Do the Right Thing

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Luke R Apr 12, 2019 What a hectic film! I knew that Spike Lee has one of the most unique and idiosyncratic styles of directing ever from what I've read and seen about him. I got a glimpse of this when I saw BlacKkKlansman; but it left a lot to be desired, and I was thirsty for more. Having just seen his masterwork, I can say that I'm completely enraged, and that's completely fulfilling and satisfying, to be honest! (8.5/10) See more

Draco P Mar 17, 2019 I think this one is way over rated. I wanted to like it. Cheesy & boring @ best.

Hermione S Feb 25, 2019 It's one of those movies that makes you sit and stare at the screen after the credits roll

Anakin W Feb 24, 2019 Do It If Spike Says So. Do The Right Thing Lee's indie masterpiece that got him recognition and fame like never before, defines the very term "situational comedy" at its best. Building up one big climatic riot- for two whole hours- on which the entire film hinges upon is brimmed with series of hilarious political humor that tickles you throughout the course. Basically, what Spike Lee; the writer-director, has to do and does is create a mundane environment in the street where each character- no matter how much small- factors in on this huge controversial event. And he does it with such flamboyant command over the film, that you are left in awe of its sheer practicality. Take the sweet flirty relationship between De Mayor (Ossie Davis) and Mother Sister (Ruby Dee), for instance, their trajectory on how their bittersweet equation evolves into an affectionate sentimental moment is enough to carve out the meat of the or the leap of the imagination it shows of Lee's. The other tiny sequences holds up grudges like fascism on admiring the love for celebrities or an invasion of a third party in an ongoing cold war or fighting for the rights to listen and express the views. These are the provoking notions that charges them and us to reach a cathartic climax. As much as brilliant Lee is off camera, his onscreen investment often comes off as misdirected, since he fails to obliviate his authority off screen. Nevertheless, from support like John Turturro as a hot head Pino and Samuel L. Jackson as a sharp narrator named- or claimed- Love Daddy on a local radio, he is in safe hands. Personally, Danny Aiello as Sal and often the senior among this group, steals the show for me with his brilliant frustrated performance that is ready to burst out any second. Do The Right Thing tosses an unbiased coin, fair and honest in its words, it doesn't ask questions but answers them. See more

Feb 5, 2019 Director: Spike Lee Writer: Spike Lee Key Players: Spike Lee â" Mookie Danny Aiello â" Sal Ossie Davis â" Da Mayor Richard Edson - Vito John Turturro â" Pino Buggin Out â" Giancarlo Esposito Producer: Spike Lee Similar to The Great Dictator, Do the Right Thing is a very contentious film that carries a strong, yet debatable message to itsâ(TM) audience of the issues between races within communities and a call for power. The main focus in the film is the black community. Directed by Spike Lee, the film starts on a very hot day in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. In this predominantly black neighborhood there are also Latinos, Koreans and whites, and although divided, everyone knows each other. Here we are introduced to Salâ(TM)s Pizzeria, owned and operated by Italian-American Sal (Danny Aiello) and his 2 sons Vito (Richard Edson) and Pino (John Turturro). Although this pizzeria has been in this neighborhood for many years and popular in the community, throughout the movie we find that tension can run high between its black patrons and owners. A clear depiction of this is when Buggin Out (Giancarlo Esposito) demands to know why there are only pictures of Italian Americans on the walls, followed by ârarely do I see any Italian Americans eating in here. All I've ever seen is Black folks. So since we spend much money here, we do have some sayâ?. This is where Mookie (played by Spike Lee) steps in to ease the tension. I think that in this film it is in-fact Mookie, who to an extent struggles with doing the right thing as he desires to balance all the different relationships, responsibilities in his life and tries to be the calming force in a community that is separated by race and fighting for power. Tensions continue to run high in the neighborhood between members of different races, just like the extreme heat. The event that took place in the pizzeria escalates and Buggin Out and Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn) return to the location during closing time demanding that Sal change the pictures on the walls. While this argument is taking place Radio Raheemâ(TM)s BoomBox is loud, and after refusing to turn it down, Sal beats the BoomBox with a bat in a rage. A fight breaks out between Sal and Radio Raheem which leads to the death of Radio Raheem at the hands of the cops in-front of a crowd. This is Mookieâ(TM)s turning point as he throws a garbage can at the window of the pizzeria and does what to him is, the right thing. To stand up and fight for the black community. A riot breaks out and the pizzeria gets destroyed. The riot angered at what this Italian-American pizzeria has caused, they start moving towards the Korean family market. However, they stop after the owner yells "I no white! I black! You, me, same! We same!" Production Highlights: I think that a production highlight of the film is Smiley played by Roger Guenveur Smith). Although he doesnâ(TM)t/canâ(TM)t say much his persistence of wanting to speak about Malcom X, random appearances in different scenes is yet another reminder of what the film is about. The need to fight for power and racial equality. This is also the social justice and historic context in the film. The fight that was fought by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X for African-Americans. Cinematic Devices Used: The biggest cinematic device used in this film that separates it from all others if the emphasis that it makes on the extreme hot weather which relates to the high tensions and tempers in the neighborhood. You can see this in the sets created and costumes. Dutch tilt and eye-level angel is used and to dramatize the emotions of characters zooms/closeups are used as well. Overall Recommendation/Conclusion: Personally, I was not a big fan of this film. This film is similar to The Great Dictator in the sense that itâ(TM)s calling for a need for change and equality. Both movies also expose the fights, struggles, and racism that Jews in the Holocaust and African-Americans face, I think The Great Dictator does a better job delivering the message. I didnâ(TM)t really like the amount of violence Spike Lee used throughout the film. Although this was/is a reality still, I found it difficult to find the message hope or attempt to touch the viewersâ(TM) hearts like Charlie Chaplin did at the end of the film. Instead I think the film suggests that violence is the only way to stand up and fight for the rights, freedom and equality of a community. See more

Leia R Feb 3, 2019 The movie Do the Right Thing is a call to action from its writer and director Spike Lee. Although released in 1989, this call to action is relevant in todayâ(TM)s day and age. The setting is in a section of Brooklyn, NY â" more than likely in the 1970s where the majority of those who reside in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood are Black and Latino and boomboxes were popular. The primary filming and action centers on Salâ(TM)s Pizzeria, a long tenured Italian-American pizza shop frequented by patrons of the community. Across the street is a store owned by a Korean couple who recently migrated to Brooklyn. And, while there are numerous actors in this movie, the key players are Sal (Danny Aiello), Mookie (Spike Lee) who works for Sal delivering pizza, Salâ(TM)s two sons, Vito and Pino, (Richard Edson and John Turturro, respectively), Da Mayor (Ossie Davis), and Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn), and Bugging Out (Giancarlo Esposito). On a normal day within the community, tensions tend to usually run high. However, in a given 24-hour period depicted in the movie, the tensions run as high as the oppressive heat wave beating down on Bedford Stuyvesant where it begs to question if members of the community in the movie did the right thing? Upset that Sal only has pictures of white Italian-Americans on the walls of the pizza shop, Buggin Out demands that he add Black people to represent the neighborhood and more importantly his patrons who support his business. Sal disagrees. Consequently, Buggin Out starts to spread the word to boycott Salâ(TM)s Pizzeria. A real-life story which we hear about in todayâ(TM)s news and inevitably when we look for answers we question did everyone behave accordingly and do the right thing? Was there social justice or injustice? When will we all learn to live as one and finally come to grip with the social change needed to allow us to unite? Despite being filmed in 1989, this very same question comes up when it comes to racial tensions getting in the way of all of us living as one united nation and in harmony. One of the cinematic techniques used to convey the tensions and uneasiness in movies is the Dutch Tilt or Dutch Angle. Keep a look out for how the camera is tilted in most of the movie and subsequently changes towards the end of the movie. There are also Zoom shots of characters who suddenly become confrontational â" sending the message that they are not so happy. The lighting is also purposely coming from the bottom or side, an indication in movies that danger is lurking. One of the things which caught my attention is the fact that Lee, the Director, showed Blacks and Latinos as well as Blacks and Koreans in arguments. It wasnâ(TM)t just Black vs. White. A beautiful reminder that we must all guard ourselves of potential unconscious biases. As I think about the movie Napoleon Dynamite, I am reminded of the tensions running high between high school students of the same race. Consciously or unconsciously intended, the bullying and mistreatment shown on both movies is inappropriate and conduit for unnecessary division within our society - back then and now. If I had to guess, both movies are reminiscent of the 1970-80s where such conversations of bullying and tolerance of differences were not spoken about. However, today we have to the opportunity to use these movies to open the dialogue about the power of our differences and doing the right thing. My recommendation for this movie is 4 stars! See more

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Do the Right Thing

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