As we get closer to the nail biting date when the Academy announces its official Oscar nominated films (first week in February) I’ve become somewhat of a mad woman running around trying to see as many films that I think will receive the Academy’s nod of approval.
This weekend, I rented the WWII, spaghetti Western-like film, Inglorious Basterds, directed by Tarantino. Knowing what I know about Tarantino’s reputation for writing and directing films with raw, graphic smatterings,
I really didn’t think I was going to enjoy the film as much as I did. Inglorious Basterds was very entertaining and very well done. Now, after saying that, if violence, corruption and vengeance aren’t your thang, trust me, I understand, however I’m also a Tarantino fan, so from a cinematic perspective, the film is simply brilliant. It’s got that funky, edgy, pulp fiction verve that appeals to my film snobiness (yes, I’m so insolent, I ought to be spanked) and Tarantino also manages to grab the attention of the mainstream viewer too. This film is Tarantino’s largest money maker yet. If you are faint hearted, take a pass on this one, because I’m warning you, the content is…well, it’s Tarantino-violent, but if you can keep an open mind and view the film for what it is: a group of bad asses that take down the Third Reich during occupied France during WWII; rent it and be sure and let me know your thoughts. Until then, I bid great film viewing to you.
Neve Black
You’re a film snob? Hah! Oh no, lady: I out-snob you: I refused to watch IG even though violence and vengeance is often my Thang and I really liked Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs. But I find the idea of f*cking about with history for laughs, and taking the piss out of what happened in WW2, really quite offensive. They “take down the Third Reich”? Really??? Oh, ooops, no they didn’t in fact - that’s just a piece of self-indulgent masturbation by a film-maker who is in love with cartoon violence and wouldn’t know real struggle and suffering if it shat on his head. Deeply disappointed with Tarantino for this, which as far as I can tell is “Allo Allo” with extra torture and swearing.
But, you know, I haven’t seen the movie. So who am I to comment?
You can spank me for snobbery now!
“IB” not “IG”. Does that make more sense? Oh the shame.
Janine,
You? A film snob? Nooooooo, that can’t be true.
Some of my other film snobby friends also share your sentiments about this film, and similiarly they haven’t or plan to see it either, which I feel is a shame. The acting performance of Christoph Waltz alone is sublimely superb. Really. I realize WWII is no laughing matter, but my feeling wasn’t that Tarantino was mocking history. I wasn’t offended at all from this film. The humor which was found around Brad Pitt’s character (and the leader of the IB’s) was a necessary foil, because the utter gruesomeness of the war: the sadness, the sickness; the utter waste of war. I don’t think Tarantino glazed over those realities, but then again that is my perspective.
Now, of course after saying all of that and never visiting a German concentration camp, like I know you did recently, might change my perspective on the film. I don’t have that experience to draw from, but I hope you know (I know you know this) that I have nothing but deep sense of reverance for those men, women and children that lost their lives during the war.
I love your firecracker spirit and the fact that you speak out, Janine. Thank you.
GI-NP = got it. No problem. No shame, but I may have to spank you if we ever meet. Hahaha. :-0
Oh, one more, two…no, three more snobby film thoughts to report: the next film that I’ve signed up to recieve and view that has Oscar potential is 500 days of Summer (best comedy) and then I’m scheduled to see, The Hurt Locker (best drama and could win this year’s Oscar).
Oh, third thing…I did see a fabulous Bogart film noir over the weekend: A Lonely Place. Has anyone else besides snobby Janine and I seen this? Is was very good.
I loved The Hurt Locker!
Looking forward to that spanking, heh heh heh!
I saw Inglourious Basterds over the weekend and thought it kicked all manner of ass. To me it felt like the war comics I loved as a kid…Unknown Soldier, GI Combat, Sgt. Rock…the sort of thing that took WWII as a backdrop and told crazy-ass adventure/espionage/action stories. It felt like The Dirty Dozen or Guns of Navarone. I think, if anything, it was yet another QT love-letter to a specific film genre, this time the WWII flicks like those I just mentioned and, as always, spaghetti westerns. I, too, have nothing but respect and the deepest gratitude for those whose sacrifices so profoundly shaped the 20th Century and the world we live in today (like my grandfather, for example). But I enjoyed the hell out of this movie.
Janine,
You got it, chica.
p.s. I’m looking forward to watching The Hurt Locker too.
Hey Haven,
It’s interesting to me that most people don’t straddle the fence on their views of this film: they either really like it, or they really don’t. I didn’t find Tarantino’s message to be irreverant at all. I thought the direction, music, acting and the constant underlining fear the Nazi’s cast over everyone, like a austere black cloud was outstanding.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Haven. Have you seen any of the other Oscar nods?
Aren’t they expanding the field to ten this year? I haven’t seen anything else from ‘09 that might be considered Oscar bait, sadly.
Really? Have you seen Up in The Air? Or any of the films nominated in the best foreing category? And even though I haven’t seen it yet, The Hurt Locker is supposed to be amazing….my Oscar crystal ball tells me this one might win this year. Now go and rent some flicks, big guy!