Μύ The anticipation for Quentin Tarantino's follow-up to "Reservoir Dogs" was immense, but he managed to pull it off with "Pulp Fiction". What better excuse to watch this film again than to invest in the new two-disc Collector's Edition DVD release?
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Picture There's everything to love about this picture transfer to DVD, the movie just seems to glow on screen.
Sound You can choose between Dolby and DTS 5.1 mixes, but in truth there are few major effects for either to handle. For sheer subtlety and atmospheric effect, the DTS track edges ahead.
DISC ONE SPECIAL FEATURES
Enhanced Trivia Track The "Jackie Brown" Collector's Edition DVD comes with one of these subtitle-format trivia tracks, and while it's good, it's not as juicy as this one. A chatty effort that earnestly hopes you'll be inspired to watch the various films that "Pulp Fiction" borrows references from, it also takes on the form of a metronome to the beat of the film - pointing out the different cutting speeds and framing of scenes, in sympathy to the variable narrative tension.
Additional Disc One Extra Features Also on disc one is a chapter selection menu that allows you to locate the songs of the music track, and a trailer for the "Jackie Brown" DVD.
DISC TWO SPECIAL FEATURES
Pulp Fiction: The Facts "Ten completely frustrating years with my nose spent pressed against the window", is Quentin Tarantino's answer to those that assume his success came to him overnight. It's one of many direct quips that litter this 30-minute look at the making of a modern classic. Perhaps the one disappointment is that many of the quotes from the leading stars are not recent, most are borrowed from interviews on the set of the film. That said, every comment made is a meaningful one, and it paints an interesting picture of the long fermentation of Tarantino's career.
Deleted Scenes There are five deleted scenes, including a quality effort with actor Rick Miller opposite Harvey Keitel in an outtake entitled "Monster Joe's Truck and Tow". Tarantino introduces each scene in excerpts that have been taken from the old laserdisc release.
Behind-the-Scenes Montages Two scenes from the movie are covered here with behind-the-scenes footage shot by Tarantino on camcorder. One of them involves Bruce Willis, who jokes about his potential career decline, and predicts that one day young kids will use camcorders to make a breakthrough badly-lit indie movie that will take Hollywood by storm...
Production Design Featurette In six minutes, you can learn a little about the production design for this movie from cigarette brands to the marketing for the Kahuna Burger, and the real LA inspirations for the retro sets.
Siskel and Ebert 'At the Movies' The format of this popular US movie review show is cheesily staid, but Siskel and Ebert do offer some very interesting thoughts on the work of Tarantino. They cite "Pulp Fiction" as a film that dares to criticise other movies, and laud him for demolishing the formulaic approach so often used in Hollywood to make films. There's also a short interview with Samuel L Jackson, where he discusses the interesting development curve of his acting approach to the film.
Independent Spirit Awards For the opening few minutes, this interview footage of Tarantino at the Independent Spirit Film Awards looks as if it's going to veer and crash into geek movie territory. Then who should stride up but Samuel L Jackson, who soon restores some semblance of coolness to the proceedings.
Palme d'Or Acceptance Speech Here's five minutes of Tarantino attempting to gabble out an acceptance speech in Cannes, only to be continually be interrupted by a boozy heckler.
Charlie Rose Show If you want to get serious about your art, you go for an hour-long grilling by Charlie Rose on TV. This edition features Tarantino, who would do well to tell Rose to shut-up and actually let him finish an answer. Tarantino still manages though to give a thoroughly entertaining insight into his career, including the ten year wilderness that preceded his sudden success. This period was spent in a succession of awful jobs and anticipation of the next Brian De Palma movie, for which he would religiously plan what screenings he would attend.
Additional Disc Two Special Features Also on disc two is a trailer and TV spot gallery, eight stills galleries, and eight reviews of "Pulp Fiction" from assorted top movie crtitics.
Region: 2
Chapters: 18
Ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1
Technical Features: Scene selection, animated menus, English subtitles and English captions for the hearing impaired
This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.
