Django Unchained

Quentin Tarentino’s films have won all sorts of accolades from the Palm d’Or in Cannes to Oscars for his writing, films, and the actors involved.  In fact, this year, Django Unchained was among the Best Picture nominees and won for Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay.  Sometimes I wonder why this director/writer/ex-video store clerk gets so much recognition for “cheesy spaghetti-type chop-socky 60’s / 70’s genre riffs”.  In this instance, we see Jamie Foxx as an unfortunate slave, named Django, gaining a new profession through an unlikely alliance with a German “dentist” played by Christoph Waltz.  The good doctor is the mentor and the slave is the willing student.  Carnage abounds and we’re treated to a lot of gun battles, the vicious and horrific death of not one, but two men who are unlucky enough to be the property of one very nasty plantation owner played by Leonardo diCaprio.  Quentin, of course, adds a very eclectic soundtrack, Ms. Kerry Washington, as a German speaking house slave and Django’s long lost wife, and Samuel L. Jackson as one messed up and very dangerous head house slave to Mr. diCaprio’s character, Calvin Candie.  Christoph Waltz is exceptional in his portrayal of the doctor and the supporting cast is diverse and well appointed.  The only thing I would say to Mr. Tarentino about his films and future endeavors is to not cast himself in his movies, even in cameos.  The man may have a “vision”, but he really can’t act his way out of a paper bag.  Rating, 3 stars and a really big hot Bowie knife.