I’m not going to see ‘Inglourious Basterds.’ On principle.
I love movies….all kinds of ‘em. I try not to write off any genre or actor or director because I think you miss out that way. In fact, I’ve lectured people when they do that very thing. (For example, I believe a lot of people missed out by writing off ‘Twilight.’ If you still haven’t seen it, rent the DVD. You’ll thank me.)
But I have given Quentin Tarentino quite a few chances, and he and I just don’t see eye-to-eye. I know many critics and moviegoers love his point of view and his creativity…and I don’t dispute that he has a definite dose of both.
But I think filmmakers like Tarentino and Eli Roth — who directed the irresponsible torture film ‘Hostel’ (that Tarentino produced) and who also stars in ‘Basterds’ — are doing us all a disservice by splashing around such unholy gore in their creations.
If we can sit through such blatant displays of death and dismemberment and not be affected, what does that say about us as human beings? And why then are we surprised that teenagers are killing each other in high schools? Or that professional football players are choking the life out of dogs with their own hands?
We as a generation are becoming numb to overwhelming displays of violence. It’s something that we laugh at…and cheer on…and give five-star ratings to, as in the case of ‘Inglourious Basterds.’
Don’t get me wrong; I love the idea behind the film. A Jewish revenge fantasy against the Nazis? Brilliant. But in the hands of Tarentino — in just the glimpses that I have seen in the trailer — ‘Basterds’ is a gore fest that I choose not to support or applaud.
