“The Hateful Eight”

Tarantino certainly has his favorite actors and he reaches into his stable to bring back lots of his regulars.  Samuel L. Jackson as Major Marquis Warren, Union soldier, Tim Roth as Oswaldo Mobray, Michael Madsen as Joe Gage, and Bruce Dern as Confederate General Sandy Smithers.  Adding to the fun and gore are Jennifer Jason Leigh as the feisty murderer Daisy Domergue, Kurt Russell as John Ruth, “The Hangman”,  Walter Goggins as Sheriff Chris Mannix and Demien Bicher as Bob, simply “Bob”.

The setting is post Civil War in the mountains of Wyoming in the dead of Winter.  The scenery is fantastic and the snow and cold so realistic that I wished I had brought my parka, even though I am in Florida.

Bounty hunting is the rage and both Major Warren and John Ruth are toting bounties to Red Rock, most dead, one alive (Daisy).   The movie is broken down into cleverly titled Chapters with one flashback to help with the whodunit and how they did it.  Despite its length it moves along nicely and I found it just as entertaining the second time around.

As with all Tarantino extravaganzas there is wall to wall violence and more than enough blood to keep the sicko fans like me happy.  Samuel Jackson was made to be in these movies.  He delivers Tarantino’s dialogue like no one else can.  He is funny and at the same time crafty and in control.  I am surprised that Jason Leigh got an Oscar nomination but no notice of Jackson.  Perhaps it is because we have seen him do this so many times before that he makes it look too easy.  Jason Leigh is wonderful and she provides many a fun moment throughout.  I would not put her performance in the Oscar category but it sure was good nonetheless.  It is hard to believe that she played Dorothy Parker in “Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle” more than twenty years ago!  A little seen but wonderful film if you care to search for it.

Tim Roth delights, as do Dern and Madsen.  They are pros and fit perfectly into these wild tragic comedies.

You may have seen Quentin at the Golden Globes going on about Ennio Morricone.  Morricone composed the music for the film and it is indeed rousing and award worthy.

If you like Tarantino, go to see it.  You will not be disappointed.  If you don’t care for him, stay home.  This film will not bring you into the fold.