In the Dogshouse

Rating: 9/10 (10 January 2016)

The funny thing about QT's second back-to-back western is that I've been avoiding it because A: I'm not a western fan and B: I really wanted Quentin to go back to his roots in modern day. Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong.
The Hateful Eight might as well be a reshoot of his first big breakthrough: Reservoir Dogs, albeit with a new/old setting. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the Dogs movie initially – I wrote a scathing 1/5 star review for my college newspaper back in 1992 about it, and then changed my mind years later after getting accustomed to Quentin's style. It still wasn't my favorite and nowhere near the top, but I really appreciated it more with my second viewing. This, my friends, takes that concept and improves upon ittremendously. Even with it being a western.
Adding to what I said above about my hesitation of yet another QT western, I wasn't looking forward to the three hour time frame, either. Nevertheless, I went to go see it and liked it up front. The dialogue was very good as were the characters I found intriguing. Still, I was wondering how much they could stretch out for 180 minutes or so. Luckily, this story, the twists and unfolding scenes kept me glued and it only continuously got better.
On a side note: as much as I liked it as it progressed, I kept saying to myself "Eh, it's good, but I never wanna see it again." I really need to stop talking to myself, because with less than an hour to the finish line, I made it my mission to see it again. And maybe, again. I really loved it that much once it concluded.
I digress. The movie begins with a post-Civil War Boba Fett picking up two hitchhikers and landing at a little rest-stop bar/sanctuary where they meet more of the title characters to wait out the concurrent blizzard. Who's who, what do they want and how they all relate to each other commands our attention for the next 2½ hours.
I really dumbed down the entire synopsis there, and believe me: you'd want me to be as vague as possible when it comes to what you're in store to explore and learn on your own. Despite 80% of the movie taking place in one room (SEE: the Reservoir Dogs reference,) it's just so damn interesting to hear everyone's story, words, backgrounds and motives. Well done, Quentin. You really nailed this out of the park and gave us your best since Kill Bill Vol. 2.
I wish I had seen this before posting my top 10 of the year. Granted it wouldn't be number 1or #2but it would've made a solid third place finish for the best of 2015. That's not to downplay this FANTASTIC film – I just happened to see two better. And despite that, you NEED TO SEE: The Hateful Eight. Right now. Drop everything and see it.