Inglourious Basterds Mini-Review

I had a chance to check the new Quentin Tarantino movie this past weekend, and boy was I glad I did. The movie was good. Enough action with crazy Tarantino-esque dialogue-heavy scenes that build tension. It's a great, non-historically acurate World War II fantasy that should be watched by anyone with a love for a good time. I don't want to give up too much during this mini-review, so consider this spoiler free.

Quick story re-cap in case you haven't heard much about this. The movie starts with the interrogation of a French dairy farmer who is suspected of housing Jewish refugees in Nazi occupied France. Things don't go well for the Jews (a common theme in World War II), and only one survives the encounter. The story then moves to the formation of a guerrilla warfare unit sanctioned by the U.S. to pretty much wreak havoc behind enemy lines. At their command is Lt. Aldo Raines, played by Brad Pitt. He is not the protagonist of this movie. His character is more like a piece of an ensemble. A pivotal piece, but the movie is not entirely about "The Basterds".

The flow of the story is broken up into chapters that jump around through the war. It all pretty much comes together in the end, when elements of each chapter meet up at a movie premiere for the latest Nazi propaganda film "Nation's Pride". From here, it builds to a highly rewarding (for the viewer) ending.

This is a fun movie. Each actor/actress was well cast in their roles. Quentin seems to work well within the constraints of his story, since it's set in WWII, he doesn't get to go on-and-on about pop culture like he did in his previous movies, but it doesn't show like he might have found himself at a loss for words when writing this. In fact, I'm pretty sure there will be a director's cut version of the film hitting video soon where one can enjoy in the excesses of a Tarantino script. But, for now, just check out the movie. It's definitely worth a matinee screening, or if you're cheap like me, the first show at an AMC theater on the weekends isn't more than $6 bucks.

Inglourious Basterds Teaser Trailer

Get ready to scalp some Nazis this year. Or, at least watch some actors do it under the direction of Quentin Tarantino. This is a remake of the similarly spelled "Inglorious Bastards" that came out in the 70's (I think) and from the look of this trailer, it looks pretty good. I haven't seen the original (planning on it) but I trust Quentin to knock this one out of the park. With a bloody bat. With some brain matter stuck to it. Check out the trailer.

Hell Ride Red Band Trailer

By now, you should know that I have a predilection for the red band trailers. So I'll post as many of them as I can find. Why? Because they're always much more kick ass than your regular, run of the mill trailer. The latest one I found is for "Hell Ride", a Quentin Tarantino produced movie about bikes, beer, and booty. Micheal Madsen, David Carradine, Vinnie Jones and the great Dennis Hopper star in this movie, which just looks fun as hell. Check out the trailer kids. It features a split second of boobies.

Opening Weekend Movies - 4/06/07

Are We Done Yet - Well, this is a title that really applies while watching Ice Cube in the sequel to "Are We There Yet". Which, in it's own right, was the "Citizen Cane" of our generation, dontcha' think? I defy you to go watch this movie this weekend and to not look at your watch and wonder if this movie is done yet.

Firehouse Dog - OK, I don't know if Hollywood got the memo, but it's officially the year of the Pig, not the year of the dog. So, why is this movie, along with the "Underdog" movie coming out? I mean, is there really a demand for canine-fueled movies that have contrived plot points and story lines that would only make sense in the attention deficit disordered mind of a dog? Is Ice Cube also starring in this?

Grindhouse - This is the movie to watch this weekend. I mean, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez working together . . . again? Does lightning strike twice? Apparently yes. I am making a point of watching this on Sunday. The Lord would have wanted it that way. And by "Lord", I mean Danny Trejo, who has a starring role in a fake trailer that is (or should be if the MPAA didn't cut it out) running between "Planet Terror" and "Death Proof". Oh, and this cover of "Rolling Stone" magazine should also entice you to watch.


The Reaping - The only other competition to "Grindhouse" this weekend caters to the fans of religious based "thrillers" and lovers of Karate Kid part 4 stars. Yes, Hillary Swank stars in this movie where the Devil himself (not Sanjaya) haunts the bayous of Louisiana bringing with it plagues and Biblically-flavored oddities for our protagonists to ignore up until the end, when they will find their faith and overcome the forces of evil. Oh, did I spoil the ending? Did you think it was going to end any differently? Is Ice Cube in this one as well?

Grindhouse Official Final Trailer

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. "Grindhouse" is one of maybe two or three movies I'm actually excited about this year. This, along with "Hot Fuzz" and "Spider-Man 3" (to a slightly lesser extent) are what I know for a fact that I will actually pay box office money for. And why wouldn't anyone want to watch this movie. It's got a sweet fake trailer starring Danny Trejo. That alone is worth the ten bucks. That mofo is hardcore.


But it's not just my love for trailers that is going to be putting my ass on the seat there. You see, "Grindhouse" is two movies packed into one. Over 2 1/2 hours of exploitation-style cinematic wonders. Robert Rodriguez's half of the bill, titled "Planet Terror", deals with zombies and Rose McGowan as an amputee with a brand new prosthetic leg . . . that shoots bullets and grenades.


And then, there's the Quentin Tarantino half of the movie, which stars Kurt Russell as a stunt man with a "Death Proof" car . . . if you're in the driver's seat that is. Chances are, he doesn't really let anyone else drive that car. Check out the trailer in Quicktime and Windows Media formats over at this Yahoo Movies page and mark your calendars.

Musically Inclined Mondays - Charlotte Hatherly

Behave
Not many people might know about Charlotte Hatherly. I didn't before this morning, which is why this musical discovery is so cool. I was just going through some geek websites, picking up information on "Grindhouse" which is being released this year. I was reading how Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead director) was directing one of the fake trailers that would be running between the two films from Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. Then, I read something about this particular singer's video being directed by Edgar Wright's brother, Oscar Wright and how it was actually Edgar Wright's girlfriend. Since I'm a big "Shaun of the Dead" fan, I thought I'd check it out just for the hell of it. Turns out the song isn't bad, and the video is pretty cool as well. Check it out, and seek her music out. Below is another video, titled "Bastardo", which is a bit on the pop'y side, but has a cameo by Simon Pegg, also of "Shaun of the Dead" fame.

Bastardo