Quentin Tarantino opens up about his favorites, his “masterpieces,” and why The Movie Critic won’t happen
Quentin Tarantino laid out, in his own words, which of his films he cherishes most, which he regards as his strongest work, and why his long-rumored swan song, The Movie Critic, has been shelved. Speaking on The Church of Tarantino podcast, the once-reticent director offered a candid look at how he views his body of work and where his creative focus is headed.
The director revealed that Once Upon a Time in Hollywood stands as his favorite film, while Inglourious Basterds holds the title of his best work. He also highlighted Kill Bill as the ultimate Tarantino movie—one that feels uniquely his, born from his imagination, obsessions, and personal style in a way no one else could replicate. “Kill Bill is the movie I was born to make,” he said, adding that Inglourious Basterds represents his masterpiece and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood remains his personal favorite.
Separating favorites from the craft of screenwriting, Tarantino noted that Inglourious Basterds is, in his view, his best screenplay. Behind it, he placed The Hateful Eight and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, with The Hateful Eight representing his best “servicing of my material as a director.”
On The Movie Critic, Tarantino confirmed the project has effectively been scrapped. The concept, which began as an eight-episode TV series after first being teased in 2022, evolved over time, but Tarantino ultimately chose not to pursue it. He explained that he wasn’t excited about dramatizing material he had written earlier in his career, particularly given the challenge of recreating Los Angeles in 1969 without CGI. “There was nothing to figure out. I already kind of knew, more or less, how to turn L.A. into an older time,” he said, adding that the idea felt too much like the last film.
What this signals is Tarantino’s ongoing commitment to original storytelling and a careful curation of his legacy. Fans get a window into how he distinguishes his favorite experiences from what he believes to be his strongest writing or most effective directing, and why he decided against revisiting a concept that once captivated him.
Summary and takeaways:
– Favorite film: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
– Best work (film): Inglourious Basterds
– Ultimate Tarantino movie: Kill Bill
– Best script: Inglourious Basterds, with The Hateful Eight and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood close behind
– The Movie Critic: shelved; no longer in development
If there’s a hopeful note for fans, it’s that Tarantino remains fiercely selective about his projects and, in his own words, continues to pursue originality over rehashing familiar ideas. The door to new storytelling may be closed for The Movie Critic, but Tarantino’s enthusiasm for bold, uncompromising cinema endures.
Optional commentary:
– Tarantino’s distinctions between a personal favorite, a best script, and a director’s showcase underscore the multifaceted nature of filmmaking. It’s a reminder that a director can recognize the emotional or cultural resonance of a film (favorite) while also acknowledging technical mastery or narrative strength (best script, best directing servicing).
– The decision to shelve The Movie Critic illustrates a meticulous, self-critical approach to career milestones, prioritizing quality and originality over ongoing production, even when a project generates early interest. This aligns with Tarantino’s reputation for ambitious, self-driven projects that resist easy shortcuts.
Overall, Tarantino’s latest reflections offer fans insight into how he measures success and how his creative instincts shape his priorities as a filmmaker moving forward.