The Hateful Eight & Concsussion Review!

IN THE PIT WITH “THE HATEFUL EIGHT”,

‘TIL, “CONCUSSION” LIFTS ME UP

Written by:  Colin Bruce Munro Wood – 04/17/16 – 9:08PM ET

            In deciding to watch two movies, and blend them into one review, I chose completely different types of dramas.  Quentin Tarantino’s rousing “The Hateful Eight”, set in a rustic cabin, that seems to have corners, and angles creep out of the shadow, every move of the camera, which is placed in a hilly region of Wyoming, near Red Rock, and in the midst of a wallop of a mountain snow storm!  Contrarily, Concussion, directed by Peter Landesman, takes place in rustic old Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, as its main setting. 

In reading a few reviews already out on these two films, I need to beg to differ with most of the concepts of each movie that have been rendered by other writers.

Every Tarantino movie, has basically one thing alike…. Violence…violence, to the max!  Then, after that, some more violence, and then just a bit more…and then violence to end the story. 

“The Hateful Eight”, is no different, and just another rendering of Tarantino’s similar story-type, in “Reservoir Dogs”.

In describing this movie, one writer for a popular magazine used all the big, glitzy words he could, to make it sound like the greatest thing Quentin has ever produced form his loins. 

Keeping to the smaller words, I’m just going to mention that it’s the same as any other of his movies, and if you are looking for that, then you will enjoy it, just for that. 

The performances of Kurt Russel, Tim Roth (Now tied for 4^th on the all-time Tarantino Movie list, with Uma, and Keitel), the always amazing Samuel L Jackson (number 2, with 6 Tarantino movies, only behind Tarantino himself, at 8), Walton Goggins, giving a lifetime performance, without a doubt, Michael Madsen, as himself pretty much, Bruce Dern, as himself pretty much, and the always fantastic and creative, and wild Jennifer Jason Leigh, are A-List Awesome!  The cast coughs, spits, chews, yells, whispers, shoots, bleeds, spews blood, and swallow brains al in one setting, and it’s certainly entertaining to watch, as they meander around the cabin, with Tarantino cinematography, that only he has mastered, as #4, on the All-Time Director’s List!  Channing Tatum continues to prove his Hollywood worth, movie after movie, as well, and the rest of the supporting cast are do their jobs, just fine.

But, where the movie struggled for me, was in its very recognizable, and dull Quentintino-esque nature, and final resolve.  Actually, had I realized that he directed it, prior to renting it on Dish Cinema, I probably would not have seen it this soon.  Some believe it is perfect, and it certainly has that air of perfection, but also stinks with the odor of staleness.  I’d really like to see Quentin, try something new, just to show he can do it… Something, completely different, with the same power, and amazing quality, and genius he brings to everything else!

Concussion, on the other hand, was torn apart by other writers, for being drab, dull, and a snooty performance form Will Smith.

They are sadly mistaken!

I believe, the reviews were written by non-actors. 

The movie about NFL concussions, theorized through histology, and a thorough autopsy of a former NFL player, who died too young, in Mike Webster, is a moving tribute to legends of the game, and a tremendous way of uncovering the NFL’s gigantic error, and let down of the human race; in allowing knowledge of a brain injuring part of football to continue, because the percentages didn’t concern them.

What made this movie so special, and tear-jerking for this emotional movie reviewer, was the phenomenal acting job, by one amazing performer, in every sense of the word, who continues to renew his craft in every role, and does not bow even to the likes of Denzel Washington.

As, Doctor Bennett Omalu, an expert in a list of scientific areas, with degrees, ranging from music to science, to just about everything.  Will Smith, the actor, portrays beautifully, the man, who against the odds of the NFL vs. HIM, won, after losing almost everything he had. 

I felt that Smith gave the performance of his life in this role, with conflicting emotions, and a wonderful accent, and many aspects of acting, that he had to work on repetitively to get down, for this movie, so not to waste anyone’s time on set.  His timing and delivery of lines was so symmetrically shaped well, that Smith, a professional at all times of his career, a man of honor, and a man of incredible creations since his youth, takes this role to a level of respect and honor that the real doctor well deserved to be represented by. 

The ending doesn’t have the big sappy, happy ending, as we all know, how the NFL has responded ever since. 

This movie helps to power the proof of science, and the proof that hard, repetitive helmet hits, destroy players’ brains, from a young age forward, and renders them trapped, and helpless within their own minds by their fifties. 

Will Smith, should have definitely been honored with both a Golden Globe, and Oscar nomination for his amazing performance, and certainly both awards, for best actor!

Welcome to the world of Denzel, Will.  Maybe you guys should hang out a little, and help others of different colors, get to where you are, based on their talents, intelligences, and abilities to understand the world so well, and represent the truth to society!

The rest of the cast did a fine job in this movie, but it was really all Will Smith, from beginning to end, no matter what the other reviewers say!

Wood News Agency, LLC

Binghamton, NY