Ari_ari

Throughout this movie I really felt like I was watching the early years and getting a feel for where the POTUS and FLOTUS were in their personal and professional development at that time. It was nice to be along for the ride! The dialogue for Michelle felt belabored at points, particularly in the first 30 minutes, but Barack's character felt on target. I had to adjust my expectations regarding the pace of the film because it initially felt slow. But as the film progressed, my focus shifted from the pace to getting to know that characters. Despite the complexion difference between the actor and the POTUS, the actor's mannerisms and intonation helped with getting lost in his portrayal and the story. Nicely done!

This film deserves every accolade it has coming, and many will come. The quiet strength that frames the film makes for a solid execution from start to finish. There isn't a single moment to be taken away or added. Chadwick Boseman's attention to detail and firm grasp on Robinson's control as well as Harrison Ford's masterful portrayal of Rickey's unapologetic force create a dynamic energy that pushes the film forward in every single scene. The entire supporting cast brought an authenticity to the time period in addition to the overall feel of the film. Together the cast creates the right balance of social discourse, raw emotion, humility, and dignity that makes this film a must see!

Django Unchained was enjoyable for the first hour, but became progressively unwieldy and winding as it progressed. The usual Tarantinoisms were evident throughout the film - i.e., bold imagery but exaggerated self-indulgent scenes and dialogue, copious blood splattering gore, scene jumping with visible seams, and ridicule that often leans on the side of being trivializing. But of all his films I've seen, this film provided a more appropriate forum for some of his tendencies that are usually inappropriate. For example, this is the one time that his unnecessary and insulting overuse of the N-word had a context for which it made at least some sense, even though it was still featured much more than necessary. It would have given the film more credibility if more research was done for an accurate depiction of facts (e.g. Nefertiti's image paired with the name Cleopatra).

The lead characters did a fantastic job shining through Tarantino's overindulgent dialogue. However, Tarantino's signature lack of restraint constantly looms ready to overshadow their wonderful performances at any point. What unfolds is a movie that was much longer than its content justified, and with a few lazy scenes that didn't amount to anything that moved the story along. I appreciated the overall effort. The atrocities of slavery are unapologetically brought to the forefront for a new generation of people of all ethnicities to view, feel the unnerving discomfort of, and discuss with the renewed fervor that a controversial film typically sparks. It's unfortunate that the usual bad taste that Tarantino films leave is reliably left at the end of this one and competes with the phenomenal performances of the actors. Nonetheless, kudos to Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kerry Washington for a job well done!