Tarantino's Top 20 | Movie News

Tarantino's Top 20
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by: Mike Sampson Aug. 17, 2009

Out promoting INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS in the UK, Quentin Tarantino was asked by Sky Movies to put together a Top 20 list, something they're famous for on their site. Tarantino didn't want to do a Top 20 films of all time, so he came up with a list of his 20 favorite films since he's been a filmmaker. He doesn't list them in ranking (with the exception of a clear #1) but it's still interesting to see what makes Tarantino tick.

You can scoff at Quentin's bravado but you can't question his love or knowledge of film and his choices here run the gamut from the obvious (FIGHT CLUB) to the not-so-obvious (his thoughts on SPEED are right on the money). You'll also be surprised to know that he doesn't list any of his own movies on the list, which I found to be surprising. You can watch the entire video clip where Tarantino gives his list and some explanations for his choices below.

Source: Sky Movies

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Extra Tidbit: I'm somewhat surprised there was no animation on this list.

37 discussions Expand all
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philalva77
8:53PM on 08/18/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Clearly he is a man who is a fan of movies & makes his own films for movie fans not just for himself or just a quick buck. He puts homages to other films in his own also, if you do not respect QT for that reason something is clearly wrong with you. I can seee myself having a few beers with him and just talking about movies all night, have a great deal of respect for QT nuff said
Clearly he is a man who is a fan of movies & makes his own films for movie fans not just for himself or just a quick buck. He puts homages to other films in his own also, if you do not respect QT for that reason something is clearly wrong with you. I can seee myself having a few beers with him and just talking about movies all night, have a great deal of respect for QT nuff said
 
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Derrida
3:32PM on 08/18/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Excellent list
"Battle Royale" rocks - end of story. Glad he metioned "Memories of Murder", now that's a masterpiece!
"Battle Royale" rocks - end of story. Glad he metioned "Memories of Murder", now that's a masterpiece!
 
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abcdehacademy
9:56AM on 08/18/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
why would tarantino list animation?
he's an actual film director. Animated films showcase brilliant scripts at the expense of acting and directing
he's an actual film director. Animated films showcase brilliant scripts at the expense of acting and directing
 
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Mr. Fancy Pants
7:07AM on 08/18/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Why does a guy who can write such easy flowing dialogue speak with such an affected manor? I like him but it throws me every time.
Why does a guy who can write such easy flowing dialogue speak with such an affected manor? I like him but it throws me every time.
 
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Film Fan BeAm2k
12:13AM on 08/18/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Gotta hand it to em...
The guy has some interesting taste in films, but when you make such kick ass films yourself, your definitely entitled to your opinions...
The guy has some interesting taste in films, but when you make such kick ass films yourself, your definitely entitled to your opinions...
 
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Old Prospector
10:43PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Unbreakable needs the sequels M. Night planned for.
Unbreakable needs the sequels M. Night planned for.
 
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JohnLocke2342
9:41PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Battle Royale?!? Battle FUCKING Royale?!? That was one of the weakest acted shittiest movies I've ever seen. I wanted to throw my mind out the window and let it go with that film but christ, there were red paint marks for bullet holes, guys getting shot with uzis 142 times yet still moving on the ground.. ahh.. I can't think about that piece of shit anymore.



I kinda get why it's...
Battle Royale?!? Battle FUCKING Royale?!? That was one of the weakest acted shittiest movies I've ever seen. I wanted to throw my mind out the window and let it go with that film but christ, there were red paint marks for bullet holes, guys getting shot with uzis 142 times yet still moving on the ground.. ahh.. I can't think about that piece of shit anymore.



I kinda get why it's his #1 but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in there.
 
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mandingo
9:05PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
what i expected from qt
Can't criticize a guy for his choice of movies. But Battle Royale! Haha that shit was pretty fucking wild and can see why it's on top. Good to see Trey Parker and Matt Stone get some props.
Can't criticize a guy for his choice of movies. But Battle Royale! Haha that shit was pretty fucking wild and can see why it's on top. Good to see Trey Parker and Matt Stone get some props.
 
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BernieLaPlante
8:37PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
COOL
VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY COOL. Of course, I havent seen the majority of those movies but Quentin makes everything he likes sound good. So I'll probably go out now and get all of these.



Why does everyone dislike the Matrix sequels so much? I feel that reloaded is the ultimate masterpiece.. but thats just me, an opinion not shared by too many others.
VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY COOL. Of course, I havent seen the majority of those movies but Quentin makes everything he likes sound good. So I'll probably go out now and get all of these.



Why does everyone dislike the Matrix sequels so much? I feel that reloaded is the ultimate masterpiece.. but thats just me, an opinion not shared by too many others.
 
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Housecoat man
6:21PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
UNBREAKABLE/SPEED
Two very intriguing and enlightened choices! I remember as a teenager seeing Speed in the theater and being completely riveted. Unbreakable is my favorite film of all time! It truly is one of the great masterpieces of the last few years.
Two very intriguing and enlightened choices! I remember as a teenager seeing Speed in the theater and being completely riveted. Unbreakable is my favorite film of all time! It truly is one of the great masterpieces of the last few years.
 
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Miguelito
5:49PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Not surprisingly he has some downright shitty films on this list...like half of them. But the others are brilliant and make so much sense. I was hoping he'd give Scream props, but...maybe I'm the only one who thinks it's a masterpiece.
Not surprisingly he has some downright shitty films on this list...like half of them. But the others are brilliant and make so much sense. I was hoping he'd give Scream props, but...maybe I'm the only one who thinks it's a masterpiece.
 
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filmaddict
5:42PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Some good, some bad
The weird thing is that I always assumed Tarantino was big on foreign films, but he's mainly named a lot of mainstream fluff. There's nothing wrong with that, and I love "Speed" as much as the next "Die Hard" fan, but c'mon...Top 20 since 1992? Meh. There are a couple good choices, and I don't necessarily dislike anything he named, but I would only rate three or four of them as anything worth...
The weird thing is that I always assumed Tarantino was big on foreign films, but he's mainly named a lot of mainstream fluff. There's nothing wrong with that, and I love "Speed" as much as the next "Die Hard" fan, but c'mon...Top 20 since 1992? Meh. There are a couple good choices, and I don't necessarily dislike anything he named, but I would only rate three or four of them as anything worth mentioning to any degree.
 
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JimmyFive
5:07PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
HELL YA MO FUCKAS



M NIGHT GETTIN LOVE!
HELL YA MO FUCKAS



M NIGHT GETTIN LOVE!
 
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Donnie_Darko
4:57PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
QT leans towards Asian cinema, cause it`s superior to most American tripe. Plus he`s a geek, and most film geeks like stuff outside the Hollywood system.
QT leans towards Asian cinema, cause it`s superior to most American tripe. Plus he`s a geek, and most film geeks like stuff outside the Hollywood system.
 
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ragekorne
4:31PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Yeah, he leans a bit towards asian cinema (I wish it was a top 20 AMERICAN movies since he became director, but whatever). Ya gotta respect that he included movies like The Matrix, Speed, Friday, and Unbreakable (easily in my top 10 of ALL TIME!). He's not like one of those up tight people who only list obscure or foreign films. (Like that one porn star who was interviewed for her top 5....
Yeah, he leans a bit towards asian cinema (I wish it was a top 20 AMERICAN movies since he became director, but whatever). Ya gotta respect that he included movies like The Matrix, Speed, Friday, and Unbreakable (easily in my top 10 of ALL TIME!). He's not like one of those up tight people who only list obscure or foreign films. (Like that one porn star who was interviewed for her top 5. (For that Soderbergh film).



I love QT, and I give mad props to his list.
 
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zaika
3:55PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
WhooHooo. UNBREAKABLE !!!!
WhooHooo. UNBREAKABLE !!!!
 
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Donnie_Darko
3:18PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
It's okay
for QT to use Shamalamadingdong... even tho I trademarked it 12 years ago... but hey, he's QT.



I completely disagree on only 2 flicks, and that's Unwatchable and Friday. But that's what personal opinion is for right?
for QT to use Shamalamadingdong... even tho I trademarked it 12 years ago... but hey, he's QT.



I completely disagree on only 2 flicks, and that's Unwatchable and Friday. But that's what personal opinion is for right?
 
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Moviefreek
3:01PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Good List. Friday is a pretty awesome comedy but maybe not top 20 material. I am very glad to see The Unbreakable on the list as that is extremely underrated film and what that I defend and support all the time.
Good List. Friday is a pretty awesome comedy but maybe not top 20 material. I am very glad to see The Unbreakable on the list as that is extremely underrated film and what that I defend and support all the time.
 
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cupajoe
2:22PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The first Friday is a fantastic film and I am glad Tarantino saw the greatness in it. The dialog is fantastic and it is not just stupid stoner jokes and pop references like Pineapple express.
The first Friday is a fantastic film and I am glad Tarantino saw the greatness in it. The dialog is fantastic and it is not just stupid stoner jokes and pop references like Pineapple express.
 
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zagorakis
1:37PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The Insider
Nice to see The Insider get the love it deserves. Vastly underrated movie. I guess I'm not the only one who thought it was Mann's best movie, even better than Heat.
Nice to see The Insider get the love it deserves. Vastly underrated movie. I guess I'm not the only one who thought it was Mann's best movie, even better than Heat.
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HoyleHaw
2:50PM on 08/18/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Love that movie. Chris Plummer gives me chills every time I watch it, he WAS Mike Wallace and I can't believe he didn't get nominated for it.
Love that movie. Chris Plummer gives me chills every time I watch it, he WAS Mike Wallace and I can't believe he didn't get nominated for it.
 
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ZDR
12:54PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Good list
Thats weird I just bought Unbreakable and I love that movie.
Thats weird I just bought Unbreakable and I love that movie.
 
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Parallax207
12:25PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Awesome
The fact that Battle Royale was #1 on his list sold me...
The fact that Battle Royale was #1 on his list sold me...
 
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Beenthere
12:03PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Well, Quentin
You are a weirdo who never stopped being a video rental store clerk. I am not surprised with your obvious preferences towards Asian Cult Cinema, Trash Cinema, Pretentious Art House Movies and B-movies: that's who you are. I was surprised to see somewhat anti-American movies on the list including bore fest The Host. So fuck you, Tarantino, for not liking much better movies but it's your freaking...
You are a weirdo who never stopped being a video rental store clerk. I am not surprised with your obvious preferences towards Asian Cult Cinema, Trash Cinema, Pretentious Art House Movies and B-movies: that's who you are. I was surprised to see somewhat anti-American movies on the list including bore fest The Host. So fuck you, Tarantino, for not liking much better movies but it's your freaking list.

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Hunglowman
3:11PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
wow, you sound bitter. Did QT beat you out at Cannes? Or for an screenwriting or directing Oscar? or maybe people rip off his films just slightly more than yours?

please explain what he did to make you sound like his scorned ex-girlfriend...
wow, you sound bitter. Did QT beat you out at Cannes? Or for an screenwriting or directing Oscar? or maybe people rip off his films just slightly more than yours?

please explain what he did to make you sound like his scorned ex-girlfriend...
 
Bicycle_Thief
3:03PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
His taste of films are about the experience. they are the movies that make you feel something. That is if you have feelings
His taste of films are about the experience. they are the movies that make you feel something. That is if you have feelings
 
Skellington
2:12PM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The Host is amazing dude. And who the fuck are you to judge his list ? Whats on yours ? Transformers 2 ?
The Host is amazing dude. And who the fuck are you to judge his list ? Whats on yours ? Transformers 2 ?
 
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The Fire Duece
11:26AM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
ha m night shamalamadingdong
ha m night shamalamadingdong
 
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Skellington
11:25AM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Interesting indeed, but Supercop ? Friday ? Everything else is understandable on some level, but those two ... bleh.
Interesting indeed, but Supercop ? Friday ? Everything else is understandable on some level, but those two ... bleh.
 
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Darth Kenshin
10:59AM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
very diverse list. Not surprising.
very diverse list. Not surprising.
 
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Sean Carleton
10:56AM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
NO WAY!
I can't believe Friday made Tarantino's list, I'm pleasantly surprised.
I can't believe Friday made Tarantino's list, I'm pleasantly surprised.
 
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Bicycle_Thief
10:26AM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Great List Man
This is a guy who really likes movies and you can tell. I'm glad he gave some love to the underrated "Unbreakable".
This is a guy who really likes movies and you can tell. I'm glad he gave some love to the underrated "Unbreakable".
 
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dbldn11
10:22AM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I can just see Linklater and Tarantino making out.
I can just see Linklater and Tarantino making out.
 
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outsyder
10:20AM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Holy crap
Looks like my tastes are more similar to QT's than I had imagined. Wow.
Looks like my tastes are more similar to QT's than I had imagined. Wow.
 
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Noct
10:03AM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
What I love about Tarantino is...
that he can jump through genre's and beyond them. He's not embarrassed about his love of some films and even when I strongly disagree with him I just can't help but respect why he feels the way he does. He knows his stuff and he doesn't just call it stupid. He's capable of giving valid reasons. I wish I could read reviews by Tarantino. I also wish he made more movies but I'm always grateful for...
that he can jump through genre's and beyond them. He's not embarrassed about his love of some films and even when I strongly disagree with him I just can't help but respect why he feels the way he does. He knows his stuff and he doesn't just call it stupid. He's capable of giving valid reasons. I wish I could read reviews by Tarantino. I also wish he made more movies but I'm always grateful for what we have by him.



Anyway. Interesting list. Thanks for posting this Mike.
 
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NoirMan82
9:58AM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
It's cool to see that me and Tarantino share some interest, but what's with Oldboy not being on his list? Shame, shame.
It's cool to see that me and Tarantino share some interest, but what's with Oldboy not being on his list? Shame, shame.
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ToiletBug
11:31AM on 08/17/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
While I dont come close to agreeing with 90 percent of what he said...its nice to see his passion is still there. Its easy to get rich and loose the passion. Cant deny QT is talented as hell and has left his mark
While I dont come close to agreeing with 90 percent of what he said...its nice to see his passion is still there. Its easy to get rich and loose the passion. Cant deny QT is talented as hell and has left his mark
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