Product Description

Edwin Page provides a comprehensive study of cult director Quentin Tarantino, examining films such as Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, From Dusk til Dawn as well as his lesser known work.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #315749 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

About the Author
Edwin Page has a first class degree in film and literary studies and has had several stories, poems and articles published in a variety of magazines. He is the author of Quintessential Tarantino and Horribly Awkward: The New Funny Bone also published by Marion Boyars Publishers.

Customer Reviews

Few insights and let down by poor editing
I ordered this book based on the reviews available; I was looking for an insightful study of QT's films - something that would highlight themes and references I'd missed, and that would add enjoyment to subsequent viewings. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything new in the book, despite not being a Tarantino aficionado. What I did find were summaries of all the films on offer including all key plot points (making this book unsuitable for people who haven't seen all of the films) along with obvious, often repetitive, opinions from the author. One QT trademark highlighted is that of the use of a case (of money, drugs, etc.) in each film, but rather than refer to this as "the case/bag motif" or another appropriate label, the author repeats every previous example, adding the new instance each time. The unnecessary word count from this approach must be considerable. Also, a comparison between Reservoir Dogs and The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 (page 54) refers to the use of colour aliases, citing the examples of Mr Grey, Brown, Blue and Green, and noting that only Mr Brown - the character QT himself plays - is used in Dogs; an interesting point, except that Mr Blue was also used, and the fact that he was played by noted criminal/author Eddie Bunker only highlights the seriousness of this omission, or the discussion of his involvement in the film anywhere in the book. These omissions, coupled with the typographical errors and the cited reference sources being almost exclusively internet-based left me with an impression of an unpolished, rushed work - perhaps (and this is pure speculation on my part) a reworking of the dissertation that saw him receive the "first class degree in film and literary studies" noted on the rear cover. In my opinion, the substantial cover price printed a couple of inches lower demanded more thorough research, better quality control prior to publication, and that the author had something new to say about a most original writer/director.

tarantino exposed
This book is essential reading for Tarantino fans. I found this book suprisingly informative and loaded with interesting facts that bring an awareness to Tarantino"s intentions and make reviewing Tarantino"s films even more interesting the second time around. This book does what it's supposed to do - inform. Well done Mr Page - who"s next?

ESSENTIAL QUINTESSENTIAL
An incredibly interesting read, well written and totally avoids the 'long-windedness' and self-importance that a lot of these books seem to subject their readers too. Definitely one to hang onto and not trade in!