2013 Oscar preview - "Django Unchained" review

You know what's sad? Being unpopular among your own ilk. As a film nerd, I have never been a huge fan of Quentin Tarantino's work. Saying this TO a film fan is like telling a baseball fan that Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth were overrated, or telling a diehard Bulls fan that MJ wasn't amazing. I get looks. The looks are usually looks of pity, but occasionally they are looks of disapproval or disgust. What can I say? I never found any of Taranitno's movies to be compelling or interesting.

Until now.

"Django Unchained" is set in 1858, and is the story of German bounty hunter King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), who acquires and frees a slave named Django (Jamie Foxx). After Django helps Schultz bring in a huge score, Schultz offers to make him a partner in the business. Django tells Schultz that he only wants to find his wife Broomhilda (the gorgeous Kerry Washington), who has been taken away to a plantation called Candie Land, owned by Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). Schultz tells Django the legend of Bruennhilde, the character after whom his wife was named, and suggests that Django is like Siegfried, who rescues Bruennhilde through hellfire. Django is more determined than ever after hearing the story, and the two begin to plan out a strategy.

I don't want to give much away. A huge part of the fun of watching this movie is being surprised. The movie actually has some powerful drama as well. I felt more relevance and connection to what slavery might have been like watching this movie than I did watching Lincoln. Waltz, Fox, DiCaprio, and Washington are all terrific, as is the whole cast. Look for some really cool cameos throughout, as well as the signature Tarantino blood and language. Not suitable for kids whatsoever. I give this movie a 93/100. On my Best Picture list, it lands at #4 in a very tight race. "Django Unchained" is playing once a day at AMC Showplace New Lenox. It is also showing at AMC Loews Woodridge 18 with several showtimes.