4 out of 5
The Hateful Eight: A Review
Whether it’s blood fountains in “Kill Bill” or the Hitler slaying bullet storm in “Inglorious Bastards”, the audience is never spared the humorous horror that Tarantino provides in his killing sequences and he delivers in “The Hateful Eight”.
Quentin Tarantino has been assaulting audiences around the world for over twenty years with stories of outrageous violence, depravity, and offensive dialogue, solidifying him as one of the biggest directors in the history of cinema. Fans wait impatiently for the years to pass so they may once again be subjected to the charismatic chaos that are his films. Recently Tarantino released “The Hateful Eight” which is a story set in the post slavery wild west and carries a common theme of paranoia from start to finish.
John “The Hangman” Ruth is a tough talking, mustache toting, gun wielding bounty hunter who prides himself on his record of taking his bounties in alive to hang. Attached to his wrist is his latest bounty by the name of Daisy Domergue. Don’t be fooled by her flowery name, she is a foul mouthed psychopath wanted for murder and worth ten grand when brought to the town of Red Rock. During the carriage ride to Red Rock, John encounters a man blocking the road, sitting on three corpses waiting to be turned in at Red Rock for money. John trusts the man (Marquis Warren) enough to allow him to tag along with them to the town. As they continue to ride they encounter yet another man by the name of Chris Mannix who is a former confederate soldier turned soon-to-be-sheriff of the very town they are heading to. John Ruth yet again decides to trust the pseudo-stranger and allows him to ride in the carriage with them. The four passengers as well as the driver of the carriage realize they must make a pit stop at a place called Minnie’s Haberdashery which was a general store loved by all who passed through those parts, but it’s inhabited by a group of strangers who claim Minnie went to visit her parents. Without spoiling too much, there is a mystery to be solved in a climax you need to see to believe. Just know someone is after that woman attached to Ruth’s wrist for their own reasons.
This movie clocks in at a whopping three hours long and is broken into several chapters consisting of mostly dialogue until the last forty or so minutes of the movie. Yet, in true Tarantino fashion, the dialogue is quick and interesting as each character supplies their own dose of charisma and eventful backstory. Something that always resonates with me personally in regards to Tarantino’s movies is how every character is interesting in their own way. Each person introduced is someone you want to know more about, they are always written very charismatically but also with a veil of secrecy that keeps my attention. In “The Hateful Eight” the audience learns about every character shown on screen through interesting back and forth conversation between different characters, offering various points of view and opinions about where everyone comes from. For instance, Marquis Warren was a black soldier for the yankee army, and there just so happens to be an old general from a confederate regiment known for his cruelty to the black soldiers during war times. The dialogue between those two characters alone brings the tension in the movie higher and higher until ultimately the bubble bursts. Another interesting concept in “The Hateful Eight” is that none of the characters are free from judgement. Even the main characters either commit or have committed less than pious acts which reveal them as not only being human, but also potential suspects when the blood bath starts, and there is a blood bath.
(The following video has a viewer age requirement of 18. )
If there is something to be said about Tarantino, it’s that the man loves a good blood bath. The over-the-top gore featured in his movies is what tends to resonate with many audience members. Whether it’s blood fountains in “Kill Bill” or the Hitler slaying bullet storm in “Inglorious Bastards” the audience is never spared the humorous horror that Tarantino provides in his killing sequences and once again he delivers in “The Hateful Eight”. Though he makes the audience wait before the insanity happens, the insanity sure does happen. As soon as Marquis Warren starts to put the pieces together, all hell breaks loose and the audience gets more than their fill of carnage. With genital mutilation (a trend in his movies I’ve noticed), bloody vomit, gunshot wounds, and complete facial destruction, Tarantino delivers on the blood soaked debauchery in a grand display that will stick with the audience like brain matter on walls.
Although the story is filled with interesting back story and beautiful environmental shots, it seems like three hours is a bit excessive for what’s being portrayed in the story. There was too much time spent on parts that don’t really need that much concentration. Although it’s clear to see what the intention is, it still seems a bit drab. Did I use that word right? Drab? Or is that a color or something? Anyways, it just didn’t seem imperative that we have multiple shots of Samuel Jackson getting head from a guy in the snow (yes, that happens). Again, I get why we see it, but when the movie is three hours long, I think we can do without. In fact, there is an entire sequence showing what happened just before John Ruth’s carriage showed up that honestly could have been explained in conversation rather than actually adding it into the movie. Regardless, despite the long running time, the film never feels like it’s dragging. There is always something happening that keeps the audience’s focus either on dialogue exchanges or someone getting shot in the balls or something. You know, classy film making. In all fairness the three hours feels a lot closer to say two and a half hours, which isn’t that bad considering the popularity of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Honestly, “The Hateful Eight” is a lot like “The Hobbit” except instead of swords they have guns, instead of dragons they have racists, and instead of dwarves they are… also racists. Okay, it’s actually nothing like “The Hobbit” but if you’re a fan of Tarantino, you will find plenty of enjoyment in “The Hateful Eight”.
All in all if you have enjoyed Tarantino’s movies of the past ten or so years, you will have a good time with “The Hateful Eight”. It includes everything that is quintessentially (Quentincentially?!) Tarantino. The character interactions will keep you interested well long enough for the craziness to begin. The gore is fun, the acting is terrific, and the hate is very real. The eight is also real. Essentially the hate and eight are real, so the title spoils it all. You barely need to see the movie, but you should because it’s entertaining. With stellar performances from the whole cast, it feels like the events and the characters in “The Hateful Eight” could be as real as you or me, assuming you are real and not a robot or something, not that there is anything wrong with robots. Robots are people too. Robocop was half robot and he helped save the entire city of detroit. That’s pretty impressive… I’ve lost my train of thought. Oh, right. “The Hateful Eight” is a three hour fun ride through the hellish world of post Civil War Wild West and a blood soaked “who done it” you’ll likely not soon forget. Which reminds me, I need to re-watch Robocop.
I GIVE THIS MOVIE….. FOUR BULLET CASTRATIONS OUT OF FIVE.
The North remembers.
In the universe of Game of Thrones, scenes’ before the opening theme are constant for the first episode of every season. For example, two great scenes that come to mind are the three Night’s Watchmen hunted down by White Walkers in season one or Tywin Lannister melting down house Stark’s sword Ice for Jamie and Geoffrey, season four. On the other hand, the opening scene of season is just plain horrific but awesome at the same time. Nothing is more satisfying then watching all the men of House Frey choke on their own blood after being reminded of the Red Wedding. It was an absolute grand-slam and took off perfectly from where we last saw Aryain season 6.
The North remembers.
Right after the credits we get a quick reminder of the army of the dead, and with more bad news; Giant white walkers. But thankfully we are intercepted by Bran warding into one of them which seems like a very useful ability (what’s next dragon’s or an ice dragon?). He is now with
the Watchers on the Wall and back in the mix, hopefully heading for Winterfell where he can inform Jon he is a Targaryan (This will be hype! I wonder if he can be burnt by fire!). Bran’s story has taken a back seat to other prevalent Starks but it’s nice to see him in the mix, demonstrating his power.
Next, we have psycho Cersei and her sane, lover brother Jaime. I still can’t forgive him for pushing Bran from the tower but I am starting to come around. The disapproving way he has been looking at Cersei dating back to last season says it all. From confronting her about
Tommen’s suicide, to questioning her about the enemies created (Targaryans, Tyrells, Starks, Dornish, and Half the Iron Borne) and the lifeless dynasty they will continue. He keeps his position with Cersei discussing what allies they have left but Jaime is clearly becoming distant and realizing the extent of his lover/sister’s delusion. I forecast a remake of the tale of “The King Slayer” retitled “The Queen Slayer”. In the mean time, the diabolical Yuron Greyjoy, the new king of the Iron Islands rekindles the bond between the Lannisters to move him into a prime position to become King of The Seven (three at this point) Kingdoms. He is presented as a lot more cunning and rounded character kissing up to the Queen and promising her a gift, whether that be Tyrion, and/or a thousand ship armada. What will be interested is how Jaime responds to a marriage between them, because Cersei and Yuron have a demonistic chemistry. She even abides by him making hand jokes and death threats (killing his brother, telling her to do the same). This was a fantastic scene all the while, and it really shows if Cersei get’s close to Yuron and isolates Jamie she will create yet another enemy.
We then get to a short snippet of Samwell Tally’s horrific, grotesque life as a server at the Citadel preparing to become the maester of Castle Black. There is a massive scene which shows him preparing food, cleaning and handling old people plumbing. What’s intriguing is the un-thrones like comedic cut between him doing his daily work; It’s funny and it’s not a bad idea to lighten the tone up because Tyrion used to be the comedy for us in the earlier seasons. Samwell helps the archmaester with the dissection of a corpse where he confirms his thoughts of the White Walkers. What was kind of cheap for me was his simple way of finding dragon glass through a book in the restricted section. It seemed too easy for Game of Thrones, like something you would see Hermione Granger find in the “restricted section”. Hopefully there is more too this but it was kind of stale and forced
Oh wait, Ed Sheeran? I didn’t see it coming, and I thought it was weird but acceptable. It was obviously him having an in with the producers and wanting a cameo role, but he has pure, angelic voice and creates a sympathetic feeling for the Lannister troops that brings out the non-assassin in Arya. She tells them she’s on her way to kings landing to “kill the queen” and it’s not taking seriously which shows how dangerous she has become. But what I see from this is season two when Mellisandre said there is a darkness in her. This darkness has come to fruition and it will be interesting to see how this is received by the remaining Starks. Besides the randomness of Ed Sheeran, I thought this really grounded Arya.
Sandor Clegane and the brotherhood without banners are now at a place he would rather not be; an old victim’s house where Clegane took their silver and resources. They find the father and daughter dead, holding each other. This almost creates an epiphany for the character, asking why the child dies, and fellow brother Beric Dondarion should be brought back. Then the flames get him, showing him the army of the dead and the reality of the larger issue at hand. I think we will see a more compliant hound the rest of this season. I’ve loved this character from the beginning and his arch is getting much broader for the better. I predict a positive change in attitude for the hound.
Finally, the Queen of Dragons, Breaker of Chains, Denarys Stormborn is finally home. From season one this is the only thing she has wanted. But now, she has an army of unsullied, the Dothraki and there gigantic Dragons. The final scene of her tearing down the Baratheon banner and taking her spot among her ancestors war table was breathtaking. It was a long, drawn out scene but the character deserves this and it has been a long time waiting. Fire and blood seem to be the strongest motto of any house right now, and it will for sure be enforced upon the Lannisters. My prediction although is that she won’t penetrate King’s Landing because of Cersei’s ruthlessness and George R.R Martin curveball tendency. Whit I think everyone is looking forward to is the meeting with Jon Snow that will eventually happen. It will be interesting if she commands him to bend the knee (he better not, he’s the rightful heir of the Taragaryan house and not a usurper like Daenarys)! This episode was a great starting block for the season while still providing notable and exciting action.
Rest in peace, watermelon.
The latest episodes in ‘Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid’ were very interesting to watch.
One was definitely a fanservice episode, and heck, even the producers know that! Episode 7’s title contains the phrase ‘The Fanservice Episode, Obviously’, so that cracked me up.
Episode 7 focuses on the elements of anime that will appeal to any nerd out there. By that, of course I mean bathing suits and comic conventions! Cue the beach episode!
Tohru and company decide to go swimming for the day. Kanna’s adorable as always, while Lucoa doesn’t realize just how sexual she is toward a small boy.
Like, really? You think wearing a very sexy swimsuit in front of a lot of kids on a beach is okay? And why do you insist on torturing Shouta with your breasts? It’s obvious that he’s tempted, but stop trying to seduce small children.
Of course, they’re dragons, so hilarious antics ensue. Tohru and Kanna get carried away in a swimming race, making water splash up everywhere. Also, a crab and watermelon are murdered. RIP.
However, one aspect that I thought was a nice touch was the backstory we got for Tohru. It wasn’t much, but Tohru and Kobayashi have a deep and meaningful conversation about their family’s lives, as well as how humans and dragons are different from one another. Fanservice episodes usually focus on that alone, but fortunately that’s not the case here.
The second half of Episode 7 focuses on Comiket. Tohru and Kobayashi help Takiya run a booth, and we learn that Fafnir is also participating by attempting to sell powerful curses. Wow, didn’t see thaaaaat coming at all.
Tohru notices otherworldly creatures in their true forms at Comiket, as they reveal that this is a great way to show their true forms. With Kobayashi’s permission, Tohru exposes her wings and tail, appearing to others as if she’s cosplaying as, well, a dragon maid.
Episode 7 was very nice because there were many heartfelt and adorable moments.
Meanwhile, Episode 8 FINALLY introduced the dragon that I keep on mentioning in my reviews. Her name’s Elma, a dragon who is a rival of Tohru’s. Elma accuses Tohru of disrupting the human’s ways and tries to force her to return to the dragon world. This doesn’t succeed, however, as Tohru sends her to an open field and leaves her there.
Unable to get back home, Elma stays in the human world and begins working at Kobayashi’s company. Kobayashi teaches Elma how to use computers and technology so that she can keep her job. Of course, this prompts Tohru to become jealous, smelling the scent of another dragon off Kobayashi like a dog does with a human. I won’t reveal how the episode ends, but it ends in a positive manner for Tohru.
Overall, I really loved these two episodes because they made me feel warm and fuzzy. They appealed to the emotional senses through a heartfelt conversation between Kobayashi and Tohru. Elma is also an innocent sweetheart who only wants to bring harmony to the human and dragon worlds. And I can’t wait to see more of her in the upcoming episodes.
I feel like in these two episodes alone, we learned so much about Tohru and her feelings for Kobayashi. She really wants to understand the human world and will do anything to stay with Kobayashi.
I’ll up my rating to a 4.7. These episodes were both fun, and we finally got the new dragon! Bless.
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