Kill Bill

[FoolofaTook]

I loved this movie. It was one of the most entertaining movies I've seen ever. I loved how Uma Thurman wore a yellow tracksuit like Bruce Lee's in Game of Death. Tarantino is a genius. I encourage everyone to go and see Kill Bill...unless they can't stand gore.

[Giroth]

what is the plot of that movie?I never heard.....:p

[Echthelion]

The plot is, basically, Uma Thurman was the victim of an attempted assassination by her husband Bill. She awoke from a coma with one thought in mind:

Kill Bill.

I hope that sums it up, and of course I hope I am right. :rolleyes:

[Bombadillo]

I heard an interview with the director. He says that each character is supposed to represent their own genre of movie that he grew up watching. Rather interesting fact, but I don't want to see it, unless I hear it's really good.

[Giroth]

Oh ok.:D Not too complex,but oh well:D Maybe it IS good.

[The Gaffer]

That raises a question about films which "reference" other films.

Buffs always rave about this and seem to take great satisfaction from being able to spot them in films. But is it great art or is it just lazy? Couldn't they think of something original?

[IronParrot]

Can't wait until the second half.

I adore the way Tarantino's structured the movie. He's always had a penchant for non-linear storytelling but the "chapter" format of Kill Bill (and how it's used) is really something to behold.

The House of the Blue Leaves fight was a particular thrill to watch, not just because of all the various appendages coming off, but how artfully it was filmed. The part where it blinks into black-and-white (and the accompanying music) hearkened back to the samurai films of Akira Kurosawa in a very direct way that I appreciated. Then there was the part where it was done in silhouette, which reminded me - of all things - of the Cell Block Tango in Chicago... almost like a dance number with samurai swords.

I may or may not do a full review of this one (given that I'm pretty busy) but my overall impression of this (half of the) movie is that it's a keeper, worth at least another viewing or two, and definitely a buy on DVD.

(Though admittedly, some of the gratuitous violence - I'm referring the scalping in particular - was a little over the edge for my tastes...)

[IronParrot]

Buffs always rave about this and seem to take great satisfaction from being able to spot them in films. But is it great art or is it just lazy? Couldn't they think of something original?
There's a huge difference between a "reference" and a "rip-off", and you usually know one when you see one, but it's still unclear enough that you need to evaluate it on a case-by-case basis.

I don't remember which famous author said this, but it was along the lines of, "all the great stories have been told." It's a matter of making these stories better in the telling.

[The Gaffer]

Agreed. I think there may be a similar quote along the lines that Shakespeare has already told all the stories that can be told.

I asked the question because it seems to be particular to film, rather than other art forms, and I don't really understand what it's about. I had a heated discussion with a friend about this wrt Buffy the Vampire Slayer (which is, according to her, loaded with filmic references).

In music, you'll get cover versions, sampling and fusion, but they're usually a process of blending into the whole rather than referencing of particular works at a specific point. Visual artists cite influences, but the intention is to be stepping forwards from the influence rather than referring back to them.

The example you describe of a Kurosawa reference seems very explicit by the usual standards, and visually arresting.

Anyway, Kill Bill sounds like top stuff. Can't wait to see it.

[IronParrot]

The Buffy TV show (which I still find to be inferior to the 1992 film starring Kristy Swanson) does get some credit for making a reference to Trogdor the Burninator.

As for the black-and-white Kurosawa-esque bit in Kill Bill, as it turns out, that was the result of a decision made in order to evade an NC-17 rating that would have been slapped on the film had the gore in that sequence been in full colour. It's one of those editorial choices that produces a side effect of its own.

[gdl96]

When I went into the movie, I was ready to see a movie which I would probably enjoy somewhat, and walk out relatively satisfied. That's not what I got.

Kill Bill was one of the most entertaining and satisfying movies I've seen all year. I absolutely loved every minute, every aspect, every inch of samuri sword, every bit of dialogue, and every note of the music. This is the kind of movie you get on DVD and watch over and over and over again because it is so incredibly entertaining and enjoyable.

However, only one of my friends who I went with felt that way. Ben (bmilder) wasn't sure what to think, and my other two friends pretty much hated it. And the guy sitting next to me in the theater reeked of pot.

All in all, Kill Bill kicked ass.

[Varda Oiolosseo]

I wanted to go and see this film but it's an 18!! Damn it!!
So i will have to wait until it comes out on DVD.

It does look pretty good though.

[Sheeana]

I saw it last night. Fantastic stuff. Tarantino still has the magic touch. I especially loved the bit with the fight in the snow garden - that was so beautifully filmed. Oh, and the bit where it cuts back to her after the animated short, and she's like, "Now, wiggle your big toe." :D

[Finrod Felagund]

Originally posted by IronParrot
The Buffy TV show (which I still find to be inferior to the 1992 film starring Kristy Swanson) does get some credit for making a reference to Trogdor the Burninator.


Really? COOOLL!!!!

[Brill]

Originally posted by Echthelion
The plot is, basically, Uma Thurman was the victim of an attempted assassination by her husband Bill. She awoke from a coma with one thought in mind:

Kill Bill.

I hope that sums it up, and of course I hope I am right. :rolleyes:

Bill wasn't her husband, he was her lover and contractor (she was an assassin) At least that is what I got from it, cause they said the groom had been killed.

Not only was she almost killed, but she was pregnant and the subsequentially the baby died ;).

Uh, hm, well I thought it was funny. But again, the fake blood was often over the top, the plot was as thick as tissue paper and the dialogue was ...ICK!

But for a movie without what most good movies have, it was okay. I like the way the movie played out, the chapters were interesting, and I specifically liked the way they switched films. Meaning black and white, overlay (i think there was overlay anyway) and the cartoon.

OVERALL: Tarantino would be a filming genius, IF he had some better material. :D

[Bombadillo]

Was it all terribly fake? Like Charlie's Angels? I know there's definately a lot of gore, but that's tolerable. Did it use a bunch of wirework and CG though?

I can't stand an unconvincing fight scene.

I may see it this weekend though.

[Brill]

Of course, you've seen BAD movies that have the blood shooting out of a decapitated guys head, projectile style, up to 5 ft?

Yeah, 'nuff said there. :rolleyes: It might not be as bad as I remember, but that's the impression I got of it. PLUS if you've ever seen alot of real blood before, it ain't that color.

[Lalaith]

My friends said that they were quite disappointed by the movie. Didn't like it.

[Millane]

ummm brill have you ever thought the the over-the-top blood was intentional... it was supposed to be over-the-top and tarantino is a genius in the fact that he can go from comedy to disturbing. typically used in old samurai films, blood spraying out like that, i love it.

[Brill]

Yeah, I did, because no one would be stupid enough to believe he did it on purpose?!?

Anyway, as I said Tarantino COULD be a genius, but he needs to get over himself. The only excellent movie he made was Reservoir Dogs, and I cheered when his character died. (Talking about "like a virgin" :rolleyes: )

[Sheeana]

You don't count Pulp Fiction? That movie CHANGED the movie industry. Anyway, I suspect that the obviously silly blood splatterings had a lot to do with keeping the Rating down more than anything - like when the black and white scene was playing.

[Brill]

PULP Fiction had no plot and no resolution. The filming ...I can see why it "changed" the film industry, but the movie itself was awful.

[Millane]

:eek: your the first person i have ever heard call Pulp Fiction awful, I loved the story he did in 4 rooms, if you havent seen it check it out, the story with Antonio Banderas is the best but tarantinos is great too, although he acts in that and i dont think that would please you by the sounds of things;)

[gdl96]

Two of my friends absolutely despise Pulp Fiction

[FoolofaTook]

:eek: Really?! That's one of the best movies EVER! I've never heard of anyone not liking Pulp Fiction. Everyone likes it.

[Spock]

I know from TV previews that David Carridine is Bill but am sad to see him in another "bad guy" role. He's not been a good guy since Kung Fu The Legend Continues and I just know he's going to get killed in part two.:mad:

[Lady Tinuveil]

I liked Reservior Dogs & Pulpfiction. I thought they were both great, and I think Kill Bill will be awesome, I am waiting fo it to come to my city.

As for despising Pulpfiction, my mother is the only one I know that didnt like it.
i have yet to meet another.

[thranduil]

The music in this movie is nothing short of Brilliant! (even though the music was used in other films as well.) As well as the whole movie. I recommend this movie to everyone, excellent. Oh man GO GO Yubari dies. whoops sorry if I spoiled it.

"That truly is a Hattori Hanzo sword" - O Ren Ishii

[IronParrot]

So, who else is going to see Vol. 2 this weekend?

[Catgirl]

I have seen many trailers for these movies, are they really that good? Because they seem interesting.

[thranduil]

Originally posted by IronParrot
So, who else is going to see Vol. 2 this weekend?

me

[Millane]

Originally posted by IronParrot
So, who else is going to see Vol. 2 this weekend? bastard:D next week:(

[FoolofaTook]

I'm going to see it tomorrow:D It's going to be soooo good....I heard it's supposed to be more of a Spaghetti Western homage this time...instead of the Kung-Fu/Samurai homage like the first one.

[FoolofaTook]

I saw it last night. It was really good. I'm not sure if it's better than the first. The two films are almost completely different. There is much less action in this one than the first, but it's still so good. Pai Mei was the best character in this one.

[Janny]

Gee, what a film! It's gotta rank right up ther with Star Wars, Moulin Rouge and Topsey Turvey on my all time list of films I wish I'd never seen. 2 hrs of my life and I want them back!!! This was blood lust at its most unnecessary and bizarre extreme. If I wanted to see real martial arts I would have watched any number of Jet Li films. Or even Rush Hour for goodness sake!
The first scene after the wedding flashback was so bizarre I was laughing all the way through.
I'm so glad there is already a thread on this film, I wouldn't want to waste any more effort on it. I do not even want to waste time justifying my views further.

Sorry Kill Bill fans... :( ;)

[IronParrot]

I thought it was pretty incredible myself - incredible enough that I was actually motivated to write a complete review about it, something I haven't done for any movie in quite a long time (pages and pages and pages on ROTK aside).

My review (http://www.ualberta.ca/~ntam/2004_04_01_archive.html#108225979816819864) - excerpt:
When it comes to motive, most revenge films - even the good ones - stop right there. Kill Bill goes beyond. It dares to pose the question of why the perpetrator and counter-perpetrating victim resort to violence, and what it is in the nature of these individuals, or human nature itself, that drives them to commit their actions. The film realizes that as far as full-on action spectacles go, it already reached an asymptotal limit at the House of Blue Leaves in Chapter 5, and takes a different developmental path that favours depth over death. As it works its way towards a grand finale that may not be a spectacular boss battle, but is anything but anti-climactic, it shows a progressive level of maturity. To boot, this maturity never precludes it from being outright fun.

[IronParrot]

Janny:
Gee, what a film! It's gotta rank right up ther with Star Wars, Moulin Rouge and Topsey Turvey on my all time list of films I wish I'd never seen. 2 hrs of my life and I want them back!!! This was blood lust at its most unnecessary and bizarre extreme. If I wanted to see real martial arts I would have watched any number of Jet Li films. Or even Rush Hour for goodness sake!
I can see why Kill Bill wouldn't cater to everyone, and I'm not sure where your tastes actually lie, but they're certainly quite different from mine (Star Wars and Moulin Rouge! are like family to me, though I haven't seen Topsy-Turvy). It's funny that you bring up Jet Li as "real" martial arts. While I'm a huge fan of his early work, particularly under the direction of Tsui Hark in the Once Upon A Time in China series, it's interesting that Jet Li's "Wushu" martial arts (especially with all the "wire-fu" work he does) is more akin to traditional dance than actual fighting technique - visually spectacular, and thus very photogenic, but it should make you question your conception of "real".

I don't take issue with the fact that you certainly didn't react to Kill Bill the same way I did, but we're going to have to agree to disagree on several more fronts than just that.

[Janny]

I must disagree. She goes 'round with a mahoosive sword killing an implausible number of people, most of whom lose limbs in an unnecessarily comical fashion for a deep insightful film on revenge.
I mean, it's a joke right? Just because the audience is intelligent enough to want to read that the film poses 'the question of why the perpetrator and counter-perpetrating victim resort to violence, and what it is in the nature of these individuals, or human nature itself, that drives them to commit their actions', doesn't actually mean it does, and I don't think it does.
I repeat, I want those two hours of my life back.

[IronParrot]

You quoted a part of my review of Vol. 2, which is why you didn't get that sense. I didn't get that sense from Vol. 1 either. A lot of that specific excerpt refers to Chapter 10, "Face to Face", which is a big payoff for anyone looking for the literary Tarantino. What Vol. 1 achieved was mainly in the arena of medium rather than message, a dichotomy that Vol. 2 reverses in a way. That's why they work better when taken as a whole.

Concerning realism, watch any of the movies that were an influence behind the martial arts style exhibited by the Showdown at the House of Blue Leaves sequence (which is the specific one you take issue with) - some as prominent as the works of Kurosawa, some that have never left the grindhouse. The intention, as I see it, was never to portray realism in martial arts, so much as to emulate a specific style of film. Buckets and buckets of blood is just as unrealistic as a complete lack of blood. If you've ever watched a Sergio Leone western - and he's the other bigshot director whose influence creeps all over Kill Bill - they're extremely violent in terms of the death toll, but there isn't a drop of blood in sight. You'll see a lot of martial arts films that take a similar approach, even the ones that best approximate "real" kung fu (Bruce Lee and Enter the Dragon come to mind). Is that more realistic? If you've ever watched any of Jet Li's signature films, the wall-jumping and 360-degree spinning in Kill Bill is actually a lot closer to them than to the very limited crop of American-made kung fu cinema we have in front of us today.

If you don't mind answering - and I don't mean this confrontationally, but just to gauge where you're coming from here - what martial arts movies do you like?

[Janny]

Originally posted by IronParrot

I don't take issue with the fact that you certainly didn't react to Kill Bill the same way I did, but we're going to have to agree to disagree on several more fronts than just that.
That's a relief, I really appriciate when people wanna discuss things without trying to mock/kill/laugh at me. :)
Ok, admissions then. I don't know much about martial arts at all. I having really developed a real taste for any genre yet, but I enjoy romantic comedies (with the exception of 'Love Actually' which I forgot to mention with films I hate), and I loved 'Lost in Translation' and 'Memento'. Despite hating 'Moulin Rouge', I really liked the Fosse 'Caberet'. I've only seen the modern Hollywood kung fu films which get crossed with mafia and guns etc, eg 'Romeo Must Die', 'Lethal Weapon' s.
Maybe Jet Li is not realistic, but I feel kung fu remains with a greater respect for life. I think it is more impressive when the art exhibits skill without killing as many people as humanly possible (and more). I know it results in the cliched kicking guns out of hands and such, but the ability to kill is more powerful when there are fewer deaths.
I didn't realise Vol. 2 was out yet, stupid living in England. :mad:

[FoolofaTook]

I have found that people either love or hate the Kill Bill movies. I personally love them. I think the reason why most people hate them is the fact that they don't understand what Tarantino is trying to do. He's trying to make movies that are an homage to all the films he enjoyed growing up: eg. Kung-Fu movies and Spaghetti westerns. In the first film, the Showdown at Blue Leaves is not supposed to be realistic it's supposed to be like old samurai and Kung-Fu movies which went over the top with blood and action. The second film is much more like a Spaghetti western, except of course the scenes with Pai Mei. There is less violence and far less blood in the second film, and there is also more depth shown. Along with more dialogue. Both films combined make the ultimate movie experience. Although someone who doesn't like the genres involved will most likely not like them.

[Millane]

i pretty much agree with IronParrots views on this film, and Janny although i seemed to feel the complete opposite to you after seeing Volume 1 i can understand why you feel that way, i can only suggest to watch the second part it is really great and i have a feeling that even people who didnt like Vol 1 will really appreciate Vol 2, even just for the final scene with Bill and Beatrix... WATCH IT:D

[Janny]

Yeah, I probably will anyway. My friends will force me to... :)
Also, what was with the bleping out of her name?
And if this was the 4th film, which were the other ones... Reservoir D, Pulp Fiction...

[gimli7410]

a very good movie but the blood spurting out every time she cut someone got annoying after about the 7th time. it was very good and im glad i saw it tonite because of the ending which definetley left me wanting to see more( and i might see volume 2 tomo). they way it was filmed was pretty unique, it was good how it changed from black and white to colour and the music was neutral, not like rave music like in blade or something or just some band playing a song. Uma thurman was awesome and the choreography was good. i didnt like lucy lius part though just the way she yelled annoyed me. if this littl eparagraph seems screwed up its because im tired so im going to sleep:o

[FoolofaTook]

Originally posted by Janny
Also, what was with the bleping out of her name?
And if this was the 4th film, which were the other ones... Reservoir D, Pulp Fiction...

They bleeped her name out because she's not supposed to have a name...like Clint Eastwood's character in the Sergio Leone Spaghetti Westerns. Although they just didn't say his name in those.

And the movies before Kill Bill are: Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and Jackie Brown.

[Janny]

Thanks. So the whole thing is a homage to spaghetti westerns and his other favourites?

[FoolofaTook]

Pretty much. You really have to be into those sorts of movies to fully appreciate what he did.

[Millane]

Originally posted by gimli7410
i didnt like lucy lius part though just the way she yelled annoyed me. :eek: i loved Oren! how could you not:confused: :p Sophie and Go-Go also rocked, everyone should watch Battlefield Royale to, the same actress that plays Go-Go is in it and she is great and she is still ****ing insane (squirms imagining the groin stabbing seen:eek: )... Anyway back to Oren, everything about her was cool but especially the background story and her hardnut dad;) i probably like Budd better though, i loved that seen with his boss, "are you working tomorrow?" "yeah" "no your not, you dont even know what ****ing day you work", "what is with that ****ing hat":D ... and Budds queer friend Ernie :eek: :p my friend is getting a Pussy Wagon hat, how cool is that, i want one:(

[gimli7410]

i hated that go go chick, man 17 and she just got killed:p

[Millane]

Originally posted by gimli7410
i hated that go go chick, man 17 and she just got killed:p you hated Go-Go Yubari:eek: who DIDNT you hate:p
i believe that Kill Bill works in a survival of the coolest, the least coolest get killed off first (Vernita Green) then it goes up from there... the only exceptions are
Elle Driver
1. is she dead 2. she wasnt as cool as Budd she was probably just below him (equal with Oren Ishii)
and also the Bride was equal with Bill...
and another thing that i forgot to mention was the stand out performance by BB, the brides daughter, seriously the best child performance ever.:D

[katya]

Wow, I just finally saw volume one on PPV last night. That movie way surpassed my expectations! I don't want to go into detail, but they was so much I liked about it! I have to see volume 2 though...then I'lll comment more, maybe.

[Grey_Wolf]

Kill Bill vol 1: the revenge - first part
Kill Bill vol 2: the revenge - second part
Kill Bill vol 3: the revenge - the conclution
Kill Bill vol 4: the death of the bride
Kill Bill vol 6: the cloning of bill and the bride.
Kill Bill vol 7: the marriage of bill-clone and bride-clone
Kill Bill vol 8: the family
Kill Bill vol 9: the killing of the children
Kill Bill vol 10: the revenge II - first part
Kill Bill vol 11: the revenge II - second part
Kill Bill vol 12: the revenge II - the second conclution

:D :D

[katya]

Originally posted by Grey_Wolf
Kill Bill vol 1: the revenge - first part
Kill Bill vol 2: the revenge - second part
Kill Bill vol 3: the revenge - the conclution
Kill Bill vol 4: the death of the bride
Kill Bill vol 6: the cloning of bill and the bride.
Kill Bill vol 7: the marriage of bill-clone and bride-clone
Kill Bill vol 8: the family
Kill Bill vol 9: the killing of the children
Kill Bill vol 10: the revenge II - first part
Kill Bill vol 11: the revenge II - second part
Kill Bill vol 12: the revenge II - the second conclution

:D :D
You talking to me?! Yeah, ok ok so I'm ignorant. :p

[Grey_Wolf]

Originally posted by katya
You talking to me?! Yeah, ok ok so I'm ignorant. :p

I didn't mean it that way. I just heard that there's going to be a third part so I thought perhaps it was going to be one of those endless series.

[Janny]

A third one? Oh... Another film during which I will bang my head against a table... relentlessly.

Also, I owe Tarentino an apology. I criticised the ludicrous blood squirted etc. It transpires that actually if you get it right after it leaves the heart, the blood can squirt up to 30 feet. I stand corrected. :)

[Insidious Rex]

I FINALLY got to see this flic. Was very impressed. I love a film that comes off different from the usual hollywood shlock. And I love the depth of influence from japanese samuri films and 70s kung fu films. I want to get the Kung Fu series on DVD!!! Ive wanted to for a while actually. Can you get that? Anyway the soundtrack was fantastic. And the spaghetti western influences were so nice. I miss spaghetti westerns. Lucy Lu's character was fantastic. She pulled off the whole traditional cool as a clam japanese dom/psycho ruthless killer thing so well.

"So if any of you sons of bitches has ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY!! NOWS THE F***ING TIME!!!"

:D

Oh and go go.... *drool*

[Millane]

I FINALLY got to see this flic. Was very impressed. I love a film that comes off different from the usual hollywood shlock. And I love the depth of influence from japanese samuri films and 70s kung fu films. I want to get the Kung Fu series on DVD!!! Ive wanted to for a while actually. Can you get that? Anyway the soundtrack was fantastic. And the spaghetti western influences were so nice. I miss spaghetti westerns. Lucy Lu's character was fantastic. She pulled off the whole traditional cool as a clam japanese dom/psycho ruthless killer thing so well.

"So if any of you sons of bitches has ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY!! NOWS THE F***ING TIME!!!"

:D

Oh and go go.... *drool*
yeah you can get Kung Fu on dvd, my friend bought it a little while back and he loves it.

[Pirate]

I haven't seen Volume 2 yet but I watched the first one the other day. I thought it was pretty okay. I'll see the second one once it's on pay per view. It was too violent for me but I do acknowledge Tarantino as a genius in film. The movie was very artfully done but the gore made me literally sick.