@jackl – excellent points. In addition to the examples you cited, Tarantino movies are practically the antithesis of “high concept.” They’re known for deep, multi-dimensional characters and non-linear plots driven mostly by sharp, witty dialogue. This formula does not translate well to other languages, and has little appeal to audiences who don’t want to expend any intellectual effort at the movies.

I think a big part of Tarantino’s success is the hipness of his characters and the shocking violence. Many, many Tarantino fans I know are drawn to the infamous ear scene in Reservoir Dogs, the accidental discharge in Pulp Fiction, just about every scene in Kill Bill, and the Nazi-killing Brad Pitt angle in Inglourious Basterds.

As a side note, I think the ad campaign for Basterds is an interesting commentary on the contemporary movie-going public. I went into that movie with the expectation that the plot would be centered around Pitt and his crew travelling around Germany killing Nazis. That’s the impression I got from the previews. Many people were disappointed to find out the movie was very heavy on dialogue, and a lot of it was subtitled.

While I like all of Tarantino’s movies, I think his best work is the oft-forgotten Jackie Brown. Even many Tarantino fans thought Jackie Brown was too thick on dialogue, too slow to develop, and too convoluted. I don’t have any data, but I suspect it was/would be a total flop in foreign countries. I thought Jackie Brown had a better plot with more direction than Pulp Fiction (for the record, I think Pulp is also a masterpiece). A part of the appeal for me is also subtleties that go over most people’s heads, like the absolute hilarity of Michael Keaton’s noisy leather jacket.

I’m really glad there are directions like Tarantino who actually give me a reason to go to the theater every couple of years.

@Jerrytheband

Drive was excellent. I didn't expect the violence because I didn't know the director. I knew I'd like it because I like anything Ryan Gosling is in. Aside from a possible man crush I'm supressing, I respect him greatly for his acting ability. One of the best out there right now IMO. One of my favorite scenes in any movie, period, is in Fracture when they are at the opera and he stares down the girl he is interested in. She looks touched by his desire but also so self-conscious...just a well written perfectly executed scene.

But yeah back to Drive, that movie was tits.

I haven't seen Avengers because I really dont care. I did just see The Death of a Salesman on broadway with Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Willie Lohman. Now that was great acting. As for this summer there are a few movies I may see. All in all, movies kinda suck these days. I'll always see Wes and P.T.'s films, the coen bros, tarantino's, Terrance Malik's films, Chris Nolans films. Idk theres a few others. A word to those critics out there. You cant complain about a movie that looks shitty that you paid to see. Avengers always looked shitty and you saw and supported it regardless. If you really wanted to watch it and hate it, look online. That way you aren't helping hollywood and can bitch all you want without feeling like a hypocrite douche. No offense. But thats how I've always felt about people that complain about films. Also, if you cant evaluate and break down how the film was made, who are you to talk? The amount of time that was put in The Avengers (regardless if it was a waste) was still serious time. There seems to be some impressive effects. Thats all. Again, dont mean to offend anyone. I'm just sort of a douche myself

I bought a $3 bootleg copy from one of my clients, just for shits and giggles. From what I watched of it, it wasn't nearly as big of a lump of crap as I thought it would be.

The Avengers is one of the best superheroes movies in a long time and is likely to become a classic of the genre. You would need to really hate comic book movies not to get a kick out of this.Feels like actual Marvel Comics are being injected directly into your bloodstream. It's simply jaw-dropping.

I loved the Avengers. And I don't want to belabor a point in a thread I showed up too late to, but I'd say there is a lot more overlap between "movie" and "film" than it appears others believe. To state that there is no (or no noteworthy) social commentary in action films IMO is incorrect. I got a lot of enjoyment thinking about The Dark Knight and what it has to say about society and where we are headed.

There was lots of truly predictable crap in Avengers, but some of the actual ACTING was above average for an action film. Whedon is pretty cheesy in general, but there were moments that my expectations were exceeded, and that's always a nice surprise.

The best part was that I saw this movie the day I built my new computer. Spent 8 hours putting it together and then saw Avengers at a deluxe place with bar service. Awesome.