Quint-essential Quentin: Stop Me If You've Heard This Beforeby MikeInIowa

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November 01, 2009: Ok. So, here's a quick checklist of items to look out for in a Quentin Tarantino film. Lots and lots of gunplay. Yes, "Inglourious Basterds" definitely has that element. Repetitive, overuse of the F-word, the N-word and other salty language. Yep, it has that, too. An intricate inter-lacing of violence and irony. Check. Brief but strong sexual content that leans to the side of alternative interests. Check and check. Rapid-fire flashbacks to give bits of backstory to the audience. Present. Scenes replayed to remind the audience of past events. Yes, sir. Characters that spout an uncanny amount of insight into the motion picture business. Yo. A hard-driving, Rock'N'Roll soundtrack. Oh, yeah.

"Inglourious Basterds" is an entertaining film, to be sure, but it is also a Quentin Tarantino film, and that means this feature should be reserved for the grown-ups in the house because, hopefully, adults can separate the spoof from the truth. Sadly though, when the kiddies eventually find and play this dvd (or watch the movie on cable), they will inevitably think that the flick is "cool" or "tight" or whatever it is that the teenagers say.

Tarantino pictures are send-ups of what we perceive as cool on film, and thus, the characters in his movies are over-the-top in terms of being verbally and physically abusive, sexual, disfigured, grotesque, righteous, pious, and in every other known trait in the sullied spectrum of the human experience. Tarantino gets us with regards to who we are at our core, and then proceeds to eviscerate us with satirical representations of ourselves.

This is what makes a Quentin Tarantino movie worth watching, and "Inglourious Basterds" is no exception. Add to the mix terrific performances by Brad Pitt, Melanie Laurent and the entire supporting cast, and you have the makings of a Tarantino classic, as regarded by the fans of his movies.

That much being said, Tarantino films are not for everyone -- certainly not for all members of the family. For every person that enjoys "Inglourious Basterds" there will probably be another person who is offended by it. It is harsh and it is violent and it takes a creative license with recorded history that some folks may not be ready to embrace despite the humor that is intended. For example, how proud this movie make members of the Hebrew community when they see this film's bloodthirsty Jews scalping slain German soldiers is yet to be explored.

No, you cannot please everybody, and so film makers like Tarantino must be bold and innovative if they are to remain marketable in the motion picture industry. To be sure, how-bad-is-bad is in the eyes and judgement of the individual moviegoer, but "Inglourious Basterds" has some moments that are in questionable taste.

I Also Recommend: Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill, Kill Bill, Part 2, Grindhouse: Death Proof.