Tarantino at his best

Rating: 9/10 (6 January 2016)

I have just watched my new "favorite movie of the year".
I admit, award season has just started – and I have a TON of quality movies to catch up with – but, for now, my vote for BEST PICTURE OF 2015 goes to THE HATEFUL EIGHT.
That's right, Quentin Tarantino's 8th movie hits all the right notes for me. I understand that he can be an "acquired taste", but I acquired the taste long ago and I eagerly took a bite out of this Western and was rewarded handsomely.
What makes a good Tarantino movie? Let's go with8 elements.
The first element is dialogue. If you want a primer on Tarantino's dialogue, check out the opening diner scene in RESERVOIR DOGS or the first scene, in the French farmhouse of INGLORIOUS BASTERDS. Of course, most of you are aware of the "Royale with Cheese" scene from PULP FICTION If you like any of these, then you'll love the first hour of this movie. It is one long, slow burn while we get to know each of the "HATEFUL EIGHT".
The 2nd element that makes a Tarantino movie worth watching is fascinating characters. And you know what? The HATEFUL EIGHT has, yes, EIGHT of them.
Thirdly, Tarantino has a way of bringing out GREAT performances out of his actors. Certainly go no further than Samuel L. Jackson. Pick out his performance in JACKIE BROWN, PULP FICTION or my personal favorite, DJANGO UNCHAINED to see what he does in Tarantino's hands. He is front and center in this movie and he does not disappoint. I would LOVE to see his name called when the Academy Award nominations come out. Building on this centerpiece are fine performances from previous Tarantino players Kurt Russell, Tim Roth and Michael Madsen. Mix in strong turns from Tarantino "newcomers" Bruce Dern and Damian Bichir and this claustrophobic drama pops off the screen. Special notice needs to be given to the only female of the 8, Jennifer Jason Leigh and the surprise of this movie, Walton Goggins (Boyd Crowder from the TV series JUSTIFIED). They both go toe to toe with Jackson and the others on the screen and shine.
The 4th element of a Tarantino movie is lush cinematography. Filmed in 70mm Panavision, this film is something to behold and should be seen on a BIG SCREEN.
The 5th strong element of this film is one that I do not ordinarily equate to a Tarantino movie – a strong plot. This film takes place with the "Hateful Eight" trapped in Minnie's Haberdashery in the Wyoming mountains in the late 1800's during a blizzard. This movie quickly becomes a mystery "whodunit" with plot twists worthy of Agatha Christie or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This was a true surprise to me.
The final 3 elements of a classic Tarantino movie are violence, Violence and VIOLENCE. I liked how he handled the Violence in this one. As I stated earlied, the first hour of this 2 hour and 37 minute epic was a slow burn with dialogue intended for the audience to get to know the characters. After that, all heck breaks loose and guns are a-blazing and blood is a-flying and bodies are a-dying. HOWEVER, it isn't the over the top VIOLENCE of INGLORIOUS BASTERDS or the ending of DJANGO UNCHAINED. Tarantino shows much more restraint here and it pays off. Don't get me wrong, there is PLENTY of violence in this movie, but I think he applied it with a painter's brush and not a housepainter's roller this time.
All in all, I had a GREAT time with this movie and I can't wait to see it again (and again) to catch those subtle nuances that I surely have missed.
9 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the BANK (of Marquis).
Andy