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Sunday, May 5, 2013

Quentin Tarantino Inglorious Basterd


The pen and mind of Quentin Tarantino have produced works of malevolence, humor, brutality and passion that illuminate a reflection of life from a most incredibly unique perspective. His perspective is like none the world of film or perhaps the world in any form has known before. Oh that we all could be so blessed as Mr. Tarantino. The characters in his films are often cool to a point of ice cold; violent and bloody (no kiddie stuff here) but they are never lacking of a strong wit to complement their cunning. Tarantino; the magician that he is, makes movies of thought and complexity that are immensely entertaining.  


“Reservoir Dogs” was his first directorial piece but his “Pulp Fiction” burst upon us like nothing before. This powder keg would dramatically change and challenge every established notion of film.  “Pulp Fiction,” something so radical, so different that nothing worthy of comparison has appeared since; except for perhaps some of Quentin’s own works. There’s nothing close to his level. He has spawned some imitation that at best serves merely as flattery. Tarantino is much flattered by his imitators. “Pulp Fiction” revived the career of John Travolta, show-cased the talents of Samuel L. Jackson and made the sound track central to the story telling. The timing and pacing of the piece was everywhere at once and the ending of the film is the chronological center of the actual events. Great job Quentin!   

 
 
 

Tarantino is well on his way of becoming one of the all-time favorites and greats of the cinema. Certainly the most distinct visionary of this age of film. His recent Oscar win for best original screenplay speaks volumes for his craftsmanship. His brilliance and daring are to be envied. In his most recent venture he has been able to take one of the worst segments of American History twists it, turns it, shakes it up and produces a work that elicits laughs, horror, tears and revulsion. He offers questions, enigma, insights and solutions to what is largely the unspeakable; American Slavery.His “Django Unchained” is brilliant in that it is both epic in scope while retaining something of the fun of a romp.  Christoph Waltz wins an “Oscar” for best supporting actor portraying a dentist turned bounty hunter in ‘Django.”  Waltz’s character develops a heart through the course of the film as he and Jamie Fox complement each other well. Samuel L. Jackson is stellar in his portrayal of the “Uncle Tom” character.  No plantation even a fictional one should be without an “Uncle Tom.” Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprio also serve well as foils to their respective characters.
 
 


The list of Tarantino films continues to grow longer and they are increasingly more intriguing. There is talk of a third “Kill Bill” and I’m expecting “Django” to be at least a trilogy; possibly a series. Django and Broom Hilde are prime for a civil war Bonnie and Clyde in a second outing. The third would take place in the reconstruction years and most likely unfold out west in the true “Cowboy” era.


    Quentin Tarantino; one heck of a film maker. Watch out! He’ll be back and I can hardly wait.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Cubism




Imagine shattering the wall of reality and then putting it back together based on the relationship of light to shadow, random juxtaposition of geometric forms and color guided only by the particular artist’s own whims and fancy. Picasso takes the world our vision senses as reality, steps away from it, bludgeons it with a sledge hammer and reassembles it with the care of a madman. This was his genius.


Saturday, April 20, 2013

Message to Terrorist #2 (the one in the white cap)



 
Your terror spree was so short. Did you really believe you could affect America; Americans, for any extended amount of time. You and the others like you who think your brief moments of terror can stop us from being a free nation, a free people who will not bow to your acts of senseless and a most brutal, depraved violence. Your crimes, your self-serving acts were truly acts of cowardice. You chose to attack innocents when they were at their most vulnerable. You disgraces and dishonor whatever sick cause you believe you represent. The only truth is that you ultimately failed because your cause is a cause built on lies with a foundation of sand.

We continue to rise up against you as we try to come to some understanding of your sickness. Why did you do this? This is not for your benefit but to help prevent the next depraved person, pair or group that wants to inflict pain on those they see as weaker. We will do whatever it takes to bring you and others like you to justice, we believe firmly in that too. You will be granted a fairness you never granted you victims. We celebrate that you were brought down, you will never harm another and there are runners across the nation and around the world running today, running in marathons without fear and completely devoid of terror.