Four Stars for Basterds
Ebert loves Tarantino’s Basterds:
Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” is a big, bold, audacious war movie that will annoy some, startle others and demonstrate once again that he’s the real thing, a director of quixotic delights. For starters (and at this late stage after the premiere in May at Cannes, I don’t believe I’m spoiling anything), he provides World War II with a much-needed alternative ending. For once the basterds get what’s coming to them.
What’s interesting about his review, though, is that it needed time to ferment — like most great films and filmmakers, it all can’t be absorbed in one shot. Even Ebert needed some time and then a second viewing:
After I saw “Inglourious Basterds” at Cannes, although I was writing a daily blog, I resisted giving an immediate opinion about it. I knew Tarantino had made a considerable film, but I wanted it to settle, and to see it again. I’m glad I did. Like a lot of real movies, you relish it more the next time. Immediately after “Pulp Fiction” played at Cannes, QT asked me what I thought. “It’s either the best film of the year or the worst film,” I said. I hardly knew what the hell had happened to me. The answer was: the best film. Tarantino films have a way of growing on you. It’s not enough to see them once.
Meanwhile, there is a really interesting, strange, kind of hot exchange between filmgeek-sexpot Kim Morgan and Tarantino on her blog, Sunset Gun. The two seem to be speaking the same language – no, not love but a love for obscure cinema. I dare you to try to keep up with these two. When Kim met Quentin.
Dominik says:
Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 7:53am
I´m going to see it on sunday and I´m really excited – after raves from some really cinephile, demanding german critics I read.
But like most tarantino movies it´s very dubious if the “Basterds” will end up with one of those ten nominees (which only make sense to me if the higher range will open the field for some unconventional, offbeat choices), but we will see…
Waltz for sure will get a nomination, but I´m crossing my fingers for Tarantino too (just because he is such a movie nerd like me)!
Afrika says:
Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 9:49am
“For once the basterds get what’s coming to them.”
Oh really Ebert? happy endings are now the way to your heart? please! your palms have been greased; it’s crystal clear.
Noah R. says:
Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 11:43am
No disrespect to Ebert but I’ve been taking his four-star reviews with a grain of salt ever since he called No Country for Old Men AND Rendition perfect films in the same year. No Country, definitely deserving of four stars. Rendition, eh not so much. Who knows? Maybe he’s right about Inglourious Basterds but I still don’t want to get my hopes up too much. And, let’s be honest, he is a cheerleader for Tarantino anyway.