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I think Tarantino can be a bit polarizing amongst audiences; either you love him or hate him. There's been discussion about his "borrowing" of ideas and aesthetics of other filmmakers and genres. A 2004 Guardian (UK) article said of his work,
"With his latest release, 'Kill Bill Vol 2', Tarantino's 'borrowing' has reached unprecedented proportions. The film is made almost entirely from elements of other films...Hong Kong martial arts flicks, Japanese samurai movies, blaxploitation films and spaghetti westerns."
I see their point. Some may also find issue with him slapping his name on the U.S. releases of Asian martial arts films ("Hero", "Iron Monkey"), but I do think that his cachet within the U.S. film industry helps to get those films stateside. And admittedly, I would never have known who Sonny Chiba or Gordon Liu was if I hadn't seen "Kill Bill."
Anyway, I like the underdog ethos of his casting choices. He purposefully finds actors that he likes and wants to see working, i.e. John Travolta, Pam Grier, and the relative newbie cast of "Grindhouse." I don't think it's a savior complex. Apparently he's a fan of Patrick's (ha, what straight man isn't?) and if he's eager to get an Asian American on the big screen, far be it from me to whine about it. Will it be another sexpot Asian seductress role or something surprisingly nuanced? We'll have to wait and see.
July 8, 2008
Tarantino Eyes Tera Patrick for "Pussycat" Remake
From Variety, hapa porn queen-with-a-microbiology-degree Tera Patrick may be the star of Quentin Tarantino's remake of cult B-movie "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" about a trio of strippers on a motorcycle-riding rampage. The role may be the official transition to mainstream entertainment for Patrick, who is half-Thai and half-white. Of her adult film career she says, "I am the first to admit I can't do this forever! I'd love to cross over and do more 'regular movies.'"
I think Tarantino can be a bit polarizing amongst audiences; either you love him or hate him. There's been discussion about his "borrowing" of ideas and aesthetics of other filmmakers and genres. A 2004 Guardian (UK) article said of his work,
"With his latest release, 'Kill Bill Vol 2', Tarantino's 'borrowing' has reached unprecedented proportions. The film is made almost entirely from elements of other films...Hong Kong martial arts flicks, Japanese samurai movies, blaxploitation films and spaghetti westerns."
I see their point. Some may also find issue with him slapping his name on the U.S. releases of Asian martial arts films ("Hero", "Iron Monkey"), but I do think that his cachet within the U.S. film industry helps to get those films stateside. And admittedly, I would never have known who Sonny Chiba or Gordon Liu was if I hadn't seen "Kill Bill."
Anyway, I like the underdog ethos of his casting choices. He purposefully finds actors that he likes and wants to see working, i.e. John Travolta, Pam Grier, and the relative newbie cast of "Grindhouse." I don't think it's a savior complex. Apparently he's a fan of Patrick's (ha, what straight man isn't?) and if he's eager to get an Asian American on the big screen, far be it from me to whine about it. Will it be another sexpot Asian seductress role or something surprisingly nuanced? We'll have to wait and see.
This blog entry is graciously sponsored by Toyota Matrix, check out their website devoted to the best in Asian American film.
Posted by Sylvie at July 8, 2008 10:30 AM
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A remake of "Faster Pussycat"?! How about "Faster Copycat"?
I never see Tarantino as a copy cat as he is the ultimate film fan and buff. Kung Fu, Samarai, Spaghetti Westerns, Blaxploitations are rad genres that have cult followings and Tarantino takes these genres to a high level with great actors, intense research, and big budgets. I loved Kill Bill 1 & 2 because I saw it as a film that brought people who dig Samarai films together. For example, RZA worked with Tarantino on the KB films due to their passion for martial art films. Tarantino is a big advocate for Asian cinema. I actually watched Chung King Express from a series of films he presented. At least, Tarantino is nodding to cool genres rather than making run-of-mill, antiquated action flicks with the same plot lines.
http://www.modelsobserver.com/Tera_Patrick.html - interview with Tera.
Tera Patrick signed autographs at the adult DVD and toy store Galleri in South San Francisco for its sixth anniversary celebration on July 19 with the event’s 400 attendees. Check out this article:
Tera is so hot!