By User:AllieCashel @timeAndDate(1276113546)
Spike Lee is an African American director, producer, screen writer and actor who examines the roles of race, media, urban crime and poverty through his films. He has been nominated for two Academy Awards and has won one Emmy Award since the start of his career in 1985. Often appearing in cameo roles in his films, Lee is famous for making movies set in Brooklyn, New York where he attended high school. He has perfected the "floating effect" in his movies (an effect where characters appear like they are gliding through the air without the actors feet in the frame) and includes a floating sequence in almost all of his movies. In all of his films, his social critiques and observations are powerful, moving, and insightful, always leaving the viewer wanting to know more and questioning their own places in society.
Popular Spike Lee Films
'''He Got Game''' was both written and directed by Spike Lee and released as a sports drama film in 1998. This film follows the story of Jake Shuttlesworth, a prison inmate convicted for murdering his wife and the father of the top-ranked basketball prospect in the country. Jake is released on parole for a week from prison to convince his son to play for the state governor's alma mater team in exchange for a reduced jail sentence. As only a Spike Lee movie can do, this film subtly explores and critiques details about our government, jail system, and general society through the touching story of a man and his son. When the film was released, it was the top grossing movie in the US: its subtleties were praised and appreciated by critics across the country.
'''When The Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts''' is a documentary film released in 2006 that explores the devastation left behind in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. With a running time of four hours, this incredibly moving documentary focuses on both the suffering of those affected by the disaster and their will to survive and overcome it. The film also points out that this disaster was preventable, calling to attention again some of the imperfections within our society. With respect and dignity, Spike Lee aired the documentary in its entirety in New Orleans on August 16th, 2006. Critics adored it, claiming that it was an impressively accurate representation of our society and country.
'''Malcom X''' was released in 1992 and is a biographical film about the African-American activist and black nationalist, Malcom X. Dealing consciously with the issues of race that were and are still present in our society, the production of this movie led to some controversy about how Malcom X would be depicted throughout the film. In the end however, the film was well reviewed by almost all critics and Denzel Washington (the actor who played Malcom X in the film) was nominated for Best Leading Actor that year at the Academy Awards.
'''Do The Right Thing''' was selected by the Library of Congress in 1999 as a "culturally significant film," and that's exactly what it is. Following the life of a black family living in Brooklyn, this film explores themes of race, prejudice, death, violence and class with both grace and power. Although there was fear that riots would break out after the release of the film (nothing ended up happening), critics were eagerly anticipating this films release and were fully satisfied when they finally saw it. Winning the Golden Globe for Best Original Screen Play (Spike Lee did write, direct, produce and star in the film), this movie has inspired audiences of all races ever since is release in 1989.
'''4 Little Girls''' was nominated for Best Documentary at the 1997 Academy Awards and has continue to move and awe viewers since then. Based on the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, the film explores the life and death of four victims of the bombing. As with his other movies, the film is historically accurate, unbiased, and graceful in its approach of potentially offensive and touchy subject matter. Well received on TV, in theaters, and on DVD and VHS release, this powerful documentary provides a haunting look into some of the darkest moments in American History.
Other Spike Lee movies include:
* '''25th Hour'''
* '''She Hate Me'''
* '''All the Invisible Children'''
* '''Inside Man'''
* '''Come Rain or Come Shine '''
* '''Crooklyn'''
