Django Unchained
Django Unchained
#1Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 10:02am
I looked for a thread on this but didn't see one.
I know we've all been out seeing Les Miserables this past week, but has anyone else seen Quentin Tarantino's newest flick?
I thought it was a very entertaining homage to the old spaghetti westerns. Jamie Foxx was decent enough, but Waltz and DiCaprio stole the film IMO. I also enjoyed Samuel L. Jackson's character.
People (most notably Spike Lee) have accused Tarantino of attempting to poke fun at, or make light of the institution of slavery in the film. People have also criticized the excessive gore and violence, as well as Tarantino's use of the N-word, which is spoken quite freely throughout the entire film. I wasn't bothered by the violence - anyone who's seen Kill Bill or Pulp Fiction knows Tarantino's style.
As a black man, I was initially a little jarred by the frequent use of the N-word, but it wasn't offensive to me.
"You drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!" - Betty Parris to Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller's The Crucible
Updated On: 1/3/13 at 10:02 AM
#2Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 10:08am
One of my favorite movies of the year. Could have used some editing though. You can tell this is the first movie Tarantino has done without his longtime editor Sally Menke.
I liked Jamie Foxx way more than I expected to.
I love this response Samuel Jackson gives when asked about "the N word" controversy.
Samuel L. Jackson responds to Django "N word" controversy
#2Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 10:14am
I never got used to the word 'n*' being thrown about by EVERYONE in that film. It was stunning...and provocative. But (and I'm no historian) my guess would be that the word was used so frequently and so casually that the film found an emotional truth in its liberal usage.
Criticizing Tarantino for his use of violence is about as useful as a fur muff in Fiji.
I thought it was a terrific movie, but perhaps a little overlong in the end. Though the movie was absurd and had moments of high camp, I felt the brutality towards slaves was not in any way mocked...in fact, I found those moments almost unbearable. I thought Washington was really terrific, and if she had more screen time, she might have been an Oscar contender. It's actually the first time I've bought Leo's adult persona. Waltz is a wonder and Foxx was perfect (and I'm not always a fan). Jackson is a ridiculous ham of an actor, but Tarantino finds a way to make the work for him.
I think the thing I was most uncomfortable with were the depictions of black women in the film. It was a crazy mix of Butterfly McQueen homage and Blaxploitation bad acting that really challenged me. I don't know if was brave, or artistically sound...but it sure did make an impression.
#3Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 10:15am
Erik, that link was amazing.
"You drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!" - Betty Parris to Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller's The Crucible
Updated On: 1/3/13 at 10:15 AM
#4Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 10:25amThat link is also why I won't use the phrase 'The N-Word' when talking about the language in the film. And I think it's a good point. Adults should be able to discuss the impact of the word in this movie without de-fanging it.
#5Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 10:33am
Love, love, love this film. When Tarantino takes on a genre he loves he really gets it right. It's Tarantino, so you know blood will be shed...definitely NOT for the squeamish. The use of the "n" word is appropriate given when the film takes place, it's not like it's being used for shock value.
Very strong performances all around, especially from Leo DiCaprio and Sam Jackson.
I am definitely going in for a second viewing. I wanted to go see it again on Sunday but in all 3 screens it was showing at the Regal on 14th Street it was SOLD OUT, so I wound up seeing "Jack Reacher" instead which turned out not only to be the standard formulaic Tom Cruise thriller but a resounding bore.
Is there a shortage of actors in Hollywood? I saw 3 previews for movies starring The Rock, 2 for movies starring Mark Wahlberg, 2 with Nick Nolte, 2 with Bruce Willis and yet another with Tom Cruise!
Updated On: 1/3/13 at 10:33 AM
#6Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 10:33am
I agree with you 100% Robbie. It also drives me nuts when journalists won't say it when reporting on a story. I also never got used to hearing it in the film. I winced a little every time. And I never got the sense that Tarantino was making light of slavery.
There's an article on aintitcool.com that says Tarantino has starting writing the third script in his revisionist history trilogy. It goes back to WWII and deals with a squad of black American soldiers. I'm hoping we'll see Samuel Jackson in this too.
Tarantino teases 3rd film in revisionist history trilogy.
#7Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 10:53amThough I thought the convo with the reporter was actually charming...I was really hoping for him to just man up and say it. It would have been a really interesting moment in that interview, and I think Jackson would have respected him and opened up more.
#8Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 11:02amYup. I would have been curious to hear Jackson's response to the question if the guy would have just said the word. The guy must have felt like he was interviewing Jules Winnfield for a minute.
eatlasagna
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#9Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 12:18pmloved this movie! the entire sequence regarding the use of sheets was pretty freaking hilarious!
#10Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 12:38pm
*Spoiler Alert*
I loved when Lara Lee Candie got blown away. I gasped and lauged at the same time.
#11Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 12:46pm
SPOILER
I thought nothing was going to top the Klan scene...but that 'Cora. Say good-bye to Miss Laura' moment was pure cinematic genius.
#12Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 3:36pm
Looks like audiences are liking it. Django Unchained is set to become Tarantino's biggest box office success.
Link
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#13Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 9:12pm
I couldn't get past the gallons of blood. Maybe it's too soon after Sandyhook...
Everyone is saying what a great film it is, and I can't think of any reason to put the screener back in and watch the rest of it.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
#15Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 9:51pmI think one of Tarantino's biggest successes is that he assembles cast that draws in a wide range of crowds. My dad is big a Christoph Waltz fan, Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington draw in the African American crowd, people like my mom go for Leo.
#16Django Unchained
Posted: 1/3/13 at 10:16pm
I loved it, and didn't really expect to.
One thing that was confusing for me was how the tone of the movie seemed to change constantly. Some of it was so serious and heavy, and then suddenly there would be a comedic scene. And then it didn't really start to feel Tarantino-esque until the final third of the movie. So it seemed a bit mismatched at times while I was watching it. However, in hindsight I loved that about it.
Also, what was with Amber Tamblyn for five seconds? Or the random worker lady with the bandana they kept showing? I was certain she was going to be significant and then...nothing. It's as though her important scene was cut from the movie or something.
eatlasagna
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#17Django Unchained
Posted: 1/4/13 at 12:48am
I've always loved how QT casts his movies... he chooses some great actors!
oh and one of the actors looked so familiar but i didn't think of it until i was sitting through the credits... it was Ted Neely! ha! I knew I saw Jesus in there!!! haha
#18Django Unchained
Posted: 1/4/13 at 1:51amI LOVEDLOVEDLOVED this movie. Brilliant performances across the board, and the film itself was just riveting. Definitely my favorite movie of the holiday season.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#19Django Unchained
Posted: 1/4/13 at 9:18am
After INGLORIOUS BASTERDS I can't imagine subjecting myself to Tarantino's adolescent smirking bull**** ever again.
At least DJANGO doesn't have Brad Pitt.
"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick
My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#22Django Unchained
Posted: 1/5/13 at 6:31pmTarantino should write a major role for Christoph Walz in every film he does.
sally1112
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/13/04
#23Django Unchained
Posted: 1/5/13 at 8:09pm
Count me in among those who loved it! I wanted to see it, but could have waited to rent it. Luckily some friends got me to go and I am so glad I saw it on the big screen and with a full audience to laugh and cringe with!
#24Django Unchained
Posted: 1/5/13 at 8:19pmI wouldn't be shocked if Kerry Washington is the "What the???" Oscar nomination this year. I LOVE her but I think she'll get one and people will be shocked.
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