His best ever. Go without says it's one of the best movies about race ever made. If you wanted to show someone a film that encapsulated city life in the 1980s, this is it.
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
" Accumulation of wealth at one pole is, therefore, at the same time the accumulation of misery, agony of toil, slavery, ignorance, brutality at the opposite pole" - Karl Marx
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
Incredibly ambitious film, and a brilliant performance by Denzel. But ultimately fell short of what it could have been. The fact that he was able to complete the film at all is one of the great accomplishments of his career, though, given the bullshit the studios put him through on it.
140. "A, and you forgot the 'l' in his name." In response to Reply # 2
Sorry, my jackass tendencies are acting up again (I see you, Ricky!) ______________________________________________________________________ i get my kicks on channel 6
these days people talk a gang of smack about this film, but I remember that when it came out, people couldnt speak becuase the joint was so powerful....
I remember me and my crew went and afterward we didnt say shit to each other until the next day....
This is one of the great American films....a film that makes a case for cinema as art....
Denzel Washington drew his perfromance from the heavens, he made you feel as if you were watching Malcolm X's life, and not a film about Malcolm X....the fact that he wasnt lauded by the acting and film community is a crime...
The use of A Change Gonna Come......GAME OVER....
The avatar: With one eye on the funk...
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
" Accumulation of wealth at one pole is, therefore, at the same time the accumulation of misery, agony of toil, slavery, ignorance, brutality at the opposite pole" - Karl Marx
Tried to do too much visually. The whole malt liquor commercial should've been cut.
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
This movie is one of Spike's most personal in subject matter, and it manages to build a film around child actors without becoming corny. It holds up to multiple viewings really well, too. The soundtrack is pretty much unfuckwitable, too.
the first film he did with no teeth, the story was kind of nebulous....
I think this film was done to balm the professional egos of Joie and Cinque Lee...
not a bad film, but not interesting at all...
The avatar: With one eye on the funk...
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
21. "B-" In response to Reply # 4 Fri Dec-16-05 02:58 PM by sevencents
actually, I would like to change my grade to a B/B+
I liked the movie a lot but just read the book recently which I liked a lot better....at the same time, movies rarely match up to the books they are based on so I can't fault Spike for that.
Gotta wonder how the Scorsese version of this movie would've turned out. but in this instance, it was probably better off in Spike's hands. Love this movie.
Probably my favorite Spike Joint. I just love this film. I too wonder how different it would have been if Scorcese made like he originally planned. ____________________________________ <--New Avy in honor of new season
I haven't seen it in ages, but I remember it was really tightly constructed, for a Spike film. It didn't try to be all things, just to succeed within its genre.
Nearly "He Hate Me'd" the movie with the "the young black boy is being teased in school because he's smart" flashback diversion 2/3 of the way in, but still a solid movie. ______________________________________________________________________ i get my kicks on channel 6
the only Spike Lee film that I think is downright bad....
once again, boring and unfocused....though visually striking...
Spike hit a wall here...
The avatar: With one eye on the funk...
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
Didn't care for the movie as much as I thought Samuel Jackson shined.
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
Sam Jackson and John Turturro shined in this one. The plot was a little unwieldy in the end, but the basic premise was worthy. You gotta dig that Stevie Wonder theme, too.
"He Hated Me'd" an interesting interracial love story into a sub-commentary on crack addiction. The first instance where Spike's kitchen-sink tendencies nearly did him in. ______________________________________________________________________ i get my kicks on channel 6
this is a film made up of great scenes but it doesnt translate into a great film...
one huge reason to see this film is Sam Jackson's performance as Gator....of course, the immacualte Taj Mahal/Living For The city scene..
John and Nick Tuturro shine in this as well...
I thought I liked this when I saw it at the theatre, but then I realized that I was extremely distracted when I saw it....
Many years later, the flaws in this movie were glaring.....
Spike wasnt sure what he wanted to say about interracial relationships....Wesley's character was poorly written...
the acting isnt the greatest here...and Spike's dialogue is wooden...its very disjointed and doesnt flow well...
The avatar: With one eye on the funk...
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
I was pretty unimpressed the first time around, but somehow with repeat viewings this became one of my favorite movies. I have a hard time explaining why a movie with generally zero plot is good.. it just is. or maybe I'm just a sucker for movies with dogs in 'em
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
I was expecting a better story. Visually it was great. ------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
Very good father-son story with another great Denzel performance, a credible Ray Allen, and a naked Rosario Dawson before she lost the baby fat. ______________________________________________________________________ i get my kicks on channel 6
This film is a microcosm of Spike's career. Some great things happening and some not so great things. Some brilliant casting and some misplaced casting.
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
Probably a C movie, but the talking dog and the report from bed stuy scenes are classic.
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
I don't remember why but the movie seemed a little light to me, and I haven't felt compelled to see it again. At times Spike seemed out of his element in terms of the content and themes. Perhaps he is more personally invested in some of his other work, I don't know.
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
but since Do the Right Thing was the first film you listed, i wanted to start out grading somewhat conservatively and i didn't feel like going back to bump up DTRT's grade
but i think that Get On the Bus is really great because its enclosed setting restrains Spike, keeps him meandering the way he's sometimes wont to do. he manages to convey a bunch of messages without coming off (too) preachy, too
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
Definitely had its moments. It showed what Spike could do when forced to scale back his budget and scope a little, and it dealt with some really meaty material. Plus, Charles Dutton just kicks ass. But there are a couple moments when the premise wears thin, and it becomes clear that he's populating his bus with a group of archetypes rather than fully realized 3 dimensional characters.
233. "A+....a masterpiece..." In response to Reply # 9
The avatar: With one eye on the funk...
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
106. "Co sign on all..." In response to Reply # 66
Hated it when it came out in the theater, borrowed the DVD from a friend and actually have watched it a few times.
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
This is one of the films that is universally identified by people as one of Spike's worst (along with Bamboozled. Whatever, I enjoyed the flick. It wasn't the greatest movie but it had some good qualities. ____________________________________ <--New Avy in honor of new season
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
Another of the HATED Spike Films. The biggest problem I hadwas Damon Wayans' accent. It totally took away from his character. Spike, as usual, addressed a lot of throught provoking topics, he just browbeat the viewer with them and it could wear on movie goers. ____________________________________ <--New Avy in honor of new season
Didn't like it. Visually it looked pretty bad, and I just didn't feel that script at all - he had some interesting material, but he just botched it, IMO.
235. "A+....another masterpiece...." In response to Reply # 11
The avatar: With one eye on the funk...
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
The only reason the movie doesn't get an F is because the premise is dope. The writing is ain't great and Damon's use of that exagerated white-black guy voice completely killed a movie that had a chance. i like damon but he ruined that movie.
----------------------- "I'm so glad I got my own I'm so glad that I can see my life's a natural high the man can't put no thing on me" (c) Curtis Mayfield
I've argued with people as to why find this film almost completely flawless.
It has all the great performances, twists and turns, exquisite peripheral characters, innovative setting, interesting climax....and what's even better....in the end turns out to be a simple, heart-felt little movie.
----------------------------
O_E: Your Super-Ego's Favorite Poster.
"Any fighter that I face, I say prayers for them every night and that he and I live to fight another day."
Might be my favorite spike lee joint. About my favorite music too.
Denzel Wesley Cynda (good lawd!) Robin Harris
Besides no film with the opening to A Love Supreme will get hated on by me.
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
236. "A....I used to hate this film.." In response to Reply # 12
The avatar: With one eye on the funk...
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
the film has flaws, but for me it's one of Spike's most exciting pictures... in many ways, i think he's left this kind of ingenuity and focus behind and that's a shame
Watched this recently and was blown away by the talented actors in it.
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
70. "A++ (it is flawed but fuck that... this is one of the boldest films ever..." In response to Reply # 14 Fri Dec-16-05 03:14 PM by AFKAP_of_Darkness
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
I can't believe it isn't getting higher grades. This movie was an amazing low-budget indie flick. Beyond his classic Mars character, it also had a great complex female lead, something many critics claim Spike never writes. The disturbing final act of the film has always been very unsettling to me, but in the positive sense of confronting some ugly truth about male-female relationships, etc.
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
A jumbled mess of a movie. At least bamboozled had paul mooney.
------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
He shoulda just picked one plot and ran with it. I think either one 1) the whole "Worldcom" Type Scandal or 2) the lesbian surrogate father thing would have made a decent movie. He just had too much going on trying to do both in one film. ____________________________________ <--New Avy in honor of new season
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
some of it was interesting. It's hard to judge since it was really supposed to be a series pilot. as a feature it doesn't quite work, but I definitely would've continued watching the series.
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
Awesome documentary. ------------- “When I was younger, I felt life was about acquiring things. But as I get older, I know life is totally about losing everything…Smart too late and old too soon," – Mike Tyson
********************** Quote of a lifetime: "...music is not just a hobby or what I do...it's what I live...music is the voice of my god, my vehicle for spiritual enlightenement..." -OKP Illogicz
243. "A-" In response to Reply # 221 Sat May-13-06 12:09 PM by ZooTown74
Spike showed what he could do with a solid, "work for hire" script... ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Hey there Lay there Won't you take me home? I'll write your name in a song
262. "This post is great and sad at the same time" In response to Reply # 0
Great in that a black directors work is being graded. In that I mean he has enough work, a full varied body of work, enough to allow a list for folks to grade individually. Like a Scorcese etc.
Sad becasue there aren't many more Spikes in the large body of work area
316. "This post reminds me how underappreciated he is." In response to Reply # 262
He's effectively carved a unique niche for himself in a world that is generally ambivalent to black creative filmmakers(as evidenced by the lack of others in the field).
He's done it largely on his own, and has done it with integrity.
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