The acclaimed director highlights productions that are objectively impeccable — even if you don’t love them
Recognized as one of the greatest modern filmmakers, Quentin Tarantino is responsible for classics like Pulp Fiction: Time of Violence (1994) and Django Unchained (2012) — winners of the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay —, Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and Volume 2 (2004), Inglourious Basterds (2009) and The Hateful Eight (2015).
With so many successes in cinema, Jimmy Kimmel asked him during a discussion: what makes a film perfect?
According to the At Film School, Tarantino said that certain films transcend individual taste and become objectively notable, even if not all viewers love them. “The perfect movie kind of crosses all the boxes, to one degree or another. It might not be your cup of tea, but there’s nothing you can say to take it down.”
An example, according to him, is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974). The indie horror follows a group of five friends traveling through Texas who encounter a family of cannibals, including the iconic Leatherface.
The film was directed by Tobe Hooperalso responsible for Poltergeist (1982) and Sinister Force (1985). Instead of focusing on gore and violence, Hooper bet on a construction of psychological horror — through frightening sounds and claustrophobic angles — that revolutionized the genre.
Despite being a low-budget production, the film was recorded in a semi-documentary style, which gives low quality to the images and creates a distressing and disturbing atmosphere. The raw and realistic performance of Marilyn Burns (Sally Hardesty), the only survivor of the massacre, made her one of the most legendary “final girls”. The 1974 film was based on the true story of Ed Geinmurderer and grave robber — which also inspired the recent Netflix release Monster: A Story by Ed Gein.
Another film mentioned by Tarantino and Shark (1975), classic by Steven Spielberg and considered by many to be the first modern blockbuster.
On Amity Island, a great white shark begins attacking swimmers, generating panic in the city. The police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), the oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and the shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) come together to hunt the predator, aboard a small boat.
Due to problems with the mechanical shark during filming, Spielberg showed the creature only in key moments of the narrative: this limitation became the film’s greatest strength, because it increased the suspense effect. The work left a mark on popular culture and generated countless sequels and imitators. The terrifying soundtrack — composed by John William to suggest the animal’s arrival — became so symbolic that it is still remembered decades later.
Thirdly, Tarantino quote The Exorcist (1973), directed by William Friedkin (Operation France, The Train of Fear). The film tells the story of a mother who gradually realizes that her 12-year-old daughter is acting strangely. She decides to ask a priest for help, and he comes to the conclusion that the girl is possessed by the devil. A second priest, a specialist in exorcism, tries to free her from the possession.
At just 14 years old, the performance of Linda Blair gave him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and an indication to the Oscar. Ellen Burstynwho plays the mother of Beautifulwas nominated to the Oscar for Best Actressand Jason Millerthe Father, was appointed to Best Supporting Actor. The work was also nominated for Best Film and Best Director.
According to critics, Friedkin redefined the horror genre, as it didn’t just want to scare the audience, but cause a visceral reaction. However, he became known for using extreme methods to extract realistic performances, using weapons and even physical aggression.
In a completely different style, Tarantino also mentions Back to the Future (1985). The director, Robert Zemeckisis renowned for mixing elements of science fiction, comedy and adventure – he made Forrest Gump: The Storyteller (1994) and The Polar Express (2004). Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy they also served as executive producers.
Back to the Future builds a fun and sensitive plot that marked several generations. It balances the charismatic’s time travel Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) with lots of humor and family drama. Christopher Lloyd (Dr. Emmett Brown) played an eccentric scientist, while Lea Thompson lived Lorraine McFly (mother of Marty) in the past and present.
The script for Zemeckis and Bob Gale it was rejected more than 40 times before it was made, but is now hailed as a classic: it was the highest-grossing film of 1985 and kicked off the three-part franchise. The writers refused to allow remakes or reboots: “That can’t happen until Bob and I are dead,” he said. Zemeckis the Vanity Fair.
Below, see the only seven perfect films in history, according to Quentin Tarantino:
- My Hatred Will Be Your Heritage (1969)
- The Exorcist (1973)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
- Young Frankenstein (1974)
- Shark (1975)
- Neurotic Groom, Nervous Bride (1977)
- Back to the Future (1985)
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Back to the Future
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The Exorcist
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the chainsaw massacre
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quentin tarantino
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Steven Spielberg
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tobe hooper
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
