Don't hate, celebrate!

Rating: 8/10 (20 December 2015)

Three-hours and 10 minutes! That's how long it takes for accomplished director/writer Quentin Tarantino ("Pulp Fiction," " Reservoir Dogs") to tell the Post-Civil War story about two grungy bounty hunters (the terrific Samuel L. Jackson and Kurt Russell) trying to cash-in on their equally grungy catch Daisy Momergue (the amazing Jennifer Jason Leigh). When a blizzard hits, they find themselves stuck in a cold tavern with want-a-be Sheriff (Talton Googins - "Django"), an aging General (Bruce Dern), and several questionable personalities (Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Demian Bichir, Channing Tatum). Only time will tell who is who, and who will survive. Tarantino proves once again, he knows how to tell a story, create characters and set a stage for suspense, action and intrigue. Jennifer Jason Leigh is all the buzz here for her performance as she is beat-up, spit out and chewed up time and time again. As 2015 becomes the year of "ensemble" work, the cast here is performing at their individual and ensemble all time high. Could this film have been shorter? Yes! Could this film have done without all the usage of the "N" word? Yes! Could this film have done without all the blood and guts? Of course! But, then it wouldn't be a Tarantino film. If the Academy can get past all the later, "The Hateful Eight" could be one of the sleeper films to beat.