The Quentin Tarantino Film Stephen King Calls “Dully full of itself” Is Now Streaming on Prime Video!

Stephen King
PET SEMATARY, Stephen King, 1989. ph: Abigayle Tarsches / ©Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

I love Quentin Tarantino’s cinematic output. He is my kind of director. With that said, I don’t always agree with his hot takes. The controversial director has put forth some spicy opinions that I simply cannot get behind. He has besmirched the works of Hitchcock and Kubrick. Say what you will of both men on a personal level. However, each delivered groundbreaking cinematic overtures during their careers. And I have little interest in partaking in the slander of their respective oeuvres.

I suppose that Tarantino’s freewheeling approach to discussing the works of other gifted filmmakers has opened him up to the same treatment from others. Stephen King certainly agrees. The best-selling author was so put off by Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Volume 1 that he penned a response to the film in EW, saying: “Kill Bill isn’t a benchmark of awfulness like Mars Attacks! or Mommie Dearest; it’s just dully full of itself.”

Ouch. I couldn’t disagree more. But everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, I would like to point out that Kill Bill: Volume 1 was nominated for five (count them) BAFTA awards, the British equivalent of the Oscars. So, I’m clearly not alone in my undying adoration for this love letter to the exploitation output of years past. The film is an epic tribute. Absolutely anyone who enjoys the look and feel of Shaw Brothers Limited should seek it out.

If you need of a refresher, the setup for this tale of blood-soaked revenge goes like this:

A former assassin, known simply as The Bride (Thurman), wakes from a coma four years after her jealous ex-lover Bill (David Carradine) attempts to murder her on her wedding day. Fueled by an insatiable desire for revenge, she vows to get even with every person who contributed to the loss of her unborn child, her entire wedding party, and four years of her life. After devising a hit list, The Bride sets off on her quest. Along the way, she endures unspeakable injury and unscrupulous enemies.

Kill Bill Fueled a Famous Falling Out Between Tarantino and His Muse

In addition to taking heat from Stephen King, the film also drove a wedge between Tarantino and Uma Thurman. The director subjected the actress to unsafe working conditions and put her life in grave danger to get the perfect shot. However, the pair have since mended fences and remain friends to this day.

If you are keen to reevaluate the film and decide whether you stand with Tarantino or King, make your way to Prime Video, where the first half of this epic cinematic opus is now streaming!

That’s all we’ve got, dear reader. Stay tuned to the site for more updates on which genre pictures are available to stream and where to find them.

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