Explores How ‘Reservoir Dogs’ Pays Homage To 'City On Fire'

Reservoir Dogs City On FireIt’s sometimes hard to believe that we’re already two decades and eight films into the working life of Quentin Tarantino. Like Martin Scorsese, Tarantino is a proud cinephile and film obsessive, and his knowledge of film and film history is likely one the best in the industry today. What can’t be argued, though, is the layering, homage, and depth that QT has worked into each of his films, even his very first, “Reservoir Dogs.”

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To help us sort through all of the homage and references in “Reservoir Dogs,” The Film Theorists have put together a new video essay, “Reservoir Dogs: Stolen Or Homage,” another exciting entry in the “Frame By Frame” series that breaks down scenes and movies to their beautiful bare bone. The essay draws out the the uncanny comparisons between QT’s film and the 1987 Chow Yun-fat starring jewel-heist-gone-wrong film “City On Fire.” It isn’t the first time the line has been drawn between the two films (and damn is it one easy line to draw). Still, what’s important to remember are the differences, and just how delicately “Reservoir Dogs” is constructed. No matter where the backbone of the story arises from, QT turns it into a unique and compelling cinematic adventure, bringing his already distinct flavor to it.

“Reservoir Dogs: Stolen Or Homage” also takes a crack at Tarantino’s latest, “The Hateful Eight,” which, like all his other films, is also deeply indebted to one flick in particular (hint: this time around it’s a legendary horror film). To find out what that film is, check out the video below. And weigh in with your thoughts in the comments.