hateful 8

[kevinknapman]

Thoroughly enjoyed the 70mm presentation of The Hateful Eight earlier at the Odeon Leicester Square.
Undoubtedly self-indulgent (the lengthy running time, restrictive shooting format, a brief but fairly pointless bit of narration from QT himself) but stuffed with enough of the ingredients that make most Tarantino films so wildly entertaining that you'll soon forgive him.
So despite being pretty long (even more so if you include the presentation's longer scenes, overture and intermission), the delicious dialogue, a cast that savours and delivers that dialogue with relish, impressive visuals from Robert Richardson and an inspired soundtrack (including Ennio Morricone's first western soundtrack in forty years) make this well worth the effort.

Watching the likes of Samuel L Jackson, Kurt Russell and Jennifer Jason Leigh get their teeth into Tarantino's dialogue is a thrill in itself. Though Walton Goggins, Bruce Dern, Tim Roth and Demian Bichir all have their moments to shine too. Roth's comically plummy accent is a particular delight. Of course those offended by Tarantino's use of the n-word in films like Jackie Brown and Django Unchained should be warned that it gets even more of an airing here.

Also those that like films to cut to the action quick, should be prepared to be a little patient. Tarantino is certainly in no hurry to get to that particular destination. In the same way that it's 40 minutes before we even arrive at Minnie's Haberdashery, the location where we spend the rest of the film, it's even longer before the bullets start to fly. Of course that allows us plenty of time with what makes Tarantino so great in the first place. Memorable dialogue.
Though it's definitely satisfying when the blood starts to flow and the bodies start to drop too. Though quite gruesome too (If I'd known what was going to happen after the intermission I wouldn't have b*ght that muffin during it to eat).

It is admittedly a little perverse for a film that has been heralded for its use of the Ultra Panavision 70mm format, to limit itself to an indoor location for the majority of its running time instead of making the most of the glorious vistas that the film begins with, but cinematographer Richardson still makes the most of the extended frame, capturing the claustrophobic setting just as beautifully (Whether it's steam rising from the hats of men who've just come in from the cold or flakes of snow falling through the roof that are caught in the light streaming through the windows)

Sure, it won't be to everyone's taste. Those who think Tarantino has been too indulgent even as far back as Pulp Fiction certainly won't find anything to change their opinion here. And it might be a little too slow for those who want their violent kicks fast and frequent.
QT fans on the other hand should find plenty to enjoy.

[fraz]

Well I feel a little disappointed with this. Sure it was enjoyable but also felt quite predictable (the 'twist' and outcome) and perhaps a little too much of a Western Reservoir Dogs.

If this is QT's final film I'll be a bit disappointed being honest. Preferred Django. 7/10

Few niggles

Spoiler

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- I may be wrong but Marquis did refer to himself as a 'black dude' after his speech about the general's son
- Oswaldo presuming Chris Mannix was the holder of Lincoln's letter when the letter had not came up in conversation other than between Marquis, John and Daisy
- Minnie wanted 'no dogs or Mexicans' but didn't bat an eye when Bob arrived at the haberdashery

[The Sparrow]

Some of us (including 'very annoyed' from Durham) are going to find it difficult to see this film!


UK cinema chains drop The Hateful Eight after screening row.

Three leading UK cinema chains will not show Quentin Tarantino's new movie The Hateful Eight after a dispute with the film's distributor.

Cineworld, its subsidiary Picturehouse and Curzon, which own some 135 cinemas between them, will not screen the film.

Odeon and Vue - the two other biggest chains - will be showing it.

The western, which stars Kurt Russell, Samuel L Jackson and Jennifer Jason Leigh, has had glowing reviews and been nominated for three Golden Globes.

Its distributor, Entertainment Film, said Cineworld and Curzon had decided not to show it because they objected to a deal with Odeon to have the exclusive rights for London's West End.

The Odeon Leicester Square will show the film in a "70mm Ultra Panavision presentation" - a format not used for almost 50 years.

Full story here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/35233612

Curzon are not owned by Cineworld.

[The Sparrow]

Well I feel a little disappointed with this. Sure it was enjoyable but also felt quite predictable (the 'twist' and outcome) and perhaps a little too much of a Western Reservoir Dogs.

If this is QT's final film I'll be a bit disappointed being honest. Preferred Django. 7/10

Few niggles

Spoiler

Show

- I may be wrong but Marquis did refer to himself as a 'black dude' after his speech about the general's son
- Oswaldo presuming Chris Mannix was the holder of Lincoln's letter when the letter had not came up in conversation other than between Marquis, John and Daisy
- Minnie wanted 'no dogs or Mexicans' but didn't bat an eye when Bob arrived at the haberdashery

Your last point stood out for me too. I wondered if

Spoiler

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he might have used another accent when with Minnie but he didn't.

[kevinknapman]

Some of us (including 'very annoyed' from Durham) are going to find it difficult to see this film!


UK cinema chains drop The Hateful Eight after screening row.

Three leading UK cinema chains will not show Quentin Tarantino's new movie The Hateful Eight after a dispute with the film's distributor.

Cineworld, its subsidiary Picturehouse and Curzon, which own some 135 cinemas between them, will not screen the film.

Odeon and Vue - the two other biggest chains - will be showing it.

The western, which stars Kurt Russell, Samuel L Jackson and Jennifer Jason Leigh, has had glowing reviews and been nominated for three Golden Globes.

Its distributor, Entertainment Film, said Cineworld and Curzon had decided not to show it because they objected to a deal with Odeon to have the exclusive rights for London's West End.

The Odeon Leicester Square will show the film in a "70mm Ultra Panavision presentation" - a format not used for almost 50 years.

Full story here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/35233612

Curzon are not owned by Cineworld.

The extract from the article above isn't saying they are.
If the sentence started 'Cineworld, its subsidiaries..' it would be saying that but it's not.

[valda]

I begrudgingly used Nectar points for Vue Shepherds Bush this morning. So early that there were only 5 of us in there YAY. Sadly with so few people no one laughed at the funnier quotes.

So anyway, this looked spectacular even in a lesser cinema. The colours and scenery were amazing, cracking dialogue and a good old whodunit. BUT this came across to me like a dodgy old comedy! From the fakest black eye, to the OTT events in the last act. Madsen should hang his head in shame, his performance was so bad. Roth was a cut rate version of Christoph Waltz. The 4 passengers were great, and easily carried the first couple of acts before they got to the Haberdashery where it all fell apart. It was far too long for em and I was actually nodding off when the film stopped for the interval 5/10

ps I agree with Fraz's spoilers

[Diamond1]

Yes, definitely too long and I hated that interval, it so spoilt the flow..... well, was there a flow? Not one of his best films but stunningly photographed. Not a great story and very gory. Disappointing yet there were some good bits in it as well and the acting was brilliant.