Pulp Fiction

Every scene in this movie is quotable, every scene - ok maybe not EVERY scene, but most. The writing/dialogue is just so good. This movie combines several of my favorite movie characteristics - it's funny, dark, clever, violent, unexpected, shocking, and full of gangsters. It even has a cool toothbrushing scene! Combine that with an all-star cast. Woot! One of my all-time faves.

When this movie came out -- and I think I saw it in the theater -- there was really nothing I'd ever seen before. Many not-nearly-as-good copycats followed. I'm reading Tarantino's book about 1970s film right now and it's clear how much he loves those genre movies, exploitation movies etc that he saw as a kid. Pulp Fiction celebrates those movies in an elevated way. It was also kind of a landmark for independent movies which had not broken through before Pulp Fiction but became major hits and awards contenders afterwards.