oh Shosanna

So, forgive me this lapse in time. Matt and I saw Inglorious Basterds a few weeks ago, walked out of the theater and didn't know what to say for a few minutes.
I've seen most of Tarantino's films, and knew what to expect in the way of gore. Hello? WWII, Nazis, and QT, you know there will be gore. What I wasn't prepared for was the very first scene of this film. I forgot where I was, what movie I was watching. I forgot that this was going to be an action packed movie with a Tarantino flair. Suffice it to say I was mesmerized.
The first five-ten minutes we are transported to a French country farm. The farm owner, portrayed by Denis Menochet, who delivers an intense, tear jerking, memorable few minutes, is visited by a small contingent of Nazi soldiers. And we are introduced to my favorite person in the movie. Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). He is dark, with more than a touch of insanity. Cunning? Check. Snake like. Yes. Why did I enjoy him so much? Well, it is a bit difficult to put into words. He is perfect in this role. Cunning and clever, and ruthless, but ingenious in this movie. The scene these two have together is my favorite. You feel so much in the scene, it is truly amazing.
The movies rolls along at a good pace, and I'll skip all the things you could guess from the previews. Diane Kruger, usually I could leave her. I actually enjoyed her German in this movie. I don't want to do a play by play of the movie- rather just mention the one other actor who stood out for me- Melanie Laurent. Beautiful, but not in the Hollywood typical way.In a sense she's the heroine of the film. Essentially there are two plots to kill Hitler, and hers is by far the most theatrical and enjoyable. I do mean enjoyable.
As the movie ended I found myself wondering, why hasn't a film like this been made before? I don't know if it was NEEDED, but I loved it. Loved it for the first scene, and for the actors I mentioned. I'm not a huge fan of gore, or of Brad Pitt's ridiculous accent (I think it was ridiculous on purpose), but everything was right in this movie, or wrong, but in the right way. For instance, branding Nazis anyone?

She's going for the whip

Shouts Jimmy Fallon, aka "Hot Tub" Johnny Rocket, MC for Texas Roller Derby events.
Going into this movie I was a little embarrassed, thinking that the film was a bit on the cheese side, girl-power-girl -director- girl- Juno-on -roller-skates. I would ask really quickly of my friends, "wanttoseewhipit?" Fast, like a band-aid. Because, secretly, it sounded like a fun ride, but I had to play it cool.
After feeling out my friends, I ended with three dates. Yay me! We nestled into our seats, and I was so excited that I laughed at the previews. Opening is the beauty pageant scene from the previews, Juno with blue hair embarrassing her mother. So, that was expected. And I'm sorry Ellen Page, you are forever known now as Juno. Some people get those roles in life and they are just stuck with them. Juno was a great movie, great role, so don't feel bad. Plus the character Babe Ruthless, (which Page plays in Whip it) is a verrrrrry close Juno impression sans baby.
After a few scenes we arrive at our first roller derby. I think it's fair to say that not only was Juno sucked in, but everyone in the theater audience went to buy roller skates after the show. You fall for each roller girl, frenemy or friend, you love them all. Barrymore doesn't put much of herself in the film, just a taste to make you love her violent ways. Juliette Lewis is fabulous, I mean FABULOUS as Iron Maven, Juno's rival on another team. The costumes are great, the girls are bruised, saucy, tough as nails, sucking you right into the lifestyle of roller derby. You watch this and want to be friends with them. I single out Lewis and Barrymore, but really each girl was a treat. Kristen Wiig as Maggie Mayhem- great. Zoe Bell, Eve, Andrew Wilson (new Wilson brother) awesome awesome awesome.
Each scene was like a new surprise, a new treat. I was so excited I kept whispering and nudging Teresa. How can you not love a movie where the characters choose names like Eva Destruction, Jabba the Slut, and Rosa Sparks? Or Teresa chose her name- Pat M'booty. Cute, right? Well it's a rough and tumble ride, that makes you oooh and ahhh, and ooooow! at all the right places. Bloody noses and bruises as big as a Jack O' Lantern, these are the girls next door, just with the pretty layer pulled back showing the raw meat of contact sport and adrenaline highs.