Phil sees THE HATEFUL EIGHT from The Weinstein Company-January 3, 2016

So for my first film to review for 2016, there was really only one choice. Now the name Quentin Tarantino conjures up a plethora of images and one-liners that most people associate with him. After all, this is the man who brought us some of the most original and most violent images ever captured on film. RESERVOIR DOGS, PULP FICTION, JACKIE BROWN, KILL BILL VOL. 1 & 2, GRINDHOUSE: DEATH PROOF, INGLORIOUS BASTERDS and DJANGO UNCHAINED are works of art that attract both critical praise and uproarious controversy. With his latest film THE HATEFUL EIGHT, Tarantino continues this streak while entertaining and shocking audiences worldwide.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2015)

The film's official synopsis: Six or eight or twelve years after the Civil War, a stagecoach hurtles through the wintry Wyoming landscape. The passengers, bounty hunter John Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh), race towards the town of Red Rock where Ruth, known in these parts as “The Hangman,” will bring Domergue to justice. Along the road, they encounter two strangers: Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), a black former union soldier turned infamous bounty hunter, and Chris Mannix (Walton Goggins), a southern renegade who claims to be the town’s new Sheriff. Losing their lead on the blizzard, Ruth, Domergue, Warren and Mannix seek refuge at Minnie's Haberdashery, a stagecoach stopover on a mountain pass. When they arrive at Minnie’s, they are greeted not by the proprietor but by four unfamiliar faces. Bob (Demian Bichir), who’s taking care of Minnie’s while she’s visiting her mother, is holed up with Oswaldo Mobray (Tim Roth), the hangman of Red Rock, cow-puncher Joe Gage (Michael Madsen), and Confederate General Sanford Smithers (Bruce Dern). As the storm overtakes the mountainside stopover, our eight travelers come to learn they may not make it to Red Rock after all…

The film also stars Channing Tatum (Jody), James Parks (O.B Jackson), Dana Gourrier (Minnie Mink), Zoë Bell (Six-Horse Judy), Gene Jones (Sweet Dave), Keith Jefferson (Charly), Lee Horsley (Ed), Craig Stark (Chester Charles Smithers), and Belinda Owino (Gemma) as well as Tarantino as the Narrator.

First, let's get something cleared up. This is a Quentin Tarantino film. It's full of Quentin Tarantino humor, Quentin Tarantino over-the-top violence, Quentin Tarantino film references, Quentin Tarantino profanity, Quentin Tarantino racial slurs, and of course, Quentin Tarantino colorful cast of characters. So those who don't like this, then don't see it. Period. But don't criticize and bash it IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT!! It really pisses me off when people verbally trash a movie that they haven't seen!! You may think you know what you're saying, but in the end you're just talking out of your narrow minded ass!! So do us all a favor and knock that shit off!!

Oh, by the way, I really loved this fucking movie!!

Quentin Tarantino shot the movie on film stock, but not on just any old film stock but on 70mm film stock! This I found very interesting and somewhat perplexing since the majority of the movie takes place in one location. However, this is Tarantino that we're talking about so I'll let it pass. Now I saw this at my local movie theater chain so I didn't get to view his full vision of the film. The Weinstein Company is roadshowing the film in 70mm special theaters and it contains 12 minutes not seen in regular theaters so it looks like I'll be seeing this one again soon.

THE HATEFUL EIGHT is in my humble opinion Quentin Tarantino's best film ever! And I have seen all his films (all eight that he's made but you know what I mean) and it has everything you want in a holiday film and more. So bring grandma and have share a laugh while you two watch eight people beating, shooting, cussing and killing one another! Oh, and if it's playing in 70mm then go see that version! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

THE HATEFUL EIGHT is playing in theaters nationwide. The film is also being shown in limited 70mm screenings at selected theaters as well. In the Sacramento area, it's playing at the Tower Theatre in 70mm for a limited time. To view screen times, visit their website at www.readingcinemasus.com/tower.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees DJANGO UNCHAINED at the Camera 7 Pruneyard-December 29, 2012

When one sees a Quentin Tarantino movie, always expect the unexpected and always now you're gonna be entertained as Hell! His films are never boring, full of movie references, always melding several different types of genres, and are always causing some sort of controversy. He continues this tradition with his newest film: the highly entertaining, over the top violent, spaghetti western entitled DJANGO UNCHAINED.

The film's official synopsis: In the pre-Civil War South, Django (Jamie Foxx) is a slave whose brutal history with his former owners lands him face-to-face with German-born bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz). Schultz is on the trail of the murderous Brittle brothers, and promises to free Django and re-unite him with his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) in return for his assistance in tracking down his bounty. They soon learn that Django's wife is under the hands of Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), who just happens to be a ruthless plantation owner.

Now normally I would go on and write my critique, but I'm going to do something that is not normal. I'm just going to say this: The movie was badass!! And now I'm going to repeat it over and over again: The movie was badass!! The movie was badass!! The movie was badass!! The movie was badass!! The movie was badass!! The movie was badass!! The movie was badass!! The movie was badass!! The movie was badass!! The movie was badass!! Did I mention it was badass?!?

The only real fault in the film is when Quentin Tarantino appears in the film as one of The LeQuint Dickey Mining Co. Employees and he spoke with a horrible accent. I think he was trying to do an Australian accent but it came out really, really bad. So I'm taking off half a star because of this. Also look for Samuel L Jackson in the film and look out for the controversial N-word. But what'd you expect from a Tarantino film?!?

DJANGO UNCHAINED is a one of Tarantino's best films, and it's already been nominated for 5 Golden Globes!! So stop reading this, get your ass to you local theater and see this movie!! 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!! Highly badass and recommended!!

DJANGO UNCHAINED is currently playing at select theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show