Hateful 8 is EPIC Tarantino. Just marvelous. My sister,  Toni Lynelle , compared it to the infamous basement bar scene from Inglorious Basterds stretched out to a feature length. It has that claustrophobic quality, but Hateful is also a mystery. The story unspools by revealing tidbits in Tarantino's trademark chapters. There's gore, amazing dialog (peppered with somewhat gratuitous, albeit historically accurate n-words), and a HEAPING dose of Samuel L. Jackson badassery. Oh my,  Mr. Jackson... His monologue directed at Bruce Dern's character is simply jaw-dropping. I can't say I've enjoyed any of the other holiday season movies more (Force Awakens included). This is a film filled with surprises (as opposed to entertaining nostalgic nods to the Original Triology). Tarantino hasn't misfired yet, and this is one of his best. It's a clever, funny, bloody opera of a tale set in the old West. Tarantino fans will be thrilled. Jackson fans will be gleeful ...

Cut Harvey some slack on the Miss Universe pageant flub. Steve has been on the wrong side of history for DECADES...

Finally saw " # Creed ," and I have to say the hype is real. Off top, Stallone is better than he has been in decades, basically because the slurring, stumbling boxer from Philly with the heart of a lion has always been his most honest character. Then there's Michael B. Jordan... delivering a performance that erases the Fantastic Four from the public consciousness. He's ferocious here, battling the demons of his troubled childhood and completely absent father. Creed's widow, play ed with quiet dignity by Phylicia Rashad, plucks Adonis Johnson from the foster care system and raises him in all the wealth and privilege that her late husband could afford. I'm betting that it was screenwriter/director Coogler's idea to have Creed's widow balling out. Compared to Rocky's life, the difference in material comfort is significant. Yet, this pampered life is not for him. As a youth, "Donnie" had a hair-trigger and solid hands in fights. Even as...