Posted on 08/20/2009 8:48:45 PM PDT by JSDude1
I wish my brave, tough Holocaust survivor grandfather, Isaac, was alive to see “Inglourious Basterds.”
He would love it even more than I did. So would my dad. And they would be cheering and laughing along with me.
Because the movie debuts at Midnight screenings tonight, I am posting this review early, and you’ll note that I was entirely wrong in my expectations for this movie when I first wrote about it, back in February. The movie is riveting. It’s fun and serious at the same time.
It’s not usual that I praise a Quentin Tarantino film or a flick starring Brad Pitt. I’m not a big fan of either. But “Inglourious Basterds” is either the exception to the rule or a new beginning (probably the former, at least in the case of Pitt, who is very good here). After two-and-a-half hours of this fantastic movie, I didn’t want it to end. I wanted more. So well done, so interesting, exciting, and suspenseful, it flew by. Like “The Departed (read my review),” it’s a well-wrapped treasure, with new delights at each uncovered layer. And a few puzzles, some of which aren’t answered but are designed to make you think.
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this movie.
(Excerpt) Read more at debbieschlussel.com ...
How is a film about American hunting Nazis a ‘liberal movie’?
This movie will suck...the whole theme is Tarantino’s career theme...gratuitous violence and gore.
Expect to see alot of heads splattered with bats, scalpings, ears cut off etc.
...I expect to see a full castration since the villains are undefendable...
I’d rather watch MessNBC and study my enemy lol.
Whatever. I'm in my 40s. Violence = good. Violence = very very good. There are plenty of films out there I can watch when I want to get all touchy-feely with my emotions. But when I want something that reflects reality- i.e. mindless violence, death, destruction, self-immolation, shallow sex, degradation of self and others, various manifestations of perversity- I like to watch Tarantino.
Because make no mistake- that is reality. That is the real world. The ones that think they have 'grown up' past all that stuff are actually only living in a bubble. Sometimes, the bubble bursts and those people are left walking around in a daze wondering what's going wrong with the world when in fact, nothing has gone wrong with it- it's just the way it has always been.
And he has given us movies of substance. Just because you haven't enjoyed them doesn't mean anything. I've mentioned it before on this forum. I know have some female friends here- European women who completely abhor violence- who think True Romance is the most romantic film they have ever seen. You know why? Because deep down inside we are primal and base. The idea that a man would kill someone with his own hands for her stimulates a lot of women on a very deep instinctual level. And there's just no getting around that. Dress up the world in pretty floral garlands all you want, it's still a den of snakes.
However if rumors are true, he appears determined to live out his version of reality,
And who's version should he live out- yours? Why? He's an artist, he should pursue his own vision.
I get a real kick out of critics like you. Just pissed off that someone like Tarantino doesn't play your game. (stamps foot on ground) 'Why won't he make a movie I like? Why does everybody else have to like him?'
Make your own movie. Sit down and write your own script. Start small with something a student director could actually shoot with almost no budget. Make a name for yourself. Bring your vision of reality to the big screen. Then you will have what you want and won't have to sit there and criticize others for seizing the bull by the horns and doing their own thing.
I didn't care that much for Death Proof although it did take me back to the days of Dirty Mary and Crazy Larry in my mind. But Tarantino more than made up for it with Inglourious Basterds. I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It's not quite up to Pulp Fiction in my opinion but it is very good. Better than a lot of other crap that is all glam and glittery. Better than watching someone come to terms with their (insert your pet word here) 'feelings/loss/alienation...'
Like I said, fire up the word processor. Write your own script.
Most of QT’s films aren’t that violent onscreen.
If I’m looking for something “that encompass the nuances of life, love and adventure” I’ll read a book.
If I want an hour and a half of entertainment I’ll watch a movie.
And Tarantino definitely makes entertaining movies.
Good? I wouldn’t even go that far. His best roles were in Fight Club and 12 Monkeys. Everything else was a joke, especially Troy.
District 9 is a blast, but it might actually have more profanity and gore than IB. Plan on seeing this one tomorrow.
I don’t know how anybody that was alive long enough to know what cars should sound like (ie remembers the 70s) can hate Deathproof. Sure the plot is stupid, the acting often so-so, but for the last half hour of the movie all you hear is two V8s doing what God intended them to do. And that’s a beautiful thing.
This is only your opinion though. It has no more value than anyone else’s.
What didn’t you like about his performance in Babel? Pretty good I thought.
And Snatch, come on. That was a brilliant flick and Pitt did a really good job in that one.
I didn’t bother watching Troy. I can usually work out from reviews when I should go and see a movie or not. Troy was definitely not worth the time from what I heard so I am not bitter about it now because I wasn’t stupid enough to go and waste money on it. What can I say? When it rains, I grab an umbrella.
Hey, that’s Tarantino for you. “Reservoir Dogs” and “Four Rooms” (last quarter is QT’s) are some of the most violent movies I’ve ever seen, and they’re little more than some guys standing around talking. Give him a WWII set with real action and I’d expect nothing less than “pretty gory”.
I read a lot of Greek mythology as a kid, Achilles was kind of a sissy boy. Only reason he was the in the running world’s greatest warrior was that he was nearly invulnerable. Aside from that he was whiny, effete, and highly “attached” to his personal aid. And he wasn’t that bright either.
Brad Pitt, at best, is a character actor. He has no sense of dramatic timing or talent for drama. His career started as the pretty boy yet his want to grow into dramatic roles has been completely overshadowed by his looks, his absolutely moronic 'intelligence', and his nutty love life, particularly with Jolie. It is no coincidence his box office success has fallen off since hooking up with Jolie.
I’ll tell you what I’ll grant you though. His performance in Inglourious Basterds isn’t nothing to write home about. His accent sucked and he just starts to look a little too old for the ‘young lieutenant’ part.
But credit to Tarantino here, Pitt’s performance (or lack of) didn’t matter. It was a good film. Lots of good dialogue and tense scenes and the camera isn’t on Pitt for the majority of the time so it’s a moot point.
The writers actually read the Iliad. Achilles was whiny, petulant, a a$$#0le who refused to support his commander in battle and spent a lot of time in his tent when the other soldiers were on the field.
As for his 'accent', Pitt couldn't even do that right in Troy. Not surprised he fails in this flick too.
I know. That's so weird isn't it? My whole life, I had been so used to Hollywood actors having very straight-laced love lives and then Pitt comes along and completely destroys my image of them.
I'm with you now. You've convinced me. I had completely forgotten about this aberration in the Hollywood community- he is a complete oddball in that sense. The last thing I want is an actor with a weird love life. Down with Pitt! He's a poopey head with a loopey wife!
I agree.
I liked “Kill Bill.” I actually liked Part II more than Part I.
I like anime, but the anime scenes in Part I were a little over the top for me.
“Jackie Brown” is highly underrated in my opinion.
I didn't see Troy. I had more sense.
I keep saying 'I had more sense' for a reason. You seeing Troy does in fact reflect on you and your ability to discern what will be worth the ticket price and what not. Maybe you shouldn't have been in the cinema in the first place. I know I wasn't. I haven't even bothered borrowing that one on dvd from a friend.
But, by your own logic, perhaps you shouldn't have gone to see IB either.
Wow, you really don’t like it when people disagree with you, do you? Your man love for Pitt is a little creepy.
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