A Book Apart by Ana Tenreiro

a BOOk aPaRT fragments IN TaRaNTINO

INTRO

Do you remember what it was like when you first discovered Tarantino? I’d love to say that I was the trailblazer in my group who turned everyone else onto him, but that’s unfortunately not the case. What did happen was that a friend bubbling over with excitement at being the one to throw back the covers on Reservoir Dogs, dragged us down to the art cinema for an eye-opening experience akin to the first play of Rage Against The Machine’s debut album, and repeated almost as much. I realise it’s fashionable, even expected, to hate on Tarantino nowadays. That we’ve moved from the early days of discovery and cult following, through the mass acceptance of his talent as a director and back out to a certain distain for his blatant fanboy love of cinema and the stolen motifs that pepper his work; except I haven’t. I continue to get excited when I hear about a new project he’s hatched and can still remember and connect to the reasons I fell for him in the first place. Yeah, his films are arguably great, but remember the video store clerk gobbling up films and writing scripts backstory to his career? That was so good, because that meant he could be you or you him. The referential and reverential cinema of Tarantino is the place many of us mentally occupy, happy to fly our film colours high and proud so we can share in ‘me too’ moments with our taste bedfellows.

contents cars 10

From the many reactions to the film it’s obvious that 300ml got the fervor of the Tarantino obsessed fan bang on, as the short itself mainly escapes criticism. Rather it’s the accuracy, logic or timeliness of the revealed Tarantino Code that’s held up for scrutiny, which is pretty much what happens between the characters on the screen.

weapons 36

violence 88

lunch break 62

heroines 114

CARS

That’s

10.

I’ll be there in - The Wolf -

minutes away.

efore the main credits we learn that the film is about the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, which has five members. A quotation gives the flavour: “Revenge is a dish best served cold”. In monochrome, a gasping, blood-covered bride (Uma Thurman) looks up from a chapel floor. A hand wipes her face using a handkerchief with the name Bill in the corner, while a male voice explains that what he is about to do is not a sadistic act, but a masochistic one. Just before he shoots her in the head, the Bride tells Bill (David Carradine) that the baby she carries is his. Then a shot and the main credits come up, backed by the song “Bang Bang”. Chapter 1. Pasadena. A blonde woman, the Bride, draws up in a yellow and red pickup outside a suburban home and strolls to the front door. As she rings, a flashback shows the Bride crashing to the floor and looking up to see the face of one of her attackers, Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox). As soon as the door is open, the Bride’s fist crashes into Vernita’s face. A savage fight follows, first with fists then with knives. The fight pauses when a school bus draws up outside and a little girl walks through the door. The antagonists hide their knives and pretend nothing is amiss despite the wreckage around them. They both reassure

the child, Nikki (Ambrosia Kelley). The Bride mentions that she used to have a child who would be the same age as Nikki (four). Vernita sends the girl to her room. At this point Vernita is introduced as a member of the Deadly Vipers, codename Copperhead. The Bride is also a member, codename Black Mamba. The Bride makes clear that she is here for revenge but promises not to kill Vernita in front of her child. They plan a fight later, but while Vernita is preparing cereal for her child she fires a concealed gun at the Bride. She misses and the Bride kills her with a thrown knife. The child walks in to see all this and the Bride apologises but explains that her mother had it coming to her. She tells Nikki that if, when she grows up, she can’t get past the killing, she should come find the Bride. “I’ll be waiting,” the Bride promises. She returns to the pickup, which is emblazoned with the words Pussy Wagon, crosses Vernita’s name from a list headed “Death List Five,” and drives away. Chapter 2. Four years earlier in El Paso. A wedding chapel with bodies scattered around and police investigating. The sheriff (Michael Parks) drives up and is told that there has been an execution-style massacre leaving nine bodies, including the bride, the groom, the preacher and his wife, the guests, and even the piano.

“

Before the main credits we learn that the film is about the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, which has five members. A quotation gives the flavour: “Revenge is a dish best served cold”. In monochrome, a gasping, blood-covered bride (Uma Thurman) looks up from a chapel floor. A hand wipes her face using a handkerchief with the name Bill in the corner, while a male voice explains that what he is about to do is not a sadistic act, but a masochistic one. Just before he shoots her in the head, the Bride tells Bill (David Carradine) that the baby she carries is his. Then a shot and the main credits come up, backed by the song “Bang Bang”. Chapter 1. Pasadena. A blonde woman, the Bride, draws up in a yellow and red pickup outside a suburban home and strolls to the front door. As she rings, a flashback shows the Bride crashing to the floor and looking up to see the face of one of her attackers, Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox). As soon as the door is open, the Bride’s fist crashes into Vernita’s face. A savage fight follows, first with fists then with knives. The fight pauses when a school bus draws up outside and a little girl walks through the door. The antagonists hide their knives and pretend nothing is amiss despite the wreckage around them. They both reassure the child, Nikki (Ambrosia Kelley). The Bride mentions that she used to have a child who would be the same age as Nikki (four). Vernita sends the girl to her room. At this point Vernita is introduced as a member of the Deadly Vipers, codename Copperhead. The Bride is also a member, codename Black Mamba. The Bride makes clear that she is here for revenge but promises not to kill Ver-

nita in front of her child. They plan a fight later, but while Vernita is preparing cereal for her child she fires a concealed gun at the Bride. She misses and the Bride kills her with a thrown knife. The child walks in to see all this and the Bride apologises but explains that her mother had it coming to her. She tells Nikki that if, when she grows up, she can’t get past the killing, she should come find the Bride. “I’ll be waiting,” the Bride promises. She returns to the pickup, which is emblazoned with the words Pussy Wagon, crosses Vernita’s name from a list headed “Death List Five,” and drives away. Chapter 2. Four years earlier in El Paso. A wedding chapel with bodies scattered around and police investigating. The sheriff (Michael Parks) drives up and is told that there has been an execution-style massacre leaving nine bodies, including the bride, the groom, the preacher and his wife, the guests, and even the piano player. The sheriff strolls round commenting on the massacre and stops near the bride and comments how good-looking she was. He immediately recognises the name she was using, Arlene Machiavelli, as an alias. As he kneels to look more closely at her, she suddenly (unwittingly) spits in his face. We see her rushed to hospital where she lies in a deep coma. A smartly dressed blonde woman walks through the hospital, whistling a tune. She finds a changing room and emerges dressed as a nurse with a red-cross patch over one eye and carrying a tray with syringe on. A title identifies her as Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah) of the Deadly Vipers, codename California Mountain Snake.

“ - Quentin Tarantino -

TAKE ME TO IT.

YOU HAVE A

HEAD IN THE GARAGE.

- THE WOLF -

CORPSE IN A CAR, MINUS A

My Pussy

- The Bride -

Wagon Died ON

Me.

A quotation gives the flavour: “Revenge is a dish best served cold”. In monochrome, a gasping, bloodcovered bride (Uma Thurman) looks up from a chapel floor. A hand wipes her face using a handkerchief with the name Bill in the corner, while a male voice explains that what he is about to do is not a sadistic act, but a masochistic one. Just before he shoots her in the head, the Bride tells Bill (David Carradine) that the baby she carries is his. Then a shot and the main credits come up, backed by the song “Bang Bang”. Chapter 1. Pasadena. A blonde woman, the Bride, draws up in a yellow and red pickup outside a suburban home and strolls to the front door. As she rings, a flashback shows the Bride crashing to the floor and looking up to see the face of one of her attackers, Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox). As soon as the door is open, the Bride’s fist crashes into Vernita’s face. A savage fight follows, first with fists then with knives. The fight pauses when a school bus draws up outside and a little girl walks through the door. The antagonists hide their knives and pretend nothing. is amiss despite the wreckage around them. They both reassure the child, Nikki (Ambrosia Kelley). The Bride mentions that she used to have a child who would be the same age as Nikki (four). Vernita sends the girl to her room. At this point Vernita is introduced as a member of the Deadly Vipers, codename Copperhead. The Bride is also a member, codename Black Mamba. The Bride makes clear that she is here for revenge but promises not to kill Vernita in front of her child. They plan a fight later, but while Vernita is preparing cereal for her child she fires a concealed gun at the Bride. She misses and the Bride kills her with a thrown knife. The child walks in to see all this and the Bride apologises but explains that her mother had it coming to her. She tells Nikki that if, when she grows up, she can’t get past the killing, she should come find the Bride. “I’ll be waiting,” the Bride promises. She returns to the pickup, which is emblazoned with the words Pussy Wagon, crosses Vernita’s name from a list headed “Death List Five,” and drives away. Chapter 2. Four years earlier in El Paso. A wedding chapel with bodies scattered around and police investigating. The sheriff (Michael Parks) drives up and is told that there has been an execution-style massacre leaving nine bodies, including the bride, the groom, the preacher and his wife, the guests, and even the piano player.

WEAPONS

REVENGE

- Old Klingon Proverb -

COLD

IS A DISH BEST SERVED

n four years again and the Bride is still lying in a coma. A mosquito bites her and she sits up with a shriek. In a flashback she sees a gun pointing at her and a bullet approaching in slow motion. She begins to feel her body, first noticing the metallic sound of her skull and then feeling the absence of the baby in her womb. She lets out a shriek and sobs pitifully. When she hears approaching footsteps she lies back and pretends to be still in a coma. An orderly (Michael Bowen) enters, accompanied by a large trucker (Jonathan Loughran). The orderly explains that, for $75, this attractive woman is available for whatever the trucker wants. The man pays up and is told that he can do anything he wants as long as he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave any marks.

- Aldo -

NO 52

GUNS. GUNS ME, GUNS YOU.

AK-47.The very best there is.

Whenyou - Ordell Robbie -

got to kill every

ELY

ABSOLUT POSITIV

MOTHERFUCKER in the room, accept no substitutes.

LUNCH BREAK

Any of you

UCKING PRICKS and I’ll execute , EVERY

move

MOTHERFUCKING last one of YA!

- Honey Bunny -

LET ME TELL YOU WHAT

‘LIKE A VIRGIN’ IS ABOUT.

IT’S ALL ABOUT A GIRL WHO

DIGS A GUY WITH A

- Mr. Brown -

B G D CK 75

quotation gives the flavour: “Revenge is a dish best served cold”. In monochrome, a gasping, blood-covered bride (Uma Thurman) looks up from a chapel floor. A hand wipes her face using a handkerchief with the name Bill in the corner, while a male voice explains that what he is about to do is not a sadistic act, but a masochistic one. Just before he shoots her in the head, the Bride tells Bill (David Carradine) that the baby she carries is his. Then a shot and the main credits come up, backed by the song “Bang Bang”. Chapter 1. Pasadena. A blonde woman, the Bride, draws up in a yellow and red pickup outside a suburban home and strolls to the front door. As she rings, a flashback shows the Bride crashing to the floor and looking up to see the face of one of her attackers, Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox). As soon as the door is open, the Bride’s fist crashes into Vernita’s face. A savage fight follows, first with fists then with knives. The fight pauses when a school bus draws up outside and a little girl walks through the door. The antagonists hide their knives and pretend nothing is amiss despite the wreckage around them. They both reassure the child, Nikki (Ambrosia Kelley). The Bride mentions that she used to have a child who would be the same age as Nikki (four). Vernita sends the girl to her room.

- Ordell Robbie 82

need

a favor, nigga!

ust before he shoots her in the head, the Bride tells Bill (David Carradine) that the baby she carries is his. Then a shot and the main credits come up, backed by the song “Bang Bang”. Chapter 1. Pasadena. A blonde woman, the Bride, draws up in a yellow and red pickup outside a suburban home and strolls to the front door. As she rings, a flashback shows the Bride crashing to the floor and looking up to see the face of one of her attackers, Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox). As soon as the door is open, the Bride’s fist crashes into Vernita’s face. A savage fight follows, first with fists then with knives. The fight pauses when a school bus draws up outside and a little girl walks through the door. The antagonists hide their knives and pretend nothing is amiss despite the wreckage around them. They both reassure the child, Nikki (Ambrosia Kelley). The Bride mentions that she used to have a child who would be the same age as Nikki (four). Vernita sends the girl to her room. At this point Vernita is introduced as a member of the Deadly Vipers, codename Copperhead. The Bride is also a member, codename Black Mamba. The Bride makes clear that she is here for revenge but promises not to kill Vernita in front of her child.

VIOLENCE

. I’MA GET

MEDIEVAL

ON YOUR

ASS - Marsellus -

101

R Which are yo u fi l l

w it h :

- Budd -

Relief Regret OR

111

HEROINES

I SHOT IM AND HIS PUNK

RAN O - Kim -

118

ASS

main credits come up, backed by the song “Bang Bang”. Chapter 1. Pasadena. A blonde woman, the Bride, draws up in a yellow and red pickup outside a suburban home and strolls to the front door. As she rings, a flashback shows the Bride crashing to the floor and looking up to see the face of one of her attackers, Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox). As soon as the door is open, the Bride’s fist crashes into Vernita’s face. A savage fight follows, first with fists then with knives. The fight pauses when a school bus draws up outside and a little girl walks through the door. The antagonists hide their knives and pre-

tend nothing is amiss despite the wreckage around them. They both reassure the child, Nikki (Ambrosia Kelley). The Bride mentions that she used to have a child who would be the same age as Nikki (four). Vernita sends the girl to her room. At this point Vernita is introduced as a member of the Deadly Vipers, codename Copperhead. The Bride is also a member, codename Black Mamba. The Bride makes clear that she is here for revenge but promises not to kill Vernita in front of her child. They plan a fight later, but while Vernita is preparing cereal for her child and she fires a gun shot.

121

SHUT - Jackie Brown -

RAGGEDY-ASS UP, AND SIT THE

FUCK DOWN

127

he fight pauses when a school bus draws up outside and a little girl walks through the door. The antagonists hide their knives and pretend nothing is amiss despite the wreckage around them. They both reassure the child, Nikki (Ambrosia Kelley). The Bride mentions that she used to have a child who would be the same age as Nikki (four). Vernita sends the girl to her room. At this point Vernita is introduced as a member of the Deadly Vipers, codename Copperhead. The Bride is also a member, codename Black Mamba. The Bride makes clear that she is here for revenge but promises not to kill Vernita in front of her child. They plan a fight later, but while Vernita is preparing cereal for her child she fires a concealed gun at the Bride. She misses and the Bride kills her with a thrown knife. The child walks in to see all this and the Bride apologises but explains that her mother had it coming to her. She tells Nikki that if, when she grows up, she can’t get past the killing, she should come find the Bride. “I’ll be waiting,” the Bride promises. She returns to the pickup, which is emblazoned with the words Pussy Wagon, crosses Vernita’s name from a list headed “Death List Five,” and drives away.

130

134

135

credits

Page 8: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); page 10: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); page 11: ‘Jackie Brown’ (1997); pages 12-13: ‘Kill Bill Vol.2’ (2004); pages 14-15: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); page 16: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); page 17: ‘Jackie Brown’ (1997); pages 1819: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); pages 20-21: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); pages 22-23: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); pages 24-25: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); page 26: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); page 27: ‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992); pages 28-29: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); page 31: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); page 32: ‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992); page 33: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); page 34: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); page 36: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); page 37: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); pages 38-39: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); pages 4041: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); pages 42-43: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); pages 44-45: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); pages 46-47: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); page 48: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); page 49: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); page 51: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); pages 52-53: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); pages 54-55: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); pages 56-57: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); pages 58-59: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); pages 6061: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); pages 62-63: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); pages 64-65: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); pages 6667: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); page 68: ‘Jackie Brown’ (1997); page 69: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); pages 70-71: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); pages 72-73: ‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992); page 74: ‘Kill

Bill Vol.2’ (2004); page 75: ‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992); pages 76-77: ‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992); pages 78-79: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); pages 80-81: ‘Jackie Brown’ (1997); pages 82-83: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); pages 84-85: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); page 86: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); pages 88-89: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); pages 90-91: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); page 93: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); pages 94-95: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); pages 96-97: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); pages 98-99: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); page 100: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); page 101: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); pages 102-103: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); pages 104-105: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); pages 106-107: ‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992): pages 108-109: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); page 110: ‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992); page 111: ‘Kill Bill Vol.2’ (2004); page 112: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); page 114: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); page 115: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); pages 116-117: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); pages 118-119: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); page 120: ‘Jackie Brown’ (1997); page 121: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); page 122: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); page 123: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); page 124-125: ‘Jackie Brown’ (1997); page 126: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994); page 127: ‘Death Proof’ (2007); pages 128-129: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); pages 130-131: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009); pages 132-133: ‘Kill Bill Vol.2’ (2004); page 134: ‘Kill Bill Vol.1’ (2003); page