By Lauren Mattia

Although Quentin Tarantino’s new film didn’t surprise fans with its gratuitous, blood-spattering scenes, critics wonder if the film is just a little too intense to win the Best Picture Oscar this year. If this year followed tradition to include five nominations, the film would have close to no chance for a Best Picture nomination. But with the decision to expand the nominations to ten, “Inglorious Basterds” just might have a fighting chance for a nomination, or maybe even an Oscar. I’m not going to lie—this movie is intense. I was expecting a fair amount of torture and gore, but this film takes violence to a new level. These feelings could also be due to the fact that the film is longer than Tarantino’s previous films—slightly over three hours long. Or it could be due to the fact that Hitler gets absolutely blown to smithereens in the final scene. All of these factors aside, this film was one of my favorites of the year. But then again, I’m not in the Academy (but I do need a job).

Now you may be wondering why such a trailblazing film could be snubbed by one of the most esteemed group of film critics of all time. The reason is this—“Inglorious Basterds” is about as untraditional as it gets. I mean, did I mention that Hitler gets murdered? I think I speak for many when I say that I wish that had really happened. But the fact remains that the Academy consists of a somewhat conservative group who often awards films with traditional plot lines and aesthetics. Tarantino’s films are pretty much the opposite of everything that the Academy loves. But then again, “Pulp Fiction” almost took the Best Picture Oscar back in 1994, and that film followed the Tarantino aesthetic to a T.

Although there is a great deal of controversy surrounding the film’s ability to make it to the Best Picture category, one thing is for sure. Christoph Waltz will get nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Colonel Hans Landa, the disturbingly cruel Nazi officer. His performance was nothing short of phenomenal, and had a level of complexity that outweighed Pitt’s somewhat two dimensional performance. I think the guy deserves it too.

So while “Inglorious Basterds” might just be a little bit too Tarantino for the Academy, the film is undoubtedly groundbreaking. And while I usually have trouble sitting in a creaky theatre seat for more than two hours, the time seemed to fly by while watching this film. And even if the film doesn’t get a single nomination, Tarantino’s fans like me will keep watching and loving each blood-soaked minute of his future films.