Friday, January 15, 2016

Movie Review - The Hateful Eight

There’s good Tarantino – Pulp Fiction, and there’s bad – Django Unchained comes to mind. Let’s add his latest,  The Hateful Eight,  to the bad list but it could have been so good.  Someone needs to give director Quentin Tarantino a machete to cut this film from three hours to less than two. Someone needs to not be so indulgent with Quentin being so full of himself, and just say, “Get on with the story.”

The opening scenes are gorgeous as we watch a stagecoach in the snow. He also shows what looks like a gnarled tree is actually a stone crucifix – ah, symbolism. In the first hour, we pile a mix of outlaws and lawmen into the coach, only to arrive at Minnie’s Haberdashery in a blizzard, and find another group of suspicious characters. The clock is ticking for a bloodbath. Samuel L. Jackson is a principled bounty hunter given to well proclaimed pronouncements. Kurt Russell is holding onto Jennifer Jason Leigh, an urchin outlaw.  There’s a sheriff, a hangman, cowboy, and a general. There is leftover feelings from the Civil War and banter on racism and bigotry. Too much meandering, too much rambling talk, too many cold characters we don’t care about.

In the final thirty minutes, we find out why everyone is at Minnie’s except Minnie and her husband. Tarantino flashes back to show us the behind the scenes gathering of these vultures. It’s almost like an Agatha Christie game of Clue, only with extreme violence. It’s a shame. The acting is fine. There’s some interesting dialogue. It’s filmed richly and the musical score is grand. But, The Hateful Eight is cold and ugly, devoid of a reason to unspool.


11 comments:

  1. Hi Joanne - thanks for letting me know - I've never been able to watch a Tarantino film .. too violent. I hope your next film is happier! Cheers Hilary

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    1. I've had a run of bad reviews. I do need a good one soon. Enjoy your weekend

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  2. I'm not much of a fan of Tarantino anyway, even with his good movies. Like Hilary, I don't care for all the violence. Loved your line, "devoid of a reason to unspool." :)

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    1. sometimes I can overlook the violence if there's other good stuff. Oh well

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  3. Does it seem like the Western is making a comeback (I'm thinking 'The Revenant,' as well)?

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    1. they are always saying the Western is coming back....did it ever really leave?

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  4. Does it seem like the Western is making a comeback (I'm thinking 'The Revenant,' as well)?

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  5. Thanks. I believe I'll put this one a list of movies NOT to see. Remember the good old days when most movies were less than an hour and a half long...?

    We saw the new Star Wars flick yesterday. It was on the longish side, too, but at least the theater is stocked with comfortable reclining chairs. (Oh, yeah...) We enjoyed the movie, but it was quite as good as I'd hoped it would be. (I know... shoulda listened to you!)

    Have a fantabulous weekend.

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    1. I try to give realistic reviews. Fantabulous - I shall try to live up to the word

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  6. Hmm. Sounds intriguing. We've got really great movies competing for the Oscars this year. The competition's tough. Although I hope Leonardo finally bags the Best Actor. :)

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    1. I think this is Leo's year for sure. Picture wise - I liked Spotlight or even Brooklyn. (I like the little flicks)

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