Angie Ambos
Spike Lee is one of the most influential and innovative filmmakers in American cinema. His films often explore difficult topics, such as racism, civil rights, and politics. From his early works like She’s Gotta Have It to more recent efforts like BlacKkKlansman, Lee has consistently pushed boundaries and challenged audiences to think critically about movie-making and its potential impact on society. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at some of Spike Lee’s greatest movies and explore what makes each one so special.
Released in 1989, Do The Right Thing was one of the earliest works from Spike Lee and one of his most enduring. The movie follows a day in the life of an African-American neighborhood in Brooklyn, focusing on the struggles its inhabitants face. It’s a powerful exploration of racism and police brutality, as well as universal themes of family and community. Do The Right Thing earned several awards, including two Academy Award nominations.
Malcolm X was another early effort from Lee and is widely considered one of his best films. Denzel Washington stars in this biopic about the legendary civil rights leader Malcolm X, exploring his rise to prominence and eventual assassination. Featuring powerful performances and a passionate script, it’s a poignant tribute to one of the most influential figures in history.
Crooklyn is a semi-autobiographical film from Lee about growing up in Brooklyn during the 1970s. It follows an African-American family through their struggles with poverty, racism, and urban life in general. It’s a heartfelt look at childhood memories, full of humor and heartache, that viewers of all ages can appreciate.
He Got Game is an underrated gem from Lee, featuring Denzel Washington in a powerful performance as the father of a high school basketball star. It’s a tale of family dysfunction and the desperate hope for redemption, with Washington giving an award-winning performance that earned him numerous accolades.
25th Hour is another Spike Lee joint that often goes overlooked by casual fans but deserves more attention than it gets. It stars Edward Norton as a convicted criminal who has 24 hours before he goes off to prison, and it’s a tense drama that examines themes such as family ties and the impact of crime on society. It’s a bold exploration of difficult topics and features some powerful performances from its cast.
Lee teamed up with Denzel Washington for another time for this thrilling heist movie about a bank robbery gone wrong. With an all-star cast including Jodie Foster, Clive Owen, and Christopher Plummer, Inside Man is an exciting ride through the mind of a criminal mastermind. It’s a suspenseful, smart thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Miracle at St Anna was Lee’s ambitious World War II drama about four African-American soldiers stranded behind enemy lines in Italy during 1944. With some uniquely intense battle sequences and an emotional performance from Derek Luke, this movie is an underrated gem that deserves more recognition than it has received.
Lee’s most recent film is the 2020 war drama Da 5 Bloods, about a group of African-American veterans who return to Vietnam decades after the war to search for buried treasure and reckon with their past experiences. It features some powerful performances from Delroy Lindo and others, as well as a poignant story of brotherhood and redemption amid the horrors of war.
BlacKkKlansman was a critically-acclaimed drama based on the true story of an African-American police officer who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan to expose them. With some intense performances from John David Washington and Adam Driver, as well as Lee’s unique directorial style, it’s an exciting exploration of racism and prejudice that is both entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time.
Summer of Sam is an underrated drama based on the real-life events of the 1977 New York City blackout and its aftermath, with a cast that includes John Leguizamo and Adrien Brody in powerful performances. It’s a tense exploration of racism and intolerance in 1970s America that deserves more recognition than it has received.
Spike Lee has been one of the most influential filmmakers in Hollywood for over thirty years, creating an impressive body of work that has tackled subjects as varied as race, urban life, and modern-day politics. This list of his best movies shows why Lee remains one of the most important directors working today. Whether you’re looking for an inspiring biopic or a heart-pounding thriller, Spike Lee has something for everyone.
So if you’re in the mood for some great filmmaking, be sure to check out these eight amazing Spike Lee movies and get ready to be entertained!
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