It’s not hard to understand why Quentin Tarantino declared this the top film of 2013. The movie employs a darkly humorous approach to a difficult topic, sharing a similar dry wit with Tarantino’s work. I thought the writer/directors assembled it exceptionally well, and the performances are all strong. A deliberate lack of character development keeps viewers from getting too emotionally invested in what's happening on…

My initial thought was about preserving the planet, but I quickly realized this was a crime thriller, not science fiction or fantasy. I pictured tough guys in leather jackets with guns and cigars—the kind of thing you’d expect from Tarantino. However, it wasn't as aggressive or overly violent as that. The script felt disjointed at times, especially when trying to create a sense of unease, which left me feeling like s…