The Magnificent Seven (2016)

Summary 
With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue, the desperate townspeople employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns. As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money.

Genre : Western
Country : USA

Cast : 
Denzel Washington : Chisolm

Chris Pratt :  Josh Faraday
Ethan Hawke : Goodnight Robicheaux

Director : Antoine Fuqua

My opinion

“If God didn't want them to be sheared, he wouldn't have made them sheep.”

Anyone who made an effort to read one of my writings, knows about my opinion on remakes and milestones in film history. I'm not a supporter of digging out hit movies from the past, dusting them off and giving them a new look. In most cases nothing new will be presented. In the worst case the result will fail terribly and the final product is a lamentable bad movie. "Ghosbusters" was such a monstrosity in my opinion and confirmed my assertion that certain milestones are untouchable in film history (I'm afraid the remake of "Jumanji" will end up in that same alley). However, there are exceptions like the recent film "The Jungle Book". Although this is not a remake in the strictest sense of the word, but rather an adaptation of a cartoon.

I'm not claiming that this version of "The magnificent seven" surpasses the original film from 1960. The original black and white version is and will always remain a monument. Actually, you can compare this movie with the remake of "Robocop". Broadly speaking there are similarities, but subtle changes make it a more contemporary version. As with "Robocop", you shouldn't compare it too much with the classic version. Because of a few reinterpretations and a flashy new look it's accurate to say that it's more a "restyling" and not a "remake". What are the similarities? Again there's a community being oppressed and exploited by a power-hungry villain. This time it's not about Mexican farmers whose much needed harvested food is being stolen by a Mexican gang. This time it's an ordinary town where the inhabitants have to dig for gold in a mine and they are subjected to pressure by a fierce, crazy tyrant (Peter Sarsgaard) so they would sell their property for a handful of dollars. And once again those desperate inhabitants rely on seven mercenaries who, apparently without hesitation, volunteer to assist the residents to defend themselves against the oppressors. Of course the seven gunslingers are exceptionally talented shooters and the gang bandits are as stupid as an ass. As a result these ruffians are slaughtered en masse. And also the fact that one of the heroes takes on the role of a coward (Ethan Hawke), just as Robert Vaughn did in the 1960 version, is a striking similarity.

The main distinction is made by the seven gunfighters. A jumble of rough men from different cultures. This way it became a politically correct film. An African-American (Denzel Washington), a Mexican (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), an Indian (Martin Sensmeier) and a Chinese (Byung-Hun Lee) ensured the diversity of origins. In addition, they get the company of a woodsman (Vincent D'Onofrio) whose weight probably transcends his intellect effortlessly. And a womanizing cowboy (Chris Pratt) who manages to hit a target without a problem despite his drinking problem. But overall, this is nothing more than an action-packed western that entertained me immensely. I can't say it was boring. After the introduction of the main characters, one by one joining the select group, and the preparations for the big confrontation, it's time for a comprehensive firefight, using a considerably large amount of dynamite, producing an immense rain of bullets and a Gatling gun as an apotheosis. The ruthless seven are being assisted by the motivated farmers with Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett), a resident who imposed herself the task to look for help, as the leading force.

"The magnificent seven" was an entertaining film. Afterwards I could feel that youthful, boyish desire again. Once again I wished I had grown up in that period as a tough cowboy. Or I'd be such a rebellious, dusty gunslingers who shoots his opponents calmly and coolly during a gunfight. Perhaps the end was a bit overdone and the different characters weren't extensively developed. But as a spectacle it was unsurpassable. If you're looking for untruths or plot holes, you'll probably find them I suppose. But you have to admit that they have remained faithful to the greatest lie used in almost all Westerns. And that's about the shooting qualities of a cowboy. In the real Wild West even the best gunslinger couldn't hit a solid, thick oak. Even if they were standing ten meters from it. The moment you start realizing that, you better stop watching Western movies.

My rating 7/10
Links : IMDB

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Summary :
Some time after the Civil War, a stagecoach hurtles through the wintry Wyoming landscape. Bounty hunter John Ruth and his fugitive captive Daisy Domergue race towards the town of Red Rock, where Ruth will bring Daisy to justice. Along the road, they encounter Major Marquis Warren and Chris Mannix. Lost in a blizzard, the bunch seeks refuge at Minnie's Haberdashery. When they arrive they are greeted by unfamiliar faces. As the storm overtakes the mountainside, the eight travelers come to learn that they might not make it to Red Rock after all...

Genre : Mystery/Western
Country : USA

Cast :
Kurt Russell : John Ruth
Samuel L. Jackson : Major Marquis Warren
Jennifer Jason Leigh : Daisy Domergue

Director : Quentin Tarantino

My Opinion 

“Now, Daisy, I want us to work out a signal system of communication.
When I elbow you real hard in the face, that means: shut up.”

Countless film enthusiasts were waiting impatiently for the new "Star Wars" movie last year. Believe it or not, I wasn't really. On the contrary, I was waiting for the new film by Quentin Tarantino. Sorry Tarantino haters, but Yankee Doodle Dandee, this was again a brilliant film by the most rebellious, anarchic director Hollywood ever saw. You have to give him credit for one thing : he remained true to his personal style. So once again we get a typical Tarantino movie with acrimonious dialogues, racist statements and a bloody apotheosis. The end result is a kind of "Reservoir Dogs" mixed with "Django Unchained", which takes place in a small space as in "From dusk till dawn". I hope Quentin's abandons the intention to make only 10 films. But isn't it time he changed his routine a bit?

Are you a big fan of classic Italian spaghetti westerns? Well you'll be enthusiastic when the movie begins in all its grand splendor. A snowy landscape with in the foreground a cross covered with snow. And while slowly zooming out, you can see a stagecoach approaching in the far distance. This is accompanied by music of Ennio Morricone and text in a font type that can be associated with old westerns. The moment this chariot stops willfully (after a long period) because Samuel L. Jackson, sitting on a pile of corpses, blocks the road, it's the start of a nearly 3-hour immersive cowboy story full of mystery and revenge. A kind of Cluedo in a cabin. Except that there won't be a solution that sounds like "The colonel committed the murder with a candlestick in the billiard room", but rather "Which of the eight people who took shelter in Minnie's Haberdashery because of a snowstorm, will endure the storm".

The hateful 8 are almost all old acquaintances of Tarantino and appeared in one of his earlier film projects. First there's Samuel L. Jackson, who recently starred in "Kingsman: The Secret Service" (after some less impressive performances) and in the past appeared in "Pulp Fiction", as the bounty hunter Major Marquis Warren. Samuel L. Jackson as I like to see him: raw, angrily defending himself and disturbingly brutal. The white bounty hunter John Ruth is played by veteran Kurt "Death Proof" Russell. A bounty hunter just like Major Warren, but suspicious and protective when it comes to the award he's getting for his prisoner Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Along the way they pick up Sheriff Chris Mannix (Walton "Django Unchained" Goggins), who's on his way to Red Rock, the place where Ruth wants to get his money. The blizzard however prevents them from travelling further and they have to sit out the storm in Minnie's cabin. And this in company of a Mexican called Bob (Demian Bichir), the executioner Oswaldo Mobray (Tim "Reservoir dogs" Roth), the wandering cowboy Joe Gage (Michael "Reservoir dogs" Madsen) and former general Sandy Smithers (Bruce "Django Unchained" Dern). So everything is prepared now for a thoughtful game of 'whodunit' with Domergue at stake.

Despite the long runtime (3 hours is a bit too much), the movie isn't boring for a second. The conversation at the beginning between Jackson and Russell is a foretaste of what comes afterwards. Because the whole film is full of such hilarious conversations. The film is neatly divided into six chapters. The story is explained in detail painfully slow. And as required in a real Tarantino, the film is peppered with humor, rude and racist comments and an exaggerated end with massively flowing blood. And all this in a meticulously elaborate and detailed decor. It looks more like a Shakespearean drama.

Needless to say that the acting of the various characters deserve the most praise, because the film consists mainly out of brilliant dialogues. A memorable joust with witty arguments and dialogs which made sure the tension increased. The contributions of Russell and Jackson were in this case of a high level. The only rather bizarre choice for me by Tarantino is the presence of Channing Tatum. I would have prefered an appearance of Christoph Waltz.

Maybe I'm a little biased because I'm a huge admirer of the work that Tarantino always delivers. And yet I think "The hateful Eight" isn't his most successful creation, even though it's a wonderful masterpiece. Perhaps it's because I see through the concept that Tarantino uses and the surprise element is completely gone. The way the dialogues are structures, is indeed always the same. The repetitive nature of dialogues and the phrases that follow eachother at breakneck speed as if they are fired by a Gatling gun. Patiently and meticulously the complete story is being formed. For the impatient viewer it appears as if it takes ages to finish. Of course there's the rudeness and inclemency both contextual as textual. And the usage of extravagant humor. And finally, the excessive, violent and bloody climax. These are usually the fixed elements that recur in a Tarantino. Except that each film is placed in a different setting.

But as a true Tarantino fan, again I can only conclude this was an exquisite film and I enjoyed it full three hours. I'm already looking forward to the next movie. Hopefully Quentin seeks an alternative approach, in such a way that he can surprise me again.

My rating 8/10
Links : IMDB

The Lone Ranger (2013)

Genre : Western/Action
Country : USA

Cast :
Johnny Depp : Tonto
Armie Hammer : The Lone Ranger
William Fichtner : Butch Cavendish

Director :
Gore Verbinski

Summary
In the 1930s, an elderly Tonto tells a young boy the tale of John Reid, the Lone Ranger. An idealistic lawyer, he rides with his brother and fellow Texas Rangers in pursuit of the notorious Butch Cavendish. Ambushed by the outlaw and left for dead, John Reid is rescued by the renegade Comanche, Tonto, at the insistence of a mysterious white horse and offers to help him to bring Cavendish to justice. Becoming a reluctant masked rider with a seemingly incomprehensible partner, Reid pursues the criminal against all obstacles. However, John and Tonto learn that Cavendish is only part of a far greater injustice and the pair must fight it in an adventure that would make them a legend.

My opinion
 
Never take off the mask

It seems like ages since I've seen a western. I'm immediately teleported back in time when I was still a little kid. There was almost on a weekly base somewhere an old western on the TV. Usually on Friday afternoons you could see one on a German channel with Roy Rogers, after a cartoon of "Schweinchen Dick" or some slapstick movie starring Buster Keaton. And in the weekends it was always somewhere late at night on ARD, ZDF or WDR. My dad thought there was only one kind of genre movie worth to watch ... indeed Westerns. Everybody was stubbornly silent about the fact that those guys walked around in that time with real crappy guns and probably couldn't hit an elephant at 2 meters. I promised myself that I'd never see a western again... or someone should force me into doing that. I'm filing this immediately under the term "traumatic experience".

And yet, I watched "The Lone Ranger". Also a bit out of nostalgia. My mother sometimes bought me a comic of "The Lone Ranger". And of course the portrayal of Tonto by Johnny Depp was also a reason to give this movie a chance.

It was clear from the beginning that this was a Disney Movie. Improbable situations, surviving a crashing speedy train and reappear unscratched, and Silver performing feats as if it was Rintintin. It's known that Depp always chooses eccentric characters. And ultimately  he always plays them all in the same manner. He always seems to be under influance of some drug. Probably it'll be "fire-water" in this movie. He really resembled an Indian Jack Sparrow sometimes. That's a guarantee for some dry humorous one-liners, as expected. And there will be quite a few that'll surely make you chuckle.

Biggest downside for me was that it's a long movie although there's very little to say. Some actions were also exaggerated and over-the-top. But I must admit, I wasn't bored. Some action scenes were very well made up and meticulously put together. Ultimately, it's not just a straight-on harmless Disney movie, given the numerous cases of victims and some imaginative explicit scenes such as the supposedly eating of Dan's heart by the really scary and evil looking Butch Cavendish. The slaughter of Comanches by means of Gatling Guns wasn't exactly suitable for young viewers.

Conclusion: a relaxing action/adventure comic hero-story with lots of action, but little substance. And I still don't understand what was going on with those rabbits ... serious form of myxomatosis, I suppose.

My rating 6/10
Links : IMDB

Django Unchained (2012)

Nederlands hier ...

Genre : Western/Action
Country : USA

Cast :
Jamie Foxx : Django
Christoph Waltz : Dr. King Schultz
Leonardo DiCaprio : Calvin Candie

Director :
Quitin Tarantino

Summary
Former dentist, Dr. King Schultz, buys the freedom of a slave, Django, and trains him with the intent to make him his deputy bounty hunter. Instead, he is led to the site of Django's wife who is under the hands of Calvin Candie, a ruthless plantation owner.

My opinion

"How do you like the bounty hunting business?
Kill white people and get paid for it? What's not to like?"

Is there actually a genre Tarantino can't take to a higher level? As a true Tarantino fan I knew, even though I'm not a western fan, this film would be enjoyable again. Indeed, it's a superb movie. Non of the 160 minutes were boring or monotonous. Every single aspect was spot on. The music, the actors (main and supporting roles), the interpretation, the action, the dialogues, the excessive bloodshed,  humor ......

 
The beginning already throws you back into the past and equals the famous spaghetti westerns from the past. A bit of Morricone and a small cameo for Clint Eastwood would make it complete. Foxx as Django is sublime. A slave without a future who turns into a sadistic cold-blooded bounty hunter who has no problem to put a white person in place. Waltz is sublime as the German dentist Dr. King Schultz. An eloquent gentleman who lives from payements he get for turning in outlaws, alive or (mostly) dead. And then there's Di Caprio ... In my opinion this is the most successful performance in this movie and one of his best performances up to now.

Something that's certainly necessary in a Tarantino movie is humor. And there was enough humor in "Django Unchained". The KKK scene was so hilarious, I had to watch it a few times. The moment Django could choose what clothes to wear and you see him riding in a bright blue almost medieval suit with white fringes, I got tears in my eyes from laughing.

And secondly, of course there must be hard violence, a lot of blood shedding and cursing in a Tarantino flick. And there was enough of this also. When somebody got shot, it was accompanied by gushing blood and flesh flying around. The final part is an accumulation of these attributes.

This Tarantino movie is a worthy successor to "Reservoir Dogs", "Pulp Fiction" and "From Dusk till Dawn". Hopefully there'll be someday a real Tarantino SF.

My rating 9/10
Links : IMDB