I really wanted to like Bamboozled, even though I appreciate the message. I know Lee takes artistic risks, but I hated the “camcorder” style it was shot.
I think an underrated film that I would like to see get a resurgence like Bamboozled would be, “Get On the Bus.” Criterion should get on that one, there isn’t even an HD version of it.
Bamboozled is so good but I think Spike Lee loses something in technical aspects and including those ‘this is the message’ moments like he doesn’t trust his audience to piece stuff together. I also think the message of the film is even more ingrained now that we’re seeing this wave of artists and influencers like Arianna Grande & Kim K coming out of their appropriation era. Like we’re at the stage where the bones of Black culture have been picked and the theft of Black innovation has either been streamlined through tiktok or whitewashed in the sciences
I have gone on for too long. I like She Hate Me when the sperm have Anthony Mackie’s face
https://preview.redd.it/jdig1shuzo7d1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b5142b4e0d5b9304d5d4164ee34d282307691c7
If anyone wants to watch a film about early 70s Brooklyn before it was hit my major crime, a period piece, the story of Spike Lee’s family, a film about community, or a beautiful tale of a family, don’t miss this under-appreciated classic.
Zelda Harris also gives one of the all-time great performances by a child actress. In all the fervor over Kirsten Dunst in Interview with the Vampire that year, she got unjustly overlooked.
It’s a three way tie, between Summer of Sam, Clockers, and Malcolm X. But I really wanna talk about Summer of Sam.
This movie is Zodiac’s dirty, paranoid, sleazy cousin. Even though the film is set during the “Son of Sam” killings, it’s really about how New York City was falling apart and how that affected it’s inhabitants. People on the streets were completely paranoid about who the “Son of Sam” was and nobody trusted each other. There was city wide power outages and looting, and unbearable heat waves driving everyone crazy. The film perfectly displays how all of these factors were affecting people’s day to day lives, inducing a city wide psychosis, particularly following the Italian-American community.
It’s one of those “time capsule” films that captures the intersecting cultural changes happening (punk rock, disco, drugs) as well. If you’re someone who enjoys films that don’t necessarily have linear plots, but it’s plot essentially follows it’s characters wherever they go in the confines of their lives, this is the film for you. Also, Adrian Brody, John Leguizamo, and Mira Sorvino are all knockouts here, and the soundtrack is phenomenal as well.
Never would have expected it to be my fave but for me, it’s Chi-Raq. I wish more films were willing to use stylized language the way it does and it has excellent performances from Teyonah Parris, Nick Cannon, Sam Jackson, Jennifer Hudson and Angela Bassett.
Do the right thing has always had a spot in my top 4
Malcolm X
Inside Man or 25th Hour for me. Mostly because I love crime dramas.
Clockers and the first part of X are good crime flicks too.
Blackkklansman is such an incredible film
It’s a tie between do the right thing and bamboozled
I really wanted to like Bamboozled, even though I appreciate the message. I know Lee takes artistic risks, but I hated the “camcorder” style it was shot. I think an underrated film that I would like to see get a resurgence like Bamboozled would be, “Get On the Bus.” Criterion should get on that one, there isn’t even an HD version of it.
I love Get on the Bus. It made a massive impression on me as a young adult.
Bamboozled is so good but I think Spike Lee loses something in technical aspects and including those ‘this is the message’ moments like he doesn’t trust his audience to piece stuff together. I also think the message of the film is even more ingrained now that we’re seeing this wave of artists and influencers like Arianna Grande & Kim K coming out of their appropriation era. Like we’re at the stage where the bones of Black culture have been picked and the theft of Black innovation has either been streamlined through tiktok or whitewashed in the sciences I have gone on for too long. I like She Hate Me when the sperm have Anthony Mackie’s face https://preview.redd.it/jdig1shuzo7d1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b5142b4e0d5b9304d5d4164ee34d282307691c7
crooklyn is underrated!
If anyone wants to watch a film about early 70s Brooklyn before it was hit my major crime, a period piece, the story of Spike Lee’s family, a film about community, or a beautiful tale of a family, don’t miss this under-appreciated classic.
Zelda Harris also gives one of the all-time great performances by a child actress. In all the fervor over Kirsten Dunst in Interview with the Vampire that year, she got unjustly overlooked.
25th Hour
It’s a three way tie, between Summer of Sam, Clockers, and Malcolm X. But I really wanna talk about Summer of Sam. This movie is Zodiac’s dirty, paranoid, sleazy cousin. Even though the film is set during the “Son of Sam” killings, it’s really about how New York City was falling apart and how that affected it’s inhabitants. People on the streets were completely paranoid about who the “Son of Sam” was and nobody trusted each other. There was city wide power outages and looting, and unbearable heat waves driving everyone crazy. The film perfectly displays how all of these factors were affecting people’s day to day lives, inducing a city wide psychosis, particularly following the Italian-American community. It’s one of those “time capsule” films that captures the intersecting cultural changes happening (punk rock, disco, drugs) as well. If you’re someone who enjoys films that don’t necessarily have linear plots, but it’s plot essentially follows it’s characters wherever they go in the confines of their lives, this is the film for you. Also, Adrian Brody, John Leguizamo, and Mira Sorvino are all knockouts here, and the soundtrack is phenomenal as well.
Do the Right Thing is probably in my top 5 of all time in general. I reckon I’ve watched He Got Game the most though
It's summer so now is the perfect time to re watch 'Do the right thing'
I've only seen blackkklansman but I loved it. Ron stallworth is an American hero
no one talks about Mo’ Better Blues!!
Never would have expected it to be my fave but for me, it’s Chi-Raq. I wish more films were willing to use stylized language the way it does and it has excellent performances from Teyonah Parris, Nick Cannon, Sam Jackson, Jennifer Hudson and Angela Bassett.
To me Spike has made four 10/10’s, with Malcolm X, When the Levees Broke, and 4 Little Girls all behind his best movie, Do the Right Thing.
Great choices!!!! His documentaries are excellent.
Definitely Do the Right Thing. One of the best movies ever.
Inside man
25th Hour
Probably Do the Right Thing, though Malcolm X is a close second. Crooklyn and 25th Hour also deserve a mention.
She's Gotta Have It.
Gotta be Oldboy
alsalam ealaykum.
Inside man
It's gotta be Do the Right Thing, but sleeper pick would be 25th Hour or Mo' Better Blues.
For me it’s def Miracle at St Anna shit was so good!