The Falcon   |   Volume 83, Issue 52

Published 5/22/13   |   Log In

December meant good movies

Tarantino’s latest work pays tribute to westerns

By JACOB MORALES, Staff Reporter

Published: January 9, 2013

While most were unwrapping presents and enjoying time with their family over the holidays, others were out watching Quentin Tarantino’s latest film, Django Unchained.

Django Unchained stars Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson and Walton Goggins.

It tells the story of Django (Foxx), a former slave who becomes a bounty hunter with Dr. King Schults (Waltz), another bounty hunter, who uses his former profession as a dentist as cover. What starts off as the dynamic duo collecting bounties turns into a hunt for Django’s wife Hildy (Washington), who is being held on a plantation by the psychopathic Calvin Candie (DiCaprio).

With this film, Tarantino was able to make a film he has wanted to for a while now, having always been a fan of spaghetti westerns. Django is essentially Tarantino paying homage to the films he grew up with. Whether it’s Sergio Leone, or Mel Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles,” the inspiration from both of these directors can be seen clearly in the film.

Along with Leone and Brooks, Tarantino cites Sergio Corbucci’s 1966 film Django as another inspiration for the film. Not only does he use the same theme song from the original film for Unchained, but Franco Nero, the star of the 1966 film, has a brief cameo.

Film critics around the nation have lauded Django Unchained, calling it classic Tarantino and one of his best films in an already impressive filmography.

However, Django hasn’t been without its disapproving critics. Most notably, director Spike Lee, who criticized the film despite not having seen it, and claimed that he had no intention of ever seeing the film.

While these critics have their opinions, Django has nonetheless scored five Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director and two Best Supporting Actors, (one each for Waltz and DiCaprio).

If you know Tarantino films, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into – a super-violent film that sprinkles in witty humor along with bloodbath, some great acting and ultimately, a memorable story.

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