We Can't Wait! #13: The Hateful Eight
Monday, March 9, 2015 at 8:00AM Team Experience is counting down our 15 most anticipated for 2015. Here's Michael...
Who & What: Fresh off the biggest box office hit of his career (and a second Oscar for writing) Tarantino returns for another go at the western genre. This story set in Wyoming a few years after the Civil War, involves eight outlaw types holed up in a mountain pass to wait out a blizzard.
The auteur promises The Hateful Eight will be no less than a cinematic event with exclusive 70mm engagements explicitly designed to remind people of the power of the theatrical movie experience and stave off the tide of digital projection. So, yeah, not lacking for ambition.
Why We're Excited About it: Love them or hate them, it is hard to deny Tarantino’s films are always worth seeing, discussing, dissecting. It's worth noting that while everyone has been focused on Quentin's film’s flashier, button-pushing aspects, the jittery auteur has managed the neat trick of getting mass audiences to line up for some daring, experimental filmmaking. On top of which he can always be counted on to give movie stars the material to reach new career high points. This time out the cast is a thrilling mix of old Tarantino favorites (Tim Roth, Kurt Russell, Sam Jackson, Michael Madsen) Django bit players with beefed up roles (Bruce Dern, Walton Goggins) and Tarantino newcomers who could do wonders with the right role (Demian Bichir, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Channing Tatum).
Samuel L Jackson tweeted this photo in November from a rehearsal. From left to right: Dern, Jackson, Leigh, Tarantino, Bichir (back to camera), Russell, Goggins, Madsen, and Roth
What if it all Goes Wrong? The loss of Tarantino’s brilliant, longtime collaborator, editor Sally Menke, was felt in Django, particularly in that film’s shaggy final act. Here’s hoping he manages to regain the sharpness this time. Also, if you are one of those fading fans who believe it’s been all downhill since Jackie Brown, there is no sign that Hateful Eight is anything like a return to maturity. On the other hand, a story about criminals holed up together told through a series of interlocking flashback does give off a strong Reservoir Dogs vibe.
When: Currently slated for November 13 by The Weinstein Company. (Will it stay there? Django Unchained didn't open until Christmas.)
Reader Comments (22)
I'd be more excited for this if it actually had more than one substantial female role in the cast. Not all filmmakers can write compelling parts for women, but QT can, and he should put that ability to use.
Suzanne - I had the same thought. Even still, I can't help but get excited about the thought of Leigh getting a showcase role.
I have always been cool on JJL -- yes, even at her peak -- so the fact that there is only one female role and it's her is if not a deal breaker (i LOVE reservoir dogs which is all men) but a disappointment. I guess after the Kill Bills Quentin was sick of women or something? it's been so male heavy since. at least Basterds had two great female roles.
You have conveniently forgotten about Death Proof, Nathaniel. Outside of Kill Bill, his features featuring women are his least popular (Jackie Brown, Death Proof).
I love Jennifer Jason Leigh. She's intelligent and dangerous---exactly what we want from an actress at any age.
Love them or hate them, it is hard to deny Tarantino’s films are always worth seeing, discussing, dissecting.
#TarantinoDeniersUnite
3rtful: Except Jackie Brown was only unpopular in the moment. Now? It might not quite be Pulp Fiction, but its at least on the level of Reservoir Dogs. Death Proof won't really get that re-evaluation.
After Jackie Brown, what can Samuel L. Jackson do in a Tarantino flick that Pam Grier can't instead? :/
Volvagia: All of Tarantino's filmography will be reevaluated once he officially retires or dies.
Santy C: I think Quentin sees Pam as deserving of more. Jackson is insistent he's involved with Tarantino under every circumstance possible.
I haven't even seen the django movie. not terribly excited.
I'm rarely bored by QT, but sometimes disappointed. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.
marcelo: Django Unchained isn't atrocious or anything, but its extremely uninspiring. If they had to have THAT kind of Best Picture nominee in 2012, the "not quite classy and knows it movie with boats of energy", give me The Avengers, Magic Mike or, especially, Looper from that year. Heck, give me Skyfall as a BP nod over Django.
At least he's giving Christoph Waltz a rest!
Actually, atrocious is a great word for it, Volvagia.
@Paul Outlaw: You aren't the only one, I don't get excited about Tarantino either. I thought Django was a mess.
I remain mystified that Oscar love will inevitably follow.
I'm looking forward to "Hateful". Although it's true that after his masterpiece, "Jackie Brown", Tarantino's films have been spotty but even his lesser work is better written than most of the stuff out there.
If anything, Tarantino is always fun. Sure, Django was getting to be a bit much...almost becoming a Tarantino parody. But Tarantino at least delivers something interesting to watch. It will never be a typical Oscar bait film like The Imitation Game or The Theory of Everything, which both bored me to tears (and I couldn't even finish the latter).
With that said, I'm not really looking forward to this movie. I'll probably see it at home or something. Unless it gets like REALLY good reviews.
Quentin Tarantino puts my ass in the seat!
Django was...ok. I was underwhelmed by it but I should probably revisit it. Sam Jackson was the best part about it so maybe he and QT can work the same magic again in a better film. And good for Jennifer Jason Leigh, I think the last thing I saw her in was her guest stint on Revenge and the less I say the better.
@BD: Shhhhhhhh! Don't say his name, don't wake the beast! Treat him Voldemort and let some other actors chew some scenery for a while.
I recently rewatched Django, and it doesn't really hold up. Once you've come down from the cinematic referencing and visual audacity of the enterprise, the lapses in the script become glaringly apparent. I'm still pissed that Tarantino won the Oscar over Mark Boal--that makes no sense. Still, I agree that his movies are usually very watchable and unique, warts and all. If only he learned how to rein in his fratboy impulses.
Regarding this one, I'm most excited about Roth back in a major release. Such a great, underutilized actor.
Actually watched Django for the first time (gasp) couple months back and was surprised at feeling periodically restless during it, which has never happened for any other Tarantino for me. Wasn't until after I finished the movie that I remembered that this was his first Sally Menke-less production. I'm sure the new editor was very good, but what a difference a very good editor vs. a brilliant one like Sally was makes.
Actually, this is one of the ones I'm DREADING more than anything. Look at the reaction something so half-assed like Django got and tell me we're aren't living in a QT fanboy world.
If this is just another bloody gory revenge story, I'm out. I simply cannot anymore. Make a comedy, whatever something, but leave that shit alone already.