Legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino isn’t impressed with current-day Hollywood films, and he’s not sugar-coating his criticism.
Tarantino revealed that “it’s almost impossible” for him to watch a modern film and not pick it “to death.” He didn’t hold back on telling fans what he really thought of the industry’s releases while writing for Sight and Sound magazine.
“Flaws, implausibilities, audience pandering, miscast performers or just plain stupid shit usually torpedoes every new movie coming out of the flavorless sausage factory that used to call itself Hollywood,” the Oscar-winning director said, according to a Variety piece published Wednesday.
CENTURY CITY, CA – JANUARY 30: Director Quentin Tarantino arrives at the 62nd Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on January 30, 2010 in Century City, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Despite his iconic stake and legendary status in the film industry, Tarantino said very few films being produced these days are worthy of his time and attention.
“These days, the entire concept of what is a movie is more inclined to inspire contempt in me than generosity,” he said. “Which is fair enough, because by comparison the movies of the last six years make the 80s seem like the 30s.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 19: Quentin Tarantino attends The Fourth Annual Academy Museum Gala at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
“I’ve seen movies I liked since then – ‘West Side Story’ (2021); ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ Chapter 1 and 2 (both 2024), a few others, but nothing that really held me in its grip and swept me away to the magical land of enjoyment that I use to visit regularly and was the reason I loved movies above all other artforms,” he said.
“These days I’d rather read a book,” Tarantino admitted, scoffing at the very industry he thrives in.
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 27: Quentin Tarantino attends the “Elemental” screening and closing ceremony red carpet during the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 27, 2023 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
There was another movie that got the nod from Tarantino: “The Rip,” directed by Joe Carnahan and starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. (RELATED: Quentin Tarantino Breaks Down His Best Films)
Tarantino, the legend who gifted fans with cult classics “Pulp Fiction, “Django,” and “Inglourious Basterds,” to name a few, is working on the play “The Popinjay Cavalier,” slated to premiere in 2027.
He has promised fans a tenth (and final) feature film, but has not provided any details on when we can expect his masterpiece.