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Do The Right Thing - Criterion Collection

Do The Right Thing - Criterion Collection

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Yuzs Is In The Hood Now!!!!
Review: Spile Lee is thy greatest director that has every walked on his planetr!! This film mixes up so mny raw anzs real emotion i doesn't know what to does with myself! Great acting by Ossis Davis and Danny Aillioe in a movie thatzs brings up race and social indydiferences at such a real standpoint. Real and beautiful...peace out!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: SUMMER OF MOOK
Review: I saw a video of Spike Lee's DO THE RIGHT THING a few years ago and, I admit it, the movie didn't impress me then. And I never made the effort to give this movie a second chance. Until now. For days, I wondered why, among the thousands of great movies awaiting a DVD release, Criterion chose to present DO THE RIGHT THING, a film which is already available in this new standard. Now, I know !

Like in the classic tragedies, the action of DO THE RIGHT THING lasts one day and takes place in one and only decor, a street of New-York City. A stunning prologue - the initial credits - presents Rosie Perez dancing on Public Enemy's " Fight the Power ". At this moment, you feel that the heat is on. Not only because of the temperature. When it's too hot, people sleep less, become nervous and talk too much. For the worst.

At first, the neighborhood protects itself against anybody new entering the Street. A car driver with his antique automobile, the new owner of one of the street's mansion or the Korean couple in a freshly opened grocery have to defend themselves against agressive members of the Street community. Meanwhile, Radio Raheem, a character perfectly played by Bill Nunn, and two policemen observe quietly the heat growing up. But Raheem's loud radio and the scornful eyes of the policemen already announce the final tragedy.

At last, there is no community anymore, it's race against race, colours against colours and brothers fighting brothers. When the night comes, the tragedy can end with the usual paroxysm of tension ending in the murder of one of the protagonists. In our classic tragedies, the tragic death of one of the main characters clears the dramatic situation but in DO THE RIGHT THING, nothing is solved after the death of the young boy. The tragedy has not ended. And it's still not raining.

Exceptional bonus features for a great movie.

A DVD (2) for your library.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Straight-Forward Spike Lee Joint
Review: The best thing about Spike Lee's films is that he expresses his thoughts very directly, and yet without giving in to the temptations of including easy effects like explicit violence.

'Do The Right Thing' is basicly about stupidity. Stupidity that leads to intolerance. Stupidity that escalates because of... stupidity.

A very honest film about reciprocal racism, and therefore one of the better on the subject!

A straight-forward Spike Lee Joint.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Great Movie "Sho Nuff"
Review: Do The Right Thing is one of the greatest movies of the eighties and maybe of all times. Spike Lee tells the story of one of the hottest days of the year and what sparks into an explosive ending. When you add this movie to your collection you must understand that Spike Lee is an artist and his movies are deep. Do The Right Thing symbolizes the everyday struggle of man and what could happen to us all if we dont use knowledge to break down hate and fear that keeps us all apart.

The second Disc (Disc 2) gives you a great chance to see a younger Sam L. Jackson and especally Rosie Porez. This movie would be a great addition anyone's collection.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best Double-Disc DVD So Far!!
Review: I've only barely scratched the surface of this double disc DVD and feel compelled to brag about it already. Good DVDs should always contain this much material and should take several days/weeks to get through.

The movie itself is brilliant. Other reviewers have emphasized that already (and better than I could anyway). But a film like this one is so incredibly enhanced when intelligent, entertaining supplimental material is provided. Criterion and Spike Lee have compiled some of the best extras I have seen in a DVD package so far.

In a behind the scenes montage, Spike (and his brother) filmed a large portion of interviews and read-throughs with the cast members. We are able to see these actors question Spike about the script to understand their characters better. We see them interacting (sometimes awkwardly) with each other, attempting to establish comradery. And, as Spike clarifies things to the cast, we the audience receive clarity as well.

Of special note is the transformation of Rosie Perez. Her "character development" (that of herself, not of her film character) is amazing. When the interviews begin, she seems to be a detached outsider, frustrated by the others who might not have experienced the Bed-Stuy neighborhood as authentically as she did. When the featurette ends, she is close to tears, reminiscing on how much she will miss everyone. Seldom are we able to look into the lives of the actual actors as intimately as Spike has allowed us to do here.

I am highly anticipating the release of Lee's BAMBOOZLED on DVD, as well. I expect the extras (though not as much will be included as is found on DTRT) to be quite enlightening. That film, like this one, begs for further discussion and interaction.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: the best dvd featue wise I own
Review: This is the best movie I own feature wise it contain's a commentery from spike lee and crew and the movie in a great new transfer, if you have bought criterion in the past and have been dissapointed in the quality of the transfer , I own only this and silence of the lamb's so i dont know waht other are like but next to silence of the lamb's which I was disapointed in this is great. But that is only the begining you get a second disc full of feature's such as canne's film premire with reporter's question's for spike and the cast, story board's of the riot sequence although my dvd does not have a comparsion as sated here, plus rehersal footage and a hour documentry of spike revisting the film location. Regardless of your feeling on spike lee and even this movie it is still a must for any true film lover or someone intreased in pursueing a edcaution in film. If you have kid's in collage majoring in film buy them this and let them see what a real filmaker can do with ambtion and talent and very little money.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Lee did the right thing
Review: In only his third film, Spike Lee created a classic that is both socially relevant and artistically accomplished. By focusing the actions at one location in one day, this film reminds us that race relation cannot be improved if we don't improve the way each one of us interacts with everyone else. The film's finale is notable for its echos of real events that occurred not long before the film was made, and its prescience of events to follow. It is an unforgettable movie scene that shows how intolerance can victimize everyone. Nevertheless, the apocalyptic vision of the final scene did not sit well with some critics. Is it a call to end violence or to start violence, they asked. In the film Lee seems to say there are no easy answers.

Somewhat overlooked is the fact that the film also makes keen observations of lives of American black underclass, especially in the portrayals of the "cornermen". Their exchanges are as amusing as they are trenchant in commenting the state of affairs of lower-class blacks. And through them, Lee takes the uncompromising position that sometimes the underprivileged can also be victims of their own mentalities.

Also, Lee subtlely shows the many faces of racial intolerance. While Sal's son Pino overtly hates blacks, and Buggin' Out is overtly intolerant of whites, but is the attitude of Sal himself really conducive towards racial harmony? Does he have a desire to get to know his neighbors, or does he simply want to "have no trouble with these people", as he puts it? By leaving this aspect ambiguous, Lee makes us think just what IS the right thing to do...

Despite all the criticisms against him, I believe Lee tackled the difficult subject as intelligently as any director could have done.

The Criterion DVD contains most of the supplements in the Criterion laserdisc released in 1995 -- audio commentaries, cast meetings and screen tests, 'Making Of' documentary. New supplements include Lee's press conference at the '89 Cannes festival, video interview with editor Barry Brown, "Fight the Power" music video, and a video segment showing the filmmakers re-visiting the Bed-Stuy neighborhood.

The DVD's video quality is characterized by deep, rich, saturated colors which cinamatographer Ernst Dickerson so brilliantly captured in order to create a feeling of overwhelming heat (literally and figuratively). There is a Dolby Digital 2.0 audio track (Prologic-decodable to surround), and a PCM stereo track that actually sounds brighter and crisper than the DD track.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Criterion Does the Right Thing
Review: The Do the Right Thing Criterion Disc is without question one of the all time gems Criterion has put out.

If you've seen the movie, then you already know how legendary the film is and what it meant to society..but what Criterion has done puts the film into better perspective. Specifically, Spike Lee's contributions to the disc are beyond what any director has done to any DVD I have seen.

Disc 1 has the movie and commentary from Lee, and others. The transfer is great.

But Disc 2 is unbelievable. There are hours of behind the scenes footage...including a 30 minute pre-production (rehearsals) meeeting between Lee and all of the actors. Danny Aiello, a young "Sam" Jackson, Martin Lawrence and the other actors in the film. Lee and Aiello act out one of the final scenes in the movie before it was made, and the exchange is priceless. Lee says this footage hasn't been seen for more than a decade. In addition there are one-on-one interviews with most of the castmembers also in pre-production.

On Disc 2 Lee also goes back to the location of where the film was shot more than a decade ago...also some unbelievable video. I'll stop here and let you see the rest...there is literally hours of viewing enjoyment on Disc 2.

Say what you want about Lee as a filmmaker..clearly he has made some of the most influential films of our time. Spike Lee's contribution to this DVD is so extensive and informative you will feel like you are getting 3 or 4 movies on this Criterion disc. For DVD enthusiasts like myself, who see great films wasted into special editions or bare bones discs, this is a refreshing exciting leap forward in DVD innovation. Do the Right Thing Criterion Edition is a must purchase. Believe the Hype.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It Reveals The Evils Of Prejudice
Review: This movie is really special. Each character is depicted in a unique way with his good points, faults, and prejudices. This movie shows that some people are diplomatic while others are extremely close minded. Each personreacts to a situation in his own way. Whereas Spike Lee's character is somewhat laid back, he tries to be diplomatic especially when dealing with Buggin' Out Bill who is all about anarchy. Sweet Dick Willy and his cronies stick to their own kind and are a bit ignorant but try to be accepting of all people and don't want to cause any trouble. The old couple each try to do what is right but each have quirks to their own style. The mother sister(Ruby Lee) seems to want goodness for her neighborhood. Yet she applauds the burning on Sal's Pizzeria. And then there is Sal and his sons. Sal just wants to run his business with pride and dignity with minimal resistance from those around him. One son wants to escape from an envirnment where he feels persecuted whreas the other son wants to try to understand the dominant culture around him. I could go on about all the other characters such as the self righteous Radio Raheem or Spike Lee's respectful sister, Jade but this is a movie worthy of multiple viewings due to its depth and message. Just try to overlook an overindulgence of cursing. I can for the most part.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Genuine American Masterpiece
Review: Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing" is the best film about race relations ever made in America. Powerful, funny, heartbreaking, truthful and a complete visual extravaganza, this is an extraordinary film, Lee's best. Set in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in Brooklyn during the hottest day of the summer, the film starts as a humorous slice of life story about the people who live in this neighborhood. I do not want to reveal too much of the film because the first time viewer should experience this film on their own. I will say that as events in the film progress, it slowly builds to a shattering climax that is unforgettable. Lee has never been as assured a filmmaker as he was on this, because every element from acting to cinematography is calibrated to perfection. The fact that Criterion is producing such a nice set for this film is truly exciting.


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