The Hateful Eight

A couple of flags about this film, occurred to me. I heard almost nothing about it socially.

It came and went in my city in 3-4 weeks, then came for one week more at the discount theatre. Brief, for a major offering.

I saw it in the latter, in an almost full house of mainly middle to senior aged attendee's.

Quentin Tarantino's take on Agatha Christie, is what I got from it. Miss Christie would thought the devices lumpy, and the vulgarity rather too much, I suspect.

Aside from a few characters, who feature only to be dispatched, civility is pretty far from light here.

It is rather well acted, by a cast of heavyweights interspersed with some Tarantino favourites.

Samuel L. Jackson, is central and he takes his favourite words out for a walk, early and often. Fine job.

Kurt Russell is a gifted actor, he's not seen often enough. The hundred mile stare, in good effect here.

Bruce Dern, who is consternation itself, subtle this time but simmering.

Tim Roth, usually a full on irritant, dialed down here.

Damian Bichir, almost a parody most of the time, but the enigma.

Walton Goggins, in my mind the best job here, perfectly cast and delivering a key performance.

Michael Madsen is gifted with a conspirators visage, and so again.

Jennifer Jason Leigh has been in many very quirky roles, and turned down many of the ages best ones. Great job here, fully delivers the snide, defiance the role asks for.

I'll continue to prefer the UK take, on the smelling out in the library theme.

This was alright, but overlong, gratuitously vulgar, demeaning, and not really original.

This film's 3 hours, divided into several acts, thank heaven. Exploring every nuance connecting each, would've added tedium.

Not average, but not top drawer, either.

It will get a passing mention in film schools, probably mainly asking why?