Final Post--The Great Dictator

Movie: The Great Dictator

Director: Charlie Chaplin

Stars: Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Rated: "Approved"

Synopsis: "Dictator Adenoid Hynkel (Chaplin) has a doppelganger, a poor but kind Jewish barber living in the slums, who one day is mistaken for Hynkel." (imdb.com)

Commentary: Since this will be my last blog post, I thought I'd do something a little different and write about a classic movie.

Charlie Chaplin was a genius when it came to movies and in one of the few "talkie" movies he did, that's still no exception. Here, Chaplin parodies Hitler and Nazi Germany, showing Hitler as nothing more than a power hungry tyrant, but even he makes this parody dictator charming in a way, especially during the classic globe scene where Hynkel is alone in his office, bouncing a globe balloon around.

I really recommend seeing this movie to just about everyone. If you love old movies, Chaplin movies, WWII movies, or even just comedy, you should see it if you haven't already. Even decades later Charlie Chaplin is still hilarious, ground breaking, and moving. Especially in a scene I think everyone should see which still moves me to tears: Hynkel's speech at the end.

Fun Facts:

• Charlie Chaplin made around 83 movies between 1914 and 1967 and only spoke in 8 of them.
• The Great Dictator was Chaplin's first true talking picture and his most successful film.
• In 2000, The Great Dictator was ranked #37 in the American Film Institute's "100 Years...100 Laughs" list.

The Blind Side and "White Savior" Movies

Movie: The Blind Side

Director: John Lee Hancock

Stars: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Kathy Bates

Genre: Drama, Biography

Rated: PG-13

Synopsis: Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) was going through life homeless until a woman named Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) takes him in and with her and her family's love and support (and football), he grows to love them in return.

Commentary: I'm not a big fan of sports movies, they can be good but sports isn't really my field. The Blind Side was a good movie though, focusing more on the family aspect than the football aspect. Football was just a way for Michael and Leigh Anne to get to know each other and do something they both love. I'd recommend this movie, it's a touching, heart warming film that gives us hope that good people are still out there.

That being said, "white savior" movies seem to be coming out more and more lately. White Savior movies are when a black or other minority individual or group learns to succeed by a white person. Some critics didn't like The Blind Side because there are already so many white savior movies out there.

Some examples of white savior movies are: The Freedom Writers, Dances with Wolves, Gran Torino, Glory, here's a list for more. And I haven't seen 42 yet, but it looks like that's potentially one too.

Personally, I think it's alright for someone to help another person regardless of race, but I also think it's wrong that Hollywood uses this story arch constantly. It sends the wrong message, whether it's realized by the audience or not.

Fun Facts:

• Contrary to the movie, the real Michael Oher knew how to play football before he met the Tuohys. He said he enjoyed the movie except for that one part where they had to teach them how to play football.
• Tim McGraw's (who plays Sean Tuohy) "Southern Voice" was used as the song for the ending credits.

Watchmen and Sexism in Comics

Movie: Watchmen

Director: Zack Snyder

Stars: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Jackie Earle Haley

Genre: Action

Rated: R

Synopsis: In an alternate universe set in New York 1985, an old superhero is mysteriously murdered sending vigilante superhero, Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), into an investigation that could change the fate of the world.

Commentary: To be honest, I didn't much care for Watchmen when I saw it in theaters. It was a little better when I saw it at home but overall it's not as good as other superhero movies (I hear the comic is better). The only decent character is Rorschach; he's not your classic superhero, he doesn't mind killing criminals or torturing them or mutilating them based on what they've done.

But what I really wanted to talk about was the sexism not just in movies but in superhero movies especially. Usually there's only one female superhero to keep it from being a complete sausage fest and to attract any women that might go and see the movie. Name any superhero and chances are there is only one maybe two female character in there and usually they don't interact with each other except maybe for a few seconds.

The Dark Knight trilogy--Rachel, then she dies in the second movie and in comes Catwoman.

Spiderman--Either Mary Jane or Gwen Stacy (not including Peter's Aunt)

The Avengers--Black Widow, Pepper Potts, and Maria Hill

Iron Man--Pepper Potts

Not to mention the "boobs and butt" posters superhero movies are so infamous for.

http://akwos.com/images/2013/03/the-avengers-1235-wallmages.jpg

http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/2800000/Watchmen-Banner-Art-the-watchmen-2810456-1654-2560.jpg

I'm not saying that men can find women attractive or anything like that but one female superhero shouldn't be stuck in a movie just to give guys something to ogle at. If you're gonna stick a character in a story, male or female, you have to give that character a purpose. Not just to make money off their poster.

Fun Facts:

• One of the writers of the comic Watchmen hates Hollywood and didn't want his name in the credits of the movie.

Big Fish

Movie: Big Fish

Director: Tim Burton

Stars: Ewan McGregor, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, Marion Cotillard, Danny DiVito

Genre: Drama, Fantasy

Rated: PG-13

Synopsis: A son tries to dig through to the truth of his dying father's life as said eccentric father tells him a series of seemingly tall tales.

Commentary: I haven't seen this movie in years but it still stands out to me as one of the best. A Tim Burton film without Johnny Depp (gasp!), but there's still Helena Bonham Carter and a slew of other great actors that will have you crying by the end.

The father tells a series of supposedly fictional stories about his life that his son doesn't believe, like the time his car was covered in honey and bees got stuck to it and flew the car away. But Big Fish is wonderfully written and beautifully done cinematography that by the end you'll be wondering if the father's stories were really just tall tales.

Fun Facts:

• Miley Cyrus appears in the movie as an 8 year old Ruthie and was credited as Destiny Cyrus.
• Tim Burton said of the film, "Big Fish is about what's real and what's fantastic, what's true and what's not true, what's partially true and how, in the end, it's all true."

Lincoln Movie

Movie: Lincoln

Director: Steven Spielberg

Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Genre: Drama, History

Rated: PG13

Synopsis: In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) is fighting to win the war but also to pass the 13th Amendment to free the slaves throughout the country. As the President tries to pass this groundbreaking piece of legislation, he finds he must work around the clock to gain the votes before the deadline and balance his family life all while thousands of soldiers are dying around him.

Commentary: This is a great movie. The cinematography is beautiful and Daniel Day-Lewis kills it as Lincoln, he deserved that Oscar. Sally Field did a great job as Mary Todd Lincoln, if it weren't for Anne Hathaway's performance in Les Misérables then I think Sally Field would have won Best Actress.

All that being said, it's really pretty boring. To give you an idea of how boring it is, I saw this earlier this year when it came out, and when I started this blog and thought of what movies I could use, I didn't remember I saw this movie until a few weeks ago. That doesn't mean it's a bad movie, I'm just saying it's a movie about passing legislation, it's not exciting. The only remotely exciting movie about passing legislation is probably the classic "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and even that has some boring moments.

Should you go see it? It is a great film. Very well done and an excellent portrayal of Abraham Lincoln. I can see it being shown in history classes or maybe if you're a fan of the president or if you want to see a good movie about America then I would recommend it, otherwise I don't think it's a must see.

Fun Facts:

• Liam Neeson was originally cast as Lincoln in 2005, but left the project because he felt he was too old to play the president. Sally Field said in an interview that she thought it was because Neeson lost his wife earlier in 2010 and was still in mourning.
• Originally, the script had the movie centered around Lincoln's friendship with Frederick Douglass.
• Steven Spielberg did not want Sally Field as Mary Todd because Mary Todd was younger than Lincoln and Sally Field is older than Daniel Day-Lewis, but she and Lewis managed to convince him.

The King's Speech

Movie: The King's Speech

Director: Tom Hooper

Stars: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter

Genre: Drama, History

Rated: R

Synopsis: King George VI of Britain (Colin Firth) did not have an easy life. From an early age he had a stutter which made him unable to speak clearly, and being a prince required him to give public speeches on occasion. But when his brother abdicates the thrown, he is forced into a life he never wanted and as World War II looms over Great Britain's head, he must be the public speaker he never was in order to give the world the courage it needs to fight.

Commentary: I saw this movie when it first came out in theaters and first let me say that Colin Firth's acting was amazing in this movie. He deserved the Oscar he got from this role; his stutter sounds spot on. Geoffrey Rush did a great job too as his the therapist and friend of the king who helps him overcome his disability. As did Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth.

This movie was directed by Tom Hooper who also directed Les Misérables and if you haven't seen that either, GO SEE IT. It's fantastic.

Should you go see it? The cinematography and acting are amazing and the story of a man, a king, overcoming his own disabilities and people's opinion of him to become one of the greatest monarchs in Great Britain's history is worth the watch.

Fun Facts:

• King George VI's wife, who is played by Helena Bonham Carter, didn't want them to make this movie until after she died.
• Queen Elizabeth II said she liked the movie and thought they did a good job portraying her father and her family.
• The film has an R rating because of a scene where the king shouts profanities because it was supposed to help with his stutter. The actors and director defended the scene saying that the cursing was not used in violence, but the Motion Picture Association would not change the rating unless the scene was cut or the swears were muted. Tom Hooper refused to cut it, but some versions in the US had the swears muted.

Here is a video of the actual speech from King George VI.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Movie: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Director: Tim Burton

Stars: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen

Genre: Horror, Musical

Rated: R

Synopsis: Benjamin Barker (Johnny Depp) was a man who had it all--a beautiful and loving wife, a newborn baby girl, and a successful barber shop--until he was sentence to life in prison by a corrupt judge who lusted after his wife. Fifteen years later, he escaped from prison and has come back home to find his wife dead and his daughter in the care of the judge who sent him away to rot. With the help of Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), the woman who now owns the pie store downstairs from his barber shop, he is determined to kill the judge who ruined him and anyone else who stands in his way.

Commentary: This is my favorite movie ever. I don't usually like horror movies but when they have a good plot I tend to overlook the blood and gore especially when they're done tastefully like Sweeney Todd.

Like Les Misérables, the singing isn't that great but what they lack in singing they make up for in passion and acting abilities. And with a cast like this movie you know it has to be good (and Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen were in both Sweeney Todd and Les Misérables).

And the songs, written by Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim, are wonderful! (Although I recommend Patti LuPone's version to the movie's and Angela Lansbury's versions.)

Should you see it? If you are a fan of musicals or want a beautiful thriller then yes! Tim Burton's team of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter tends to work and it definitely does here. But, don't let the musical part fool you, it is still a horror story about an insane barber slashing people's throats and his baker assistant baking them into pies and serving them to the unsuspecting people of London.

Fun Facts:

• The tale of Sweeney Todd has been alive since 1846 and has even been performed as a ballet in the 1950s. There's even an old 1936 film. Historians dispute whether it's based on a true story.
• Sweeney Todd is the third movie Helena and Johnny have done together with director Tim Burton.

Must See Movie

Movie: V for Vendetta

Director: James McTeigue

Stars: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Fry

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Thriller

Rated: R

Synopsis: In an alternate not so distant future, a totalitarian government rules over Great Britain, controlling information, supplies, and people through fear. A young girl named Evey lives her life afraid but with no desire or drive to change what she has grown accustomed to. At least not until she is saved from the police by a masked terrorist named V, who with Evey's help seeks to overthrow the government and give it back to the people.

Commentary: If you have never seen V for Vendetta, stop what you're doing and rent it, buy it, I'm not gonna say download it but you get the picture. There are a few movies that really grab you and force you to look at the world in a different way, V for Vendetta is one of those movies. With great actors, fantastic dialogue and plot, chances are you'll find yourself quoting the movie at least once after you are finished watching it.

This movie is so powerful, the mask that V uses in this movie is still used by people in protests when they want to fight against people in power that are oppressing them or trying to hide something. V is like a realistic Batman, but a vigilante that is not fighting gangsters or thugs, but a corrupt system.

Should you see this movie? Yes! This movie is a must see for just about everyone. But be warned that there is blood, murder, and torture in this movie.

Fun Facts:

• "Remember, remember, the fifth of November, gunpowder treason and plot. I see no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot." This verse that V recites more than once in the film is part of a poem called "The Bonfire Prayer".
• There are many "V's" hidden throughout the movie. Some are obvious like the fireworks and the Roman numeral V, but some are subtle. Here's a webpage that tries to find all the V's.
• The Guy Fawkes mask (the mask V wears) is also now the symbol for the hacker activist group Anonymous.

The Best Superhero Movie I've Ever Seen

Movie: X-Men: First Class

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Stars: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon

Genre: Action, Sci-Fi

Rated: PG-13

Synopsis: In 1962, the world is on the brink of a nuclear war between the United States and Russia. While the countries try to find a way to resolve their conflicts peacefully, a group of people endowed with special powers known as Mutants try to force humans into their own annihilation so that Mutants can be the last ones standing as the next evolution of human beings. However, another group of Mutants, lead by Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender), are determined to stop them and save mankind.

X-Men: First Class is the prequel of the X-Men trilogy and follows the early lives of the oldest X-Men--Professor X, Magneto, and Mystique.

This movie came out in 2011 and I still remember how taken aback people were by how unexpectedly successful it was. It's no doubt after seeing this movie. The first three X-Men movies were decent but this one is an edge of your seat thriller that isn't just about "Will Magneto finally succeed in conquering the world for Mutants?", this movie deals with the Cold War and how close we were to a nuclear holocaust.

Should you see it? Yes! In my opinion, this is the best superhero movie I've ever seen, much better than the first three X-Men movies. The only superhero movies that come close are probably The Avengers and The Dark Knight.

Fun Facts:

• A sequel to this movie is in the works called X-Men: Days of Future Past that will be released in Summer 2014. And there are talks of creating a third movie, turning them into a trilogy.
• It is rumored that the original X-Men were based off another superhero team called the Doom Patrol that also dealt with a group of misfit superheroes and was introduced 3 months before the first X-Men comic was released.

Brave

Movie: Brave

Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell

Stars: Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Craig Ferguson

Genre: Animation, Adventure

Rated: PG

Synopsis: Merida (Kelly Macdonald) is an independent 15 year old Scottish princess who wants nothing more than to ride across the glen on her horse while firing arrows into the sunset. However, her mother, Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson) has other plans. She wants her daughter to follow the tradition of their land and marry a prince from one of the neighboring villages. This causes even more friction between the already constantly feuding mother and daughter, and in her frustration, Merida makes a wish she'll soon regret.

I saw Brave for a few reasons. 

1. It's a Pixar movie about a fierce young girl who's main purpose in a movie doesn't revolve around some guy. Not that there's anything wrong with romance every once in a while, it's just nice to see a female character as more than just a love interest.
2. Craig Ferguson. (Also, Emma Thompson, but I didn't know she was in it at the time.)
3. The animation is gorgeous! Look at that detail! You can see the fibers in her dress for crying out loud!

Source

In fact, whether you hate the movie or you love it, I think we can all agree that the animation is simply breathtaking.

I had mixed feelings about this movie. On the one hand, I cried at the end. It probably didn't help that I was seeing this with my mom and we were both just a mess afterwards. The story's main focus is on a mother-daughter relationship and because I'm really close with my mother, it really hit home for me.

On the other hand, I think it could've been better. Pixar is known for making amazing, beautiful movies like Up, WALL-E, Finding Nemo, and more, and while this movie definitely had its moments, I just expected a little more magic from Brave. Like the witch that granted Merida's wish seemed a little too cartoony. It seemed like she was thrown in there as just comic relief instead of what she really was--a pivotal point in the story.

Should you go see it? I'm on the fence about this one. It's by no means a bad movie, but considering it's Disney and Pixar I wanted it to be better. If you like animation movies you should check it out. Aesthetically, Brave is stunning. I just wish they could've done a little better job with the story telling. My guess is that they were so worried about it being perceived as just a girls' movie that they tried to please everyone and second guessed themselves and the story suffered a bit in the process.

Fun Facts:

• Steve Jobs was passionate about Brave and it was the last Pixar movie he was a part of before he passed away. There's also a dedication to him in the ending credits (video).
• Pixar invented a whole new software specifically to create and move Merida's hair.
• Pixar hides easter eggs in all of its films and Brave is no exception. During the scene where Merida meets the Witch/woodcarver, there's Sully from Monsters, Inc. and a little Pizza Planet truck from Toy Story (which has been hidden in all Pixar movies so far except for The Incredibles).

Up until now I'd been reviewing movies that are in theaters or were in theaters not too long ago, but because it's February and there are not that many good movies playing right now I've decided to go back into movies I'd seen in 2012 to continue this blog. If you have any recommendations of movies from any year you want me to see or review, feel free to post a comment below.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Movie: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Director: Peter Jackson

Stars: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage 

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Rated: PG-13

Synopsis: Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), a small easy going creature known as a hobbit, likes nothing more than to just stay at home and relax, and he has no thoughts of doing anything else. At least until an old wizard named Gandalf (Ian McKellen) shows up at his door, bringing thirteen dwarves and insists that Bilbo is the best person to steal back the gold and the mountain home of the dwarves that was taken from them long ago by the vicious dragon, Smaug. This begins an adventure that of which Bilbo never imagined and is the backstory one of the greatest fantasy novels of all time, The Lord of the Rings.

The Lord of the Rings movies were made a little over a decade ago and we can still see some familiar faces in this movie, like Gandalf, Saruman, Smeagol/Gollum, and even Frodo makes an appearance in the beginning (Elijah Wood has not aged a day), and yes, the Ring is back too. An older Bilbo Baggins was also in the trilogy but was played by a different older actor, this Bilbo is supposed to be about 60 years younger.

To be honest, I have heard some mixed reviews about The Hobbit. Some people loved it, especially ones who have read the novel when they were kids or teenagers, while some thought it could've been better. I'm part of the latter. It is a beautiful movie, but maybe I'm just comparing it too much to The Lord of the Rings trilogy which was full of action and a fantastic thriller, while this one felt like it could've been shortened and didn't have the same wonder as the sequel movies.

However, The Lord of the Rings trilogy was each a single movie based on an entire book while The Hobbit is one book split into three movies (about 100 pages a movie, which I think is a feat considering the first movie is almost three hours). I think when all three movies come out and I can see them one after another, it'll be much better. But just seeing the first one made me want to yell in the theater, "THAT WAS IT?"

Should you go see it? I think you should. The Hobbit, along with The Lord of the Rings, are classics and it's not like they did a bad job on this movie. They were loyal to the original story and had good actors and good effects. I just want to see all the movies together instead of having to wait a year between each movie.

Also, because it's so fantastic, here's the "Misty Mountains" song the dwarves sing to Bilbo to make him want to go on the quest.

Fun Facts:

• The names of the dwarves are: Thorin, Gloin, Dwalin, Balin, Oin, Fili, Kili, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Nori, Ori, and Dori. Try saying them three times fast. Also, here's a little cheat sheet for the dwarves in case you're interested.
• Benedict Cumberbatch, who will play the dragon Smaug and the Necromancer in the other two Hobbit movies, plays Sherlock Holmes on the BBC network's "Sherlock", while Martin Freeman, who plays Bilbo Baggins, plays opposite of him as Dr. John Watson. "Sherlock" is also a great series if you haven't seen it, it's better than the Robert Downey Jr. movies.
• Christopher Lee, the actor that plays Saruman, is 91 years old and is the only one of the actors who met the author of the novels in person, J.R.R. Tolkien.

Les Misérables

Movie: Les Misérables

Director: Tom Hooper

Stars: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Amanda Seyfried

Genre: Musical, Drama

Rated: PG-13

Les Misérables has many characters and backstories so I'll try to keep the synopsis short. Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is an recently paroled ex-convict in nineteenth century France who was sentenced to jail 19 years ago for stealing a loaf of bread. Unable to find anyone who will help him get back on his feet, he is forced to become a thief to stay alive. It isn't until a clergyman shows him kindness and redemption through God that he starts to repent for the sins he has committed and start a new life with a new identity. But a justice obsessed prison officer, Javert (Russell Crowe), is determined to see him once again behind bars for breaking his parole, no matter how long it takes to catch him.

Les Misérables is a great movie. Yes, it's a musical. Yes, 98% of it is singing. BUT WAIT! Before that turns you off and makes you pass over this wonderful film know this:

1) The book from which the play was based on was by Victor Hugo, the author who wrote "The Hunchback of Notre Dame".

2) The novel has been loved worldwide since its publication in 1862.

3) The English version of the musical has been going on and off since its opening in 1985.

4) The director of the film, Tom Hooper, directed the award winning movie "The King's Speech", which is great if you haven't seen it.

5) Anne Hathaway has been nominated and won multiple awards for her portrayal as Fantine.

And last but not least:

6) I dragged my 25 year old brother to go see it and he said it was the best movie he's seen in years.

I know that some people don't really care for musicals, especially ones that are non-stop singing (the latter is me). But have you ever watched an old black and white movie like "Casablanca" or "Mildred Pierce" and get so engrossed in the story that you forget you're watching a black and white? Well, for Les Mis, there were moments where I forgot they were singing.

*Spoilers* I cried during Fantine and Valjean's deaths. My mother was next to me sobbing at the end and so were the people sitting around us. As for my brother, he doesn't cry, but he did sit there in his seat for a couple of minutes when the credits started to roll to let it all sink in.

Should you go see it? Definitely. If you're in the mood for powerful performances and a great story, then I highly recommend it. But be warned that there is talk of prostitution, death, and acts of abuse in the story. It is called The Miserables Ones, after all.

Fun Facts:

• Les Misérables is difficult for some English speakers to pronounce. It is often pronounced in English as "lay miz-er-ah-b" but the correct french pronunciation is "lay miz-ah-rab". To hear it, click here. All this trouble is probably why some people like to just stick with "Les Mis".
• Instead of recording their voices before hand like all other musical films, the cast of Les Misérables sang live so they wouldn't be restricted by a recording as they were acting their scenes on camera.
• I don't know if this is 100% true, but I've heard that in Disney's "Aladdin" right before Aladdin starts singing "One Jump Ahead", he says, "All this for a loaf of bread?" which Lea Salonga, an actress who played Eponine and Fantine on Broadway and who was also the singing voices for Mulan and Jasmine, got the writers to put in as an homage to Les Misérables.

Django UNCHAINED

Movie: Django Unchained
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson
Genre: Western
Rated: R

Let me start off by saying I hate westerns. Sorry, I just can't stand them. They just all seem the same to me. The cowboy (usually middle-aged) rescues the pretty young girl from Indians or outlaws or something of that sort and then they kiss, the movie ends, and I'm left with a large feeling of cliche.

Not with Django.

I'll admit it's still the same basic "damsel in distress" premise, but with a big twist: Django (Jamie Foxx) is a freed ex-slave trying to rescue his still enslaved wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), from one of the most savage slave owners in the South, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), owner of the plantation "Candyland". With the help of the bounty hunter who freed him, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), Django becomes a bounty hunter himself killing white folk for money on the way to rescue his beloved Broomhilda.

I saw this movie primarily because it was by Quentin Tarantino and while I've only seen the Kill Bills and Inglourious Basterds, I love his work and I was not disappointed. It's not my favorite Tarantino flick but it has everything you would expect: great dialogue, well made story, and great performances.

However, it's not all sweet in Candyland. As you might've heard, this movie has been garnering some negative attention from it's use of the word "n*gger" multiple times in the movie. I, personally, don't see anything wrong with that simply because it's a movie set in the South before the Civil War, that word was used quite liberally back then and I think this movie is excused for the sake of making this story as believable as possible.

I also find it funny how we're so used to Tarantino's style that I've heard little to nothing about the extreme violence or nudity in the film. Seriously, if you're planning on seeing this movie **minor spoiler alert** get ready to see a glimpse of Django's testicles as he's being strung from the ceiling.

Should you go see it? Yes! Django Unchained is a great movie to see especially if you're a fan of Tarantino's previous works. But not if you don't like lots of blood and violence, some nudity, or strong language.

Fun Facts:

• For any Quentin Tarantino lovers out there, you know that he likes to hide little Easter eggs in his movies and link them together in some way. Django Unchained is no exception. If you recall in Kill Bill Vol. 2, Beatrix Kiddo was buried alive in a grave marked Paula Schultz 1823-1885. Whether Paula Schultz was the wife or sister of King Schultz is unclear but that little Easter egg is still pretty cool.
• **Spoiler alert** In the scene where Candie confronts Django and Dr. Schultz, Candie slams his fist on the table, breaking a bottle and cutting his hand. This was not staged. DiCaprio really did cut his hand and needed stitches, but not before finishing his scene and rubbing his actual blood over Kerry Washington's visibly distraught face.