**DJANGO UNCHAINED (R)**
SHAWN
“Django Unchained” is cinematic genius. It’s that simple. No one and I mean no one takes you on the types of cinematic journeys the way director and writer Quentin Tarantino does and arguably there isn’t a gutsier filmmaker in the biz. His slave epic slash revenge fantasty slash love story boldy explores the ills America’s past with brutal honesty, a bit of embellishment and wickedly clever insight.
RUSS
Yes, Quentin Tarantino has returned with another ultraviolent reworking of history, “Django Unchained,” his homage to 1960s Spaghetti Westerns and blaxploitation films. Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L. Jackson star in the story of an ex-slave and a bounty hunter and their exploits in the pre-emancipation South.
SHAWN
Clearly inspired by “Mandingo” and a bunch of westerns Quentin Tarantino, thanks to some terrific acting by the entire cast, pushes into uneasy territory with ultra violence and a bit of street corner social commentary. There are more than a few trademark QT nuances. But never has the director gone this far nor as hard. “Django Unchained” brilliantly pokes fun and re-examines America’s ugliest and most brutal chapter in history with good use of the razor sharp cast and in-your-face dialogue that rolls out of their mouths as if they were performing some strange antebellum opera.
RUSS
The profuse usage of the “N” word and graphic violence caused some understandable controversy, but Tarantino’s clever dialogue and giddy, fanboy enthusiasm make it a guilty pleasure.
SHAWN
I hate manufactured controversies. The use of the N-word was accruate to the story and the times. So spike Lee shut up. The violence. Well yes, it’s a bit over the top but “Django Unchained” is technically a super hero movie. It just happens to take place in 1865. Yes, Jamie Foxx is a black super hero fighting for justice and the woman he loves. The extras on the DVD release are a production design featurette, a 20 Years In The Making: The Tarantino XX Blu-ray Collection feature, and a ‘Django Unchained” Soundtrack Spot. The Blu-ray/DVD Combo release will include two additional featurettes. My favorite movie last year. Maybe ever.
RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 5 Popcorn Bags