Say what you will about Quentin Tarantino (even you Spike Lee) the director of Django Unchained has some serious cojones. Nobody combines violence, controversy or rediscovering old talent (Don Johnson as Big Daddy) like the creator of Pulp Fiction. He has an even better knack of modernizing a particular period of time (American Civil War, World War II) without sacrificing any of its authenticity. Love him or hate him... Tarantino is one of our generation’s most entertaining (and best) filmmakers.

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: Set in the South two years before the Civil War, Django Unchained stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a slave whose brutal history with his former owners lands him face-to-face with German-born bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz). Schultz is on the trail of the murderous Brittle brothers, and only Django can lead him to his bounty. Honing vital hunting skills, Django remains focused on one goal: finding and rescuing Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) the wife he lost to the slave trade long ago. Django and Schultz's search ultimately leads them to Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio) the proprietor of "Candyland," an infamous plantation. Exploring the compound under false pretenses, Django and Schultz arouse the suspicion of Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson) Candie's trusted house slave.

What’s Good: Django Unchained has a lot in common with Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, in that the persecuted get a chance to fight back (and then some.) Tarantino’s genius is his ability to add humor to the mix... Otherwise, his films (one could argue) would be seriously “f*cked up.”

Foxx is utterly engaging as the soft spoken but resilient Django, who equally delights with wardrobe choices (you’re going to love his costume) and dazzling ‘You wanna see something?’ gunslinging. Waltz enunciates with the best of them (He’s the kind of guy you want to have a conversation with.) DiCaprio cinches a Best Supporting Actor nom for his devilishly delightful Monsieur Candie. Kudos to Tarantino for making Calvin ignorant to all things French, including the inability to speak it (brilliant!) If DiCaprio ever decides to take a break from being a megastar, he could easily become one of the best character actors around. His appearance alone solidifies Django Unchained’s place as one of the top three films of 2012.

What’s Not: It takes a lot to shock me; but I have to wonder how John Q. Public will react to some of Tarantino’s racier moments. How racy? Try these on for size: A runaway slave being torn apart by attack dogs, 100+ uses of the N-word and the sight of a stripped-naked Broomhilda being carried around in a wheelbarrow (after spending a day in a hot box.) Django Unchained is definitely not for the faint of heart.

They Said It: Tarantino is a great filmmaker, but perhaps an even better wordsmith. I managed to narrow down my list of Django favorites to five.

5. Calvin to Stephen, “Let’s keep it funny.”
4. Calvin to Django, “You are the 1 in 10,000.”
3. King to Django, “Give me your black slaver.”
2. Django to Betina, “They whippin’ little Jodie? Point me in that direction.”
1. King to a group of slaves, “The North Star is that one (pointing.) Ta-da!”

What’s the Grade? I loved it. Two hours and 45 minutes isn’t supposed to fly by unnoticed, yet that’s exactly what happens with Django Unchained. There isn’t a dull moment in the film, thanks to Tarantino’s brilliant ability to insert humor into otherwise horrifying situations. After relatively “holding back” for most of the movie, Tarantino lets loose in the film’s final minutes... tossing a “violence grenade” at his audience, that’s akin to both volumes of Kill Bill.

From tiny details like the sight and sound of King skimming the foam off a cold one to Calvin’s “I’ll handle this” with two slices of white cake, Django Unchained is one of the most colorful and stylish films in recent memory. Tarantino proves heavy handed at times, but his finished product is well worth it.

Waltz’s King remarks to Broomhilda, “Our mutual friend has a flair for the dramatic.” He was referring to Django, but just as easily could have been talking about himself, Quentin, Leo or Sam (have you seen a more interesting face in all of Hollywood? I don’t think so.) Django Unchained is a good story told by a great storyteller, with interesting people playing interesting parts: In other words... a great movie. Thank you.