Captain America: Civil War

       The much anticipated ‘Captain America: Civil War’ has arrived and I am happy to jump on the bandwagon of everyone praising this movie.  A culmination of the 13 Marvel movies that have preceded it, yet setting a new bar and standing out on its’ own.  Marvel shows that it is not done exploring what is possible in “Super-hero” movies and delivering a true cinematic experience. As I watched this, it occurred to me where DC is failing to find its’ niche.  It seems obvious, but Marvel captures the most important and obvious aspect of any storytelling; that characters come first.  Marvel delivers us smart dialogue and characters in which we all become engaged and invested, despite or because of their all too human flaws.  ‘Captain America: Civil War’, despite being packed to the point of overflowing with superheroes, never forgets that the characters and their development comes first.  Despite all the heroes, old and new, in this film, not one is used gratuitously and each has their part that expands the story.  

The plot is basic, yet complexly layered at the same time.  When a UN terrorist attack, seemingly perpetrated by Cap’s friend Bucky: The Winter Soldier, kills scores of people, including King T’Chaka of the fictitious nation of Wakanda, it’s the straw that broke the camel’s proverbial back and the world governments demand accountability for all the destruction that seems to follow the Avengers.   The Secretary of State (William Hurt, reprising the role of Thaddeus Ross) offers a compromise:  The Sokovia Accords. This would move the Avengers from a private organization to having oversight and accountability from a U.N. panel.  Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr at his best), racked with guilt over his role in the devastation created by Ultron embraces accountability, whereas Steve Rogers (Chris Evans comfortably owning the role of Captain America), an individualist, and  distrustful of government bodies and their unpredictable agendas, chooses the side of freedom from oversight. Thus the philosophical lines are drawn with each viewpoint being correct and the heroes take sides according to their beliefs.  

Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely return as Captain America’s writers and their impressive ability is to create a conflict where both sides are justified.  Even if we choose a side, we fully understand and empathize with the other viewpoint.  What is further impressive is that a film that is overflowing with characters are all deftly handled and flow seamlessly into an overall narrative.  Even with all these characters, we are introduced to two new ones who will be part of the Phase 3 Marvel plan.  Chadwick Boseman makes an impressive debut as the royal Black Panther.  Regal and tortured by the death of his father, his performance makes us long for his solo movie to come quickly.  In addition, Tom Holland is introduced as the MCU’s new rebooted Spider-man.  His performance has almost been universally heralded as getting the character right.  Even these blatant seed plantings of future franchises don’t feel forced and they belong in the film as much as all the other characters.  

The choice of villain in this film is what impressed me most of all.  The ‘rapidly becoming my favorite actor’, Daniel Brühl introduces us to a smaller than life villain named Zemo.  He has little screen time and much of it we are trying to figure out what he is doing and what his motivations are.  Instead of going over the top with the movie villain, like many Super-hero movies, Zemo is low key and mysterious.  We know his actions are leading to something, but without knowing his motivations, we are left in confusion.  It isn’t until the third act that the full purpose of his actions are realized and we understand how truly devastating this reserved and somewhat sympathetic villain is.  Daniel Brühl delivers exactly what he is supposed to.

As I started with this review, ‘Captain America: Civil War’ shines because of its’ character development.  From the intense visceral conflict between Tony Stark and Captain America to the more light-hearted moments between The Vision and Scarlet Witch and even further to the comedic interactions of Ant-man and Spider-man, all seem to belong in this movie and we are invested in these characters and care what becomes of them because of it.   This film is a symphony of character interplay that transcends the super-hero genre to become a truly great movie.  I give a metaphorical standing ovation.  The Russo brothers, who directed this, have proven to be great directors capable of taking the most successful movie genre in history to an even higher level of depth and respect.  The Marvel machine is not even close to running out of steam.

Phase 3 of the Marvel universe is packed full of new heroes and personally, I cannot wait to see what Marvel has to offer. They have proven that they won’t just recycle storylines, rather attempt to just give us new and exciting journeys into these characters that I have known since my childhood.  I don’t think it’s a case of DC vs Marvel as I feel there is room for both, but Marvel is definitely setting the pace.  DC needs to find their own style, but they could also take some notes on how to make a movie that is more than just a super power showcase. Hats off to everyone involved at Marvel for giving us this cinematic work.

I give this film ***** stars 

Captain America: Civil War

Midnight Special

       ‘Midnight Special’ is one of these films that are flying under the radar during the off movie season and under the shadow of some of the bigger budget movies like ‘Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice”.  Truthfully, the only reason it came on my radar, because it has been generating some good critical buzz and I am a great admirer of Director Jeff Nichols.  I’m having a hard time pigeon-holing  this film into a particular genre. At its’ core it is a ‘father and son on the run’ film, but that is not enough to describe it.  It has elements of science fiction, horror, even to a lesser extent a family movie despite its’ ‘R’ rating. I could very well have seen the studios try to make this blockbuster in scope, but despite the high tension and deep bass music this is a quiet film.  The movie derives its’ purpose from the simplicity of it even though the context is immense.

The story starts with father and son Roy and Alton (Michael Shannon and Jaeden Leiberher respectively) escaping a Texas cult along with Roy’s State trooper childhood friend, Lucas.  We don’t know exactly why they are running at first, but we know that Alton is different.  After the Government raids the compound and starts interviewing the cult members about Alton, we realize how truly different Alton truly is.  Special Agent Sevier (‘Star Wars’ Adam Driver) leads the interview and is trying to find the answer as to why the compound leader Calvin Meyer’s (Sam Shepard) sermons contain coded government messages of the highest security.  Calvin’s answer is that Alton speaks to him in tongues and they’ve had to keep him locked away for everyone’s safety. That is locked away until Friday March 05, which is the cult’s Doomsday prophecy.

The majority of this movie is Roy, Lucas, and Alton on the run through the highways and motels of Texas.  We know that Alton is different, but he seems a normal kid in every respect even if he does seem wise beyond his years.  Normal that is, until vast amounts of light and energy manifest itself inside him.  Each episode leaves him weaker.  No matter what terror the Roy feels as his son seems to transform, his love and purpose is steadfast.  Alton knows he has to be somewhere precise on March 05 and Roy will let nothing stop him from getting there.  Even if he doesn’t know exactly where that is.

The crux of the movie revolves around how the adults adapt to know that something beyond human comprehension is manifesting itself in this boy.  Roy follows his purpose with the devotion of a cult follower that he is and no one does intensity better than Michael Shannon.  Lucas is more loyal to his childhood friend Roy than he is to the calling, but as he sees the powers that Alton begins to manifest, he begins to realize the necessity of the journey.  

The film is small and relatively quiet, which I often enjoy, but too much so for the scope of what this film was trying to capture.  It’s like ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ cloaked in a father and son on the run movie.  Jeff Nichols does an excellent job at creating a world of wonderment and fear, but overall there is a feeling that the payoff at the end was unsatisfying.  Where ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ left us breathless, this one left us with unresolved questions.  Not that I need everything tied up in a neat bow, but one needs to feel satisfied at the end and be glad that they went on this journey.  I was not.  I still respect the film and the film making skill of Jeff Nichols, but this film is one only a film enthusiast would appreciate.

I recommend this film, but only give it ** 1/2 stars

Midnight Express

Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice

     There are so many things that were done right in ‘Batman v Superman’ that it makes no sense to me that I didn’t like the end product.  The characters were treated with respect and authenticity to the source material.  The casting of Ben Affleck and Gil Gadot turned out to be perfect choices for Batman and Wonder Woman respectively (we can debate Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor later). Storylines and even actual dialogue were adapted faithfully from Frank Miller and other well know DC storylines.  The battle itself was everything one could hope for and, once again, loyal to the epic comic book source material of ‘The Dark Knight Returns’.  So how could a movie with all of this going right be a film that didn’t deliver?  I’m sure there will be countless meetings in the Warner Bros studios among execs to determine exactly why this didn’t click the way Marvel movies do, but they will have consolation, because despite being almost universally panned by the critics and audiences, despite a dismal score of 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, ‘Batman v Superman’ is set to break Box Office records for a pre-May opening.  They are estimating a $171 million take over the Easter weekend.

Sure there wasn’t much competition this weekend (I’m not going to count ‘My Big Fat Greek wedding 2’)  and there was a 36 month advance marketing blitzkrieg that never lost its’ steam, but this was something comic book fans have been craving for decades.  And despite what critics want to believe, the public is a long way away from the super hero fatigue that they all predict will happen. So, what didn’t I like about it?  What does Marvel do so well that DC hasn’t been able to capture?  The answer: Marvel is able to make their intellectual property accessible to the general masses.  Marvel is able to take something non-comic book lovers originally thought of as silly and immature, i.e., super heroes, and give it a gravitas and relateability that has allowed it to cross over to mainstream audiences.  They give us stories with depth, but never lose sight of what made comic books magical to us as kids:  they are fun.  Director Zack Snyder lost sight of that fact and while he infuses these mythical characters with a seriousness, he takes it too far.  Snyder’s vision is dark and gloomy and lacks any of the wonder and joy associated with superheroes; especially franchises like Superman.  This movie is dark almost to the point of gothic.  

Another complaint I had was in defense of non-initiated super hero movie goers.  Marvel is able to deftly have story and plot lines that ones doesn’t need to be familiar with in order to enjoy.  This film tried to cram so much stuff in that I felt the layman would be left confused and with their head spinning.  One semi-dream/vision sequence in particular involved the ‘Flashpoint’ storyline.  This was complete with a post apocalyptic world where Batman battles para demons and The Flash coming back to warn Batman about Superman.  After the sequence, I wondered how anyone who wasn’t familiar with all those storylines would even know what’s going on.  That’s called alienating of your audience. Sure, it made all the fanboys giddy (and in fairness there are more and more of them), but you need that cross appeal to make the stories accessible to all.  I think this film lacked that.

The writing and editing were sloppy.  I can’t go into too much detail without giving away spoilers, but the only character whose motivations I understood were Batman’s.  There were so many holes in the story that were never explained and upon closer examination made no sense.  Characters that were actually intriguing were not developed in any way.  Lex Luthor (another controversial casting of Jesse Eisenberg) was an interesting modernization of the character to a malevolent Mark Zuckerberg style villain, but had motivations that were never really explained. We never understood why he was so desperate to destroy Superman.  Jeremy Irons reinvented the role of Alfred (even if much of his dialogue was taken straight from the ‘Dark Knight Returns’ comic series).  He was woefully underutilized.  Wonder Woman (controversially, but perfectly cast) is an un-named character in this movie. Even though we know she is the Princess Diana, it is never explained who she is or why she is involved or why she even cares to show up and help Superman and Batman.  Despite this, she was the most magnetic part of the final fight with Doomsday. Her performance makes me excited for the upcoming Wonder Woman movie, but that was it.  

I don’t mind new or alternate takes on franchises.  I even enjoy controversial re -imaginings, but one thing a super hero movie must have is excitement and wonder.  I felt despite all the great pieces and parts, ‘Batman vs Superman’ lacked that essential magical ingredient.  I’ll go so far as to say I respect the accomplishment that is this film.  Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to love this film, I just didn’t.  I feel I am being kinder to it in hindsight, but I must be honest with myself and felt something was missing when I was watching it.  There is no way I can talk myself out of that.  The odd thing is that I’m going to recommend seeing it.  It is a good introduction to the new DC extended universe that hopes to compete with Marvel.  My personal opinion is that, while I consider Zack Snyder an exceptional Director, his style and vision is not the one to go forward in this new universe. Warner Bros studios should regroup and try to find the magic elsewhere.  Despite my misgivings, this film has whetted my appetite for more.

  I give this film ** stars

Batman vs Superman

Deadpool

        With one of the biggest multi social media marketing campaigns that I can remember seeing for a mid-budget action movie, I approached ‘Deadpool’ with some trepidation.  I was never a fan of the comic book character and the R-rating gave studio execs heartburn for possibly alienating the traditional family market for super heroes.  Also, given Ryan Reynold’s previous disastrous outings in super hero movies (one playing Deadpool in a supporting role), I smelled box office bomb all the way to the theatre.  Fortunately and happily, I was mistaken.  Not only did ‘Deadpool' capture the essence of the comic book character, but it also gave me an appreciation for the character I never had before.  I won’t say it merited the $150 million dollar opening weekend it took in, but it was a fun time at the movies (assuming you aren’t easily offended).  Ryan Reynolds campaigned for this movie to be made for years and I’m glad it finally paid off.

The story of ‘Deadpool' centers around Wade Wilson, a wise cracking mercenary just trying to make his way through life as a low level enforcer for hire.  He finds love with the proverbial prostitute with a heart of gold, Vanessa (played by the stunning Morena Baccarin) and starts to build a life, until everything comes to a grinding halt when he discovers that he has terminal cancer. Grasping for straws at a cryptic offer from a mysterious man, he signs up for an experimental therapy for ex-soldiers.  He soon discovers the horrible mistake he has made when the lead scientist on the project named Ajax reveals the true purpose of the project; to awaken the dormant mutant genes of subjects through intensive chemical and torture therapy in order to create super powered soldiers… if they survive.  Wade does survive but at a horrible disfiguring cost.  Sounds like the basis for a great comedy right?  Believe it or not, it is a comedy and a funny one at that.

Quick uncomfortable fact about Deadpool is that he is actually plagiarized from a DC villain named Deathstroke, who just happened to be named Slade Wilson.  How was Marvel not sued over this?  Even though the character was a plagiarism (right down to double swords and uniform), Deadpool took a more comedic turn, even violating the comic book taboo of breaking the ‘Fourth Wall’.  That is where the character acknowledges the audience and recognizes that he is in a comic book story.  Much of the comedy is Deadpool addressing the audience with quips about his predicament.  While this seems like it could be distracting or even cheesy, it provides much of the charm of the film.  ‘Deadpool' is a spinoff from the X-men series, which tends to be more dramatic than comedic.  While the only well know X-man to appear in this film is Colossus, frequent mentions to the X-men world are made and the audience enjoys the juxtaposition of the comedic over the dramatic.  

The film itself is very light on plot.  In fact, there are really only two scenes in the whole film which are peppered with flashback sequences.  The movie relies on the over the top violence and wincing R-rated humor to drive the enjoyment.  I’m ashamed to say they succeeded.  I respect the chance studio execs took by breaking the successful template formula of previous super hero movies and giving a twice failed actor another chance at being a super hero.  Still, everyone must realize that the gold rush on super hero movies will eventually dry up and studios must find new and different formulas in order to keep the genre fresh.  This proves that R-rated humor and violence will find enough of an audience to make a movie financially viable.  

The comic book geek in me wonders if they will attempt to cross ‘Deadpool' over into the mainstream X-men movies.  I doubt it and I’m fine with that. I think Deadpool works better on his own as an alternative take on the dramatic super hero world.   It was interesting to see them have a different, albeit more source faithful, take on Colossus while interweaving the story with the main X-men universe.  Perhaps the now certain ‘Deadpool' franchise might be a great way to introduce more unique and unknown X-men to see if they have commercial appeal.  The most exciting thing about ‘Deadpool' is that it opens up all new possibilities in the genre now

Is this an R-rated movie for excessive graphic violence, crude humor, and sex?  Yes it is, but the way it is delivered reminds one more of a Road Runner cartoon than anything truly offensive.  I hope movies studios don’t obsess over creating blockbusters every time out.  There are smaller stories in the super hero world worth being told.  This is an example of how a studio took a chance and it paid off big.  There will be chances that don’t pay off as big, but I think the risk is worth it in order to provide us with a variety of story types.  Dead pool is a good time at the movies.

I give this film *** 1/2 stars

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2290004505?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_8

Tad's 2016 Oscar Predictions

The 2016 Tad’s Movie Crawl 

Oscar Predictions 

This year I  must confess that I didn’t see all the nominated pictures.  A first for me.  In order to have a more educated guess I sought the assistance of my brother-in-law Mark.  We’ll see how close the two of us can get

Once again I emphasize, my predictions are who I think will win, not necessarily who I think should  win. So here goes:

BEST PICTURE

The Big Short

Bridge of Spies

Brooklyn

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant:  All the mojo and buzz is behind this film this year

Room

Spotlight

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo

Matt Damon, The Martian

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant: I think this is Leo’s year

Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Cate Blanchett, Carol

Brie Larson, Room:  It won’t be Jennifer Lawrence again.  This small film created enough of a buzz to be a winner in this category

Jennifer Lawrence, Joy

Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years

Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Christian Bale, The Big Short

Tom Hardy, The Revenant

Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight

Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies

Sylvester Stallone, Creed:  While I think Tom Hardy deserves it, so does Sly.  I think he will get it

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight

Rooney Mara, Carol

Rachel MacAdams, Spotlight

Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl:  I’ll admit it.  This one is a complete guess for me

Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

DIRECTING

The Big Short

Mad Max: Fury Road

The RevenantL  It’s going to be a ‘two years in a row’ for Alejandro

Room

Spotlight

There you go, my predictions once again.  We’ll see where they land

The Revenant

       Where do I start with ‘The Revenant’?  I have so many biases for and against the movie, I’m mixed up on how to review it.  My pro bias is that I am a great admirer of Director Alejandro González Iñárritu (fresh off his Oscar win last year).  His movie ‘Birdman’ was a fantastic and innovative film among all the cookie cutter Hollywood blockbusters.  My con bias is that I am not a fan of what I consider “Made-for-Oscar” films.  This film has that written all over it, relying on shock values and intensity over anything else.  I also have another bias in which I will go out on a limb.  I don’t like when filmmakers try to mirror other Director’s artistic style. This film had the feel of a Terrence Malik film, without the preponderance of poetic themes.  Malik’s films (The New World, Tree of Life, The Thin Red Line) have garnered immense respect for their artistic value amongst Hollywood Directors even if they rarely reflect in box office receipts. ‘The Revenant’ had the same feel of Malik’s visual aesthetics and minimalist dialogue.  What it did lack was Malik’s permeating ethereal qualities (which ‘The Revenant’ did attempt in a few scenes, but lacked his poetic effectiveness). I did admire Iñárritu’s ability to capture vast wilderness landscapes, but all I could think of after seeing similar scenery in Tarantino’s ‘The Hateful Eight’ is that I wish he would have shot this film in 70 mm in order to better capture the majesty.

While I acknowledge that this film will be this year’s Oscar darling, I’m not going to jump on the bandwagon and proclaim this a great film.  I admire Leonardo DiCaprio’s dedication to his art, but I found the film to be more an exercise in human survival and suffering than anything else.  The plot was a simple revenge plot and the scenery was breathtaking, but other than that, I didn’t find much to sink my teeth into.  Leonardo Di Caprio brings an intense and respectable performance to the story of Hugh Glass, a trapper guide who is left for dead after a vicious bear attack, only to survive and face great hardships as he works his way back to civilization to exact revenge on the man he holds responsible. The bear scene which everyone talked about was brutal to be sure, but hardly worth the buzz it has been generating. This felt more like an endurance marathon of seeing how much trail and tribulation one man can endure and still survive.  After one finishes wincing at all the gore and trials of pain, I’m not sure what else this film has to offer.  

Despite my lackluster appraisal, I will say that Tom Hardy is the true stand out of this film.  He plays the antagonist John Fitzgerald and has received a well deserved Oscar nomination for the performance.  I’m always impressed when an Englishman can do an undetectable American accent, but Hardy nails a turn-of-two-centuries ago Texas woodsman accent so well that I didn’t even realize it was Tom Hardy playing this character until the credits.  I think he, along with Michael Fassbender, are the two greatest actors out there today.  I have mixed feelings because i want Stallone to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, but Hardy clearly displays a superior performance.  Fitzgerald makes questionable and arguably immoral choices, but in the context of what is happening, the viewer understands why Fitzgerald is making these choices.  I think this makes a better villain as the viewer wonders what choices they would make in a similar situation.  Now that I can sink my teeth into.

Back to the story, I find it hard to know what else to say.  As I have stated, with such minimal dialogue and plot, I don’t know where else to go with the film.  It’s beautifully shot and Leo is intense, but that about sums it up.  Shock value is not something that impresses me.  I also think Iñárritu is an incredible artist and his attempt to mirror another Director’s style does himself a disservice (my opinion of course).  I often judge a film, fairly or unfairly, if I am waiting for it to end or if I’m disappointed that it’s ending.  I found myself looking at my watch throughout, so if that tells you something… I have no desire to see this film again or recommend it to someone else.  I’m going to give this film a star greater than I think it deserves, because I won’t take away from the artistic aesthetics that Iñárritu has given us, but that’s the best i can do.  I’ll probably be shown to have an opinion in the minority when this film sweeps at the Oscars, but I need to be honest in my opinion.

I give this film *** stars

The Revenant trailer

The Hateful Eight

       Say what you want about Quentin Tarantino, but he is probably one of the most unique and daring Directors out there.  By now we know what to expect from his films; gratuitous violence and over the top vulgarity combined with a love of retro pop culture and actors.  We feel we shouldn’t like his films, but he presents such a visceral film experience that we can’t help but get over our political correctness and hold on for the ride of his cinematic visions.  In addition, his love of cinema, especially the movie going experience from the 60’s and 70’s is infectious and he tries to recreate that magic in all his films.  ‘The Hateful Eight’ is Tarantino’s eighth film and I won’t say its ground breaking, but it is an ode to the Westerns of the 60’s and 70’s.  Tarantino used 70mm film, which hasn’t been used since back in that time period and I’m glad he did.  I forgot how wonderfully it captures the expanses and landscapes so much more than film today.  Again, he tries to recreate that movie going experience from our childhood and he succeeds.

Another thing that Tarantino is not afraid to do is take his time in rolling out a story.  “The Hateful Eight’ is a simple old fashion whodunnit story that takes place in a remote way station in Wisconsin, but the film is 3 hours long.  I can already hear the groans, but the story moves such that it doesn’t feel that long and the film is divided into two overlapping stories that is divided by an actual 15 minute Intermission.  When was the last time you went to a movie that had an actual Intermission? Tarantino has a love of overlapping stories that reveals and enhances the perspective of the overall story.  ‘The Hateful Eight’ is a more straightforward, where he only has two intertwined stories that happen sequentially.  Still, it is visually enthralling to watch and Tarantino’s usual band of actors are back.

I would have to say there are co-leads in the film.  New-comer to Tarantino films, yet a veteran actor, Kurt Russel plays John ‘The Hangman’ Ruth.  He is a bounty hunter who is collecting the prize on a mysterious prisoner named Daisy Domergue (another veteran actor, Jennifer Jason Leigh).  Trying to beat an incoming blizzard on his way to collect the bounty, he runs across another bounty hunter, former Yankee Major Maquis Warren (Samuel L Jackson) and later a man who claims to be the Sheriff of the town they are going to, former Confederate soldier Chris Mannix (Walter Goggins).  Knowing that they will not be able to outrun the blizzard, the men stop at the nearest way station they find with the plan to hunker down until the storm passes.  The inn is not empty and contains another group of men with the same plan to wait out the storm.  Major Warren is familiar with the proprietor of the station, who is missing, and both he and Ruth realize at least one of the people there has done something nefarious to the owner and has plans to rescue Daisy Domergue.  The race is on to find out which one it is and to save themselves from someone who is almost assuredly going to kill them to rescue Daisy.

Tarantino is a master a spreading out tension as well as explosive and graphic fight scenes. We know that everyone staying at the station is unsavory and Tarantino reveals just enough of their backstories to be excruciating as we try to figure out which one is the culprit…or is it more than one?  Russell has a swagger that befits his acting style and is the immediate presence and center of the story.  While wary of Major Marquis, he finds that he is the only one in which he has the smallest amount of trust.  Systematically, both Ruth and Marquis try to pry out each person’s backstory to determine if the coincidence that brought them all together is just that… a coincidence.

I won’t say that this is one of Tarantino’s greatest films.  I am also disappointed that most of the film takes place indoors as one of the reasons to use 70 mm film is to show vast landscapes.  That being said, the movie is a beautiful visual feast and Tarantino has an eye for frames like no other.  As always, his use of vulgarity is over the top, even for someone like me who is not offended by that.  When the action starts, the violence is brutal and even the most hardened film goer will wince at the gratuitousness.  For fans of Quentin, he doesn’t disappoint.  It’s not your typical Western, but Tarantino doesn’t make typical movies.  Despite everything I listed, it is a nostalgic return to the films of the 60’s and 70’s which I believe is Tarantino’s ultimate goal.  I won’t say go see it, but I think if you do go you will enjoy it for what it is.  I’ll qualify that with, if you are a film enthusiast, definitely go see it as it is a beautifully made film.

  I give this film *** stars

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3460252/?ref_=nv_sr_1