Quentin Tarantino’s Top 21st Century Films: ‘Black Hawk Down’
Quentin Tarantino recently declared Ridley Scott’s “Black Hawk Down” as the best film of the 21st century. He praised Scott’s direction as “beyond extraordinary” during an interview on “The Bret Easton Ellis” podcast.
Top Picks by Tarantino
In addition to “Black Hawk Down,” Tarantino shared his top ten films of the century, which include:
- 2. “Toy Story 3” by Lee Unkrich
- 3. “Lost in Translation” by Sofia Coppola
- 4. “Dunkirk” by Christopher Nolan
- 5. “There Will Be Blood” by Paul Thomas Anderson
- 6. “Zodiac” by David Fincher
- 7. “Unstoppable” by Tony Scott
- 8. “Mad Max: Fury Road” by George Miller
- 9. “Shaun of the Dead” by Edgar Wright
- 10. “Midnight in Paris” by Woody Allen
Insights on “Black Hawk Down”
Reflecting on “Black Hawk Down,” Tarantino admitted that his initial viewing didn’t fully resonate with him. He stated, “It was so intense that it stopped working for me.” However, after multiple viewings, he came to regard it as a masterwork, noting its relentless intensity.
He emphasized the film’s unique ambition to achieve an “Apocalypse Now” level of visual storytelling and emotional impact. “It kept up the intensity for 2 hours 45 minutes. My heart was racing throughout,” he added.
Thoughts on Other Films
Tarantino called “Toy Story 3” an “almost perfect movie,” underscoring its emotional impact, particularly in its final moments. He remarked, “That last five minutes ripped my heart out.”
Surprisingly, he initially did not appreciate Nolan’s “Dunkirk.” Over time, however, he recognized its mastery. “The first time, it was almost too much,” he recalled. Repeated viewings changed his perception, enabling him to appreciate its brilliance.
Extended Picks from Tarantino
In a prior discussion, Tarantino revealed additional favorites ranked from #11 to #20:
- 11. “Battle Royale,” Kinji Fukasaku
- 12. “Big Bad Wolves,” Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado
- 13. “Jackass: The Movie,” Jeff Tremaine
- 14. “School of Rock,” Richard Linklater
- 15. “The Passion of the Christ,” Mel Gibson
- 16. “The Devil’s Rejects,” Rob Zombie
- 17. “Chocolate,” Prachya Pinkaew
- 18. “Moneyball,” Bennett Miller
- 19. “Cabin Fever,” Eli Roth
- 20. “West Side Story,” Steven Spielberg
Cultural References
Tarantino sparked conversation with his comments about “Battle Royale” and its similarities to “The Hunger Games.” He questioned why the original Japanese creators did not pursue legal action against the latter.
Previous Lists and Legacy
Tarantino has shared rankings of his favorite films over the years. For instance, in 2020, he crowned David Fincher’s “The Social Network” as the best of the 2010s.
Listen to Tarantino’s complete interview on “The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast” for more insights on his favorite films of the 21st century.
