Oscars 2013: Ranking This Year's Best Pictures
4. Django Unchained
Initial Impression: If there was a "second Spielberg" when it comes to my preference of directors, Tarantino would definitely be on that list. Discovering Pulp Fiction for the first time is like reading the Bible and becoming a devout Christian simply by finishing Genesis. Much like his films, QT grabs you at the beginning and proceeds down his twisted tales of blood and glory with you by his side, as if to say "Ain't we all just screwed up?" But if there was a film that seemed set to upset the cart, it would have been Django Unchained. Inglorious Basterds was an amazing film, but it started his trend of taking history and rewriting it with a razor sharp pen and plenty of blood. On top of that, it was a Western. A Spaghetti Western, granted, but it had potential to alienate a good portion of the movie going public with its genre. Oh yeah, did I mention the ever touchy subject of racism? Yeah...it had that going against it as well. The Verdict: Speaking of good history flicks, this isn't one of them. Unless of course you go as far as differentiating that this is a history flick in the Tarantino Alternaverse. In which case, this is one hell of a history flick, and the kids in class are going to love it! Furthering along the homage phase he's been going through, Django Unchained takes us on a ride that's as thrilling as it is intriguing. And unlike Lincoln, this film handles the usage of rather charged racial epithets with a seemingly more authentic flare. Spike Lee has no reason to be butthurt, especially since he hadn't seen the film when he made his remarks. And as far as the casting went, Jamie Foxx has helped redeem himself from a one way ticket to Direct to DVD Hell, as his Django is both stoic and emotional, while at the same time comedic and vengeful. Also, and the following goes without saying, Leonardo DiCaprio was robbed of a Best Supporting Actor nomination, as his exploration into "racially charged meets cartoony" evil is something that was a sight to behold. The fact that he could pull off the scene where he cut himself on a glass, and do so without breaking character or scene, is quite frankly a testament to his craft. Naturally, Christoph Waltz is his usual charming self as Dr. King Schultz; and Tarantino's eye for imagery is one of two films that properly evokes the look of 1970's films, particularly with his long takes of western vistas and the quick zoom on certain action in said vistas.