Jorge Quinteros

» Inglourious Basterds ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Last night we saw Quentin Tarantino’s newest creation Inglourious Basterds. The film was outrageous. It completely rewrites history in this incredible freaky vision of how so many wished things had happen in WWII. It’s very difficult to admit that the bloodshed and cruelty against the Nazis was unusually amusing but the cheering and rooting of the audience took away any guiltiness I had.

I loved every single minute of the film. The considerable degree of detail was gorgeous that you couldn’t resist looking pass the acting at times and just admire the pieces that garnished a scene. Even the carefully crafted camera movements was as vital and noticeable. I’m generally not an admirer of subtitles but you get so captivated by the story that you find it remorseful not to follow along, so you’ll get over that.

Some performances were great but one that stood above the rest for me was the most menacing character represented by Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa aka “The Jew Hunter” who I’m sure will pick up a Best Supporting Actor nomination.

The most obvious answers to the question of what makes a great film star is talent and even that sounds somewhat vague because it’s not the only variable to consider. I’m not a cinema critic but from my perspective, the best form to judge a performance is to analyze if the actor convinced you that the part they portrayed was meant for them and absolutely no one else.

Christoph did just that and his stunning ability to wipe out his own identity and exchange it for the one given was remarkable. His acting was very reminiscent of Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. It was that good.

Both were highly observant of human behavior with deep understanding of it and could recreate it in front of any audience. You grow to hate them both but still hold respect for their characters because of their dedication to their work regardless of how inhuman it may have been. Stop reading now and getting discouraged by what critics say and go see the movie.

September 3, 2009 |   Tags: films review

» Setting the Difference

I normally bring with me lunch to work but there was no leftovers from the night before so I was pressured in locating something worth eating in a town whose supply on meals is limited to bagels or high-priced Italian food, so I settled for the middled ground. I went with Chinese take-out but I stayed in.

Here I am sitting at the table waiting to be called up for my order when this random thought came to mind. Why do all Chinese take-out restaurants look the same? Regardless of your geographic location, the likelihood of you having visited one is very likely because they’ve become as ubiquitous as Starbucks. They’re practically in every other corner so I’m sure you can relate to the view I had.

As far as I know, each chain is independently owned so in essence, the owner has free range in deciding how they wish to adorn their business but I’m wondering if there’s an unwritten rule in sticking to dull colors, washed-out floors and uncomfortable seating to represent a place that serves delicious food. The mood just doesn’t compliment the food.

Where’s the Surprise

I’ve yet to come across one Chinese take-out that’s retracted from such decor. There really is no shock value in what you get when you visit any of the locations other than distinguishing to your friends that an order of fried chicken wings is cheaper here than there. Granted it is take-out so perhaps attention to furnishing seems inconsequential but I would think any subtle changes to an institutionalized eating establishment as this would trigger the customer to separate one experience from the other. 

I could count the times I’ve actually stayed and eaten at a one of these and the reason has more to do with the place not being very inviting to begin with. My whole take on this sudden thinking is that if every one in an industry fails to address a problem, as a business owner, why wouldn’t I want to grab it from the horns in solving it and using the competition as the point of difference. Why follow in line with the rest?  Add to the list of changes menu presentation and food delivery approach and people will notice.

Being Above the Rest

What’s so fantastic about being different you ask? Well, because not everyone is doing it. With good credit and determination, anyone can open up a chain store but what makes you distinctive is applying that extra effort and inventiveness to set a niche and being the best at it.

Yes my lunch was delicious but I could have walked 2 more blocks and the rating on my meal would have been the same. What could have been different was the setting in which it was served and this would have forever been the place that completely erased my perception of a typical Chinese take-out restaurant.

Perhaps I was too hungry and simply over thought this opinion but Seth Godin doesn’t fall to far from everything I considered: 

Differentiation means thinking very hard about the market and your competitors and somehow making yourself different. Any rational person spending a fair amount of time with perfect information will have no trouble figuring out why you’re different. You don’t create a purple cow by being different. You do it by creating something worth talking about!

September 1, 2009 |   Tags: opinion life