Last weekend Dan and I headed to the Arclight Hollywood for a sold-out screening of Quentin Tarantino's latest film, The Hateful Eight.
PLOT- Set shortly after the Civil War in Wyoming, a bounty hunter (Kurt Russell) is transporting a murderer (Jennifer Jason Leigh), when their journey is delayed due to a blizzard. They take shelter in Minnie's Haberdashery, where they find Minnie missing and a suspicious group of strangers in her place.
LIKE- The Hateful Eight is a typical Quentin Tarantino film; hyper-violent, snappy dialogue, and rich characters. It's often hilarious and completely entertaining. Appealing to my love of theatre, the film feels very much like a stage play. Most of the story takes place in two locations; Minnie's Haberdashery, and a stage coach. Dialogue and character development are king, with action kept to a minimal. I enjoyed the film, but I could equally see this making an awesome live show. I hope that someday someone takes up the challenge. Flying fake blood and guts, ponchos for those sitting in the front row...it would rock!
Also echoing a theatre experience, The Hateful Eight has a twelve-minute intermission for the 70mm screenings. The audience was overwhelmingly male and all of us women in the audience were laughing during the break. In an unusual reversal, the women had no line for the bathroom, while the line for the men reached the concessions. They panicked as the twelve minutes rushed by!
Tarantino has assembled an excellent cast to bring to life his characters, including many Tarantino regulars, like Samuel L. Jackson and Tim Roth. Jennifer Jason Leigh steals the show. She's feisty and raw. Plus, start to finish, she definitely got the most beat-up. I don't think that there is a moment where she doesn't sport a bloody lip.
DISLIKE- We saw the movie in 70mm. Meh. Totally unnecessary.
Also, me being picky asks- why did all of the characters have such nice teeth? This seemed like an oversight with all of the grimy costumes and make-up going on. The Hateful Eight is a story with no clean, pretty characters and it's set in an era where dental hygiene is virtually non-existent. Pearly whites? I don't think so. It was one of those things that I noticed and it became a distraction that took me out of the world of the story.
RECOMMEND- Yes, if you're a Tarantino fan. His films are definitely not for everyone, but if you like his stuff, you'll enjoy The Hateful Eight. Great storytelling and a fun ride.