The number of directors of which I need to see their latest movie can be counted on one hand. Quentin Tarantino is certainly one of them, because since seeing his first two films I’ve been a big fan of his style. A director with his own voice, his own kind of movies where not only the images are fantastic, but the choice of music is always original and dialogues is always recognizable as his own (whether in Reservoir Dogs or in a special episode CSI). A new Tarantino film is always an event for me and I could hardly wait to The Hateful Eight, his eighth film.
When he started writing the script for the film he had the idea that Django (from Django Unchained) would return in another movie and the viewer would see what else he has been through. As the script progressed, however, he abandoned that idea, because he thought it was important that the public had no history with the characters and having seen the finished film that is an understandable choice.
The film is set in an icy and snowy landscape where a stagecoach is trying to stay ahead of a blizard. During that journey it picks up on a number of stranded travelers and when it seems as though the snow will overtake them, the driver decide to go to “Minnie’s Haberdashery”, a large hut where travelers can relax a bit. It is the place where most of the film is set and where nothing is what it seems to be.
If you would compare The Hateful Eight with another Tarantino film it would be best described as Reservoir Dogs as a western. Since the film is set in a large cabin (and you can easily imagine this movie working as a play as well) it’s all about the acting and there are no weak moments. Each actor is fantastic in their roles, whether it is Samuel L . Jackson as Major Marquis Warren, Tim Roth as Oswaldo Mobray (who made me think of Christoph Waltz in Inglorious Basterds), Kurt Russell as bountyhunter John Ruth and Jennifer Jason Leigh as captured Daisy Domergue. It is pure enjoyment and Tarantino allows his film to breathe and build up tension that way. There is not a moment that the 167-minute film (or 187 if you see the 70mm version) feels overly long. Another Tarantino movie you should not miss.
Agreed!
Nice 🙂
INDEED!!!!!!
Happy to hear you agree
A true stunner….personally I was not a fan of the Django Unchained….more so for personal reasons, I found I annoying to watch…but this movie is a truly moving epic.
Although Django is not a bad movie that’s probably one of my least favourite Tarantino movies. This one though I’m looking forward to rewatching.
I disgaree – this film’s final act felt stretched to breaking point. The dialogue was salty enough to entertain but many of the conversations, often involving Jackson, kinda dragged on with “repartee” that never felt justified. Cool for the sake of being cool, I found this film a stumble from QT. Considering the quality of Django and Inglourious Barsterds, this is annoying.
I can understand that feeling as I’ve heard more people having issues with it, but I never felt it stretched too much.
I found the story line Old, how many times have you watched a movie where a group of travelers during a storm stopped at a hotel, farm, restaurant etc. and have all hell break loose. Nothing new here, it’s the same thing you see with “B” rated horror flixs. Also as far as I’m concerned this is just another venue for Quentin Tarantino to show some more blood and guts. Apparently people like it because Quentin Tarantino Was the writer and director and to some he can do no wrong.