Django Unchained: A review

I went and saw Django Unchained the other night. It was a bit of a bold choice for me, I'm not really into violent movies, but I do love Tarantino - Pulp Fiction is one of my all time favourite films, so I wanted to see it, particularly after it's Oscar nod.

I. Loved. It. Straight up, no beating around, I loved it. One of Tarantino's best for sure. I love the levels this guy creates in his film. There are parts that make you squirm uncomfortably at the violence (a dog tearing a poor guy apart? Men fighting to the death? Yeah, that's hard to see). There are parts that make you want to cry (A woman bound and whipped, also hard to see). There are parts that make you cheer at the violence (vengeance is a powerful emotion). And there are parts that make you giggle uncontrollably - the scene with the bag heads had me in hysterics. Just perfect comedy.

Beyond that, the story and the characters themselves are full of depth and personality. Leonardo Di Caprio has had people up in arms at his missing out again on a supporting actor nomination and I can see why - he portrayed Candie brilliantly, he's one of the best actors out there in my opinion. Jamie Foxx as Django was great, but I wasn't blown away. I do however, really hope that Christoph Waltz takes out the Oscar for supporting actor. Without doubt, for me, Dr. King Schultz stole the movie and my heart. How wonderful too, that Tarantino makes the most compassionate character of the movie German. Schultz is a perfect mix of funny, compassionate, and stern. I loved him. Samuel L. Jackson, another of the finest actors out there today, played Stephen brilliantly. Hilariously funny, yet incites anger and frustration in the viewer as well, he definitely played the role without fault.

The cinematography is beautifully crafted, and the interweaving of modern techniques with classic Western is pulled off without a hitch. Tarantino's cameo is fantastic, though his Aussie accent leaves a bit to be desired!

The blend of a brilliant cast, a fantastic story and some pretty amazing cinematography truly makes this one stand out as a brilliant movie. Do yourself a favour - go see it.

Australia

Australia Day was a couple of days ago, and with it came the usual controversy and butting heads between those who want to celebrate Australia and all her glory, and those who feel ashamed that in celebrating Australia Day, we are celebrating the white invasion of our country, and with it, all that our ancestors may have done to the natural inhabitants of the land (forced their culture on them, killed them off, took their children away to be raised the ‘British way’, introduced crime and other vices to their culture, etc).

I feel really confused by it all, to be honest. I am proud to be an Australian. I love this country. I love so much about it, the freedom, the multiculturalism, the nature, the progression... But I don't think Australia Day, the anniversary of that invasion, should be the day we celebrate this. I think we need a new day, free of past associations, a day of Aussie pride.

But let's not get caught up in that either. Let's remember how much more we have to do. Yes, we are a great nation, a relatively accepting nation, but we are also still a very racist nation. We are a very intolerant nation when it comes to religion, sexuality, race, politics... We band together when it counts, but why wait until then? Why wait for tragedy to help out the less fortunate? Why wait until then to let go of racist or religious beliefs that prevent us from helping someone that really needs it?

I read stories about families from migrant families, who were born here, who have children born here, but because of their ancestry, are told to fuck off chong. Fuck off wog. Fuck off dog-eater. This from people at Australia Day celebrations. "This is Australia Day not Chink day!" hardy har har. Abhorrent behaviour. Shameful behaviour. How can I feel pride to be an Australian, when this is how some of you carry on? :(

We are better than this. We can be better than this. We can move forward with our famous Aussie battle pride and we can show the world just how accepting and tolerant we really are. Who's with me?