They're Red Apples..

Rating: 9/10 (4 January 2016)

The eighth film from director Quentin Tarantino brings together his stock cast for a gruesome whodunit in the wide open Wyoming winter, just after the Civil War. The gang of eight is made up of Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), "Hangman" John Ruth (Kurt Russell), Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh), Sheriff Chris Mannix (Walton Goggins), Bob (Demian Bichir), Oswaldo Mobray (Tim Roth), Joe Gage (Michael Madsen), General Sandy Smithers (Bruce Dern), and O.B. (James Parks). After the script was leaked, Tarantino vowed not to make the film and turn to making one of the other projects in his reserves. I am more than happy that he changed his mind. As an avid Tarantino fan, I knew what I was getting into with this movie, although there were plenty of theatre goers who did not. Tarantino is an acquired taste, I'll concede that, but a taste that keeps on giving once one has gotten accustomed to it.
Our story begins as we see a stagecoach, helmed by O.B., traversing an especially brutal blizzard. Major Marquis Warren, a bounty hunter, has himself a take and is trying to make it to the city to collect his reward. Hoping for a ride, he meets John Ruth, a fellow bounty hunter, and his take, Daisy Domergue. Reluctantly, Ruth allows Major Warren to travel with them as they are attempting to make it to a mutual friends' haberdashery to wait out a couple of days of the fierce blizzard. Once they arrive, they see the haberdashery is being taken care of by unfamiliar faces. Bob is tending to the horses and the food and there are several travelers already inside. This unexpected setup doesn't sit well with the entrusting Warren and Ruth. After questioning the temporary inhabitants, Ruth and Warren are convinced something is amiss and distinguish themselves as the seekers of truth. Committed to finding out who among them is the rat working to ensure Ms. Daisy's release, a good old-fashioned whodunit emerges. In typical Tarantino fashion, a violent outcome ensues as the mystery unfolds, and the conclusion is nothing short of the tangled sort of web Quentin is so proficient at weaving.
Again, it must be noted that I am a huge Tarantino fan. I tried my best to remain unbiased through this review, but that is extremely difficult. Tarantino is just a master at what he does. The camera usage in this film is incredible. There is a beautiful shot looking down on the group through rafters in the ceiling. Long shots abound in this film which remarkably captures the vast wilderness, as well as the subject on screen. One of my favorite moves was a lens change as Daisy was entertaining the group with a song. There was a pivotal scene unfolding in the background and Tarantino's shift of focus was like something out of a classic film; stunning.
Tarantino's camera work is unrivaled by many modern day auteurs, and much the same could be said for his writing. A Tarantino stronghold is his excellent knack for writing dialogue. The script is very dialogue heavy, and coming in at over 3 hours, could have the effect of weighing down the film. But, because it's Tarantino, I never looked at my watch until the film was over and I was walking to the car. The scenes heavy with discussion are so intimate and riddled with relatable references that the audience just becomes immersed in the oratory. There are few directors like Tarantino who become so immersed in the research of their films. History buffs will be impressed by the realism in conversation achieved with the details described between characters. Tarantino thrives when one of his characters knows something no one else does. We've got one of those characters in this film and the careful, thoughtful interrogation in hopes of revealing the information is artful, to say the least. A five-star film from an outstanding director, Quentin Tarantino! This film is a must-see for fans of the auteur. I would suggest this film also to a student of film, as long as they can overcome the violence and gore. It is really something to see such crafty camera use come together on screen. I for one, certainly hope that The Hateful Eight is far from the last Tarantino film and that he gives us much more to enjoy, and keeps them on film!