Critics Say ‘The Hateful Eight’ Is a Waste Of 70mm Film; Roadshow Sets Theater Records

Some Critics are calling Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight" overly-talky and a waste of 70mm film.

For those unaware, Tarantino's latest film was shot entirely on celluloid film, particularly 70mm. It also marks the first time the film format has been offered in over 20 years.

A report by Cinema Blend says 70mm allows for "a grander capturing of landscapes and action blocking," which is apparent in some of the best-known 70mm releases of the past including, David Lean's historical drama "Lawrence of Arabia" and Stanley Kubrick's space sci-fi epic "2011: A Space Odyssey." But unlike "Lawrence of Arabia" which was shot in several desert locations, the majority of "The Hateful Eight" takes place in a single indoor location.

"Why in the name of all that is holy would Tarantino tantalize us with 70MM when 99% of his story is set in small interiors?" Breitbart editor John Nolte says. "When we are not in a stagecoach, we are in Minnie's Haberdashery, a cabin about the size of a Walgreens. Other than some lovely opening shots and a minute or two of flashbacks, "The Hateful Eight" is a stage play, and an overlong one."

Despite the negative feedback, Tarantino's 70mm roadshow had a strong opening-weekend debut and earned $4.6 million across 44 theaters across the U.S. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film's 70mm screenings have grossed $11.2 million for a $112,000 per theater average in its first 12 days. The top-grossing theaters for "The Hateful Eight" 70mm screenings include New York's Village East Cinema and Hollywood's ArcLight.

The movie features Samuel L. Jackson as Major Marquis Warren, Kurt Russel John "The Hangman" Ruth, Michael Madsen as Joe Gage, Tim Roth as Oswaldo Mobray, Jennifer Jason Leigh Daisy Domerque, Channing Tatum as Jody, Walton Goggins as Sheriff Chris Mannix, Bruce Dern as General Sanford Smithers and Demian Bichir as Bob "The Mexican."