To think that without Spike Lee, the depictions of Brooklyn in popular culture we’d be stuck with would be this and this (shudder). Spike Lee’s Red Hook Summer drops in NYC this weekend and it’s being anticipated as a the director’s big return to capturing Brooklyn life on screen. The film even features Mookie, the pizza-delivering protaganist from Do the Right Thing. The story follows a kid who moves to the Red Hook projects to spend the summer with his Bible-thumping grandfather (Clarke Peters, of The Wire), with a big twist at the end that apparently divided Sundance audiences. But you can be one of the first to see for yourself: We’ve got four pairs of tickets to giveaway to screenings starting this weekend!
The passes are good for screenings at BAM from Friday through Aug. 16 (except the 7:10 show on Friday featuring a Spike Lee Q&A, which is already sold out). Lee will, however, be doing a special extended introduction to the 10pm show on Friday, which you can use the passes for, unless it sells out.
To enter, tell us in the comments below your favorite Spike Lee film and why. We’ll pick winners by Wednesday at 4pm. Make sure to register as a commenter so we can email you!
View Comments (53)
I've only been waiting to see this for....a while. :-) My favorite Spike Lee film? I'd have to pick Macolm X, for its brave depiction of a true American who changed the world. He took no shortcuts, didn't candycoat the story so that all future generations could be exposed to the true story as accurately as possible. <3
In case my last post didn't go through...it definitely is Malcolm X for it's sincere portrayal of a true American icon. He didn't sugarcoat the story, and now young Americans can now easily access and understand his legacy. The film has almost become a historical record in itself. For that, Spike Lee is one of the bravest, most sincere directors of this age. <3
"Girl 6" would be my favorite by far. Basically it's about the life of an aspiring actress in New York. My most memorable scene though, would be when she's is getting yelled at by acting coach, Susan Batson. There's just a sense of truth in that scene, that even though she's getting bashed and yelled at by this coach, Susan is just trying to make her be honest with her acting. It's funny but makes complete sense. I guess I can relate because I'm an aspiring actress myself.
My favorite? "Inside Man".
While it may not be the most important film he's ever made, it shows that he can eschew race relations and make a better film than most other directors.
It's one of the best heist movies I've ever seen, and I could watch it at any time. I feel like you need to be in a certain mood for a lot of his other stuff.
Although, if his IMDB page is serious, his take on Old Boy will be insane.
my favorite spike lee joint is malcolm x. i find it to be his most powerful film by far... it also makes you wounder how the same guy managed to also direct the utter clusterschmuck that is "she hate me".
"Crooklyn"!!! All day! How can you beat a movie shot in 70's brooklyn with hilarity, debauchery, heart warming family moments and drama! It's a classic and the soundtrack is sick!
Crooklyn for sure
Crooklyn, for sure.
So, so hard but I have a soft spot in my heart for School Daze because it opened me up to Spike. It's daring, provocative and just a taste of things to come. No one was making a film like this when it was released, no one.
"Wake Up!"
Malcolm X. Powerful story, powerful performances. Great period detail. Great music. Not just the best Spike Lee movie, but one of the best movies ever.