Why "Inglourious Basterds" is Still Quentin Tarantino's Best Film

Scene from Inglourious Basterds

For Quentin Tarantino, the year 2009 was a turning point for his career that at the time seemed unexpected. With the success of Pulp Fiction now 15 years behind him, his three films since were a mix of underappreciated (Jackie Brown) and more stylized (Kill Bill). He still had the knack to entertain audiences, but what exactly was his defining achievements in his career? With Inglourious Basterds, he did something unfathomable. He didn't just dive into genre, this time taking on the World War II action films, he found a way to remind audiences that he was a gifted writer, capable of pushing boundaries that hadn't been seen in over a decade. He had the style, but Inglourious Basterds proved that he was capable of being an auteur, kicking off a decade of repurposing history through cinema to explore some of the most important themes of the 21st century, but with plenty more razzle-dazzle.

Theory Thursday: "Inglourious Basterds" is Tarantino's Best Film

Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds

Welcome to a weekly column called Theory Thursdays, which will be released every Thursday and discuss my "controversial opinion" related to something relative to the week of release. Sometimes it will be birthdays while others is current events or a new film release. Whatever the case may be, this is a personal defense for why I disagree with the general opinion and hope to convince you of the same. While I don't expect you to be on my side, I do hope for a rational argument. After all, film is a subjective medium and this is merely just a theory that can be proven either way. 

Failed Oscar Campaigns: "Inglourious Basterds" (2009)

Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds

As awards seasons pick up, so do the campaigns to make your film have the best chances at the Best Picture race. However, like a drunken stupor, sometimes these efforts come off as trying too hard and leave behind a trailer of ridiculous flamboyance. Join me on every other Saturday for a highlight of the failed campaigns that make this season as much about prestige as it does about train wrecks. Come for the Harvey Weinstein comments and stay for the history. It's going to be a fun time as I explore cinema's rich history of attempting to matter.

The Directors Project: #8 - Quentin Tarantino

Scene from Cinema Paradiso

With the many lists and essays written on the subject of film, there has been one thing that The Oscar Buzz has tried to understand: Who is my favorite of the film world? For 10 weeks this summer, I will be exploring this with a countdown of the Top 50 names based on a numerical ranking of ratings from various sources, the following is a list of directors who rank above everyone else. With occasional upsets, this is intended as both a discussion opener as well as a better understanding of me as a film critic and fan. Please enjoy and leave any comments you have regarding the entry's selection.