Django Unchained

Tali: Django Unchained is the latest from writer/director Quentin Tarantino - so you know right off the hop, that amongst the blood and guts (and there is a TON of blood and guts), that you will be subjected to treated to three hours (!!!) of a revenge fantasy based on a historical and colonial subject. Though there is lots of violence, the spaghetti western genre allows for such parody to take place that for most of the movie, you are able to stare excitedly as violence ensues. Because of the parody, however, lots of people are concerned/upset/uppity regarding the historical background (which may or may not be fairly accurate) portrayed in this way. A complete 180 from Zero Dark Thirty (which is facing similar criticism), Django can be pulled off because people need their revenge fantasies, and people need it to be accessible. That being said, if you are looking for a very informed and important discussion on race, violence, power and cinematic theory in Django (which you should be), than I highly suggest you read the Feminist Wire.

Leo: This was an amazing movie. Tarantino is unmatched in creating movies that really hit their mark in terms of intention and entertainment in perfect balance. If you come into this movie thinking you are going to get an informed and historically accurate slave movie and then did not like the movie because of that, then I pity you. Tarantino is an artist who tells the truth through untruths. He shows how stupid racism is by parodying the KKK. He shows how terrible slavery is through graphic torture and the attitudes of the characters (whether it's accurate or not is irrelevant). And he shows how amazing it would be to get revenge on those sons of bitches who caused so much harm to so many innocent people. None of the things in this movie actually happened, yet you feel an underlying appreciation for the situation and a sense of justice when he kills all of those murderous slave-owners. Unlike Zero Dark Thirty, this movie does not start with a sweeping statement saying "this is based on a true story". Zero Dark Thirty's credibility lies on the truth of their facts and accuracy, however; Django's does not. Apart from the crazy story, the acting was incredible. It is a shame that all three of Sam Jackson, Leo Decaprio, and Christof Waltz will not get nominated and win, because all of their performances were amazing. See this movie.

Zero Dark Thirty

Tali: Zero Dark Thirty is a political drama that examines the nitty gritty of political bureaucracy and (aggressive) action taken in the years leading up to the finding/killing of Osama Bin Laden. I happened to really, really like this film. Independent of the politics surrounding it (if that's even possible), this was incredibly suspenseful and the acting was stupendous. LOTS has been been said about this movie's use of torture, whether the movie is partisan, etc etc. All you really need to know is that this film is well done - not only do I believe it to be a fairly accurate representation of the inner workings of the CIA, I felt it was done tastefully and and appropriately. AS A NOTE: If you really want to read about the CIA's use of torture (and how it gets covered up), I highly suggest you read Naomi Klein's The Shock Doctrine, as well as anything Amy Goodman has ever written. And then go see this movie.

Leo: Having heard a billion reviews before seeing the movie, I tried (and I think successfully) went in with a relatively open mind. The torture does not seem too ridiculous (though maybe the characters attitude towards torture can be seen as a little exaggerated). The acting was amazing and the first part of the movie was not as slow as I had expected it to be. I really enjoyed watching the movie and it succeeding in making you want Bin Laden to get caught for her if not for the country. The end of the movie, well, I just had too many problems with it to consider this "best picture-worthy" though I don't doubt its success has always been hinging on the politically driven Academy in the first place. The leading up to Bin Laden being shot was very suspenseful and well-done, however; the aftermath was, to put it simply, stupid. There was nothing else suspenseful that was going to happen with the film so it was so obviously desperately grasping for suspense. For example, the pilot blowing up the helicopter almost slipped! OH MY GOD HE ALMOST FELL 6 FEET THAT'S SO GRIPPING I CAN'T KEEP MY EYES OFF. Not only was it inconsequential but it was just so forced that it made the entire ending of the movie off-putting. To make it worse, they then fabricate another "almost" self-made disaster when they are going to blow up the helicopter as the other one comes. I also miss the gripping CIA-style pursuing scenes (though there was one) that are so common in this genre and make it exciting to watch. This was a good political thriller, I like the story and movie-styling better than The Hurt Locker, however it was missing the feeling and suspense. Still, amazing movie and Jessica Chastain is the next big thing.

Life of Pi

Tali: Life of Pi tells the incredible story of Pi, a young man who after a devastating shipwreck, becomes stranded on a lifeboat with a tiger (whose name is Richard Parker). Overall a pretty good movie! Leave it to director Ang Lee to take a movie with little to no dialogue and make a mesmerizing and visually stunning film (has anyone else seen Brokeback? Those mountains..!!). There seems to be a trend in Hollywood lately where movies are released where we know the ending already. In case you didn't know, this movie is based off of a popular novel (which I haven't read, so I cannot compare the two). This did not spoil the movie, however; there was just enough suspense and fantastical elements to keep you entwined in the story, wanting more.

Leo: I really enjoyed Life of Pi as a spectacle and intellectually pleasing movie. It was fun to watch the relationship grow between Richard Parker and Pi as they fought to survive (the elements and each other). The part with the middle-aged Pi and the author was kind of boring though it was kind of necessary. Ang Lee's movies are always epic in terms of visuals (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon most of all). I can't quite place why it wasn't my "favorite" movie, because it was an amazing movie that I have little criticism of, but there wasn't anything that really "hit" me hard enough to leave a significant mark even if it was very well done and executed. This is a must see.