i just ordered Do The Right Thing blindly....
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Well, it is Criterion, so I hope you didn't spend too much. The movie is not bad, although it's kind of dated, but that works to its advantage now, as it probably provides the best look at late 80s racial tension. Spike Lee is not my favorite director in the world, but this is probably one of his better films.
But alas, it is only you who can decide if you did the right thing. Let us know if you liked it after you watch it.
But alas, it is only you who can decide if you did the right thing. Let us know if you liked it after you watch it.
#4
DVD Talk Godfather
Do The Right Thing is one of my favorite movies, and is solidly in my Top 10 DVDs of All Time list.
You've done the right thing.
Now go deliver some pizza, Mookie.
You've done the right thing.
Now go deliver some pizza, Mookie.
#8
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 10,495
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Young Vito
is the Do The Right Thing dvd available from CH a Criterion? Just wonderin..thanks
is the Do The Right Thing dvd available from CH a Criterion? Just wonderin..thanks
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll tell you, I hate rap/hip hop music and anything like that, so I resisted this movie for a long time.
Boy was I surprised when I saw it - it was not what I expected at all.
I still think the message is relevant - we may think we have the perfect 'melting pot' ideal, but in reality it just does not work.
A superb movie - you will not regret buying it.
Boy was I surprised when I saw it - it was not what I expected at all.
I still think the message is relevant - we may think we have the perfect 'melting pot' ideal, but in reality it just does not work.
A superb movie - you will not regret buying it.
#11
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally posted by JFM
I'll tell you, I hate rap/hip hop music and anything like that, so I resisted this movie for a long time.
I'll tell you, I hate rap/hip hop music and anything like that, so I resisted this movie for a long time.
I know you know this, I was just wondering what gave you this misconception (nothing personal).
#12
DVD Talk Legend
One of the most even-handed looks at racial tension ever put to film. An outstanding, amazing movie.
(And really, only the opening credits sequence has dated badly.)
(And really, only the opening credits sequence has dated badly.)
#13
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: I was here but I disappear
Posts: 8,407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nothing is dated about this brilliant movie. The opening credits are a strange and bold piece that played just as awkwardly at the time. But they set the tone.
Spike's career has been a real rollercoaster, but this is his masterpiece.
Here's my review.
Spike's career has been a real rollercoaster, but this is his masterpiece.
Here's my review.
#14
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cromwell, CT
Posts: 5,494
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Although a bit dated in spots,(sorry buskerdog) it's still a very good film, and the DVD is loaded.....
Spoiler:
Last edited by JaxComet; 04-10-02 at 11:45 AM.
#15
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: I was here but I disappear
Posts: 8,407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That stuff doesn't make it dated. That stuff just points out that it is not brand new. Not the same thing. Casablanca isn't "dated" because they talk about World War II in the present tense. "Dated" indicates that it has aged poorly and either the styles or ideas look silly or embarrasing (without meaning to) simply due to the passage of time.
#16
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Mouthweathercity, IL.
Posts: 3,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Did you never hear of Spike Lee before you bought it? Then you have made an truely absolutly blind purchase and a right one. If you know who Spike Lee is then you made a right decision.
#17
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cromwell, CT
Posts: 5,494
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by buskerdog
That stuff doesn't make it dated. That stuff just points out that it is not brand new. Not the same thing. Casablanca isn't "dated" because they talk about World War II in the present tense. "Dated" indicates that it has aged poorly and either the styles or ideas look silly or embarrasing (without meaning to) simply due to the passage of time.
That stuff doesn't make it dated. That stuff just points out that it is not brand new. Not the same thing. Casablanca isn't "dated" because they talk about World War II in the present tense. "Dated" indicates that it has aged poorly and either the styles or ideas look silly or embarrasing (without meaning to) simply due to the passage of time.
Casablanca is set at that time.......
#18
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: I was here but I disappear
Posts: 8,407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Of course. Do the Right Thing is set during the time when Jordan's were the top shoe etc... Plenty of 80's movies were set during a time when leg warmers were cool. My point is that just because something reflects the specifics of a time doesn't mean it's "dated" in the somewhat negative sense of the word.
Regardless, great film, great disc (assuming you got the Criterion)
Regardless, great film, great disc (assuming you got the Criterion)
#19
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cromwell, CT
Posts: 5,494
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by buskerdog
Of course. Do the Right Thing is set during the time when Jordan's were the top shoe etc... Plenty of 80's movies were set during a time when leg warmers were cool. My point is that just because something reflects the specifics of a time doesn't mean it's "dated" in the somewhat negative sense of the word.
Regardless, great film, great disc (assuming you got the Criterion)
Of course. Do the Right Thing is set during the time when Jordan's were the top shoe etc... Plenty of 80's movies were set during a time when leg warmers were cool. My point is that just because something reflects the specifics of a time doesn't mean it's "dated" in the somewhat negative sense of the word.
Regardless, great film, great disc (assuming you got the Criterion)
I agree that it's good. I have the Criterion. What I think I'm trying to say is that it was probably more powerful when it was first made.....
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by JaxComet
I agree that it's good. I have the Criterion. What I think I'm trying to say is that it was probably more powerful when it was first made.....
I agree that it's good. I have the Criterion. What I think I'm trying to say is that it was probably more powerful when it was first made.....
#21
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: new york
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by DVD Smurf
Did you never hear of Spike Lee before you bought it? Then you have made an truely absolutly blind purchase and a right one. If you know who Spike Lee is then you made a right decision.
Did you never hear of Spike Lee before you bought it? Then you have made an truely absolutly blind purchase and a right one. If you know who Spike Lee is then you made a right decision.
#22
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: The Land of Corn
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by bluntman86
it was a truly blind purchase man.i had only "heard" of spike lee before buying this film.i have never seen a movie by him or even looked up his work.
it was a truly blind purchase man.i had only "heard" of spike lee before buying this film.i have never seen a movie by him or even looked up his work.
#23
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: I was here but I disappear
Posts: 8,407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do the right thing is by far his best.
Malcolm X is very, very good. Powerful, epic, complex.
From there it's a real mixed bag. She's Gotta Have It is interesting, especially for a debut, but has some really lame sequences. Jungle Fever is also very interesting but kind of a mess. He Got Game has some great stuff in it and some total garbage. Get on the Bus is good, if a bit preachy. School Daze is fun. Clockers is good.Crooklyn is ok, if somewhat uneventful. Girl 6 and Summer of Sam are crap.
Malcolm X is very, very good. Powerful, epic, complex.
From there it's a real mixed bag. She's Gotta Have It is interesting, especially for a debut, but has some really lame sequences. Jungle Fever is also very interesting but kind of a mess. He Got Game has some great stuff in it and some total garbage. Get on the Bus is good, if a bit preachy. School Daze is fun. Clockers is good.Crooklyn is ok, if somewhat uneventful. Girl 6 and Summer of Sam are crap.
#24
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally posted by JaxComet
I agree that it's good. I have the Criterion. What I think I'm trying to say is that it was probably more powerful when it was first made.....
I agree that it's good. I have the Criterion. What I think I'm trying to say is that it was probably more powerful when it was first made.....
Spoiler:
As buskerdog has said, what dates a movie is the language used in it and some of the ideas. Do The Right Thing is as powerful as it was when it was released in 1989.
Some of its controversy has died down, so maybe it's not as inflammatory as it was that year when America couldn't take Spike Lee's "solution/response" to racism (violence) with a grain of salt.
In fact, on the Criterion disc, listen to the doco Q&A at Cannes to get an idea of how immediately powerful this film was, even back then. To me it hasn't changed -- the message has been stated so it's no longer as shocking or incendiary, but the message is still relevant (whether or not it's correct I don't know).