Quentin Tarantino: The Cinematic Mastermind of the Mix-and-Match Genre

Phillip Spradley

Tennessee born American filmmaker Quentin Tarantino is one of the world’s most renowned writer/directors. Each of his films is highly anticipated, as he draws upon the subjects and themes of previous films to produce a fresh storyline. Phillip Spradley looks at Reservoir Dogs, True Romance and Pulp Fiction, three of the most significant works from this master of suspense.

Quentin Tarantino at the French Django Unchained Premiere

As one of the most triumphant American filmmakers, Quentin Tarantino made his début in the early 1990’s. He has become known for his unusual and sinister criminal films, his signature aesthetic of violence, and long sequences of dialogue where characters observe the most routine situation or object in extensive detail. Tarantino has several repeated themes throughout his body of work, and his recurrent use of objects, names, characters, time inversions, locations, and camera shots has made him one of the world’s most revered writer/directors.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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In Tarantino’s past 26 years of filmmaking, he has written 16 films and directed nine. Reservoir Dogs (1992), True Romance (1993), and Pulp Fiction (1994) are Tarantino’s earliest films and his most famous. Sub genres of films such as Spaghetti Westerns, Blaxploitation, and Poliziotteschi were popular during Tarantino’s adolescence, and can be seen in the directors’ early films, which likewise hold the cinematic motifs that would come to dominate his entire output.

Reservior Dogs Film Logo

Reservoir Dogs, released in 1991, was Tarantino’s first writer-director hit. The movie details the story of a group of strangers that unite to carry out an armed robbery on a diamond warehouse. The film begins right after the robbery takes place and incorporates flashbacks to events before the robbery and to the planning of the crime. Once the group discovers that the police are after them, they suspect that there is a traitor amongst them. In one of the most gruesome, and memorable scenes of the film a character named Mr. Blonde dances to the tune of ‘Stuck in the Middle With You’, by Stealer’s Wheel, as he tortures a police officer.

True Romance is a film that was written but not directed by Tarantino, but nevertheless unfolds in true Tarantino style. Similar to Reservoir Dogs, True Romance involves a series of crimes gone wrong. Yet in this picture the central figures, Clarence, an Elvis-loving man, and a prostitute, Alabama, are thrown together in an unusual love story. When Clarence steals a large bag of cocaine the couple is forced to flee while, unbeknownst to them, they are pursued by federal agents and a crime syndicate who is determined to reclaim their stolen property. A scene in the film in which Clarence confronts Alabama’s psychotic pimp, Drexel Spivey, is an iconic Tarantino sequence.

Pulp Fiction Poster

Resisting a linear structure, Pulp Fiction inverts the traditional time sequence, jumping from the past and present. The film consists of multiple plots, most of which surround the drug lord Marsellus Wallace. Other subplots involve two hit men, Marsellus’ charming wife, who suffers a near-fatal heroin overdose while out with one of the hit men, and a boxer who double-crosses Marsellus. Pulp Fiction features another memorable torture scene in which two men, already engaged in a brawl with one another, find themselves captive in a pawnshop. Later one of the men finds himself in a position to save the man who wants to kill him.

Tarantino’s early films have made him a hero of 21st Century filmmaking. His unapologetic repetition of themes, skilled use of the camera to create highly tense moments, and his preference for morally ambiguous characters allows fans to instantly recognise the man in his films. Teetering on a fine line between unruly comedy and violent excess, he never strays from his unique style of filmmaking. Instead he continues to develop his artistic voice, juxtaposing interesting, uncanny dialogue and violence in an effort to push the envelope of filmmaking.

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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