[Indi]

Rules:
No polls, just a review and your opinion on why you believe the film you've chosen should stay higher up in the list. 50 words or more, 40 is accepted if you have expressed your opinion in a satisfactory standard.

Have fun!

[TheCacti]

This is going to be good!

Admittedly, I've yet to watch Pulp Fiction from start to finish That has to change now. I'll report back to this topic tomorrow.

[Indi]

Firstly: F*ck. .

Second: Awesome match up.

Well let me start-off, my luck hasn't been going well, my second favourite film of all time: "The Artist" was voted out, and now "Leon" is going up against one of the greatest movies considered of all time. Yeah, ouch.

Well let me say about Leon:
Leon is a magnificent and greatly appreciated story by all film lovers and movie buffs around, it follows a strong story of the assination of a young girl's family due to them getting involved in drug and money problems. Gary Oldman plays one of those psychotic bad guys that doesn't care who he kills, but as long as he gets his own way. He's fine and dandy; but seriously I think that this is Gary Oldman's best role. Maybe Jim Gordon in the Batman movies comes a close first, maybe.

Jean Reno's performance as Leon is magnificent, a very nice bit of method acting down there, I can tell from the character that he plays that he hasn't had a particlulary great life, the film reminds me of a very film noire appeal to it. It's sunny in it's approach but it has cynical characters and violent, gritty sequences. Some lightning in some scenes are nice and makes you think of the scene as something dark and makes you think that something bad is going to happen.

Now, regarding Pulp Fiction:
Quentin Tarantino is in my list of top 5 directors, he's quite a twisted guy when it comes to films but they always portray a great and meaningful story, such films as: Inglorious Basterds, Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, and even Kill Bill always have a purpose, and the characters he creates and writes about makes you follow a path of destruction awaiting.

Pulp Fiction intersects several character's stories into one nicely laid plot, the main character of this is basically Marcellus Wallace, because throughout the crimes of all of the people, it's nearly always linked back to that guy. "Marcellus Wallace don't like to get f*cked by anyone other than Mrs Wallace." .

It's a very unique film and you can tell it's inspired by a lot of 50s and 60s films due to the music and setting of it all, but it gives a modern touch. Every single character in that film through and through has no plot holes whatsoever, it may take you a few viewings to figure out it all. But I have never ever seen one plot hole, if I watch the film now I can understand everything that's going on.

It's been a real tough choice for me... but uuh; yeah:
Pulp Fiction

[Marlowe.]

As far as Gary Oldman performances go: Drexel Spivey> Jim Gordon.

I'll have to watch Leon/The Professional' again, because it's been a while.

[DeeperRed]

f*cking hell what a match up!

I am going to edit this post later with my final thoughts as this is going to take some dwelling on.

Both have been huge inspirations for me.

[Slamman]

Should make note of the differences for USA films or foreign films shown in the USA, this is a prime example of course, The Professional being the title I think was used for Jean Reno's film. For USA audiences, GODZILLA remake was where we really got to know him from, I'd say

For me, I saw it a long time ago, it was as a US citizen by it's US title, he was not a known actor really, until he'd worked in American film over here
I like him, that's why I also like the film, I also like Roland Emmerich's work, hence I favor him in Godzilla for the same reason

This post has been edited by Slamman on Sunday, May 13 2012, 20:06

[DeeperRed]

QUOTE (Slamman @ Sunday, May 13 2012, 19:14)

Should make note of the differences for USA films or foreign films shown in the USA, this is a prime example of course, The Professional being the title I think was used for Jean Reno's film. For USA audiences, GODZILLA remake was where we really got to know him from, I'd say

f*ck sake Slamman.
Unless your going to post about anything to do voting DONT f*ckING BOTHER.

Jesus.

[Slamman]

What do you want? Just a vote?? I'm saying the film is known by other names, it's worth pointing out, this site caters to the WORLD wide web, not your neighborhood, or solely your Country

[Robinski]

To be fair, it is a valid point that many may know Leon by the other title of The Professional.

[DeeperRed]

QUOTE (Slamman @ Sunday, May 13 2012, 19:31)

What do you want? Just a vote?? I'm saying the film is known by other names, it's worth pointing out, this site caters to the WORLD wide web, not your neighborhood, or solely your Country

What the f*ck is wrong with you!

You can point out its got a different name elsewhere but put down a vote, or give an opinion on one film if you havent seen the other. Don't just post how its got a different name elsewhere, put some disscussion into the topic.

You managed to sort of do it with the topic about Brazil.

[Slamman]

I will, later, sk8ter, before it's locked, I am doing multiple things so I can't link to more then one cut and paste at a time
Here's proof of the full title, it's the same film, offer your choice, review/reasoning and move on, I don't care if you hate me or my posts, I don't care for hissy fits from other members either

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcsirofJrlM

As for Pulp Fiction, I've actually seen both films only once, and really, you could seriously watch both more then once, they are both films of caliber. I'm not sure if I like Quentin a WHOLE lot, his film aspirations come from some odd mixtures of past films, often B types or Exploitation films, I think that's a good thing, mix some oddball elements with serious cinematography can get a larger demographic of film fans interested in the work

This post has been edited by Slamman on Sunday, May 13 2012, 20:10

[Tycek]

Slamman's post was essential to this topic.

OT: Awesome match up and another time when I find it really hard to pick one of the movies. Both were awesome, both are timeless and both left great marks in my memory.

Leon tells a simple story, so simple that someone may call it vulgar. Tough guy working as a hitman finds a urgent need to take care of neighbours girl, whose parents were just shot by degenerated cop. Story seems simple, but that's the point, because in fact Leon is almost typical action movie for friday night. What is really pulling it from thousand of similar movies is the acting, because it may be one of the most memorable, overwhelming and true acting of all time. In addition whole movie is being kept by three people (Oldman - it may be one of his best roles ever if not the best, Reno - fantastic job and Portman - so young yet so talented). These trio is the point of success of this movie. Scenes where Stansfield is cleaning the flat, Leon and Mathilda are playing guess the movie, or she's teaching him how to read are one of most memorable scenes in history of the cinematography.

I've never considered myself as a Tarantino's die hard fan. I like some of his movies, but I can't stand the others. Pulp fiction is in the first group and in addition is considered by me as the best Tarantino's movie. Story shown in this movie is good, acting is good and some scenes (Vincent and Emma's(I think) dance, Jules and Vincent visit or Zed's bike became part of general pop culture, but way of telling the story is very Tarantinish (new word), totally messed up and show in totally random order, some people could have bigger roles (Willis), some people could act a little better (Rhames) and movie could have some message hidden along these lines, because now it's very original, briliant, and one of the best movies in the history, but still action movie.

Because Leon can feed both of ours mind and soul, my vote goes to Leon.

This post has been edited by Tycek on Monday, May 14 2012, 14:02

[Slamman]

Dude, dude, dude.... Essential? No, but I'm irked by not making a point of including the USA perspective, GTA is all about the USA, yet this forum goes on and on about the FOREIGN member's affiliations with brands and products not sold here, not used here. I'm pro-USA, I can't help it. Just saying it's an important thing to mention in the original posting

[DeeperRed]

Slamman chill out Indi's welsh and hes doing all of this so he probably just used the title he is familiar with. All I was saying is its cool to point out its other titles but just add something to the discussion as well such as the pairing, your opinions etc because thats whats really important here.

Anyway after much deliberation I am going to have to go with Pulp Fiction

I love both films so much. As a wannabe film maker these are both prime examples of films I hope to come even close in caliber to one day (if ever) however for me Pulp Fiction wins due to the excellent execution performed by QT. It a mass of characters and different stories but all are given the perfect amount of attention. I never felt confused, to me it was coherent as it could of possibly been while also remaining very stylish. The dialog as expect from OT is vivid and witty, really drawing you in. The stories are all great filled with dark an humorous (often combining both) bits. Its just, for me, a masterclass in Filmmaking

[Robinski]

I actually only caught Pulp Fiction for the first time last week. (If you really want to you can read my thoughts on it here[/shamelssplug]). The genera; feeling I took away from it was that I was really slick and enjoyable. Pretty much standard early Tarantino fare; lots of larger than life characters populating a really exaggerated version of the real world. I don't necessarily believe it's worth all the hype it has received (although I imagine at the time of release it seemed a lot more innovative), and it strikes me as the sort of film 15 year olds are absolutely blown away by the sheer "cool" factor it has and put it on a pedestal. For me it's simply a very, very well done piece of pulp fiction. Funny that.

Leon*, on the other hand is absolutely beautiful in a much more traditional way. In particular, it just plain looks fantastic. The warm beigey and brown tones give the film a subtle richness, a quality that seeps into every facet of the production. Following that is the set and costume design. An atmosphere is generated of this world that you know exists but will never see, even if it's just down the hall or up the street. From the slightly disheveled, Mediterranean-feeling apartments to the restaurants to the backroom offices of the police station, it just all feels so charmingly real.

The real standout feature of Leon though is the great acting. Oldman gives his all with Stansfield, and paints a picture of an unhinged individual that really makes you worry if people like that might actually be quite high up in the police force, and Reno plays Leon so well and creates this almost child-like character that exudes warmth and gentleness. It's ridiculously easy to forget in between the action scenes that his character is a contract killer. Then, of course, we have the young Natalie Portman in her first real role. Even as a massive fan of her I went into this expecting the typical child-actor disaster and was prepared to forgive it all, after all she was only 12 at the time. But my worries were misguided and her natural talent was evident even then, you can see a lot of the little quirks she has today in their early forms back then, she's really honed her skills from here on in and it was a great debut for her. The scene in the restaurant where she necks the champagne then laughs for near enough 30 seconds straight is magical in all its hilarity and uncomfortable awkwardness.

I really like Pulp Fiction, but I love Leon.

*I've only seen the extended cut, so that's what I'm basing all this off. But reading what wasn't included in the normal cut makes it seem a lot flatter in terms of depth and a much duller movie in terms of how Mathilda and Leon's relationship is explored. If you're going to watch Leon for this vote make sure you watch the extended cut.

This post has been edited by Robinski on Sunday, May 13 2012, 21:14

[OchyGTA]

This is a tough draw as I think both films are just fantastic.

Pulp Fiction:
I would consider myself a Tarantino fan. For me, Pulp Fiction is a fantastic tale of a somewhat twisted criminal underworld where we delve in to the entertaining lives of multiple characters. The interaction between the characters, notably Vincent with Jules and Mia, is incredible and their personalities bounce off one another. The plot is also very good as it revolves around one character we rarely see and know little about except from what we learn from the other characters. However, whilst it is a great film, I am fully aware that its just film when watching it. The personalities are so over the top that its difficult to relate to them or believe their story as a real situation.

Leon:
I saw Leon for the first time a couple of months ago and fell in love with it. In my opinion, everything about it is perfect; the acting, the direction, even the set design. It had to be the finest piece of child acting I'd seen as Natalie Portman captured the role of a disturbed, young girl who wants to be older than she is down to perfection. Jean Reno played the infant like contract killer amazingly well as well. Its just that their characters are complete opposites that makes it work. However, the stand out performance was Gary Oldman. I feared his character but at the same time, could not get enough of him. He was unpredictable and when you think about it, was actually the good guy no matter how warped his methods were. The film makes us side with a man who kills for money. Finally, everything about it felt real. Reno could be that guy who lives on his own that everyone of us knows, we could be Portman's family who get mixed up with a psychotic cop. The film's unpredictability keeps you on the edge of your seat despite it being a relatively slow paced thriller.

Conclusion:
I think both films are great but I can't find a flaw in Leon where as there are a few too pick through in Pulp Fiction. Sure Tarantino's exaggerated characters are what makes him him but the personalities in Leon are so well portrayed that I have to swing for Leon in this one.
+1 for Leon

[mark-2007]

QUOTE (Robinski @ Sunday, May 13 2012, 22:02)

The genera; feeling I took away from it was that I was really slick and enjoyable.

Certainly not modest, are you.

I'm going to get my hands on Leon tomorrow, been meaning to watch it for a while. I'll either edit this or post again with my vote, if it's still open.

[Jeeebuuus]

Well the best acting performance of the two movies goes to Gary Oldman without a doubt. Pulp Fiction is more entertaining for mass audiences. The Professional has more depth of characters. Pulp Fiction is funnier and more clever. It really is a tough choice. I would have to say Leon.

[El_Diablo]

Leon / The Professional is the better film technically.

Pulp Fiction is the consummate cult classic with more pop culture references than you can shake a stick at.

honestly I cannot decide.
I love these movies equally but for very different reasons. picking one is not going to be easy.
I waive my vote and submit null

[John The Grudge]

I vote Pulp Fiction. I was never a big fan of Leon. Pulp Fiction is a superior film. I found Leon to be a little silly if I'm honest.