Head to Head: Quentin Tarantino vs. Robert Rodriguez
Humble Beginnings
Tarantino: The high school dropout inspired future slackers everywhere by writing the script for 'True Romance' while working at a video store.
Rodriguez: He spent a month in a hospital subjecting himself to experimental drug studies to earn financing for 'El Mariachi.'
Edge: Rodriguez
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Dazzling Debut
Tarantino: Shot onto the scene with his '92 crime thriller 'Reservoir Dogs,' already featuring an impressive cast (Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen et al)
Rodriguez: Shot onto the scene with the equally violent revenge caper 'El Mariachi' (made for only $7,000 before post-production)
Edge: Tarantino, by an ear
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Box Office Biz
Tarantino: His five major efforts (all hard R's) have grossed an average of $57.4 M, with a personal best of $107.9 M for 'Pulp Fiction.'
Rodriguez: He's helmed 10 films, averaging a $57.2M take each, his biggest cash cows being the family-friendly 'Spy Kids' flicks (all between $85 and $112 M).
Edge: Even
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With Honors
Tarantino: He won an Oscar for his convention-shattering script for 'Pulp Fiction,' and also triumphed at the Golden Globe, BAFTA and Indie Spirit Awards.
Rodriguez: Remember when 'From Dusk Till Dawn' won the Silver Scream Award at the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival?
Edge: Tarantino
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Critical Love
Tarantino: The average rating for his films on the site RottenTomatoes is a stellar 89 percent fresh, led by a 96 percent for 'Pulp Fiction.'
Rodriguez: 'El Mariachi' and 'Spy Kids' boast 92 percent ratings, but a few "Rotten" turds (ahem, 'Sharkboy') bring his lifetime average to 64 percent.
Edge: Tarantino
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Muse to Amuse
Tarantino: Uma Thurman's 'Pulp Fiction' character overdosed, but Tarantino couldn't get enough of her, writing the Bride role in the 'Kill Bill' movies just for Uma.
Rodriguez: Salma Hayek provided the curvaceous, salsa-hot inspiration for the heroine Carolina in his 'El Mariachi' trilogy.
Edge: Even
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Entourage
Tarantino: Tim Roth (three films), Samuel L. Jackson (three), Uma Thurman (three), Michael Madsen (three), Harvey Keitel (two), Steve Buscemi (two)
Rodriguez: Antonio Banderas (six films), Salma Hayek (six), Mickey Rourke (two)
Edge: Tarantino, for the coolness factor
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Collaboration, Vol. 1
Tarantino: The anthology 'Four Rooms' was mostly deemed a failure, but Tarantino's 'The Man from Hollywood' at least ends with a bang (or rather, a chop).
Rodriguez: His 'Misbehaviors' segment wasn't just the best of the 'Four Rooms,' it's easily the funniest thing he's directed.
Edge: Rodriguez
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Acting Their Stage
Tarantino: An aspiring actor long before he directed, Tarantino loves face time in front of the camera, and has even been recognized for it? with a Worst Supporting Actor nomination at the 1997 Razzies for Rodriguez's 'From Dust Till Dawn.'
Rodriguez: Has never acted
Edge: Rodriguez
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Family Fare
Tarantino: None (unless you count the scene in 'Pulp Fiction' where Christopher Walken gives a boy a watch his dad kept for him in a special, special place)
Rodriguez: The super-successful, imaginatively fun 'Spy Kids' trilogy, and the (slightly disappointing) 'Shark Boy and Lava Girl'
Edge: Rodriguez
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Second Helpings
Tarantino: Initially conceived as one epic, Tarantino wisely sliced 'Kill Bill' into two parts, leaving fans and studio heads twice as happy/rich.
Rodriguez: After the success of 'El Mariachi,' Rodriguez turned the story into his "Mexico Trilogy" with 'Desperado' and 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico.'
Edge: Tarantino
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Rejected!
Tarantino: He was offered 'Men in Black' and 'Speed,' but turned both down to write 'Pulp Fiction.'
Rodriguez: Kevin Smith wanted him to helm 'Dogma,' but he thought Smith should; he was going to direct Smith's script 'Superman Lives,' but it was replaced by 'Superman Returns.'
Edge: Tarantino
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Sound Trax
Tarantino: 'Pulp Fiction,' which improbably marries Chuck Berry, Maria McKee and Urge Overkill, ranks as one of the best soundtracks ever. 'Reservoir Dogs' ain't too shabby, either.
Rodriguez: The versatile director composed most of his own music for the noir-ish 'Sin City' score.
Edge: Tarantino
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Trading Places
Tarantino: In return for Rodriguez's work on the 'Kill Bill' score, Tarantino directed the famous Clive Owen-Benicio del Toro car scene in 'Sin City.' Both charged each other $1.
Rodriguez: When Tarantino appeared on-camera in 'Pulp Fiction,' Rodriguez filled the void in the director's chair.
Edge: Even
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Best Dismemberment
Tarantino: Michael Madsen, dancing, razor in hand. A terrified cop. "Here I am, stuck in the middle with you ..." And the ear. Oh God, the ear.
Rodriguez: When Elijah Wood, as cannibalistic Kevin, gets dismembered and fed to his pet wolf while still alive, he never stops smiling. Creepy little hobbitses!
Edge: Tarantino
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At the 'Grindhouse'
Tarantino: 'Death Proof' smashes the road movie genre to smithereens. Kurt Russell vs. a posse of hotties? We call shotgun!
Rodriguez: 'Planet Terror' packs more gore, awesome one-liners, eye candy and ensemble fun than we?ve seen since 'Sin City.' A machine gun leg helps.
Edge: Rodriguez
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Plus: How They Began
Long before she was dancing up a storm in 'Pulp Fiction' and decapitating Crazy 88s at will in 'Kill Bill,' Uma Thurman just wanted to be with Johnny... 'Johnny Be Good.' Find out she and other stars started off in Hollywood.
See their early roles
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What's Next?
Star-on-star interviews
Tons of trailers & clips
Movie recommendations
News: Gossip & headlines
Television: What to watch
Games: Play online for free
Music: Listen to AOL Radio
CityGuide: City's best
Comedy: Viral video
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Star Sightings
'Star Trek' Premiere
Check out Eric Bana, Chris Pine, Leonard Nimoy and others on the red carpet at the 'Star Trek' premiere.
See the pics
Plus, check these out:
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