Right, so I got myself back into watching movies with a couple of comedies, and I felt ready for something a little…meatier, for lack of a better word. It was when I was watching a quiz show with dinner one evening and a Quentin Tarantino related question popped up that I realised I still had a good few of his movies to get into, and my husband had been recommending Reservoir Dogs to me for years.
All I really knew going in was the movie was about a diamond heist gone wrong, and I’d say that’s all anyone really needs to know before giving this movie a go. After an introduction to each of the characters at a diner, the movie kicks in right after the heist when the team are making their way back to the meeting point, after the crime went horribly wrong. It’s suspected that one of the gang is in fact a police informant.
A highly regarded mystery movie that I haven’t seen yet?! How did this escape me for so long? You had me at suspect. I live for this kind of story – I’ll be blogging about my first Agatha Christie novel soon, but that’s another story for another post.
So each of our suspects is known by a code name to do with a colour, which brings on an amusing scene whereby Steve Buscemi’s character is given the name Mr Pink. No guy wants to be pink, huh?
The pacing is super speedy, as we go from present day and the mystery unfolding to back in time when we as the viewer get to learn more about each of the team and how they got themselves into the heist. I won’t go into too much detail about the story or the outcome because you either know it like the back of your hand or you’ve never seen the movie – in which case you should hunt down a copy immediately!
What I found funny was how in my mind I kept comparing Reservoir Dogs to The Departed. Bare with me! I know they have little similarities – but in my mind, they ended similarly, in the sense that *spoiler* pretty much everyone died in the end *spoiler*. The funny part is that I really could not STAND the ending to The Departed, but thought the ending to Reservoir Dogs was clever, and most importantly, satisfying. I guess I just really hate Martin Scorsese movies without meaning to, or even having a good reason.
All in all, I really enjoyed my latest Tarantino movie. I still have a few to go, and either Jackie Brown or Inglourious Basterds is next on my list. Anyone have a favourite out of those two?
For now – Reservoir Dogs gets 4 out of 5 decapitated ears from me. Urgh.
Often Off Topic 
I found this to be okay. It’s a good film but I wasn’t so invested in it as much as Pulp Fiction or Jackie Brown. A good start to the Tarantino filmography though!
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I agree – Pulp Fiction definitely packs a bigger punch! I’m looking forward to checking out Jackie Brown soon 🙂
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Big fan of Reservoir Dogs, so I’m glad you liked this one. Lol on the rating system, too. Of the two you named at the end, I’d go Jackie Brown. I think it’s the better movie, plus, it came first chronologically.
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Thanks Dell! Jackie Brown seems like a winner for sure 🙂
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great review allie! love me some RD, its my favorite QT film as it beats out all of the others by a slight margin.
I’d also say Jackie Brown just because it chronologically comes next.
btw, did u get my email abt my MFTH6? Would love to get a pick from u.
Tnx!
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I think after reading Brit’s review Jackie Brown is definitely next on my list. I’m so sorry – I haven’t even looked at my emails for weeks! I’ll have a look asap 🙂
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Great!
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I lol’d at your rating system here. Great review! I really like this film as well.
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I honestly spend more time thinking about the rating than I do actually reviewing, ha!
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Oddly I only saw this once but I really liked it. The cast is so great and the movie was very entertaining, very impressive for first feature film
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I think it’s one of those kind of movies that you only need to see once – if that makes any sense?
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I’m glad you got to see this one! I love everything about this movie and I’m glad it got 4 out of 5 ears (haha!) from you. My favorite QT films are his first three, so I’d recommend watching Jackie Brown next. But Inglourious Basterds is very good as well.
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The votes are definitely playing in favour of Jackie Brown, I’m hoping I can see it very soon now 🙂
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Just an all around great flick. Nice review.
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Thanks Dan 🙂
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Good review – I’m interested in knowing your reaction to the ending. btw – decapitated ears isn’t a thing though I appreciate the joke – severed would make more sense,
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I guess it was a feeling of satisfaction – I’m not sure how to put it into words really!
Btw – don’t expect smart writing and words that make sense on this little blog of mine!
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This is one of my favourite Tarantino movies. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! If I had to pick between Inglourious Basterds and Jackie Brown I’d pick the latter, it’s brilliant and Pam Grier is fantastic.
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Jackie Brown is definitely on my priority list after the awards season is over 😀
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