PULP FICTION and the psychology of product placement (full version)

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  • Опубліковано 13 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 748

  • @gage6209
    @gage6209 5 років тому +236

    When I think of film analysis I really do think Rob Ager.

    • @markant9534
      @markant9534 5 років тому +7

      His vids are very enlightening.

    • @danirizary6926
      @danirizary6926 5 років тому +5

      Absolutely, Rob Ager consistently produces vids that are the gold-standard for film analysis. You can tell there is a lot of hard thought and research behind Mr Ager's insights.

    • @TheSuperQuail
      @TheSuperQuail 5 років тому +3

      Rob's light years ahead of any other on UA-cam. Most just try and sound clever by using terms they learned from their film course while saying NOTHING about the film.

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому +2

      1939: Шhoever You Are, Шhatever You Do, Шherever You May Бe, Шhen You Thimk of Refreshment, Thimk of Ice Кold Кosher Кola

    • @deviceology9251
      @deviceology9251 4 роки тому +1

      I loved his Shining analyses.

  • @billhart3728
    @billhart3728 5 років тому +213

    Your promise not to advertise your website was in fact a product placement :)
    I’m pretty clever for noticing

    • @collativelearning
      @collativelearning  5 років тому +78

      Damn, I should have knew SOMEONE would be onto it !!!

    • @patrickwentzell4638
      @patrickwentzell4638 4 роки тому +3

      @@collativelearning
      I have eaten five guys fries and burgers they are pretty good Wendy's is good too. I often wonder if Marcellus is so protective why not have like hidden cameras or something.
      two of my favorite coffee joints is Star Bucks and Dunkin Donuts.
      I don't eat MC Donalds anymore because there are other places I get burgers from. I will be honest MC Donalds does not have the best coffee there and pancakes at I Hop is way better the waffles are so perfect. I also drink tea with lots of honney in it.
      Walt's Restaurant gross sandwiches tasted awful my sister and I once ate at New Pecking everything tasted like shit.
      and an employer at a Quiznos went into a men's bathroom smoking a cigarette. drinking out of a coke can the disgusting lazy fuck didn't wash his hands.
      I could have reported it to someone I just got the fuck out of that dirty ass place quickly.
      another place that had shitty tasting food was Dots Pizza.
      I couldn't even finish it one bite oh nasty ass pizza. miss Carvel those ice cream cakes dreamy.
      Trump has that flock of seagulls hair style you can see it.
      I commented before the brilliant story telling in Pulp Fiction and of course the Hostle trilogy.

    • @TJ-di1iq
      @TJ-di1iq 4 роки тому

      @iClash Just thought it was me. Thanks for confirming lol

    • @3hooks781
      @3hooks781 4 роки тому

      I thought Rob was already playing at that irony from his subtle inflections; what with promising us "with sugar on top" and all that.

    • @MarkRai-ko1sk
      @MarkRai-ko1sk 4 роки тому

      You're practically a real life Columbo. Nothing escapes you, not even light.

  • @clearcutter74
    @clearcutter74 4 роки тому +110

    I love the scene where Jules drinks Brett's Sprite entirely while staring at him. He's establishing his dominance and also subtly hinting that Brett won't be surviving this encounter.

    • @CAMZAB
      @CAMZAB 4 роки тому +11

      When rewatching it’s almost impossible to not to think ‘Who cares? He doesn’t need the rest of the burger or the fries either in a minute.’.

    • @uglukthemedicineman5933
      @uglukthemedicineman5933 2 роки тому +1

      Jules was having deep eye contact with Brett as he was sucking and swallowing down some sweet fluid.

    • @wattsnottaken1
      @wattsnottaken1 2 роки тому +6

      The last sip of the sprite sound effect is the icing on the cake in that scene. Makes me laugh every time. I also love how Jules makes the guy on the couch put his feet back up and then Jules does the 👌 Ok sign to him. Shit is so funny.

    • @tewksbery
      @tewksbery 2 роки тому +5

      it's an homage to the opening scene of the good the bad and the ugly. Tarantino goes all in on the idea with the opening of inglorious basterds (a WWII movie that's actually a western, while the Good the Bad and the Ugly was a western that was actually about WWII)

    • @djquinn11
      @djquinn11 2 роки тому +1

      And he left his DNA on the straw.

  • @RobertOrgRobert
    @RobertOrgRobert 5 років тому +46

    The best film informative analyst on UA-cam

  • @Deeplycloseted435
    @Deeplycloseted435 5 років тому +64

    Hard to believe this movie is now 25 years old. I like older Tarantino. Seemingly mundane and meaningless dialogue that is sharply written, making it entertaining and immersive. It makes the characters and the world seem like they exist.

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому +1

      >You know what dhey call a quarter-pounder-widh-cheese in Paris??
      -[random arabesque title]

    • @wattsnottaken1
      @wattsnottaken1 2 роки тому

      I love how engaging Quentin’s dialogue. (In all his movies) Like you said it makes them feel real and it immerses you even deeper into the movie.

    • @SasfootBigsquatch
      @SasfootBigsquatch Рік тому

      Yeah his older 90's movies were the best ones. His newer movies seem more like Tarantino parodies.

    • @Thespeedrap
      @Thespeedrap Рік тому

      It's 2024 and is now 30.

  • @indieg0006
    @indieg0006 5 років тому +103

    You can mention collective learning as much as you want and I wouldn’t complain.they are your videos and I really appreciate what you do

    • @oceanpacific3841
      @oceanpacific3841 5 років тому +5

      Collative

    • @yuripantyhose4973
      @yuripantyhose4973 5 років тому +2

      Yeah what a dork mr Ager is, I would never advertise collative learning and how easy to use and very good price the products, you buy them and have them within 10sec, its a very fast and safe process, no need to talk about it here, before he sold things manually through ebay and I got some cd's so this new system is great and very easy, safe and fast to use, and you get the links forever, not only that you can also download the video and store them on your computer, but no need for a plug.

    • @davidlean1060
      @davidlean1060 5 років тому +1

      @@oceanpacific3841 lol ..and they say advertising works!

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому +1

      Dhe “Pʌlp Fiktion” lowgow iz яed ænd jellow lajke dhe makdonald'z aяies-dhe-яam ((nαt tu menšion dhe hammeя-ænd-sickle hoяoя)). Яonald makdonald бluббard, dhe foundeя ov ziontology, waz æ pʌlp fiktion hæck yn dhe 1930z.

    • @CAMZAB
      @CAMZAB 4 роки тому

      Maybe you just don’t like to complain? If the video got going and then he mentioned collective learning for the rest of the video then I’d leave a comment suggesting he change the title to ‘Collective Learning’ by Collative Learning.

  • @playbackproductions1
    @playbackproductions1 5 років тому +37

    When the Wolf gives a head nod over the coffee... CLASSIC.

  • @POSTELVIS
    @POSTELVIS 5 років тому +61

    actually the whole Fast food mentions could be a reference to the pulp genre itself. How even McDonalds, even though cheap and inexpensive, can still produce a tasty result, and when viewed at the right angle can mean something more.

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому +1

      Dhe “Pʌlp Fiktion” lowgow iz яed ænd jellow lajke dhe makdonald'z aяies-dhe-яam ((nαt tu menšion dhe hammeя-ænd-sickle hoяoя)). Яonald makdonald бluббard, dhe foundeя ov ziontology, waz æ pʌlp fiktion hæck yn dhe 1930z.

    • @tipdata
      @tipdata 4 роки тому +2

      I concur

  • @michiganjack1337
    @michiganjack1337 4 роки тому +29

    I always thought the burger used was closer to the “In N Out” cheeseburger (southern California staple). The Quarter Pounder has sesame seed bun. The vanilla cola Vincent orders started my unhealthy obsession with that drink throughout the ‘90’s.

  • @MGTV1
    @MGTV1 5 років тому +75

    the problem i have is that mcdonald's is a coke loyalist. they must not have known pepsico had a deal as well....also, sprite (mentioned during the big kahuna scene) is a coca-cola brand.

    • @Chud_Bud_Supreme
      @Chud_Bud_Supreme 5 років тому +6

      Also, Coke >>>> Pepsi

    • @illuminahde
      @illuminahde 5 років тому +3

      In the 90's, Pepsi was trying to market itself as the direct rival to Coke. They flooded the advertising scene with Pepsi logo. In the southern United States, it's not uncommon to hear the phrase "What type of Coke do you want?" Not asking diet, zero etc... but what type of Soda as in Pepsi, Coke, Dr. Pepper etc..

    • @handsomebrick
      @handsomebrick 5 років тому +1

      There are movies now that have so many corporate sponsors, it's a minor struggle to keep them from interfering like that.

    • @MGTV1
      @MGTV1 5 років тому +1

      @@illuminahde not just the 90's.....unless you mean 1890's..

    • @MGTV1
      @MGTV1 5 років тому

      @Taylor Lemoine right place, right time...

  • @karlmahler
    @karlmahler 4 роки тому +6

    I absolutely love your film analysis. No matter the movie, no matter the subject... the depths at which you dig to unearth hidden meaning is truly impressive. Thank you for your dedication.

  • @CountryBwoy
    @CountryBwoy 3 роки тому +4

    @12:10 I flirted with smoking tobacco off and on years ago. Once I went into a tobacco market and tried to buy "those apple flavored cigarettes" and the guy said they didn't have any. I swore up and down that I had bought some from that particular store! I didn't quite argue with him but I knew I was right. It was several years later while watching PF for the umpteenth time and realized that I had that scene subliminally knocking around my brain. That's a testament to how powerful product placement is. Even a fake product.

  • @davidfeltheim2501
    @davidfeltheim2501 4 роки тому +37

    18:51 "Everyone knows that wiping your ass on a puppy is much more pleasant" perfect quote

  • @hunnybunni7680
    @hunnybunni7680 2 роки тому +8

    I love that tarantino makes appearences in his movies that arent the star role it just feels like hes having a lot of fun with them
    especially the pulp fiction role

    • @noahh2338
      @noahh2338 6 місяців тому

      I think its interesting also that he gets a lot of criticism for the n word in his movies, and it just occured to me that his character in pulp fiction drops the n-word with the hard R in front of jules, who would probably shoot him for saying that if he didn't need his help, it adds tension to the scene if you look at jules' face when he says it..

  • @MGTV1
    @MGTV1 5 років тому +27

    27:53 i never noticed that wart on christopher walken's finger before..and jules called that guy flock of seagulls because of his hairstyle....lol

  • @august6389
    @august6389 5 років тому +26

    I think the reason we don't see labels is because they didn't have a lot of money to show those brands in the film.
    After Quentin did reservoir dogs he went to Europe to write Pulp Fiction. I believe that's why the characters talk about different cultures like with the metric system

    • @markant9534
      @markant9534 5 років тому

      What country in Europe did he go to?

    • @august6389
      @august6389 5 років тому

      @@markant9534 Netherlands

    • @august6389
      @august6389 5 років тому

      He spent 3 months there

    • @markant9534
      @markant9534 5 років тому +1

      @@august6389 The Pepsi challenge, great stuff.

    • @ibjmac187
      @ibjmac187 5 років тому

      Mark Ant The “changed to Coke to Pepsi” is brilliant, so much more memorable than if he’d went with “water to wine”.

  • @LibraPoet99
    @LibraPoet99 5 років тому +16

    I’ve been following you for absolute years maybe even going on 10 years!!!! My mums from Liverpool too! You are sooo talented and your analysis of these cult classics leaves me in awe. Absolute legend! I find this subject matter completely intriguing and compelling, fascinating and very deep. Thank you 🙏 for taking the mystery out of the movie industry manipulation and subliminal mind matrix that Hollywood is. 💓

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому

      Harvey Schweinschtein iz dhe Master ov Ziontology. Kevin Smith iz hiz maydeck.

  • @djardine2520
    @djardine2520 5 років тому +18

    A Band Apart is a reference to one of Tarantino’s favourite films, Jean-Luc Godard’s Band of Outsiders, which in Its original French is called A Band Apart.

    • @lyonellaverde3135
      @lyonellaverde3135 3 роки тому +2

      I wanted to be a filmaker, but then I realized I'd never be as dense as a guy as Tarantino.

    • @djardine2520
      @djardine2520 3 роки тому

      @@lyonellaverde3135 in every sense of the word ;)

    • @emilal
      @emilal 3 роки тому

      It’s actually called Bande À Part, Tarantino anglicized the title so it would sound better.

  • @johnmccabe6867
    @johnmccabe6867 5 років тому +6

    I think the main idea with all the products is to create a feeling of familiarity to connect with the audience like this is a real place and we have things in common with the characters. This is a frequent theme in Tarantino's movies

  • @scottsanburn204
    @scottsanburn204 5 років тому +12

    When I went to West Germany for my grandfather's funeral in October 1984, I remember seeing beer on the McDonalds menu when we went there. Neat stuff.

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому +1

      Afteя dhe Easy War, betwêên 1945 ænd '47, 1.5 milljon Geяmanz weяe staяved tu dεath yn âjzenhaШer'z dεath kamps αn dhe Яhine (яiveя)...

    • @evanabbott2737
      @evanabbott2737 4 роки тому +1

      @@holograMMarXIV what? Type your unnecessary insanity in English at least.🤔

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 4 роки тому

      @@evanabbott2737 Waťčh dhe vîdeo fiяst.

  • @AiMR
    @AiMR 5 років тому +5

    I never noticed in the Butch cab scene the cab is filmed in color, but the b roll of the world outside is B&W (15:12).

    • @markant9534
      @markant9534 5 років тому +2

      Seriously?

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому

      It/s æ nαd tu Žαn Kokto'z blæck-ænd-vvvite fylm “Orpheus” (1950) yn whičh dhe landskape thяough dhe kar windowz (az Orfeus iz tejken intu dhi UNDERWORLD) iz prezented yn nêgative.

    • @Muskateering
      @Muskateering 3 роки тому

      @@holograMMarXIV Huh?

    • @janso7979
      @janso7979 3 роки тому

      @@Muskateering "It's a nod to Jean Cocteau's black-and-white film "Orpheus" (1950), in which the landscape through the car windows (as Orpheus is taken into the underworld) is presented in negative."

  • @styleissubstance
    @styleissubstance 5 років тому +11

    A Band Apart is also a reference to Godard's film Band of Outsiders. The dinner conversation between Mia and Vincent is based on a scene from Vivre sa Vie.

  • @Matthew-pt2pl
    @Matthew-pt2pl 5 років тому +1

    I'm a simple man. I see a Collative Learning Pulp Fiction video, I thumbs up.

  • @drumstick74
    @drumstick74 5 років тому +1

    Hi Rob ─ at 31:35 you talk about cell phones "which people didn't have until the late 80s" ...I always thought the movie was contemporary (1994). Which year do you assume it takes place? And if they mention in it the movie I have missed it, even though I've seen it maybe fifty times. Thanks in advance.

  • @jewelcitizen2567
    @jewelcitizen2567 5 років тому +79

    John Travolta loves _’Five Guys’_
    And he’s also fond of burgers…

    • @imre456
      @imre456 5 років тому +2

      Jewel Citizen hey yoooo

    • @jewelcitizen2567
      @jewelcitizen2567 5 років тому

      imre456 Howdy

    • @Chud_Bud_Supreme
      @Chud_Bud_Supreme 5 років тому

      @@jewelcitizen2567 Better than McDonald's. Their burgers make me want to puke

    • @matthewronsson
      @matthewronsson 5 років тому +4

      Tiamat thinks this thread is about burgers...

    • @Chud_Bud_Supreme
      @Chud_Bud_Supreme 5 років тому

      @@matthewronsson Well whatever. McDonald's still sucks

  • @Nuk3h3ad
    @Nuk3h3ad 5 років тому +3

    I honestly don’t care that you plug your website and products whenever you want to plug them it’s your channel and that’s how you gotta support the good videos you put out! Keep up the good work honestly if people have enough of a problem with you plugging your products then there’s a fast forward option

  • @drumstick74
    @drumstick74 5 років тому +6

    The fact that Jules drinks the entire Sprite is very telling. He is letting Brett know that he won't be needing it, because he is going to be dead in a few minutes. (Notice Brett's facial expression at 10:42. He knows what time it is.)

    • @pinSjon79
      @pinSjon79 4 роки тому +3

      That whole scene is menacing to watch. Those poor bastards knew what's coming for them. And they are taunted by the gangsters before being executed.

    • @djquinn11
      @djquinn11 2 роки тому

      @@pinSjon79 : “Say what one more time….”

  • @maxmatson1578
    @maxmatson1578 5 років тому +18

    "Red Apple cigarettes" was once again used as a product placement in the recent Tarantino movie "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"

    • @maxmatson1578
      @maxmatson1578 5 років тому +1

      @Ian Duke yes.. I know it's a fake product. I just wanted to state that the same FAKE product was used in one of his other movies as a reoccurring theme.

    • @Chris-ci8vs
      @Chris-ci8vs 5 років тому +3

      @@maxmatson1578 yeah there is a whole lot of fake products/brands that connects all Tarantino films apparently.

    • @justinmartin1831
      @justinmartin1831 4 роки тому +1

      It's in Kill Bill too.

    • @johnnygault365
      @johnnygault365 4 роки тому +1

      They would most likely turn a decent profit if manufactured

    • @rickc2102
      @rickc2102 4 роки тому +2

      Red Apple is the *only* "brand" of cigarette in Tarantino films.

  • @MGTV1
    @MGTV1 5 років тому +16

    9:15 save your money. that is definitely not a mcdonalds quarter pounder. that bun is wrong, the patty is too small and the fries are way too thick cut. that has a white castle look to it. and a big mac is a double burger with a bun between the patties. although, the poster art is in mcdonald's red and yellow.

    • @ChubbyChecker182
      @ChubbyChecker182 5 років тому

      It's an odd looking burger... The roll looks like a crusty roll like that used for a bacon roll in the uk

    • @mk-ultramags1107
      @mk-ultramags1107 5 років тому

      The point itself isn't lost though. The product placement is strange here and QT is known to hate it in general.

    • @ibjmac187
      @ibjmac187 5 років тому

      Whatever kind it is, it looks like a tasty burger.
      I used to work in production (paid programming) and making food appear appetizing onscreen is definitely its own art form.

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому

      Dim Mak: Dhe touch ov death (or death-pojnt striking) referz tu ani martial arts technique reputed tu kill uzing seemingly less dhan lethal forse targeted at spesifik areaz ov dhe body∵

    • @MGTV1
      @MGTV1 5 років тому +2

      @@holograMMarXIV this comment belongs in another thread,,,

  • @HetaliaGirl1
    @HetaliaGirl1 5 років тому +2

    Thanks for the analysis, Rob. I did my undergrad thesis in Tarentino, so I really enjoyed this. My mother is a playwright/screenwriter from NY, a few years younger than Quentin. She really enjoyed this too, and offered up a few observations from the time. Back when the film came out, she had a diving buddy from London who was absolutely crushed to find out that there was no Jack Rabbit Slim's. All of the Disney-like theme restaurants were popping up all over, so it fit the mold so perfectly. Back then, five dollars would have been a very expressive shake; ironically, now Wawa's has a shake that is exactly five dollars, and it is truly amazing, especially vanilla - Martin and Lewis. It makes "Rumble" play in your head upon the first sip. My mother also did a lot of her early writing at Denny's(open all night, very large, comfortable booths, and thy didn't care if you stayed all night), about the same time, and after considering who served what here, she's not sure about Coke and Pepsi. All of the restaurants mentioned serve Coca Cola products exclusively. The phrase "Pepsi Challenge" was tossed around a lot; that was probably incidental to the dialogue. Sprite ( a Coca Cola product) has always been heavily marketed in a very racist manner to African Americans. LeBron James is their biggest spokesperson. It's the mixer used in lean,not even trying to be subtle in implying that African Americans are all obsessed with basketball and vile mixtures of opiods and Jolly Ranchers. How American. The snippet from the hallway, "Strawberry Letter 23", was the music behind Ordell's murder if Beaumont in "Jackie Brown", which I know is not your to thing but the song was a huge hit when my parents were little. Part of my attraction to Tarantino is the association with the music; it's always a big joyous sing a long for me. Another interesting factoid; the bar Ordell exits after the money exchange is the same strip club that Conrad Murray was right before he went to give Michael Jackson his last "milk". Just interesting.
    Thanks for the video. I just discovered you; haven't had time to comment. You've been very helpful, and your site with definitely get business from me in my grad work. Thanks again!

  • @EverSinceMyExorcism
    @EverSinceMyExorcism 5 років тому +3

    Your LAVA promo was gold!

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому

      Lava, volcanoes (dianetiks), Hawaii, kahuna...

  • @theinkspot1279
    @theinkspot1279 Рік тому +2

    My interpretation of the Red Apple cigarette packet is the worm is a representation of the snake from the garden of Eden coming out of the apple of the garden to entice Eve to smoke instead of eating the healthy apple therefore also enticing the buyer of the smokes to choose cigarettes instead of being healthy. He is smiling so he is clearly enjoying them. A side note I noticed which could be my imagination going wild is the shine on the left of the apple appears to be a reflection of possibly a window with a cross in the middle. Which could lend validation to my theory.

  • @BlueSky-ub4fx
    @BlueSky-ub4fx 2 роки тому +1

    Wow, Rob! This is really one of my favourite videos on youtube! Sure in the top 10! Your work is AWESOME! Interesting, entertaining, funny and enlightening! 👍👍👍👍

  • @AAllen-br8it
    @AAllen-br8it 3 роки тому +3

    You think maybe the Big Kahuna abbreviation being "BK" could be a dig at product placement considering the character calling a BK burger tasty?

  • @tigerburn81
    @tigerburn81 5 років тому +9

    My favorite product placement of all time has to be _Applebees_ in _Talladega_ _Nights._

    • @alazkaalazka6087
      @alazkaalazka6087 4 роки тому

      tigerburn81 Talledega Nights 100% has the best product placement of all time

    • @Veritech2011
      @Veritech2011 4 роки тому

      The product placement in Taladega Nights fits within the context of the film as NASCAR drivers are sponsored by mega corporate chains.

  • @phost2
    @phost2 4 роки тому +2

    Denny's: We're not advertising in your movie, it's to violent
    Mcdonald's: LEEETTT MEE IIINNN

  • @mattm6580
    @mattm6580 5 років тому +7

    Even the red background and yellow font used for the Pulp Fiction poster suggests McDonalds.

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому

      Dhe “Pʌlp Fiktion” lowgow iz яed ænd jellow lajke dhe makdonald'z aяies-dhe-яam ((nαt tu menšion dhe hammeя-ænd-sickle hoяoя)). Яonald makdonald бluббard, dhe foundeя ov ziontology, waz æ pʌlp fiktion hæck yn dhe 1930z.

  • @swanofnutella4734
    @swanofnutella4734 5 років тому +2

    Big Kahuna is also a very good film with Kevin Spacy who was also in Swimming with Sharks with the guy Jules is interrogating in Pulp Fiction.

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому

      Dhat kyd plajed dhe dяummeя yn “Dhe Doorz” (1991) ænd dhi assassyn yn “Hoffa” (1992)...

  • @DVDandFilmBloke
    @DVDandFilmBloke 5 років тому +1

    It's great to see this back on UA-cam again after such a long time

  • @travismiles5885
    @travismiles5885 3 роки тому +1

    I saw this movie when I was stationed in Germany. We had a Burger King on post and a German McDonald's up the street outside of post. I went to Burger King more often. But this scene always makes me chuckle

  • @KCgig101
    @KCgig101 5 років тому +12

    I genuinely would be shocked to find any of this was conscious and willful Product Placement approved by the corporate. Just imagine the backlash if the moms of America found out that Pepsi paid or consented to having their product compared to Heroin?
    I think what is more likely is that the brands are used in a "short hand" manner by Tarrantino. Similarly to how he uses inspiration from other films and lifts aesthetics, tropes and even music to bring back certain associations or put forth certain ideals, he is doing the same with these Brands.
    While watching your video, I was reminded that both Mcdonalds and Coke are the top dog in their respective category. It shows the type of character that Vincent is. He is enthused and patronizes a Mcdonalds even in a foreign country, but in contrast is entirely dismissive of Burger King. He is the quintessential American being in QT's mind. His feelings towards the brands tells you so much with so little. Similarly with the drug dealer he's being courted to switch from Coke, the other mainstay brand in American culture for the edgier and scrappier Pepsi. He listens to the pitch against his better judgment, gives it a try and his lack of brand loyalty, his straying from his essential self comes back to bite him in the ass.
    In contrast Marvin and crew are eating "Big Kahuna" burgers, a non existent brand carrying NO WEIGHT in our minds. Because that is who they are in the context of who Jules and Vincent are. They are a blank slate, replace "big kahuna" with what ever the name of your local mom and pop burger shop and the effect will be the same. Their nerves highlight their weak position and lack of experience and status. Jules in contrast gleefully retells the stories of Mcdonalds "Royale" status which extends to both him and Vincent because they patronize that establishment. Jules even pitches a few other branded options of burgers, as niche as Jack in the Box but they are not even up to that level. He takes control of the situation and in essence makes them give him permission to eat their meal, which alone has a lot of implications. They know they cannot refuse his request because he holds the power. When it comes to the drink, again Sprite isn't as close to being as iconic as Coke or Pepsi. There is less cultural and sentimental attachment to sprite than there ever would be to coke or Pepsi. What would it say to us the viewer if both Vincent and Brett drank coke, or both ate "Royale's" with cheese? It would be a unifier of status and power that in the context of the movie just wouldn't work.

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому +4

      Бig Кahuna, Бurger Кing...

    • @dally1398
      @dally1398 2 роки тому +2

      This is a super interesting analysis. Thanks for writing this out man

    • @julesfalcone
      @julesfalcone Рік тому

      Sprite is owned by Pepsi.

    • @SFTaYZa
      @SFTaYZa Рік тому

      ​@@julesfalconewere they at the time

    • @julesfalcone
      @julesfalcone Рік тому

      @@SFTaYZa I'm partially wrong. Spite was acquired by Coke in 1960. (Not Pepsi, Pepsi owns Slice.)

  • @hamsterman2008
    @hamsterman2008 4 роки тому +2

    Red Apple cigs and Big Laguna burgers are part of the Tarintino Universe . His movies are connected by people , places and things from his mind .

    • @shrimpflea
      @shrimpflea 4 роки тому +2

      It's Big Kahuna not Laguna.

  • @brightbrain6557
    @brightbrain6557 5 років тому +3

    Thanks for posting this! I really enjoy looking into product placement, like Ghostbusters' use of the Stay Puff marshmallows throughout the film.

  • @castlemania08
    @castlemania08 2 роки тому +1

    “Everyone knows that wiping your arse on a puppy is much more pleasant”.
    Best one liner ever!

  • @rippedtorn2310
    @rippedtorn2310 5 років тому +39

    Uma Thurman is smoking hot in this .

    • @shafserious2805
      @shafserious2805 5 років тому +2

      Until she takes coke and gets....

    • @ABLEARC
      @ABLEARC 5 років тому +9

      @@shafserious2805 its no coke. Its heroin of Vincents. She thought it WAS coke so busted down a line size appropriate for cocaine. That ammt of heroin was too much so she overdosed.

    • @jewelcitizen2567
      @jewelcitizen2567 5 років тому

      Ripped Torn Oven Ready

    • @rippedtorn2310
      @rippedtorn2310 5 років тому

      @@ABLEARC aka. China White ; the myth of smack heads everywhere.

    • @ABLEARC
      @ABLEARC 5 років тому

      @@rippedtorn2310 i mean not really a myth. He was buying an ounce and at that point stuff isn't stepped on. Its not a myth its about where in the supply chain you are.

  • @l34CoNCreepy
    @l34CoNCreepy Рік тому

    27:57 the chevy logo is a chevron shape, and in the window directly above the chevrolet name is two blue chevrons in the window reflection. this is seconds before she makes her 'square' shape in the air so shapes in the imagery are meant to be noticed i believe.

  • @intivism
    @intivism 5 років тому +2

    Awesome analysis, you really touched on a lot of intersting stuff. But I think you might be missing a piece here when looking into Pulp Fiction's food aesthetic.
    In Southern California there's a mish-mash of corporate chain crap (like fast food) and small retail shops, that are often specific to a city or county. When I first watched some guys in a crappy apartment eating a local burger chain for breakfast, my first thought was "Yes! This is what it's like here, I've done this!" I feel the Big Kahuna is a nod to the maybe hundreds of small food joints that serve burgers and fries all over SoCal.
    The fact that these guys picked a local joint over one of the big national chains is important (in the same way he uses Hawthorn Grill) to establish a very SoCal vibe of knowing where the "real" or authentic restaurants are, maybe even so non-corporate that the name of the city is in the name of the diner.
    I love that kind of specificity of restaurants - it's just a thing that people here in SoCal do. I mean, I can tell you the best place to get carne asada fries, the best "Greek" place to get a pastrami sandwich, Orange County has multiple places for awesome vietnamese Pho.
    Basically, I'm saying that Tarantino was trying to capture the specific SoCal understanding about fast food joints, and how the local spots are "cooler" (and to us natives, tastier and more interesting) than the corporate places. He did a similar thing in True Romance - it's just an ode to SoCal taste, and maybe snobbery too.

  • @bettysshoe875
    @bettysshoe875 5 років тому +28

    I REALLY want a hamburger now.

    • @Chud_Bud_Supreme
      @Chud_Bud_Supreme 5 років тому +3

      Spongebob Squarepants has the same effect on me

    • @cowslaw
      @cowslaw 5 років тому +2

      @@Chud_Bud_Supreme Krabby Patties look absolutely delicious...

    • @handsomebrick
      @handsomebrick 5 років тому +1

      I was eating a hamburger while watching this, I don't know what that means if anything.

    • @yuripantyhose4973
      @yuripantyhose4973 5 років тому +1

      I want hamburger, milkshake, pancakes with maple syrup and sausages fuck i even want fries with mayo, and ofc. coffee, but then again i always want coffee, and not that cheap ass shit either, gourmet stuff

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому

      Dim Mak: Dhe touch ov death (or death-pojnt striking) referz tu ani martial arts technique reputed tu kill uzing seemingly less dhan lethal forse targeted at spesifik areaz ov dhe body∵

  • @nicksunfortune5718
    @nicksunfortune5718 2 роки тому

    Hey man Happy New Year!!! Love these videos and appreciate all the content over the years.

  • @tinicum54
    @tinicum54 5 років тому

    Thanks for your content Rob. Longtime listener, (7 years ?), recent buyer of your content. Worth every penny.

  • @jothishprabu8
    @jothishprabu8 4 роки тому +5

    That Red Chevrolet Car was Tarantino's. Someone stole it after watching the movie and Tarantino found it many years later.

  • @benrush7090
    @benrush7090 5 років тому +1

    your videos are always well thought out and clever.
    i love this analysis.

  • @Raithwall95
    @Raithwall95 Місяць тому

    @33:28 it's a connection to the french movie "Bande à part" of Jean-Luc Godard too

  • @tinicum54
    @tinicum54 5 років тому +9

    Product Placement. At That Time, watching on a VCR, 2 people watching went out and bought heroin upon seeing the needle in vein scene. My reprobate friends..

  • @morkavalkyrie5639
    @morkavalkyrie5639 5 років тому +14

    This is a tasty video.

  • @leehodge9741
    @leehodge9741 5 років тому +25

    Apple=Forbidden fruit: worm=Serpent .. Bible memes

  • @coreylambert2395
    @coreylambert2395 5 років тому +2

    Hey Rob, don't know if you caught this and found it too much of a stretch, but the heroin dealer wearing the speed racer shirt perfectly mirrors Pepsi's red white and blue color scheme with Speed Racers white helmet, red ascot, and blue uniform. Seems to add a little more credence to that scene being a peps plug.

  • @andreas7630
    @andreas7630 5 років тому +6

    Very interesting video! Haven't seen product placement that way before.
    How come you didn't mention Mr. Wolf's Acura? The (arguably) best car in the movie being a Japanese one.

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому +1

      The Acura Will Get You There Accurately

  • @shrimpflea
    @shrimpflea 4 роки тому +2

    I live in LA. When I saw Pulp Fiction I looked for Big Kahuna Burger for a week. I'm such an idiot.

  • @nklin6
    @nklin6 4 роки тому

    thankyou for your work rob

  • @summer-west
    @summer-west 3 роки тому +1

    9:35 kind of looks like the King Hawaiian buns with that dinner roll color and the tear apart edge holding the roll together.

  • @lepavis
    @lepavis 4 роки тому +1

    Big Kahuna has the same initials as Burger King, so it could be a reference depicting a rejection by Burger King to appear on the movie. Or really clever advertising by not mentioning the main competition.

  • @Emblematic
    @Emblematic 5 років тому +1

    The main thing I notice watching these clips is how much better film looks than digital.

    • @davidlean1060
      @davidlean1060 5 років тому

      Having said that, I love how David Fincher and Michael Mann have used digital photography. Collateral looks stunning at times for example.

  • @nena_nezali
    @nena_nezali 2 роки тому

    I’m surprised Honda wasn’t mentioned. Mr. Wolf makes a 30 minute drive in his NSX in just under ten, and Butch’s girlfriend keeps referring to her car as her Honda. Two times isn’t just random chance.

  • @MindiB
    @MindiB 5 років тому +3

    LOL: “Everyone knows that wiping your ass on a puppy is much more pleasant.” I think I want this on a t-shirt.

  • @jewelcitizen2567
    @jewelcitizen2567 5 років тому +25

    Consume
    Stay Asleep
    Obey

    • @rippedtorn2310
      @rippedtorn2310 5 років тому +2

      Are you all out of gum ?

    • @jewelcitizen2567
      @jewelcitizen2567 5 років тому +2

      Ripped Torn Dasrite but I like a burger with Swiss Cheese and caramelised onions...

    • @imre456
      @imre456 5 років тому +2

      Just by quoting that movie you’re:
      Consuming
      Staying asleep
      Obeying

    • @Chud_Bud_Supreme
      @Chud_Bud_Supreme 5 років тому

      @@imre456 "no u lel"

    • @imre456
      @imre456 5 років тому

      Carpenter had us all pegged.

  • @BoudieYoudie
    @BoudieYoudie 2 роки тому

    The way I always interpreted it as you mention that the dialog makes us get us get connected to the charaters the movie. Because people in the real world use reference to products and commercials all the time in day to day conversation, often unconciously, because commercial lines can get stuck in common consiousnes. So referring to some real brands in the real world just makes us accept the world more. And as non LA person who knows there could be a big kahuna burger joint just around the corner from there.

  • @derryXDINES
    @derryXDINES 6 місяців тому

    This is a compelling set of items you presented here, Rob. My feeling before watching this was that any brand references were meant to anchor the film as a post-modern work, kind of in a Warhol - Pop Art kind of way, but the way real and fake brands are presented is highly inconsistent. As you were, I would be curious to see if they have anything on the books for endorsement funding.

  • @jonbourgoin182
    @jonbourgoin182 5 років тому +2

    Only Rob could make a 35 minute video on product placement interesting and engaging.
    18:32 I think you’re really underestimating people’s obsession with serial killers, especially in America lol
    Also speaking of McDonald’s, their product placement in Coming To America was interesting, since they were portrayed as a competitor and thus the enemy, of a fake fast food chain restaurant with a similar name, “McDowell’s”

  • @janedoe3043
    @janedoe3043 5 років тому +1

    Best product placement of all time was a snapple ad in 30 Rock. It was overtly phony and ended with a fourth wall break where Tina Fey asks, "can we have our money now?" It has been copied since then, but it is brilliant.

  • @tudorlazescu4189
    @tudorlazescu4189 5 років тому +2

    A band a part is most importantly, the name of a Jean-luc Godard film from 1964 for which Tarantino has a lot of appreciation for

  • @lucyschoon5585
    @lucyschoon5585 5 років тому +20

    The phrase 'tasty beverage' shows up in a few tarantino films....

    • @GrosvnerMcaffrey
      @GrosvnerMcaffrey 5 років тому

      Grindhouse comes to mind with chartreuse

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому

      Afteя dhe Easy War, betwêên 1945 ænd '47, 1.5 milljon Geяmanz weяe staяved tu dεath yn âjzenhaШer'z dεath kamps αn dhe Яhine (яiveя)...

  • @binghamguevara6814
    @binghamguevara6814 4 роки тому

    At 1:16 you can see Vincent’s hair blowing, which shows that his window is down; but at 1:37 his hair is not blowing, which shows that the window is now up. In addition, you can see a white light reflection above Vincent’s head as the car passes various buildings.

  • @enriccoc7794
    @enriccoc7794 4 місяці тому

    I can't remember who, but a film analysis of Tarantino once said (almost) all of his films are advertisements for cars and guns, and now I can't unsee it. The art that consistently gets the biggest budget and promotion always have a heavy emphasis on exporting American culture, and Tarantino is a heavyweight when it comes to that

  • @Maggerama
    @Maggerama 5 років тому +1

    I was pretty sure that I can't be convinced going in, but you did it again.

  • @chadatchison145
    @chadatchison145 5 років тому +3

    "Everyone know's wiping your ass on a puppy is much more pleasant" I died lol. Rob, that one joke erased my whole day, thank you. :)

  • @Menyo
    @Menyo 5 років тому +1

    I just got a cup of coffee watching this. I don't know.. suddenly I was craving for it

  • @softbatch1
    @softbatch1 4 роки тому

    31:38 Quentin opens Reservoir Dogs with a conversation about Madonna's music. According to the conversation it may be that he "...used to like her early stuff, "Borderline", but when she got into that " Papa Don't Preach" phase I tuned out.". Another thing is that QT was a huge De Palma fan and his favorite movies are "Carrie" and "Blow Out" which is a huge reason why he wanted John Travolta. He remembered that JT was a great actor and not just from Look Who Talking.

  • @jonanjello
    @jonanjello 5 років тому +1

    2:37 - I recall seeing that deleted scene in Reservoir Dogs. Was it originally in the film, then removed?

  • @arklowrockz
    @arklowrockz 5 років тому +1

    It was the one film I can remember where I really wanted a smoke while I was watching it. I remember seeing it in the cinema in '94 and myself and my buddy Jamsie almost ran out of the cinema at the end of it to light up!!

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому

      This Is What Ziontologists Actually Beliebe

  • @cascadianrangers728
    @cascadianrangers728 4 роки тому +1

    Idk, it might maybe be because I'm kinda a psychopath, but the mock sales pitch for Lava soap TOTALLY works for me, I'm sold!
    However, it's not any praticular chemical in Lava that gets the blood off, but rather the abrasive, gritty texture that comes from the inclusion of pumice stone.

  • @TJ-di1iq
    @TJ-di1iq 4 роки тому

    Not sure how I found your channel but glad I did.

  • @Darstag
    @Darstag 5 років тому +2

    Hey Rob, think the red apple worm looks a little like Bruce Willis?

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому

      Buťčh evenťually killz Vinsent, sow gow figuяe...

  • @ajmittendorf
    @ajmittendorf 5 років тому +1

    As I recall, in reference to the popularity of "Pulp Fiction's" soundtrack, the movie "The Sting" repopularized the music of Scott Joplin, who had fallen from popularity until that movie. Since then, y'can't get enough of Scott Joplin.

  • @Rohan_Trishan
    @Rohan_Trishan 3 роки тому +1

    One other connection between Coca Cola and cocaine/drugs is that in the scene where they are looking at the diff bags of drugs, the dude next to Travolta is wearing a Speed Racer Tshirt, which could be a reference to "Speed" the drug slang word for amphetamine, methamph, or other uppers like cocaine.

  • @Onethirtytwo
    @Onethirtytwo 2 роки тому

    Regarding your line of questioning @ 20:36, I started dipping my french fires in mayo specifically after seeing Pulp Fiction when it came out and still do until this very day. Something clicked, mayo goes great on burgers too!

  • @ratomiq
    @ratomiq 5 років тому +1

    I don't know if it's been mentioned in the comments, but you forgot the blatant product placement of the Acura NSX. More so because it's related to the coolest character in the movie.

  • @august6389
    @august6389 5 років тому +1

    Ohhh pulp fiction! Thanks Rob

  • @vipy4309
    @vipy4309 5 років тому +1

    Love your videos man. Keep it up

  • @Kevin_Pazyck
    @Kevin_Pazyck 3 роки тому +1

    If McDonalds hamburgers *looked* half as good as that Big Kahuna burger eaten by Jules, I would’ve died from congestive heart failure 15 years ago 🍔

  • @TheJohnnyCalifornia
    @TheJohnnyCalifornia 3 роки тому +1

    The interesting trivial point in Pulp Fiction is Jules' girlfriend. Jules mentions he has a girlfriend and she's a vegetarian, and that's all we know. However, as you learn more about him, you start to wonder about what sort of relationship he has with her, what sort of woman is she and how does this cold as ice hitman date a vegetarian even though obviously he like meat (but not pork).

  • @luizdiaz5196
    @luizdiaz5196 4 роки тому

    This really adds another level to Quinton's attention to detail

  • @yurkdawg
    @yurkdawg 6 місяців тому

    I also remember Seinfeld messing around with product placement. For instance, several times (over multiple episodes) Jerry offers someone a Snapple. But everyone refuses the offer specifically saying why exactly they don't like it.

  • @DTec1978
    @DTec1978 5 років тому

    The tabaco used by Vincent in the dinner scene was a Dutch brand named "Drum", brand seen by Tarantino when he was in Amsterdam writing the script for Pulp Fiction

  • @Strellock
    @Strellock 2 роки тому

    30:21 the sax player is John Coltrane

  • @ronwalker3726
    @ronwalker3726 5 років тому +1

    I first watched Pulp Fiction as one of those HBO teaser showings for free on cable/ the screen went black just as the Gimp was climbing out of the box. That was cruel.

  • @raulfernandez57
    @raulfernandez57 2 роки тому

    20:24-20:25 Me and my friends. There was a theatre which showed this movie with subs and after it ended we went to a King nearby, as it walys in theatres of course. True, it was also at a time when we often hung out more often at a Burger King after watching a film.
    But I´m not gonna lie, I always got an uncanny feeling that I did fancy a burger because of the apartment scene...

  • @couchpotato3197
    @couchpotato3197 5 років тому +1

    The best and most insane use of product placement I've ever seen was the Hershey's bar in Mad Men. I dont want to spoil too much but now I have the worst connotations imaginable. However, it makes me think of amazing storytelling and characters so I guess that's how they approved it. Look up Mad Men Hershey's scene if you're curious.

  • @nickkladky8396
    @nickkladky8396 Рік тому

    Rob, I don't know if it's the same in Europe, but in the US we sometimes use brand names as if they were the generic products. Some examples include tissue, jello, Jeep, and Coke. I bring this up because maxipad is another example. It could be that Tarantino put maxi pad in the script not even realizing that it's a brand name.

  • @aisforamerica2185
    @aisforamerica2185 5 років тому +1

    there is a Denny's sign in the background while Jules & Vincent walk into the apartment building at the beginning

    • @holograMMarXIV
      @holograMMarXIV 5 років тому

      Afteя dhe Easy War, betwêên 1945 ænd '47, 1.5 milljon Geяmanz weяe staяved tu dεath yn âjzenhaШer'z dεath kamps αn dhe Яhine (яiveя)...