1127. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
2019
Directed by Quentin Tarantino 

 

I am trying to distract myself from my Anxiety: Global Politics Edition, and what better way to do that than to discuss movies made by the man known for crafting excellent escapism films? While the execution isn't always there, his passion for movies is palpable in every scene he directs.

This time around, Tarantino tackles the Manson family murders. In addition to focusing on Sharon Tate's story, the film follows fading actor Rick Dalton and his stunt double, Cliff Booth, as they navigate the new age of Hollywood.

This is actually the last movie I saw in theaters in the before times, when you could go to theaters and then make your date uncomfortable with your rigid rules regarding proper snacks and arrival times.  So I have positive associations with this movie that undoubtedly affect my opinion on it.

Even so, the performances alone are enough to make the movie worth watching. Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio are really great actors, and I never get the sense that they are trying to overpower the movie with their performances. And Margot Robbie is predictably radiant as Tate.

I feel like most movie lovers will be delighted by all the nods and homages to cinema peppered throughout the story. And Tarantino fans will be thrilled by the gruesomeness of the ending. He's begun to parody himself in terms of violence, but at least he chooses a few satisfying victims.

An excellent, absorbing movie, which some of us dearly need right now as we wait...

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Margot Robbie wore Sharon Tate's real jewelry, provided by Tate's sister.

Tarantino's foot fetish is somewhat justified here, as the real Sharon Tate hated to wear shoes.

Roman Polanski was not consulted about the movie.

1003. Django Unchained

Django Unchained
2012
Directed by Quentin Tarantino

I apologize for taking so long to get back here.  It's strange; when I had about twenty reviews to write I was much more motivated to work.  Now that I only have to write one every once and awhile it's much easier to put off.  However, I have fought against my own lethargy and have emerged victorious.  Does that make me a hero?  I suppose that is up to you.

In 1858, Dr. King Schultz, a German dentist turned bounty hunter, buys Django, a slave who was recently sold off and separated from his wife.  Schultz wants Django to help him find the Brittle Brothers, a group of wanted outlaws who used to work as overseers on the plantation where Django was enslaved.  Schultz offers Django his freedom in exchange for his assistance in tracking down the Brittles.  Schultz and Django quickly form a true partnership and their respect for each other grows.  Schultz wants to help Django find and free his enslaved wife, Broomhilda.  This goal becomes a tad more complicated when they discover that Broomhilda's new owner is Calvin Candie, a sadistic plantation owner who forces slaves to fight to the death for his own entertainment.

Well, if you enjoyed Inglourious Basterds it is almost impossible to not like this.  Once again, we have a righteous tale of revenge with a great (and, in this case, hunky) villain.  It is arguably even more satisfying than IB, as the brilliant Christoph Waltz plays a good guy, while retaining the characteristics that made him such a fascinating person in IB.  I am trying to get "IB" started, although come to think of it, I think that abbreviation is already taken...

Overall, I think this is Tarantino at his best.  The action is well paced and the acting is fantastic.  I also liked that Tarantino used comedy to make the racist characters look ridiculous.  Highly recommended.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Leonardo DiCaprio accidentally crushed a glass in his hand during the dinner scene, but stayed in character and finished the scene.  He did, however, halt filming during another dinner scene, as he felt uncomfortable using so many racial slurs.  Could this man be any sexier?

Django and Broomhilda are meant to be the great great great grandparents of Shaft.

1002. Inglourious Basterds

Inglourious Basterds
2009
Directed by Quentin Tarantino

I should probably develop some sort of system in selecting the order in which I complete the rest of the Lists.  Otherwise I will end up just writing about all my favorites and being left with such disasterpieces as Field of Dreams and Lincoln.  My only idea for themes so far is to write about horror movies for the month of October.  With these creativity skills, it's hard to believe that I keep getting turned down for jobs.

In Nazi-occupied France, Shosanna Dreyfus witnesses the slaughter of her entire family by Colonel Hans Landa, who is known by the moniker "The Jew Hunter."  She plots her revenge a few years later when German war hero Fredrick Zoller arranges to have the film based on his wartime exploits premiere at the theater she runs.  Meanwhile, Lt Aldo Raine leads a group of ruthless Nazi hunters, nicknamed the "Basterds." The film premiere, which will be attended by nearly every Nazi officer, attracts the attention of the Basterds, who plan their own attack.

Come to think of it, writing about films I enjoy is much harder than writing about movies I hate.  Maybe I will go through all the ones I expect to dislike first.  Basically, I think this film is brilliant.  To me, Quentin Tarantino's world is very simple.  People die young, violence solves everything, etc.  In his world, it makes sense for the Jewish population to attack the Germans just as mercilessly as they have been attacked.  It is also grimly satisfying to watch.  We all know violence only makes things worse, an eye for the eye makes the whole world blind, blah blah blah.  Sometimes it is nice to see evil people get swastikas carved into their skin.

I probably keep making this claim, but this time I mean it: Colonel Hans Landa has got to be the greatest movie villain of all time.  The only performance that I thought was a little off was Eli Roth's, but that might just have to be because of the strangeness of his character.

Love, love, love this movie and I might be back to talk about Django in a bit.  I'm kind of on a Tarantino kick right now.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Eli Roth and Omar Doom were almost burned alive during the fire sequence.  They were later treated for minor burns.

Shot sequentially.

974. Kill Bill: Volume One

Kill Bill: Volume One
2003
Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Since we keep mashing together film series to make them count as one entry, why don't we combine Volume One and Two?  After all, it was meant to be seen as one movie; it was split up because of the long running time.  Did you hear that Giordana?  Films can be split up.

Four years ago, the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad massacred The Bride's wedding party, leaving her for dead with a bullet in the brain.  Now, four years later, the bride has woken up with a desire for vengeance.  Her plan?  First, take care of the hospital worker who has been raping in while she was unconscious (a common theme lately).  She then plans on tracking down and killing the members of the Squad.  Finally, she plans on murdering Bill, the leader of the Deadly Vipers and the man whose child she was carrying before the attack.

Really, what's not to like about this film?  It almost plays out like a video game, with the "bosses" increasing in complexity each round.  I love martial arts movies, so I fell for this movie pretty quickly.  If the kung fu genre isn't your thing, there are still elements that you might find enjoyable.  I particularly loved the soundtrack and the animation sequence.  I know he borrowed that idea from another film, but I still thought it was absolutely brilliant.

The 2000s Oscars are going to be insane.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

All the music from Kill Bill is from other movies, as Tarantino used his soundtrack collection to score his film.

Body count of 95.

875. Pulp Fiction

Pulp Fiction
1994
Directed by Quentin Tarantino

One of the first questions I ask when I go on a date with a guy is "what's your favorite movie?"  There is a 95% chance that the answer will either be Fight Club or Pulp Fiction.  I would say 100% but my boyfriend answered Bugsy Malone (much to my horror).  Maybe he just wanted to screw with my statistics.  In any case, while I did enjoy this, I do think it is slightly overrated and certainly not the best Tarantino film.  This opinion usually sparks an interesting discussion during the date, because men love it when young women tell them they're wrong.

Man, this is a hard film to summarize, as there are a few intersecting stories that are told in a nonlinear manner.  I think I will just steal the IMDb summary: "the lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption."  I don't feel too guilty about not taking the time to write my own synopsis because, really, who hasn't seen this movie?

Once again, I feel the need to quote Roger Ebert: "Tarantino is too gifted a filmmaker to make a boring movie, but he could possibly make a bad one."  I certainly wasn't bored with this but I did I like it?  I would say yes, although there were some sequences I could have done without.  To use the correct scientific term, parts of this movie were too Tarantino-y for me.  Of course, you know I am going to have to complain about the rape scene.  It was just so off the wall and random.  I suppose it was there for shock value, which isn't very valuable at all.

I would still consider this a great film.  I think I prefer movies that just happen to be directed by Tarantino, rather than a movie that has his style stamped on every shot.  Personally, I felt rather suffocated.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Julia Louis-Dreyfus turned down the role of Mia because of her scheduling commitments to Seinfeld.

Body count of 8.

845. Reservoir Dogs

Reservoir Dogs
1992
Directed by Quentin Tarantino

This is very exciting, as it is our first Tarantino film on The List.  I am a fan of his, although I am not quire sure I could adequately defend any of his movies against his critics.  The dialogue, at the very least, is always witty and quotable.  Anyone have an opinion on The Hateful Eight?  I saw that in theaters in 70 mm.

Eight men (Mr. Pink, Mr. Orange, Mr. White, Mr. Brown, Mr. Blonde, Mr. Blue, Joe Cabot, and Nice Guy) are planning to commit a diamond heist.  They decide to have breakfast first, in conspicuous outfits, because obviously, that's the smartest course of action.  They discuss the practice of tipping and the lyrical meaning behind "Like a Virgin" then leave for the robbery.  Although we don't actually see the heist, it presumably, doesn't go so great.  The remaining men agree that it was probably a set up.  Now they must figure out which of them is the rat...

This is a pretty brutal movie.  I am sure some people want to watch it simply for the excessive violence (probably the same people who laughed every time somebody said "nigger" in The Hateful Eight).  Fortunately, there is more to this film than torture scenes.  Like I said before, the dialogue was excellent and the movie is full of fun visual clues, which makes it a great film to revisit.  It can be hard for a writer to handle so many different voices, but each character has a distinctive personality and an interesting screen presence.

Not my favorite Tarantino (that honor would probably go to Inglourious Basterds) but still a wonderful movie.  Truly one of a kind.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Mr. Blonde and Vince from Pulp Fiction are brothers.

No dialogue is spoken by a woman.