all the films here (aside from Get Shorty) are rip-offs of Tarantino's stuff. IMO anyway...

[ilovemovies]

I didn't know Get Shorty was counted. That is DEFINATELY the best of the bunch.

[Neesh]

Originally posted by QUENTIN
Right, for instance I think Tarantino has many clever homages to past films in his work. Whereas all the films here (aside from Get Shorty) are rip-offs of Tarantino's stuff. IMO anyway...

Fair enough.... I would disagree with you though. If you might entertain me for a few minutes.... just curious what specifically are homages in Tarantinos films? The first one that jumps to mind, and I think its fuckin great - it's the dance scene at Jack Rabbit Slims. I've never actually read a specific point of reference with regard to that scene, as far as where QT got his inspiration.... but to me, it looks ALOT like the dance scene from Fellinis 8 1/2. The chick (Gloria, if I'm remembering her name correctly) even has the exact same hair style as Mia Wallace. Both dance scenes have that goofy, quirky vibe to them. I love it. I dont know if its a rip off or an homage, but it LOOKS so similar... if someone were to say that was a rip-off, it would be hard for me to counterpoint it.
On the other hand though, all of the movies mentioned in this thread.... lets just take Go for an example. Great flick. Obvious Tarantino influence. But a rip off, I do not see. I dont see Liman copying anything specifically, with regards to looks. I see him using similar (very similar) elements of style, and theme. Just my opinion. Curious to hear more of your thoughts.

[Michael_myers]

Originally posted by ilovemovies
I didn't know Get Shorty was counted. That is DEFINATELY the best of the bunch.

Thats quite true. Travolta's last good performance.

[fransisca]

Go and Snatch

[Neesh]

I'm bumpin' this up for QUENTIN.... did you forget about this thread dude ?

[Indy in IN]

Snatch

I love the whole "I've got a .50 caliber Desert Eagle and all you have is a gun that says "replica" on the side of it" scene.

Vinnie Jones is one HELL of a heavy! :mad:

[QUENTIN]

Originally posted by Neesh
I'm bumpin' this up for QUENTIN.... did you forget about this thread dude ?

I replied to it 4 times... whaddya mean?

[chasingbanky]

After readin this thread it annoys me to a great extent but Im goin to reply with some good CRIME movies...or what others may call "tarantino-esque" or whatever the fuck...

Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (10/10)

Snatch (9.5/10)

Get Shorty (8/10)

Suicide Kings (8/10)

Usual Suspects (10/10)

State of Grace (9/10)

True Romance(HAHAHAHAHA...I mean someon mentioned Natural born killers right?) (10/10)

[Neesh]

Originally posted by QUENTIN
I replied to it 4 times... whaddya mean?

Have you read the entire thread?!
Its just that my previous post (the one where I quote you) was kind of directed at you, since I know you know your shit when it comes to Tarantino; therefore I was hoping we could look into this whole "rip-off, homage" thing a little deeper. How silly of me!

Its one thing to say "such and such is a rip off" and "such and such uses homages in their movies", and its another thing altogether to elaborate on that point.

So far, no schmoe in this entire thread has made any kind of a case for any movies ripping off Tarantino, or vice-versa. Although, I like to think I made a noble effort to dig a little deeper into this topic.

What I really enjoy about these boards, is actual discussing of movies, and particular points with regards to movies and movie making, etc..... I thought you did too, but guess I was wrong. No big deal dude.

[ZoMBiEPeEpSHoW]

Originally posted by Neesh
just curious what specifically are homages in Tarantinos films?

I know this was directed at Quentin, but I felt I should give my two cents. Tarantino's 3rd film, Jackie Brown, is altogether an hommage to Pam Grier. The opening scene should be proof enough of that. Tarantino stated this as a fact, and who could blame him, Pam Grier is great.

Tarantino's new film, Kill Bill, is also an hommage to 70's kung-fu/samurai films, and HKcinema (to a certain degree). It's sheer "grindhouse", or so he says :)

[A Canadian ThereWolf]

Originally posted by XvoorheesX
'Two Days in the Valley' might as well have been called 'Pulp Fiction 2, but with different characters and not nearly as good'.

Oh, yeah totally, but it was still a pretty good flick though!

[Neesh]

Originally posted by ZoMBiEPeEpSHoW
I know this was directed at Quentin, but I felt I should give my two cents. Tarantino's 3rd film, Jackie Brown, is altogether an hommage to Pam Grier. The opening scene should be proof enough of that. Tarantino stated this as a fact, and who could blame him, Pam Grier is great.

True! An homage to blaxploitation films in general. And to get more specific, in the opening credit sequence, the design of the titles is further testament to that.

Personally I dont think a guy like Tarantino would ever be inclined to 'rip off' anybody, or any film; he's just to knowledgealbe and cool for that. In any interview I've seen of him, he constantly talks about old movies, and his love for them. A rip-off artist is someone who blatantly copies something, but refuses to acknowledge any kind of influence. That said, its often hard for 'schmoes' like us to be able to tell when something is a rip-off, or an homage, since we dont know whats going on in the directors mind, or what their intent is.

Nothing in "Go" is a direct rip-off of any Tarantino film. However, Doug Liman's first movie, "Swingers" contains a scene almost IDENTICAL in every aspect, to the opening scene in Reservoir Dogs. Is that a rip-off? Well, if you listen to the commentary track on the Swingers DVD, Liman clearly expresses his love for Tarantino, and this was a nod to him. An "homage", not a rip-off. I didnt need to hear his commentary track to know that it was an homage however... I mean, its too fucking blatant... it's GOT to be an homage! Anyone following me here ??

[Reloaded]

I don't find any movie to even come close to being a rip-off of Tarintino's movies. Atleast not literally. I've never seen a person being awaked after being OD'd by getting stabbed in the tit with a needle.

[Guy Strong]

Snatch

[chappers]

I would have to say it for me it would b Suicide Kings (Gotta Love Walken and Leary) and Things To Do in Denver When Your Dead.