The Hateful Eight [DVD] [2015]

Usually for my Blu-ray reviews, I tend to focus on the bonus features and the presentation of the main feature itself. I usually figure most people can read a more critical review of the movie itself elsewhere, however, I do want to make a few comments on The Hateful Eight. One of the criticisms I hear people say about the film is it is not one of Tarantino's best, while I tend to agree it is not one of his best, I feel it should not be viewed upon negatively. Tarantino is one of the few directors who's work should be essential viewing. A good Tarantino film is still better than most films released that year. So I would recommend this film for any Tarantino fan or any film junkie. The film contains the trademark Tarantino dialogue, enhanced by its setting for the majority of the film; amazing cinematography by Robert Richardson (one of the best DP's); an incredible score by Ennio Morricone (need I say more); and an excellent cast, led by Kurt Russell, Samuel L Jackson, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. My main criticism of the blu ray is not of the film, but of the presentation. One of the aspects I was looking forward was the possibility of the 70 mm Roadshow presentation of the film, but unfortunately it is just the mass released version that was in the majority of the of the theaters nationwide. I was also hoping for some more special features on the story of The Hateful Eight and how it became a feature film versus a play, maybe a feature on Morriicone and his work on the film. I was expecting a feature on 70mm but was hoping their would be more to it. I give the film 4 stars but the bonus features and lack of the Roadshow version of the film I give the Blu Ray 2 stars for an average 3 stars. I do assume there will be a second release at some point but I am not entirely sure. Tarantino releases tend to be hit and miss on these type of releases--Grindhouse, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown have been given them but not Kill Bill. So if you want just the film pick this up, if you want the Special Edition wait, but there's no guarantee it's coming.

This one really has me conflicted. It may be one of my least favorite Tarantino movies (but still a pretty good movie by anyone else), but it is still staying with me a week or so after seeing it. I think the one of my reservations from loving the movie is it's just too long. This is Tarantino at his most self indulgent (besides perhaps the trivia game in InglouriousB) and may be just too in love with his own work to see it. This is also the most stagey/play-like of his works, usually with all of the (great) dialogue you have some visually amazing sequences as well from Tarantino, but here it's almost all talk. Thankfully it's mostly very good dialogue, but it's all a little too much. Even with Tarantino's usual snappy dialogue, it's the three central performances that stand out: Kurt Russell and especially Samuel L. Jackson and Walton Googins are terrific, really standout performances from all three. Kurt Russell is really grizzled, Samuel L. Jackson gets the major role he so deserves, and Googins (and Tarantino) create such a great character out of such a stock type (re: ignorant hillbilly). I think some of the disappointments I had with The Hateful Eight come out of my own unfulfilled expectations. This was so not the western I was expecting from Tarantino, I think I was wanting a more traditional western archetype story that of course Tarantino would have then turned upside down. Hopefully this will improve on multiple viewings (and again this is far from a bad movie, it's just not the usual home run that directly speaks to me that Tarantino usually seems to make).

Such a fantastic film, and quite possibly Tarantino's best to date. Contrary to what the title, and even promotion, for this film would suggest...this is NOT an old-timey, shoot-em-up Western. No, this is a masterfully directed Hitchcockian "Who Done It?" that just happens to take place in the old west. The film plays out like a slow boiling crime mystery, and is filmed almost like a stage play, as the bulk of the film takes place in a small cabin. This film is dialogue heavy, but thanks to the brilliant cast and a fantastic script, you hardly notice it. Filmed in 70mm, this film is a visual feast...absolutely stunning. From the gorgeous, sweeping views of the snow covered trees and mountains, to the intimate, and intricate, indoor shots...this film is simply gorgeous. My only complaint here, and it's the same complaint I have with ALL of Tarantino's films, is the non-stop barrage of profanity. As a Christian, it is very frustrating to see such artistry as is displayed here, marred by unnecessary language...hence it's loss of one star in my review...though I should have docked it two stars. So to my fellow Christians, I say proceed with caution...if you can deal with the onslaught of profanity and some incredibly violent and gory scenes, you will be rewarded with one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing films to come out in years.

Sprawling and filled with call-backs to a million films that came before it, former video store clerk and renowned auteur Quentin Tarantino once again takes on the Western genre with his latest film, The Hateful Eight. A textbook "slow burn" film, TH8 unspools slowly revealing its colorful cast of characters and their apparent motivations. I say "apparent", because some folks in this movie are not what they appear, and finding the clues and reading the performances to discover who isn't who they claim to be is half the fun of this movie. I would say, in my own opinion, that this is a beautifully crafted film, probably one of Tarantino's most cinematically breathtaking productions to date, but it takes it's good sweet time to get things rolling, and for some folks, that may be asking too much. For Tarantino fans, and old school movie fans, this film is a must-see. Younger viewers, teens and twenty-somethings, not immersed in movie culture or versed in "old" movies (you know, the good stuff made before they were born) will find this film ultimately boring until it finally pays off with a burst of violence and mayhem in its latter minutes. As with most Tarantino films, it helps to speak "Tarantino" or at least to be fluent in what he's laying down.

1: You have to like Tarantino-style language and violence. 2: You can't be in a hurry. 3: You should be OK with characters you don't like. A 'yes' to 1, 2 and 3 means this is a movie for you! I am fine with 1 and 2, but 3 is where this movie fell short for me. Almost all other Tarantino films have at least a couple characters that are likeable, somebody who you are rooting for. In Pulp Fiction, despite how ruthless Vincent and Jules are, you want them to achieve their goals, when Vincent dies you are sad. You want The Bride to get her revenge in Kill Bill. Think of a Tarantino film and you can probably think of a character you liked despite the fact that they were a drug dealer, bank robber or assassin. Conversely this film does not have any characters that I really cared about. When they die, meh. The stakes, which were very high for the characters in the film, felt flat to me because I didn't care. I watched to see how they would die and who would live, but I wasn't moved my any of it. It is beautifully shot and some of the characters and dialog are top-notch, but the package lacks the emotional connection present when you care abut what happens to the characters.

If you love Tarantino, you'll most likely love this film. If you love the inventive ways many directors have been toying with the western genre in the past 10-15 years, you'll also probably love this film. And, surprisingly, if you love John Carpenter's "The Thing", you'll probably love this movie (both films were scored with similar themes by Ennio Morricone, both are about isolation and paranoia, both take place in similar environmental conditions causing for similar situations, both sets of characters are attempting to figure out which among them are bad). That being said, if you dislike Tarantino, you should probably stay away from this film. Regardless of subject matter and style, the film is beautifully shot/scored/directed/acted. The release is fine—no noticeable problems with the film transfer or sound. No glitches (visual or sonic) when playing the film. Unless it is a Criterion release (which this is not), I won't pay more than $10 for a BluRay. I was lucky enough to pick this disc up for $4 on Black Friday. Enjoy. But seriously, for film nerds like me, watch this back to back with "The Thing" for some fun analysis and conversation. Plenty to chew on.

The film is too well crafted to get the really low scores, the cinematography is too good, the acting too high caliber, the direction too solid, the score too nice, and the flick too engaging for such ratings. This also applies to the other end. The "twists" are unimportant and add no spice, the pacing just slogs along, the joy too nonexistent, the characters evoke too little emotion either way, the story too light on satisfaction, the story telling too inconsistent, the length too needless,the magic (other than on the technical side) too absent, and the rewatchability too minimal for me to see greatness but maybe a second viewing will change my perspective but it will definitely be on video for me, only the lure of a hot date fixated on going could get me into the theater again other than maybe just for the experience a 70mm screening. I'm a pretty avid Tarrentino fan but I didn't overly enjoy this effort. I more appreciate it and can't say I wasn't engaged but I also can't say that I'm eager to see it again and worse for the first time I have little inclination to do so with a flick by Q. A generous 7/10 (rounding up from 6.5) for me but I could see ceiling of 8 and a basement of 4 at the lowest.

Not one of my favorite Tarantino film's but it does have very good scenes in a too simple of a movie thinking it's more complicated than it really is. Sometimes, it feels like Tarantino tries too hard to play with his narrative structure that he forgets what the narrative is in this film. The acting is phenomenal - Kurt Russell, Samuel L Jackson, Walton Goggins, and Jennifer Jason Leigh among the standouts (which is saying a lot when almost everyone chewed up scenes like it was snuff). This being a Tarantino film, expect violence and a very lengthy run-time. I would say this film has gotten better with time. Maybe all the hype behind it made me expect something else like his previous efforts, which were more fun, but the basically one-setting film is more suspenseful than most run-of-the-mill suspense/thrillers coming out. I am pretty disappointed with the special features, but the packaging was nicer than expected (if you can find a version with the sleeve cover.