Writer/director Quentin Tarantino loves to talk almost as much as he loves movies and he sat down for a wide-ranging interview that was published today. In it, he talked about his opinion of President Barack Obama’s job performance and he he thinks his new Western is relevant to today’s issues. He also has something against some of Cate Blanchett's movies.
During the interview with Vulture, Tarantino was asked about his thoughts on Obama. He was incredibly enthusiastic and thinks that Obama is going out with a bang.
“I think he’s fantastic. He’s my favorite president, hands down, of my lifetime. He’s been awesome this past year,” Tarantino said. “Especially the rapid, one-after-another-after-another-after-another aspect of it. It’s almost like take no prisoners. His he-doesn’t-give-a-s**t attitude has just been so cool. Everyone always talks about these lame-duck presidents. I’ve never seen anybody end with this kind of ending. All the people who supported him along the way that questioned this or that and the other? All of their questions are being answered now.”
Tarantino also said that his new film, The Hateful Eight, which is his second consecutive Western, is still relevant despite taking place during the Civil War. He explained that many Westerns have reflected the time they were made, even if they were about something that happened decades before. So, the recent events in Baltimore and Ferguson, Missouri are reflected in the film.
“I love the fact that people are talking and dealing with the institutional racism that has existed in this country and been ignored,” Tarantino explained. “I feel like it’s another ’60s moment, where the people themselves had to expose how ugly they were before things could change. I’m hopeful that that’s happening now.”
In another odd turn, Tarantino revealed that he doesn’t think much of Cate Blanchett’s films will be remembered in 20-30 years. When asked about Oscar bait films, he brings the two-time Oscar winner up specifically. While some of her movies might not be remembered, he singles out David O. Russell’s The Fighter and American Hustle as movies that will be.
“I don’t know if we’re going to be talking about The Town or The Kids Are All Right or An Education 20 or 30 years from now. Notes on a Scandal is another one. Philomena,” Tarantino said. “Half of these Cate Blanchett movies — they’re all just like these arty things. I’m not saying they’re bad movies, but I don’t think most of them have a shelf life. But The Fighter or American Hustle — those will be watched in 30 years.”
Tarantino’s new film will have a limited release on Christmas Day before going wide on Jan. 8.
image courtesy of INFphoto.com