There are some filmmakers who shy away from discussing their influences in too much detail, preferring to let their own films speak for themselves without the context of inspiration interfering. Others, however, are more than happy to ramble on for hours on end discussing their favourite films with anyone who'll listen. Martin Scorsese aside, few directors working today have earned a reputation for expanding on their thoughts on the art of filmmaking more so than Quentin Tarantino. It's hardly surprising - Tarantino is a filmmaker's filmmaker par excellence, each of his movies a testament to his passion for the medium and appreciation for the diversity of forms film can take. From the gritty world of crime in Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction to Inglorious Basterds' tribute to classic war movies and a reimagining of the cult Django franchise with Django Unchained, Tarantino's application and subversion of genre reference points is continually expanding. But what are the key movies which have informed his choice of projects and helped to transform him into the filmmaker we all know and love? You don't have to search far and wide to discover plenty of occasions when Tarantino has elaborated on his favourite movies. Here's a selection of ten of the finest recommendations which offer a fresh insight into what makes him tick.
