Inglourious Basterds [DVD] [2009]

This movie was director Tarantino's biggest hit since "Pulp Fiction." Yet, judging from some of the reviews, many weren't happy with what they saw. Blame it partly on the marketing, which presented this as a Brad Pitt movie (he's only in it about 25 minutes) and a dark comedy, which it isn't (though it does have some humorous parts). Still, this is a remarkable, if flawed film. The three extended scenes are film-making of a very high order, and the remainder is never less than fascinating in that offbeat Tarantino way. I enjoyed the history rewrite, with Jews taking revenge on the Germans in gory but deliciously vivid ways. However, I also felt the director was pulling some punches, going for instant gratification instead of really probing the nature of good and evil that might have raised this to the level of a true classic. Still, watching Tarantino move with such ease into such a different genre is exciting. I think his best movies are yet to come, if he can restrain his impulse to always place style slightly ahead of substance.

It's wonderful to revisit Tarantino's exuberant re-telling of WWII from the moviemaker's perspective. Though most reviewers have cited Christophe Waltz for his brilliant turn as the "Jew Hunter" here, all the performances are sterling, and I must give special props to Brad Pitt as Aldo the Apache. This is an iconic role, his Indiana Jones, and he knocks it out of the park with spot-on comic timing and a good-ol'-boy accent. I also want to commend Best Buy on the third Bonus Disc they have included in this edition. This disc contains an interview and audience Q&A session with QT and the NY Times Magazine editor at a Times seminar just before the film premiered. Though her questions and film knowledge are fairly pedestrian, the audience fares better, and QT is in fine form throughout. He also reveals that the last film he had gotten a high from watching was Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell -- an excellent choice! In short, this edition of IB is the one to buy, and BB is the place to buy it.

This movie makes no apologies, asks for no forgiveness, it's a no holds barred assault on the senses. Tarantino doesn't care if he offends, if he steps all over stereotypes and clichés, this is film making at it purest. It's great to see a film maker whose work clearly isn't interfeared with by the powers that be. Tarantino is a master of effortlessly cranking up immense tension and suddenly mixing it with laugh out loud moments; you're not sure if you should be looking away in disgust or rolling around laughing, either way it's a roller coaster and one not to be missed! It's not for everyone, certainly if you're not a fan of Tarantino's style, this may be a little hard to swallow, but never-the-less, it is a film which simply has to be seen. No self respecting film fan should miss this. And the performance of Christoph Waltz... Oscar don't you dare ignore him!!

I'm a huge Tarantino fan, so naturally when I saw the trailer for IB, I was interested. The time came around for it to be released, and I wasn't disappointed. This film is WW2 through the eyes of an extreme filmmaker. It is violent, very violent, but only in spurts, not throughout the whole film. That being said, it does move a little slower than his previous films, relying heavily on dialogue, but the script is great. The actors really pulled it off, whether it be a southern Brad Pitt, a German Diane Kruger, or Christoph Waltz, who in my opinion, should definitely receive a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nod for his role. He was a guy you loved to hate. This film isn't really true to history, you'll see what I mean, but it's Quentin's spin of the event. If you don't like Tarantino, you probably won't go for this movie, but I still say give it a shot. If you're into war stories, definitely check it out.

What an excellent movie. Quentin has done it again!! The man cannot miss!! This movie shows an excellent view of WWII. Giving the US another glory shot in the arm, not that they needed it. It's a great story line with a handful of commandos going into Europe & wreaking havoc on the Germans with guerilla warfare with a special twist. It may not be historically accurate but its a great story and well acted by all. Brad Pitt is even good in this movie and I'm not neccesarily a Brad Pitt fan. It just goes to show once again the brilliance of Tarantino. He is a true genius and I can't wait to see his next movie and the one after that, and the one after that, etc. I've seen all of his movies and have enjoyed each one more than the last.

I had a gift card that was burning a hole in my pocket, so I visited my local Best Buy. Much to my satisfaction, I located this on the Blu-Ray sale rack for $7.00. Since I had only ever seen this movie on TNT during their semi-annual showings, I was happy to finally have a copy to watch in all its "gloury". The film is an excellent tale that presents dark humor, drama, etc. all at once by an equally impressive cast who play their parts well. Brad Pitt is the quippy keystone holding the rest of the expansive cast together with the atypical character he plays compared to his other roles in the past.

Tarantino's ear for good dialogue will always surpass any other screenwriter's in my mind. My only complaint is about the few similarities in this film to some of his earlier works. When there are similarities between films one can usually describe them as homage's to the great works of the past. However, when the similarities lie between the works of the same artist, it just seems like sloppiness to me. Thankfully there are not many of these moments in the film, and no amount of sloppiness could keep me from enjoying Brad Pitt's performance. I still laugh uncontrollably when he tries to speak Italian.

This movie is hands down Tarantino's best movie to date. But I don't see him making anything that can top this movie unless of course he makes a sci-fi movie which is possibility. Anyway, it contains some easily quotable lines, memorable characters, and an explosive ending in which [spoiler alert] Hitler dies in a hail of gunfire and dynamite. It also has Christoph Waltz giving the best performance of his entire career that earned him his first Oscar. And Tarantino should have won the Oscars for Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture too.