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30 years ago, Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction shook Hollywood and redefined ‘cool’ cinema

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ben-mccann-398197">Ben McCann</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em></p> <p>What might be the most seismic moment in American cinema? Film “speaking” for the first time in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SzltpkGz0M">The Jazz Singer</a>? Dorothy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4eQmTizTSo">entering</a> the Land of Oz? That <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw_D3a2pZtk">menacing shark</a> that in 1975 invented the <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-history-of-the-blockbuster-movie/">summer blockbuster</a>?</p> <p>Or how about that moment when two hitmen on their way to a job began talking about the intricacies of European fast food while listening to Kool & The Gang?</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2j_A6e-VESk?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Directed by Quentin Tarantino, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110912/">Pulp Fiction</a> (1994) celebrates its 30th birthday this month. Watching it now, this story of a motley crew of mobsters, drug dealers and lowlifes in sunny Los Angeles still feels startlingly new.</p> <p>Widely regarded as Tarantino’s masterpiece, the director’s dazzling second film was considered era-defining for its memorable dialogue, innovative narrative structure and unique blend of humour and violence. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, made stars of Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman, and revitalised John Travolta’s career.</p> <p>Pulp Fiction is dark, often poignant, and very funny. It is, as one critic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/apr/13/my-favourite-cannes-winner-pulp-fiction">describes it</a>, an “intravenous jab of callous madness, black comedy and strange unwholesome euphoria”.</p> <h2>A Möbius strip plot</h2> <p>Famous for its non-linear narrative, Pulp Fiction weaves together <a href="https://thescriptlab.com/features/main/1457-structure-of-pulp-fiction-method-in-the-madness/">a trio of connected crime stories</a>. The three chapters – Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace’s Wife, The Gold Watch and The Bonnie Situation – loop, twist and intersect but, crucially, never confuse the viewer.</p> <p>Tarantino has often paid tribute to French filmmakers <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/jean-luc-godard-quentin-tarantino-ultimate-hero/">Jean-Luc Godard</a> and <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/director-deeply-inspired-quentin-tarantino/">Jean-Pierre Melville</a>, whose earlier films also presented their narratives out of chronological order and modified the rules of the crime genre.</p> <p>By inviting audiences to piece Pulp Fiction together like a puzzle, Tarantino laid the way for subsequent achronological films such as Memento (2000), Go (1999) and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998).</p> <h2>Pop culture meets postmodernism</h2> <p>In his influential essay Postmodernism, or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism, first published in 1984, political theorist Frederic Jameson coined the term “<a href="https://literariness.org/2016/04/04/fredric-jamesons-concept-of-depthlessness/">new depthlessness</a>” to describe postmodern culture.</p> <p>Jameson perceived a shift away from the depth, meaning and authenticity that characterised earlier forms of culture, towards a focus on surface and style.</p> <p>Pulp Fiction <a href="http://moviemezzanine.com/the-eyes-behind-the-mask-pulp-fiction-and-postmodernity-20-years-later/">fits</a> Jameson’s definition of depthlessness. It is stuffed with homages to popular culture and a vivid array of character types drawn from other B-movies – hitmen, molls, mob bosses, double-crossing boxers, traumatised war veterans and tuxedo-wearing “fixers”. It is a film of surfaces and <a href="https://wiki.tarantino.info/index.php/Pulp_Fiction_Movie_References_Guide">allusions</a>.</p> <p>Jackson, Travolta and Thurman feature alongside established 1990s box-office stars including Bruce Willis and industry stalwarts Harvey Keitel and Christopher Walken, both of whom have brief but memorable cameos.</p> <p>The film’s most iconic scene takes place at the retro 1950s-themed Jack Rabbit Slim’s diner. Thurman’s twist contest with Travolta fondly echoes Travolta’s earlier dancing in Saturday Night Fever (1977) and pays homage to other dance scenes in films such as 8 ½ (1963) and Band of Outsiders (1964).</p> <h2>Words and music</h2> <p>Film critic Roger Ebert <a href="https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-pulp-fiction-1994">once noted</a> how Tarantino’s characters “often speak at right angles to the action”, giving long speeches before getting on with the job at hand.</p> <p>Pulp Fiction is full of witty and quotable monologues and dialogue, ranging from the philosophical to the mundane. Conversations about foot massages and blueberry pie bump up against Bible verses and reflections on fate and redemption.</p> <p>The film’s 1995 Oscar for Best Original Screenplay was a fitting achievement for Tarantino, who many regard as <a href="https://medium.com/word-garden/tarantinos-conversations-are-the-best-in-movie-history-this-is-why-52e06de4f773">the snappiest writer</a> in film history. Countless other filmmakers have looked to replicate Pulp Fiction’s mashup of cool and coarse.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S6Vuj8tF-kk?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Needle drops are <a href="https://medium.com/cuepoint/the-music-of-pulp-fiction-8a13a7cdb5a8">just as important</a> in establishing Pulp Fiction’s mood and tone. The film’s eclectic soundtrack pings between surf rock, soul and classic rock ‘n’ roll.</p> <p>The soundtrack peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 in 1994 and stayed in the charts for <a href="https://www.grammy.com/news/how-pulp-fiction-reinvented-the-film-soundtrack-anniversary">more than a year</a>.</p> <h2>Dividing the critics</h2> <p>Though it was officially released in October 1994, Pulp Fiction had already made a stir earlier that by winning the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.</p> <p>Many expected Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Three Colours: Red to take <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/nov/09/three-colours-red-cannes">the top prize</a>. Tarantino himself seemed stunned, telling the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnS5pXQQmR4&t=188s">Cannes audience</a>: “I don’t make the kind of movies that bring people together. I make movies that split people apart.”</p> <p>The film has divided critics ever since.</p> <p>Many adored Pulp Fiction for its intoxicating allure and sheer adrenaline-fuelled pleasure. To this day it maintains a 92% critic score on <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pulp_fiction">Rotten Tomatoes</a>. Film critic Todd McCarthy <a href="https://variety.com/1994/film/reviews/pulp-fiction-1200437049/">called it</a> a film “bulging with boldness, humour and diabolical invention”.</p> <p>But the backlash was equally robust. <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/10/pulp-fiction-bad-film">Some</a> criticised the film for its excessive gore and irresponsible use of racial slurs. Screenwriting guru Syd Field <a href="https://sydfield.com/syd_resources/pulp-fiction/">felt</a> it was too shallow and too talky. Jean-Luc Godard, once one of Tarantino’s idol, apparently <a href="https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2022/12/0eav5zg509ajlqjg9xc8em2m3xrorw">hated it</a>.</p> <p>Nonetheless, its financial success (a <a href="https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0110912/">box office return</a> of US$213 million from an $8 million budget) signalled the growing importance and cultural prestige of independent US films. Miramax, the studio that backed it, went on to <a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Down_and_Dirty_Pictures/aXn_CwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=down+and+dirty+pictures,+biskind&printsec=frontcover">become</a> a major force in the industry.</p> <h2>A lasting legacy</h2> <p>Shortly after Pulp Fiction’s release, the word “Tarantinoesque” <a href="https://www.oed.com/dictionary/tarantinoesque_adj">appeared</a> in the Oxofrd English Dictionary. The entry reads:</p> <blockquote> <p>Resembling or imitative of the films of Quentin Tarantino; characteristic or reminiscent of these films Tarantino’s films are typically characterised by graphic and stylized violence, non-linear storylines, cineliterate references, satirical themes, and sharp dialogue.</p> </blockquote> <p>Pulp Fiction has since been parodied and knocked off countless times. Hollywood suddenly began <a href="http://www.tasteofcinema.com/2016/the-10-worst-copycat-films-of-pulp-fiction/">mass-producing low-budget crime thrillers</a> with witty, self-reflexive dialogue. Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead (1995), 2 Days In The Valley (1996) and Very Bad Things (1998) are just some example.</p> <p>Graffiti artist Bansky even <a href="https://banksyexplained.com/pulp-fiction-2004/">stencilled</a> the likeness of Jules and Vincent all over London, with bananas in place of guns. The Simpsons <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u6wR_2S4xQ">got in on the act</a> too.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4u6wR_2S4xQ?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Tarantino <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/profile-hollywood-s-hitman-quentin-tarantino-a-sadist-or-just-a-stylist-david-thomson-on-the-boywonder-director-of-pulp-fiction-1444551.html">once summed up</a> his working method as follows:</p> <blockquote> <p>Ultimately all I’m trying to do is merge sophisticated storytelling with lurid subject matter. I reckon that makes for an entertaining night at the movies.</p> </blockquote> <p>I’d say there’s no better way to describe Pulp Fiction.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/236877/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ben-mccann-398197">Ben McCann</a>, Associate Professor of French Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Miramax</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/30-years-ago-tarantinos-pulp-fiction-shook-hollywood-and-redefined-cool-cinema-236877">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Movies

“Safe travels, Steve”: Pulp bassist dies at age 56

<div> <p>Steve Mackey, the bassist for the British band Pulp, has died at the age of 56.</p> <p> </p> <p>His wife, Katie Grand, took to social media to share the tragic news, revealing that he spent three months in the hospital, "fighting with all his strength and determination".</p> <p>"We are shocked and devastated to have said goodbye my brilliant, beautiful husband, Steve Mackey," she wrote in a post shared on Mackey's Instagram page.</p> <p>"Steve died today, a loss which has left myself, his son Marley, parents Kath and Paul, sister Michelle and many friends all heartbroken.</p> <p>"Steve was the most talented man I knew, an exceptional musician, producer, photographer and filmmaker. As in life, he was adored by everyone whose paths he crossed in the multiple creative disciplines he conquered," she praised.</p> <p> </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpShEmJyHje/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpShEmJyHje/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by STEVE MACKEY (@steve__mackey)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p>She also thanked the NHS staff for taking care of her husband and asked for privacy during this difficult time.</p> <p>Pulp also shared a sweet tribute to the star, with a picture of them hiking over a decade ago.</p> <p>"This photo of Steve dates from when Pulp were on tour in South America in 2012. We had a day off & Steve suggested we go climbing in the Andes. So we did & it was a completely magical experience," they reminisced.</p> <p>They also praised him saying that "Steve made things happen. In his life & in the band.</p> <p> </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpSjMIaKQlm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpSjMIaKQlm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Pulp (@welovepulp)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p>We'd very much like to think that he's back in those mountains now, on the next stage of his adventure. Safe travels, Steve. We hope to catch up with you one day. All our love xx."</p> <p>Mackey joined Pulp in 1989, and first appeared in the third album, <em>Separations</em>.</p> <p>Various fans have also posted their tribute on Twitter.</p> <p>English trip hop group, Massive Attack , shared their tribute with a black and white image of Mackey and quoting a lyric from his band's track <em>Sorted For E's & Wizz</em>.</p> <p> </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">‘And tell me when the spaceship lands 'cause all this has just got to mean something’</p> <p>Steve Mackey 🖤 <a href="https://t.co/4MYlReMZwz">pic.twitter.com/4MYlReMZwz</a></p> <p>— Massive Attack (@MassiveAttackUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/MassiveAttackUK/status/1631316139677556737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p> </p> <p>"Very sorry to hear the passing of Steve Mackey. We worked at his studio in 2016. He was a lovely bloke. Thoughts are with his family," wrote another musical duo.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Very sorry to hear the passing of Steve Mackey. We worked at his studio in 2016. He was a lovely bloke. Thoughts are with his family. ❤️</p> <p>— Sleaford Mods (@sleafordmods) <a href="https://twitter.com/sleafordmods/status/1631344513431085057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>"So sad to hear of Steve Mackey’s passing. Wonderful musician and producer, and a true gentleman," tweeted a fan.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> <p> </p> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="post-actions-component" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible;"> <div class="upper-row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 8px 16px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; height: 24px;"> <div class="right-box-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, Rubik, 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"> </div> <div class="right-box-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, Rubik, 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Music

John Travolta has shaved his head – bald new look!

<p>In a move that has surprised fans, John Travolta, 64, has debuted a new hairstyle in an Instagram shot.</p> <p>The snap featured him and his daughter, 18-year-old Ella Bleu.</p> <p>The caption reads, “I hope everyone had a great New Year!” whilst showing off his new hair (or lack thereof!)</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsT51kOAp7o/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsT51kOAp7o/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">I hope everyone had a great New Year!</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/johntravolta/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> John Travolta</a> (@johntravolta) on Jan 6, 2019 at 3:08pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Many fans are excited about the star's new look, with one fan commenting, “Looking good!” and another suggesting that he keeps the new style.</p> <p>“So so handsome! Keep the look!” one fan pleaded.</p> <p>His daughter Ella Bleu is the only daughter that Travolta shares with his wife, actress and former model Kelly Preston.</p> <p>The couple are also parents to Benjamin, aged 8.</p> <p>What do you think about his new hair? Love it or hate it? Let us know in the comments. </p>

Movies

7 things about Pulp Fiction

<p>It’s been over 23 years since Quentin Tarantino’s modern classic, <em>Pulp Fiction</em>, was released in cinemas, and its fan base has only grown since then. To celebrate our love for this shining moment of cinema, we’ve dug up some fun facts and titbits about the film and its creation.</p> <p><strong>1. Don’t let your grandchildren watch it</strong></p> <p>Well, not until they’re a little older – the film contains 265 instances of the word “f**k”. It might seem like overkill, but it’s what we’ve come to expect from Tarantino films.</p> <p><strong>2. Uma wasn’t first pick</strong></p> <p>It’s hard to imagine anyone else as Mia, but she wasn’t Tarantino’s first choice for the role. Among other famous names Tarantino was considering were Meg Ryan, Daryl Hannah, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Isabella Rossellini, and Halle Berry. His preferred choice apparently would have been Michelle Pfeiffer.</p> <p><strong>3. That injecting scene? Movie magic</strong></p> <p>Understandably, John Travolta was apparently very nervous about the scene in which his character injects Mia with adrenaline. To make it less stressful for everyone, the needle was carefully inserted, and then filming began with Travolta pulling the needle out. By running the footage backwards, it looks like the needle is desperately plunging the needle into Mia.</p> <p><strong>4. The film inspired <em>Top Gear</em></strong></p> <p>Remember <em>Top Gear</em>’s helmeted race car driver “Stig”? The concept was inspired by <em>Pulp Fiction</em>’s anonymous character, Gimp. <em>Top Gear</em>’s creators apparently wanted to use “Gimp” for their driver, but had trouble finding a driver whose ego or masculinity could handle the name.</p> <p><strong>5. Honey Bunny was a real rabbit first</strong></p> <p>The story goes that Linda Chen, who typed up Tarantino’s handwritten script for him, asked him to pet sit for her rabbit, Honey Bunny, when she went on location instead of paying her for the task. For whatever reason, Tarantino refused. The rabbit later died, and in honour of it, the director named one of the film’s characters after the pet.</p> <p><strong>6. Tarantino didn’t direct the whole film</strong></p> <p>Sometimes, actors direct a film they’re performing in, doing both jobs from in front of the camera. But when Tarantino stepped out of the director’s chair to play Jimmie, he asked long-time collaborator Robert Rodriguez to direct the scenes.</p> <p><strong>7. Butch wasn’t written for Bruce Willis</strong></p> <p>Tarantino famously writes roles with actors already firmly in his mind. The character of Butch was originally written for Matt Dillon, who took his time making up his mind if he wanted it. Tarantino rewrote the part slightly to make it for an older actor and offered it to Bruce Willis.</p> <p>Which of Quentin Tarantino’s films is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Movies

Tomato pulp and smoked salmon macarons

<p>A savoury snack served like a sweet! This is a recipe to share with the whole family.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Icing sugar: 210 grams</li> <li>Ground almonds: 150 grams</li> <li>Egg whites: 130 grams</li> <li>Caster sugar: 90 grams</li> <li>Red powdered colouring: 1 gram</li> <li>Polpa – Finely chopped tomatoes: 150 grams</li> <li>3 smoked salmon fillets</li> <li>1 lemon</li> <li>Salt: 3 pinches</li> <li>Ground pepper: 6 grinds</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>To make the macarons, with a blender, mix the ground almonds and icing sugar very finely, then sift.</li> <li>Beat the egg whites until stiff, and fold in the sugar and add the red colouring. Mix for two minutes.</li> <li>With a spatula, stir in the sugar and ground almonds, then using a piper, form macarons with the mixture (gently fold the mixture. It must become soft and shiny and make a ribbon).</li> <li>Arrange the macarons on a baking tray with a pastry bag, then leave at room temperature for 15 min.</li> <li>Cook in the oven at 160°C for 15 to 20 min.</li> <li>Peel the lemon and cut it into segments. Cut the salmon into strips.<br /> Cook the Polpa – Finely chopped tomatoes to obtain a drier sauce. Season with salt and pepper and let cool completely.</li> <li>On half of the macarons arrange a strip of smoked salmon, a small spoonful of tomato pulp and a piece of lemon. Then cover with the remaining macarons.<br /> Leave the macarons to rest overnight in the refrigerator before serving.</li> </ol> <p><em>Recipe courtesy of Mutti Solo Pomodoro. For more recipes, <a href="http://intl.mutti-parma.com/recipes/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">visit their website.</span></strong></a></em></p> <p><strong><em>Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, </em>The Way Mum Made It<em>, yet? Featuring 175 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</span></a>.</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/01/coconut-macarons/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coconut macarons</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/08/slow-cooked-salmon-with-spiced-tomato-sauce-and-coriander/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Slow-cooked salmon with spiced tomato sauce and coriander</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/06/lemon-ricotta-bliss-balls/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Lemon ricotta bliss balls</span></em></strong></a></p>

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30 years ago, Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction shook Hollywood and redefined ‘cool’ cinema

“Safe travels, Steve”: Pulp bassist dies at age 56

John Travolta has shaved his head – bald new look!

7 things about Pulp Fiction

Tomato pulp and smoked salmon macarons

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