Don't Become Too Attached To Anyone..."The Hateful Eight"

The Hateful Eight  (2015)

Rated R

Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern

Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino

The Story:

Bounty hunter John Ruth (Russell) is bringing Daisy (Leigh) in to collect the reward. However, as they race in their stagecoach to the haberdashery to avoid an impending blizzard, they run into another bounty hunter, Major Marquis Warren (Jackson) stranded in the storm. Then they meet Chris Mannix (Goggins), who claims to be the new Sheriff of Red Rock. Once they all make it to the haberdashery, they meet even more people and things get ready to take a very deadly turn.

Someday, Quentin Tarantino will write a movie without profanity or violence.

Maybe even a kids movie.

That day is not today.

:)

No, instead, Tarantino takes us on a trip back to the wild west and puts us into a nest of ruthless rogues who like to talk.

And talk.

And talk some more.

But, that's what Tarantino is known for: dialogue.

And this movie has a ton of it.

Just a bit under 3 hours worth.

The movie starts off with chapters, and that is all fine and good, but then when the movie comes back from intermission (yes, it's that long...) Tarantino makes a stylistic change that I didn't agree with then, and still don't now.

He introduces a narrator for the last half of the movie.

I don't get the choice, other than to remind his audience of what they may not have remembered since the intermission.

It's jarring, and again, out of place since the first half of the movie did not include a narrator, I still don't see why he felt the need to bring one in to the proceedings.

Otherwise, it's a fine cast, and if you love Tarantino movies, you'll probably love this one just as much as the rest of his catalog.

Final Grade:  B-

Sometimes the Best Advice is Simply "Straight Talk"

Get down off the cross honey, somebody needs the wood!

The Story:

Shirlee Kenyon (Dolly Parton) is tired of her small-town life and boyfriend (Michael Madsen) so she takes off to Chicago to start over.  Looking for employment at a radio station, she accidentally winds up on the air giving callers advice.  Her small-town ways and folksy charm are an instant hit, and the station hires her.  However, they want to call her "Dr." Shirlee.  She reluctantly agrees, but when a local reporter (James Woods) begins to investigate her credentials, he finds himself falling for the irresistible Shirlee.

Who said James Woods couldn't play the leading man in a romantic comedy?  Look no further than here for proof!  Maybe not any longer, but once upon a time...

Okay, this movie is simply cute and charming, with capital "c's" for both.

Dolly Parton basically plays herself, because in all of my years seeing her on television and movies, this is how she comes across.

It's a natural fit, and that's why over 20 years later, this movie doesn't seem the least bit dated.

I hadn't seen this one in ages, so it was a nice pleasant trip down memory lane.

Recommended, especially if you haven't ever seen it, or it's been the better part of 20 years since you last watched.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I do believe I own it, it's just been quite sometime since it's been played.  Nice to see it once again, hopefully I don't wait 20 more years to let it play.