This was my favorite Tarantino movie since Jackie Brown

Like a lot of people, Tarantino was the first director that really got me into directors. And he topped my list of faves ever since. This was after I'd seen Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, and True Romance (I know he didn't direct the latter, but it always felt like a quintessential Tarantino movie to me). All four of these quickly became favorites. And I even loved his story in Four Rooms.

But when Kill Bill came out, I dunno. I mean, I enjoyed it. But it didn't hit me quite like the others did. I remember it being one of those situations where I felt kind of left out when everyone else was liking it more than I did, haha. It just didn't feel like the Tarantino I'd signed up for, I suppose. It seemed so comic booky, flashy, silly, big, and over-the-top to me. Which I understand that was sorta the point. But still... it wasn't a style direction that I really preferred. And I was so disappointed when Death Proof, Inglorious Basterds, and Django Unchained ended up being more of the same (I did enjoy Django more than the others, but that ending was way too much for my taste).

The Hateful Eight had its over-the-top moments as well. But it felt closer to that old style I originally loved Tarantino for. It was small, intimate, and, while still a little comic booky, had more of a real-world feel to it that I could get on board with.

I'd still rank it below those original 4, of course, lol.