Jamie Foxx is epic as the title character, the free negro with an attitude. He easily provides this film with a hero not to be forgotten anytime soon. Foxx’s free slave swag is major and he again proves to be every bit the box office draw he has become since “Ray.”

KEVIN CHILL HEARD

Managing Editor

Although “Zero Dark Thirty” may have recently drawn the ire of politicos and government officials, Quentin Tarantino’s latest film may stir up controversial feelings even deeper rooted.

In his usual “bull in a China shop” delivery, Tarantino convinces a crew of A-list actors to go back to the old plantation in, “Django Unchained” – and if you don’t know by now, the “D” is silent!

Remember when everybody got their forehead all wrinkled about the unrestrained use of the “N-word” in Tarantino’s “Jackie Brown”? Well, take that use of it and have it smoke crack! In fact, the use of the N-word may be the least of your issues with this film. Don’t get me wrong, in many ways; “Django” is an amazing film, ever-present with its writer/director’s quirky bravado. The thing is, it’s often uncomfortable. A lot of it is hard to watch. Call it what you want, but this is a slave movie. And, in Tarantino’s free-wheeling style you may find yourself questioning whether or not it was his place to “go there.” Oh yes, you are going to be “feelin’ a certain way” about so many things you see during the course of watching “Django.”

Jamie Foxx is epic as the title character, the free negro with an attitude. He easily provides this film with a hero not to be forgotten anytime soon. Foxx’s free slave swag is major and he again proves to be every bit the box office draw he has become since “Ray.”

We first find Django being marched to slave auction, but a funny thing happens before this Black buck can be bid on. Foxx runs across fellow Oscar-winner Christopher Waltz, who plays bounty hunter (and dentist) Dr. Shultz. He embarks on a path that will lead him to his lost love (Kerry Washington), who has been sold away to another plantation. As it turns out, all roads lead to two other actors that easily should be flossin' with golden statues from the Academy (Samuel L. Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprio). Sam Jackson plays such a good “house negro” you are gonna want to smack the hell out of him after you send the Drop Squad to pick him up. DiCaprio plays a plantation owner who’s easy grin, belies an institutionalized cruelty remarkably performed by the celebrated actor.

Featured on the soundtrack is a startling poignant joint by Rick Ross called “100 Black Coffins.” This is not to be missed.

“Django Unchained” was released nationwide Christmas day and is Rated R for strong graphic violence throughout, a vicious fight, language and some nudity (165 min).

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