The Hateful Eight – 2015

Score: 8/10

I can’t say I am a big fan of Quentin Tarantino. I have never been and I most certainly have a lot of problems with many of his movies. So I have to say that I went into this a little bit biased. But The Hateful Eight managed to change my mind and I ended up loving it. It is harder to see than most films, but if you manage to get to the end and think about it afterwards, you will discover that the experience was totally worth it. I would see it again and that alone says a lot about the inner quality of it.

The story is a little bit convoluted, but you can expect that already from a Tarantino movie. Nevertheless, it is interesting, it has twists and it manages to keep you alert. This is a great movie for someone who likes to talk and most importantly for someone who likes to discover people through the small things they say and the idiosyncrasies they display. The dialogue is carefully constructed and there are almost no continuity errors here. A great story, and a unique one at that, which is not easy to do!

The characters are amazing, beautifully created and highly relatable. You really feel you are in the Old West and you can’t help but root for not one, but almost all of them. It is amazing to see such a talented cast at work, and the names here will leave you speechless. It is one of the most impressive casts I have ever seen, and I have to commend performances from Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, James Parks, Dana Gourrier and Zoë Bell.

The overall style of the movie is typical Tarantino. A small and almost impossible to identify silver line and a lot of hidden symbols that you have to understand in order to enjoy the experience fully. And here is my problem with this movie. Because of his style, Tarantino manages to make his films feel longer than they actually are. It is the same case here, because on a first viewing, I was almost pushed to the limit. You could argue that is because the 168 minutes running time, but I really think it’s the way everything is shot, with a lot of pauses and a lot of “art”. Too much art can hurt a movie and destroy your immersion, and I really hope Tarantino will stop doing this in the future.

The music, oh my God the music. It is by far the best thing about this movie, and although I was expecting something like this from a legendary composer like Ennio Morricone, I have to admit that he actually managed to surpass every single expectation I had. He is a true legend of cinema and any movie in the world would be enhanced by his atypical and powerful scores. It is a joy from start to finish, and especially in the open credits, the cross scene will leave you breathless… Simply breathless…

In conclusion, The Hateful Eight is definitely a movie worth watching. It tries to be a classic western and it manages to be totally different from whatever you have seen before. It moves slowly but at the same time the action makes you jump from your seat in more instances than one. Overall, I would say that it is a unique experience, completed to perfection by the atmosphere that Tarantino creates, by the amazing musical score from Ennio Morricone and by the spectacular performances of a stellar cast. Oh, and the constant swearing and racism is simply adorable. Now who doesn’t love listening to over 200 hundred swear words in one single movie? 😀

Gran Torino – 2008

Score: 9/10

Clint Eastwood is a legend in Hollywood and in the cinematic world in general. From his time as an actor and then as a director, he manages to embody one of the last perfect examples of a true man. His movies emanate masculinity and power and they manage to offer you something great in that regard, especially considering the way our society is evolving in the last years and how masculinity is today considered toxic instead of being celebrated. In Gran Torino you will find that same character that Eastwood always embodies, full of power and impressing at every turn, even though he is old…

The story is the best part of the movie. It is powerful, you can relate to almost every single aspect and it, and more importantly, it is realistic. Things like this do happen and the conflict between generations and cultures is ever present in today’s society. So yes, this is one of the best stories I have ever seen in a movie and its power will leave you impressed, especially towards the end when you will be close to tears.

The characters are well constructed, powerful, and the blend of well-known actors and almost amateurs works exceptionally well, to my surprise. You relate with many of their stories and the misfortunes and you can understand perfectly what motivations stand behind each and every decision. It is truly a well casted movie and I have to give props to Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Christopher Carley, Doua Moua, Sonny Vue, Elvis Thao, Brian Haley, Brian Howe, Geraldine Hughes, Dreama Walker and  Michael E. Kurowski.

Casual racism is fascinating in movies because it makes those films seem real and actually rooted in our world. And this is why here you will not be protected from bouts of racism and sexism and cultural insensitivity. And this is one of the best thing that the movie does, it manages to offer a conclusion and a positive outcome that feels real and not forced like in so many other politically correct flicks.

Clint Eastwood is the main character and the director, everything is Eastwood and you can feel his influences in every single aspect of the movie. This makes the experience even more powerful and I have to take my hat off to this amazing personality that has managed to offer us gem after gem. It is a strong film driven by a strong character that manages to make you understand yourself and the world better.

In conclusion, Gran Torino is a movie that you can’t afford to miss, powerful and full of life and teachable moments. It is refreshing to see that these types of movies are still being made and I for one hope that Eastwood will keep on making masterpieces like this one up until de end. It is gritty, it is emotional, it is powerful in every single aspect and it will leave you thinking about your life and pondering about the big questions. An amazing movie and one that will for sure linger in your mind. Oh, and no, it’s not actually about a car…