A light among the darkness in contemporary film.

Rating: 10/10 (25 December 2015)

The Hateful Eight: 10/10 That's right, a perfect score. One thing you gotta understand about film now-a-days is that 90% of the movies that come out now are plop, cow dung, worthless except for to entertain children. This film alone bucks that awful trend and stands out as a high-caliber, good ol' fashion, contemporary western movie. Unlike the epic scope of last year's other great western from Tarantino, Django, The Hateful Eight is very much closed-in for a setting, a boarding stop in the middle of a desolate place in Wyoming, 1865 (JUST newly post-civil war). A handful of almost- newly met travelers make their way to a small town. A blizzard is upon them, forcing them to stay in the well-accommodated shelter for pretty much the entire movie. This is always a bold move for a story, a screenplay where there is just one setting. It makes the story, the characters stand out, which is perfect for this film. What's also pleasantly surprising is how the story evolves from a period piece into a fascinating who-done-it type mystery, with a strangers locked-in-place style. Suits this movie perfectly. Every scene, moment, turn, revelation, and ultimately the end result is thoroughly thrilling to watch for the entire movie. And this isn't even really a heavy-thinker movie for the audience either, as a lot of Tarantino films are. Just about everyone of decent age may sit for this movie and never look at the clock. For a film set in such a desperate place, this film is so refreshing and so enjoyable. Go see it.