1989 Review Blog
Do the Right Thing
Grade: B+ 11/02/2010
Some people consider Spike Lee's films a bit militant and controversial. His brilliance behind DO THE RIGHT THING is that he invites the audience to become those with an internal controversy by never quite taking a side in the racial volatility throughout the film. The tension is palpable as we all live through a hot day in a Bed-Stuy neighborhood where Sal's Pizza is a central location. Many people seem to have their prejudices, but for the most part, it is live-and-let-live. But Spike Lee's invites us to realize, and bring our own prejudices to the table, that our society has nearly evolved to a point where conflict is necessary. Very well done. Spike Lee's own character of Mookie is a bit confused and his motivations are vague...but Danny Aiello is absolutely superb.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Grade: B+ 11/02/2010
Some people consider Spike Lee's films a bit militant and controversial. His brilliance behind DO THE RIGHT THING is that he invites the audience to become those with an internal controversy by never quite taking a side in the racial volatility throughout the film. The tension is palpable as we all live through a hot day in a Bed-Stuy neighborhood where Sal's Pizza is a central location. Many people seem to have their prejudices, but for the most part, it is live-and-let-live. But Spike Lee's invites us to realize, and bring our own prejudices to the table, that our society has nearly evolved to a point where conflict is necessary. Very well done. Spike Lee's own character of Mookie is a bit confused and his motivations are vague...but Danny Aiello is absolutely superb.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
My Left Foot
Grade: A- 11/05/2010
In lesser hands, MY LEFT FOOT could have come across as a stunt lacking much emotion...but under the careful hands of Director Jim Sheridan and the great Daniel Day Lewis....this story of Christy Brown is touching, funny, beautiful, and perfectly frustrating. To see how Christy was trapped in his own Cerebral Palsy body is so heartbreaking and excruciating...yet the movie does not ask for sympathy or pity. The movie wonderfully portrays a story where the lead has a hardship but overcomes it. It is a classic idea...but seeing Daniel Day Lewis at his best makes the entire movie feel original.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Grade: A- 11/05/2010
In lesser hands, MY LEFT FOOT could have come across as a stunt lacking much emotion...but under the careful hands of Director Jim Sheridan and the great Daniel Day Lewis....this story of Christy Brown is touching, funny, beautiful, and perfectly frustrating. To see how Christy was trapped in his own Cerebral Palsy body is so heartbreaking and excruciating...yet the movie does not ask for sympathy or pity. The movie wonderfully portrays a story where the lead has a hardship but overcomes it. It is a classic idea...but seeing Daniel Day Lewis at his best makes the entire movie feel original.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die