I saw Hateful 8 today...

[Ranger Dan]

I'm officially done with Tarantino. Tarantino's run of Inglorious Bastards, Django Unchained, and now Hateful 8 are just self indulgent caricatures as opposed to serious movies. The dialogue in Hateful 8 was more or less a series of monologues as opposed to telling the story through multiple scenes within the movie. Also, the grotesque heads exploding is gratuitous and unnecessary to the story. Let the guy get shot and die realistically, why does someone soaked in blood and brain matter add anything to the movie. I get that he's avant-guard and may be a favorite of critics, but can't believe that he's really the box office success that he is.

Pulp fiction was one of the only two movies that I watched more than once in the theater and I think Jackie Brown is a subtle masterpiece. Reservoir Dogs is also a favorite, with the violence maintaining some degree of realism and meaning. I'm not going to boycott his movies, but just won't ever waste my time and money to see them in the theater.

 

[m.knox]

I'm officially done with Tarantino. Tarantino's run of Inglorious Bastards, Django Unchained, and now Hateful 8 are just self indulgent caricatures as opposed to serious movies. The dialogue in Hateful 8 was more or less a series of monologues as opposed to telling the story through multiple scenes within the movie. Also, the grotesque heads exploding is gratuitous and unnecessary to the story. Let the guy get shot and die realistically, why does someone soaked in blood and brain matter add anything to the movie. I get that he's avant-guard and may be a favorite of critics, but can't believe that he's really the box office success that he is.

Pulp fiction was one of the only two movies that I watched more than once in the theater and I think Jackie Brown is a subtle masterpiece. Reservoir Dogs is also a favorite, with the violence maintaining some degree of realism and meaning. I'm not going to boycott his movies, but just won't ever waste my time and money to see them in the theater.

Nothing about Kill Bill? Man I love those two movies.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Nothing about Kill Bill? Man I love those two movies.

I did like Kill Bill I and II. They were a little grotesque with the blood spilling, but it wasn't "cartoonish" like Bastards, Django, and Hateful were.

 

[rudedude]

I'm officially done with Tarantino. Tarantino's run of Inglorious Bastards, Django Unchained, and now Hateful 8 are just self indulgent caricatures as opposed to serious movies. The dialogue in Hateful 8 was more or less a series of monologues as opposed to telling the story through multiple scenes within the movie. Also, the grotesque heads exploding is gratuitous and unnecessary to the story. Let the guy get shot and die realistically, why does someone soaked in blood and brain matter add anything to the movie. I get that he's avant-guard and may be a favorite of critics, but can't believe that he's really the box office success that he is.

Pulp fiction was one of the only two movies that I watched more than once in the theater and I think Jackie Brown is a subtle masterpiece. Reservoir Dogs is also a favorite, with the violence maintaining some degree of realism and meaning. I'm not going to boycott his movies, but just won't ever waste my time and money to see them in the theater.

First off all of Tarantino's movies are based off dialogue with a loosely connected story. Secondly, the ones you note you saw more than once (Pulp Fiction, where Vincent Vega accidentally blows a dude's head off in a car while bullshitting with Jules or Vincent and Jules classic dialogue about a Royale with cheese) or liked like Reservoir Dogs (the cop getting his ear cut off and tortured and burned all to Stuck in The Middle With You) seem to have the same content as The Hateful 8! So your statement on The Hateful 8 about just shooting a guy without everything soaked in blood seems to happen in just about every Quentin Tarantino movie with the exception of Jackie Brown. I think you really like all of his movies!

 

[m.knox]

I did like Kill Bill I and II. They were a little grotesque with the blood spilling, but it wasn't "cartoonish" like Bastards, Django, and Hateful were.

I agree, the blood squirting 30 feet after an injury was goofy, but I don't take offense to it. Recall in Pulp Fiction, the guy in the back seat was shot in the head. That was bloody too. And in Reservoir Dogs, the one guy dies in a pool of blood. I don't know what's with Tarantino's preoccupation with gallons of blood, but the theme is consistent in most every film he makes.

I watched Django on Netflex maybe a month ago for the first time. Not sure what to make of it. Ended right though.

Don't you just love the bond bailsman's accent in Jackie Brown? Christ that is funny. Great movie.

 

[Ranger Dan]

First off all of Tarantino's movies are based off dialogue with a loosely connected story. Secondly, the ones you note you saw more than once (Pulp Fiction, where Vincent Vega accidentally blows a dude's head off in a car while bullshitting with Jules or Vincent and Jules classic dialogue about a Royale with cheese) or liked like Reservoir Dogs (the cop getting his ear cut off and tortured and burned all to Stuck in The Middle With You) seem to have the same content as The Hateful 8! So your statement on The Hateful 8 about just shooting a guy without everything soaked in blood seems to happen in just about every Quentin Tarantino movie with the exception of Jackie Brown. I think you really like all of his movies!

I'm not afraid of a little (or a lot) of blood. One of my favorite movies scenes is the beach landing in Saving Private Ryan. In reservoir Dogs, the bloody ear removal/torture scene was part of understanding the struggle of Mr. Orange/Freddy Newandyke. There wasn't completely soaking someone in blood and brain matter. The scene in Pulp Fiction didn't include a slow motion close up of the kids head exploding. The excessive brain matter had to be there, because it was a vehicle for introducing The Wolf.

 

[rudedude]

I'm not afraid of a little (or a lot) of blood. One of my favorite movies scenes is the beach landing in Saving Private Ryan. In reservoir Dogs, the bloody ear removal/torture scene was part of understanding the struggle of Mr. Orange/Freddy Newandyke. There wasn't completely soaking someone in blood and brain matter. The scene in Pulp Fiction didn't include a slow motion close up of the kids head exploding. The excessive brain matter had to be there, because it was a vehicle for introducing The Wolf.

Just bustin on you. The blood puking scene in Hateful 8 was slightly over the top IMO.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Just bustin on you. The blood puking scene in Hateful 8 was slightly over the top IMO.

I wish I had just gone to see the Revenant...

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

SPOILERS Gentlemen!!! Still haven't seen this. I will say I'm a huge Tarantino fan, and violence, when done well, works in his movies (Basterds, Bill, Dogs, Fiction). When it's cartoony and over the top (like Django), I sort of disengage. People flying 45 feet because of a pistol shot is just ridiculous. Still, I love QT for the dialogue and WTF moments - will be seeing H8ful Eight soon...

 

[manatree]

I think Tarantin can film a great visual experience. I also think he is a horrible writer that can't tell a coherant story to save his life. His love of non-sensical and excessive monologues is mastubatory. Same could be said for the overly graphic violence. I also felt the same for Natural Born Killers & True Romance which he wrote but did not direct. Basically, he's the Jime Rome of directors. The last film of his that I saw was Inglorious Bastards, which I stopped halfway through because I was bored. I would like to see him film someone else's script.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I think Tarantin can film a great visual experience. I also think he is a horrible writer that can't tell a coherant story to save his life. His love of non-sensical and excessive monologues is mastubatory. Same could be said for the overly graphic violence. I also felt the same for Natural Born Killers & True Romance which he wrote but did not direct. Basically, he's the Jime Rome of directors. The last film of his that I saw was Inglorious Bastards, which I stopped halfway through because I was bored. I would like to see him film someone else's script.

He already did this to great reviews with Jackie Brown (and wrote the adaptation for the film based off the Elmore Leonard novel). I think people really like that film because it's Tarantino at his most restrained. Give it a shot.

 

[manatree]

He already did this to great reviews with Jackie Brown (and wrote the adaptation for the film based off the Elmore Leonard novel). I think people really like that film because it's Tarantino at his most restrained. Give it a shot.

I admit, that is one that I have not seen. I'll keep it in mind.

 

[psuro]

If you don't like gratuitous blood, you might want to stay away from Sam Peckinpah movies.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I admit, that is one that I have not seen. I'll keep it in mind.

Certainly Tarantino at his most restrained/refined. Very careful with the camera and structure - doesn't play with narrative order but does have a trick or two up his sleeve when needed. Also, stand out performances from Pam Grier, Robert Forster, Robert DeNiro, Michael Keaton, and Bridget Fonda. Great flick with an oustanding soundtrack - and DeNiro with a bong is something I thought I'd never see...

 

[Still in State College]

the cartoonish violence complaint is something I can get on board with. I was watching John Wick the other day and thought I have never seen a movie this violent before. I was because of the Call of Duty type of killing done. John Wick shot everyone he killed in the face and sometimes several times. I don't mind violence in movies but just a little bit of realism would be nice.

 

[step.eng69]

Just bustin on you. The blood puking scene in Hateful 8 was slightly over the top IMO.

I can now see why you're called "rude......dude"

 

[simons96]

saw it tonight, loved it

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

the cartoonish violence complaint is something I can get on board with. I was watching John Wick the other day and thought I have never seen a movie this violent before. I was because of the Call of Duty type of killing done. John Wick shot everyone he killed in the face and sometimes several times. I don't mind violence in movies but just a little bit of realism would be nice.

I don't mind violence when it suits the story, and the fact that QT sort of hyper-stylizes the violence makes it less impactful IMO. In fact, the most violent scene I've seen from one of his films was the head stomp at the end of 'Death Proof'.

However, one scene that stands out amongst a lot of violent scenes for me is the one below. It's from the movie 'Kick Ass' from director Matthew Vaughn. It's based off the comic book written by Mark Millar. Anyway, if you haven't seen it, it's probably worth watching if on cable or something - nothing spectacular (though it did introduce the world to a very young Chloe Grace Moretz, who is a huge star now). The gist is that there's a kid who tries to become a real super hero, only he gets in way over his head. He's approached by 'Big Daddy' and 'Hit Girl', who are 'real deal' vigilantes, to join them. He and Big Daddy get captured and their execution is going to be broadcast on the internet. Basically, they're going to be lit on fire. So, it's up to Hit Girl to save them....and wow, does she ever...

You mentioned Call of Duty-like violence - this is exactly that:



Vaughn then upped the ante with this ridiculous fight scene in 'Kingsman':

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

saw it tonight, loved it

Watching it on Monday!

 

[rudedude]

That scene in The Kingsman was way over the top and really soured me on that film. That was utterly gratuitous and not because it occurred in a church, but because it was all in slo-mo.

 

[Ranger Dan]

I actually enjoyed the Kingsman movie. The violence was a little much, exploding heads, church scene, etc. but I wasn't expecting it to be great cinema.

 

[Still in State College]

Movies like Kick A$$, Kingsman, and Wanted (to add another) are different to me. They seem more tongue-in-cheek than "real" cinema. I know it is hypocritical on my part but it doesn't bother my in that context. Maybe it is about adjusting expectation on other films (Django, John Wick, etc) and just consider them fun B-movies where exploding heads are expected.

I did like the Kick A$$ series and thought the Kingsman was fun and actually enjoyed the Church Scene as well as Eggsy escape from the party and the activation of the loyalty chip.

Like I said hypocrite.

 

[simons96]

Watching it on Monday!

I'll clarify . . . the dialogue is classic QT. and what is said early in the film among the 4 principle actors becomes significant by the end of the film.

all told, there really was NOT a lot of violence. it is just SO graphic it seems to have more of an impact.

oddly enough, QT said his biggest influence for this film was John Carpenter's The Thing

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I'll clarify . . . the dialogue is classic QT. and what is said early in the film among the 4 principle actors becomes significant by the end of the film.

all told, there really was NOT a lot of violence. it is just SO graphic it seems to have more of an impact.

oddly enough, QT said his biggest influence for this film was John Carpenter's The Thing

I've heard that - Kurt Russel connection too!

 

[21Guns]

If you don't like gratuitous blood, you might want to stay away from Sam Peckinpah movies.

Straw Dogs was excellent.

 

[21Guns]

I love Jennifer Jason Leigh. Great actress who has had a great career with all sorts of roles that other actresses of her generation refused to take. Especially loved her in Heart of Night, as well as just about every other thing she does. Rush, was also a great movie.

 

[Still in State College]

I love Jennifer Jason Leigh. Great actress who has had a great career with all sorts of roles that other actresses of her generation refused to take. Especially loved her in Heart of Night, as well as just about every other thing she does. Rush, was also a great movie.

She is very under-appreciated. Never really mentioned with the great actresses but she is very good.

 

[Ranger Dan]

the dialogue is classic QT

I love great dialogue and QT is one of the best at making this an important part of his films. The issue I had was that most of the dialogue was complete non-sequitur speeches that of course tie together in the end, but don't necessarily improve the movie. Like the Lincoln letter, for example... Also, the ratio of dialogue to activity is off. It's one thing to throw in a monologue to enhance the scene, but he's basically having three of the four coach riders take turns making speeches into the camera.

 

[simons96]

I love great dialogue and QT is one of the best at making this an important part of his films. The issue I had was that most of the dialogue was complete non-sequitur speeches that of course tie together in the end, but don't necessarily improve the movie. Like the Lincoln letter, for example... Also, the ratio of dialogue to activity is off. It's one thing to throw in a monologue to enhance the scene, but he's basically having three of the four coach riders take turns making speeches into the camera.

I know we have a lot of politically volatile posters on this board, so I don't want to stir up any of those ahem FOXy sentiments . . .

there were 2 payoffs to the Lincoln letter:

SEMI SPOILERS

1) Jackson's brief soliloquy about being a black man in America towards the back half of the movie, resonates even today

2) consider the journey of the 2 characters who share the entirety of the Lincoln letter, what Lincoln would mean to each character, and why that would bind them

 

[Ranger Dan]

there were 2 payoffs to the Lincoln letter:

I'm not buying it... It sounds like you are saying that it's an attempt to rewrite history to justify a current political opinion. If so, this does nothing to advance the film and only proves my point.

 

[simons96]

I'm not buying it... It sounds like you are saying that it's an attempt to rewrite history to justify a current political opinion. If so, this does nothing to advance the film and only proves my point.

fair enough, but it sounds like you didn't read what I actually wrote or understand the scenes I pointed out to justify your narrow opinion of the film

 

[Ranger Dan]

fair enough, but it sounds like you didn't read what I actually wrote or understand the scenes I pointed out to justify your narrow opinion of the film

You wrote that "Jackson's brief soliloquy about being a black man in America towards the back half of the movie, resonates even today" and "Jackson's brief soliloquy about being a black man in America towards the back half of the movie, resonates even today". I replied "Jackson's brief soliloquy about being a black man in America towards the back half of the movie, resonates even today". Can you please point out what part of your post I didn't fully grasp? How would the movie suffered had there not been a Lincoln letter? I did have to make a bathroom break, so it's possible that I missed the one line that pulled the entire movie together.

Also, just because our tastes are different, doesn't mean that my opinion is any more narrow that yours. That being said, I'm not a graduate film student and watch movies for their enjoyment and temporary escape from reality into another time/place/life. I'm not so concerned about the pop culture or historical significance. I'm not saying this was a bad movie, but QT has gone to the dialogue and graphic violence well a little too often for my tastes.