Near+Death+in+Tarantino+Films

Near Death Experience and Previous Research
Not much research has been conducted on near-death experiences (NDEs) and their aftereffects. Dr. Bruce Greyson, the leading scholar in the near-death experience field, has concluded that traumatic events may lead to dramatic changes in spirituality. He also found that regardless of age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, and religion, people that had a near-death experience experienced various spiritual moments, like the sensation of leaving the physical body, transcending space and time, coming in contact with a mystical being or seeing a bright light. Click here to read more about the chemical process of near-death experiences.

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Watch this short video to hear personal stories about near-death experiences  (Source)

Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino, arguably one of the most ground-breaking and influential directors and screenwriters of the 1990s-present, manages to combine many aspects of film to portray death in multi-dimensional ways. He is very well known for his use of non-linear plots, violence, explicit language, and for working with iconic actors and actresses like Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Stevee Buscemi, and others.
 * Click here for Tarantino's filmography
 * Click here to see Tarantino's awards
 * Click here to see theories about Tarantino's Universe (Spoiler Alert)
 * Click here for fun facts about Tarantino and his films

//Pulp Fiction//
Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino’s most popular film, is a thrilling compilation of three intertwining stories. Vincent Vega (played by John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (played by Samuel L. Jackson) portray hit-men, that argue about things like which fast food restaurant has the best burger, and whether it is inappropriate to give your boss’ wife a foot massage or not. They are asked by their boss, Marsellus Wallace, to retrieve a briefcase that was stolen from him. The two smug hit-men burst into the thief’s apartment, just to find a couple of men lounging around. Unbeknownst to Vincent and Jules, someone is hiding in the bathroom with a gun. After demanding to get the briefcase back, the gunmen exits the bathroom and opens fire on the pair. After a quick moment of inspection, Jules and Vincent realize they have come out of the shower of shots, unscathed. Jules immediately claims that “divine intervention” is the cause of their survival, and later decides to retire from his dangerous occupation, so he can embrace the second chance at life that God gave him. (Watch the clip below.) media type="youtube" key="Vr6aIURrFvE" width="420" height="315" align="center"

"God Stopped the Bullets" ( Source ) In relation to the previous research about near death experience, Jules’ near death experience causes him to have a mystical experience, where he feels a connection with a mystical entity. This mystical experience pushes him to have a stronger belief in a higher being, specifically God. Due to his spiritual transformation caused by his near death experience, Jules decides to leave his job as a hit-man. This is quite realistic because research has shown that after having a near death experience, people are quick to disengage or abandon the habits or behaviors that got them in a dangerous situation in the first place. Because of his spiritual transformation, scholars have referred to him as the film's "moral center."

//Kill Bill Vol: 1 & 2//
A couple of Tarantino’s other widely popular films are Kill Bill: Vol 1 and its sequel Kill Bill: Vol 2. This two-part series follows a woman’s path of vengeance after being shot and quickly entering into a four-year long coma. After waking from the coma, Beatrix Kiddo (played by Uma Thurman) teaches herself how to walk again and leaves the hospital to start her killing spree. She begins killing members of her ex assassin squad, the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. Throughout the course of both films, Beatrix kills every member of the squad, including Bill, her former leader, lover and father of her child. These films have a different take on near-death experiences. Kill Bill series focuses on revenge and a loss of fear of dying. There is no peer-reviewed literature about people wanting to take revenge after having a near-death experience, but Beatrix’s perseverance and drive to kill the people who wronged her, prompt many to believe that seeking revenge is a real reaction to having a near-death experience.

media type="youtube" key="XNg6v-mL_o0" width="560" height="315" align="left" "Wiggle Your Big Toe" This is the scene in //Kill Bill: Vol 1//, where "The Bride" has to teach herself how to walk again, after being paralyzed and in a coma for four years. (Source)

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"Escape from the Coffin/Grave" This is the scene in //Kill Bill: Vol 2//, where Beatrix Kiddo gets buried alive, and has to escape. (Source)

What Do You Think?
  couple of Tarantino’s other widely popular films are //Kill Bill: Vol 1// and its sequel //Kill Bill: Vol 2//. This two-part series follows a woman’s path of vengeance after being shot and quickly entering into a four-year long coma. After waking from the coma, Beatrix Kiddo (played by Uma Thurman) teaches herself how to walk again and leaves the hospital to start her killing spree. She begins killing members of her ex assassin squad, the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. Throughout the course of both films, Beatrix kills every member of the squad, including Bill, her former leader, lover and father of her child.  These films have a different take on near-death experiences. While //Pulp Fiction// focuses on spiritual transformation, the //Kill Bill// series focuses on revenge and a loss of fear of dying. Because not much research has been done on reactions to near-death experiences (NDEs), many people have differing views. What are your opinions? Vote in this poll to see how your opinions compare to others. media type="custom" key="28482741" align="center"

Quentin Tarantino Fan Blogs
Here are some popular Quentin Tarantino inspired tumblr accounts: tarantintoes tarantinoesque fyquentintarantino tarantinomovies tarantinotarantino