The Stylistic Linguistics of Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino’s films are popular for many reasons: Their intricate plots; their action and violence; their soundtracks; their numerous allusions and homages to pop-culture; their colorful characters. But the real appeal— and power— of his films can be found in Tarantino’s use of language— his writing style. The intricate plots and the memorable characters are a certainly a big part of that, but the signature of Tarantino’s style is his expertly crafted dialogue. It is through his dialogue that Tarantino not only constructs and reveals his characters, but it is also the mechanism he uses to increase tension, create conflict, and propel the plot. 

Tarantino’s dialogue allows his characters to defi...

The Ref

This dark comedy stars Denis Leary as a burglar holding a super-dysfunctional family (headed by Kevin Spacey) hostage on Christmas Eve.

It's sure to make you feel better about spending time with your own family this Christmas. 

Lethal Weapon

It's easy to forget that Richard Donner's classic action film is set at Christmastime. And it's easy to forget that it's Christmastime when you get to watch Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Danny Glover) track down drug smugglers and blow shit up.

Mixed Nuts

Nora Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle) wrote the screenplay and directed this idiosyncratic, yet sweet, comedy about a busy night at one of those hotline call centers during the holidays.

An undervalued movie with a great ensemble cas...

1. "Monster Mash"- The Misfits This one’s a no-brainer— everyone loves doing the Monster Mash! The classic by Bobby Boris Pickett is always a hit, but there are