ised and tThe Hateful Eight: A Quentin Tarantino Masterpiece and Homage to Hong Kong Cinema
I stayed up way too late last night binging on “The Hateful Eight.” My mom’s voice is still echoing in my head: “You’re watching those violent movies again!” But honestly, can you even call yourself a film buff if you skip out on a Tarantino flick?
From Set PA to Hollywood Maverick
Quentin Tarantino – the name alone commands respect. But did you know this iconic director started from the absolute bottom?
He dropped out of school at 17 to work as a production assistant and was still slinging DVDs at a rental store at 22. If that were me, my parents would have driven me insane! But Tarantino soaked up cinema like a sponge, especially Hong Kong films.
Who would have guessed that this video-store geek would become one of Hollywood’s most celebrated and eccentric directors? Talk about a real-life underdog story!
A Hong Kong Film Obsession
He’s a huge fan of John Woo and Wong Kar-wai. You can see echoes of Woo’s violent ballet and Wong’s cool, detached style in Tarantino’s work. He learned from the best!
The Hateful Eight: An American Dragon Inn?
Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight” feels like the ultimate tribute to Hong Kong cinema. A group of shady characters trapped in a confined space, playing a deadly game of suspicion – sound familiar? It’s basically a Western reimagining of the classic Hong Kong film “Dragon Inn.”
But Tarantino doesn’t just copy; he elevates. He sets the story in post-Civil War America, adding layers of racial tension and political intrigue. It’s a brilliant fusion of American history and Hong Kong filmmaking flair!
The “Extravagance” of 70mm Film
For “The Hateful Eight,” Tarantino shot on 70mm film. This isn’t your average camera; it boasts an ultra-wide aspect ratio of 2.76:1.
Using such a wide format for a story set mostly inside a small cabin seemed like overkill to many. But Tarantino argued that only this format could capture the vast, snowy landscapes of Wyoming.
The kicker? 80% of the movie takes place inside that cabin. Was it a flex or just Tarantino being Tarantino?
Turning a Script Leak into an Opportunity
Before filming, disaster struck: the script for “The Hateful Eight” leaked online!
Tarantino was furious and almost scrapped the whole project. But after cooling down, he had a brilliant idea: rewrite the ending! This change made the story even more unpredictable and captivating.
It’s a masterclass in turning a crisis into an opportunity!
Tarantino’s Last Dance?
Tarantino has been saying for years that he’ll retire after his 10th film. But he recently scrapped his planned final film, “The Movie Critic.”
What’s he up to? Is he planning a major plot twist?
Imagine: an American director using a Hollywood crew to make a straight-up Hong Kong-style film. That would be even more exciting than his movies!
In conclusion: Quentin, please don’t retire! What would us movie fans do without your films? You’re our cinematic addiction!
What kind of masterpiece do you think Tarantino will create next? Share your thoughts in the comments below!