Is "Do the Right Thing" that bad content wise?
 

Just like the title says Is "Do the Right Thing" that bad content wise? I mean like violence,sex, and profainity. thx

Well, first of all, violence-sex-profanity in the proper context (and not simply there for exploitation) should not be characterized as "bad".

I don't recall any specific scenes with particularly strong sexual content. There is some violence, and a lot of strong language. This movie is supercharged emotionally, and probably would upset some people.

IMHO, it's a brilliant film, and a proud moment in American filmmaking.

Thanks for the help.

It's one great movie. I wouldn't watch it with my mom, it's definitely a little "adult" in tone (fair amount of bad language, one sex scene I recall with the ice cubes) but it's a thought provoking flick.

Well the film certainly does not promote equality of the races...

The thing that I do not like about Spike Lee is that he doesn't even promote equality himself


Norman Jewison was set to direct Malcolm X. Spike Lee campaigned (and got his wish at that) to get Jewison off the project because "he could not direct a film about X successfully because he was not black."

And he doesn't like Pulp Fiction, either.

Bastard...


Although DTRT is a powerful film, in its own right.

:eek: I never knew that, that is pretty damn_foul but I think he did an excellent job and I don't think anyone other than Denzel could play the lead role

What's funny about the whole Malcolm X thing is that Lee has directed his share of films featuring non-black characters (including the upcoming 25 Hours). He's also taken Woody Allen to task for not making films about black characters. You can't have it both ways, Spike.

That is exactly why I find it weird. He blasts the white race for not delving into the black race, but then he shoots off at the mouth when they do it or try to and it isn't up to <i>his</i> standards.

Another example along with <b>The 25th Hour</b> is <b>Son of Sam</b> and italian americans. He does great films, he should shut his mouth about everything else.

The Pulp Fiction thing really sets me off. Spike Lee did not like the film because Samuel L. Jackson excessively used the "n" word while in the role of Jules.

I thought it was because of the way QT used the word not Jackson.

I felt QT's use was overdone but the whole movie was over the top so I guess it fits with the theme of the overall picture. It didn't bother me enough not to add it to my collection because A good movie is a good movie.

I read in an interview in some magazine that Spike Lee was upset with Jackson for using the word.

But I guess it could have gone both ways. Your thoughts and mine.

I agree that the word should not be used to that effect, but this was a work of art and, for one, Spike should know that.

thanks god for nipples :D

Everyone is entitled to have and express his or her own opinion, whether you agree with it or not.

Politics aside I think Do the Right Thing is a great film. It doesn't give ham-fisted answers to racial problems though some misinterpreted this to mean Lee promoted racial violence. He left everything ambiguous and presented a thought provoking movie.
It did kinda suck the way Lee acted about directing Malcolm X but like the quote said Lee never stated white directors shouldn't make black films he just didn't want anyone else to direct Malcolm X.
And don't get me started on Quentin T. this is the one area where Lee and I are in complete argeement.

Mr. Salty,
So, if I were to say the "n" word, that would be my opinion to say it, but it would not be alright.
I am saying a lot of what Spike Lee says is not...politically correct in today's society. And everyone should keep their opinions to themselves if their opinions are only going to hurt people.

lisadoris,
Spike Lee did not want Norman Jewison to direct Malcolm X because he did not believe a white director could do it. Simple as that. I don't really think he successed himself with the picture in the public. Critical, probably. Commerically, probably not.

Just saying the "n" word isn't expressing an opinion.

Quote:

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And everyone should keep their opinions to themselves if their opinions are only going to hurt people.

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So opinions should only be expressed if they are popular or at least non-offensive? This is a sad way to think. Sometimes, controversial or hurtful opinions are the ones that are most vital and necessary.

The 25th Hour features white characters, it isn't about ethnicity or anything like that. I doubt Spike would try to make a film about an important figure in Irish-American history, ethnically speaking, just as he thinks a white director shouldn't make a film about about an important figure in African-American history, ethnically speaking. Just like how Scorsese was originally picked to do Schindler's List, but he felt he wouldn't be able to do as good of a job as a Jewish filmmaker.

I think Spike was taking Woody to task for making "New York" films that don't feature any black people (and don't say that there was one black person in Deconstructing Harry - over 30 films that's nothing), not for not making films about important historical black people.

Now, I disagree with Spike on this, I agree that it is art and Woody can make any kind of films that he wants, social activism isn't his responsibility, and he just makes films about what he knows about.

But he isn't being hypocritical.

And I just want to add how disappointing it is that anytime anything about Spike comes up, it quickly will lead to a discussion about race and controversy, like that is all his entire being as an artist and his body of artwork boils down to. Look how off topic this has gotten.

Search for "Spike Lee" and every thread will be like that.

How can you not go into a conversation about race? Almost every film Spike Lee makes has racial overtones featured within.


Saying almost anything is an opinion. Unless you are reading from a book or have factual information. When I call someone the "n" word it is myself (believing them to be that)

I believe that when someone gives an opinion (much like Spike Lee and his racial issues) that they should not over indulge the public with it.

We get that you considered yourself a great director. We get that you believe the white race doesn't completely accept the black race. We get that you will not accept that a white director can make a believable story about a famous black figure.

We get it. We get it. We get it.

We really don't want to hear about it anymore, because you have bludgeoned the public to death with your opinions, however vital they may be.

I certainly don't feel "bludgeoned to death." He is an eloquent speaker and I am always interested to hear what he has to say.

That's your opinion. Leave the we out of it, because you certainly don't speak for everybody.

Oh my Lord. My poor thread. How aboot that Lord of the Rings movie eh?

Even though i have not seen this movie, it is rated R, and is likely to have strong language, and some strong sexual content, and some violence. (if you look at the other movies in this type of genere, this is what you will most likely find.

Another Spike Lee Joint
 

Oh trust me. I have had many a conversation with different races about Spike Lee. And many of each race find that, yes, from interviews (editorial and commerical) he truly believes himself to be the best thing to come for the black race in the last twenty years.

And what was that thing about an opinion? :lol:

Hey! Did I just not consider DTRT a good film in its own right?

Whatever the actions he gives the public, I can believe whatever I want to believe about him.

I don't have to like him as a person to like a film directed by him.