I hate to take movies too seriously,but in the final scene of Pulp Fiction there is a brilliant portrayal by Samuel Jackson of his character's metamorphosis into the Philosopher he will become, while equally brilliant John Travolta as his opposite does not understand the search for meaning and believes Jules will become a bum.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Funny enough that you mention Samuel Jackson and this particular type of metamorphosis. Though I have seen the same scene that you mentioned, I have noticed how Samuel Jackson always gets into these "I desire" roles with semi-central plot devices. For example, in Pulp Fiction, you have the brief case. And it's always "oooh ahhh" when the brief case opens and this conveyance of desire. Another example is The Re Violin which if you have not seen it, see it because the movie is seriously the balls in a very artistic sense?. well produced with excellent music and story line. But anyway, Samuel Jackson plays an antiques expert who uncovers the fabled "red violin" and develops over the course of the movie and the history of the violin itself (and why the violin is red in the first place), a desire for the instrument. But he does such a good job conveying that raw feeling. Here is a clip (look at the end). Its not the best scene showing Jackson's great skills (intensity) but it just goes to show you what I am talking about.