Perhaps you've heard about Quentin Tarantino.

He's an actor who's finally been getting more exposure recently-- although he's been at it for years!

For years he has trained hard with the best of them. But success as an actor did not come easy.

His first role was an Elvis Impersonator on Golden Girls; although it's disputable as one resume of his claimed he was in the original 1978 Dawn of the Dead.

Perhaps you remember him from the opening monologue of "Reservoir Dogs", originally it had been speculated that Tarantino would play a major role in this film... however for some reason the producer or possibly the writer/director team of this film had his character killed off quite early in the movie. The film went on to sweep the world by storm.  

"Reservoir Dogs" had been helmed by a then unknown writer/director, who went on to see ultra fame, and still make highly influential movies today.

In my opinion, this director only has Tarantino to thank for his success.

The under appreciated character actor Tarantino, was left behind-- even unfairly attacked by critics. This would not be the first time.

Tarantino graced the silver screen again, when he took on a small role along side John Travolta and Samuel L Jackson, in an ensemble performance which would propel John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson to the ranks of super stardom-- while Quentin would continue to struggle to get good parts as an actor.

Tarantino would land his first major role, starring alongside George Clooney, in the Robert Rodriguez directed "From Dusk Till Dawn".

Perhaps it was the nature of the character he played-- a black tie wearing misogynistic outlaw, who later became a blood thirsty demon beast dimmed him in the eyes of America...

But again, this film would propel other actors, all of whom had essential scenes with Tarantino. George Clooney became America's next heart throb, and Juliette Lewis was to be America's sweetheart.

Mysteriously, super stardom eluded Tarantino-- although it certainly seemed that every actor he worked with went on to attain ultra success.

He continued to do bit parts, and this would soon turn to voice work.

His next significant role was to come as a reoccurring character on Alias.

Unfortunately, I don't watch Alias. But why was this mega talent
now doing TV? I couldn't wrap my mind around it. How sad would it be to have a volatile talent like Tarantino sell Vacuum cleaners on late night TV?

Was this the end?

Fortunately not, as his old friend Robert Rodriguez -- who had gone on to make such influential pop culture center pieces as "Sin City" and "Spy Kids"
snuck Tarantino into his ambitious grind house cinema movie "Grindhouse", which consisted of two separate films, much like the double features of the drive in age.

Tarantino's potential would also be noticed and exploited by the co-director of Grindhouse, who (no surprise) was also a good friend of Robert Rodriguez's. It is unclear if Tarantino was given a fair salary as an actor on this film. It's also rumored that Tarantino was forced by the tyrant director to work double duty, and even work in the lighting department.

However, ultimately, it was underhanded Hollywood politics that found Quentin his first truly iconic American role (in a Japanese film).

Superstar director Eli Roth had Tokyo bad boy director Takashi Miike do a cameo role in his film "Hostel".

The executive producer of "Hostel" had been a good friend of Miike's and it was this friendship that would ultimately lead to Tarantino's memorable turn in "Sukiyaki Western Django"!

Now playing at Midnight Madness, this film is THE ONE that will finally give Tarantino his much deserved recognition as an actor.

Tarantino captures the very essence of old west Americana, and ultimately steals the show with a multi-tiered, thoroughly entertaining performance.

**minor spoilers**

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Finally a movie where Quentin gets the girl, beats down the bad guys, gives an unforgettable cooking lesson and comes back as a senile,drooling prophesying legend half way through!

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**end spoilers**

After having the touch of gold for so long, one would think that by now he would have made friends with a director or writer who'd have some
juicier lead roles in mind for him...

Sukiyaki Western Django should mark the beginning of a new era of Tarantino helmed films!

Be sure to catch Quentin Tarantino as "Piringo" in "Sukiyaki Western Django" and see why critics will be calling him the best two-faced actor of the film (in the most bad-ass way possible!)