Martin McDonagh has become one of my favorite directors!

I just saw this for the first time today, after being utterly wowed by In Bruges a few months back. That became an all-time favorite upon first viewing... and this is just SLIGHTLY underneath. Damn.

Both movies balance dark humor, violence, and drama, but they do it in a way where the characters' heartache doesn't feel like forced "slow moments." As much as I love Tarantino, every so often he'll just have more banter for the sake of banter. While Tarantino is still a more accomplished director simply due to legacy, McDonaugh's films are the best "Tarantino-influenced" ones available. This is probably because the emotion manages to feel authentic no matter how irreverent the crazier parts get (the "midget" from IB, all the killings in 7P). Whereas folks like Guy Ritchie and whoever directed Boondock Saints seem to think that long f-bomb riddled conversations and guns are all that made Pulp Fiction work. McDonagh's work is a perfect blend of old and new.

I'm now eagerly anticipating whatever his next work is... and Colin Farrell's role on True Detective! These movies prove the guy really does have talent when he's not stuck in a studio box. Now what about Cavalry, and The Guard? I believe McDonaugh's brother directed those... worth the watch?