Do the Right Thing Sucka

"Do the Right Thing" really challenged me on many different levels, I must say Spike Lee has surprised me with his trickery. There are so many aspects of this film that show Spike Lee as an artist. The cinematography was truly amazing throughout the film, I particularly liked the way he used a filter and bright warm colors to portray the heat of the day. I especially liked that he painted the wall behind the three men such a vibrant shade of red. By doing this Spike made the viewer feel uncomfortable to look at the screen. This color was so bright it made me squint my eyes, this really added to the setting of a hot hot day, it really made me feel like I was sitting on the corner with the three men trying to beat the heat. I thought the ending was amazing, I was a little confused at first when Mookie threw the garbage can through Sal's window but I soon realized the irony behind the scene. It's sad to think that there is such hatred in the world but the "racial slur montage captured many people's viewpoints on diversity in today's society. There is so much about this film that I don't even know where to begin. There were many interesting angles and creatively conceived shots throughout the film. I felt that the dutch angles, the extreme close ups, low angle shots and high angle shots all contributed towards the chaos that gradually grew until the final scene when the people of the neighborhood exploded in a furious riot. I think Spike Lee did a good job displaying the racial injustice and the racism that encompasses our world. Whether Mookie did the right thing is of little importance, what we should be asking ourselves is, Why is there so much hate in the world? "Do the Right Thing" has been one of my favorite movies I have seen all year next to the film, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". I do not recall watching any other films directed by Spike Lee, definitely none starring the Lee. I really liked the film, I thought it was comical in many ways but I also saw the importance of the message that Lee was trying to get across. I intend to watch a few of Lee's other films in the near future.

The Battle of Algiers

The film, "The Battle of Algiers" made in 1965 was rereleased with new print and new subtitles. The film is unique and plays an important role in todays time as well. It has been respected by both sides of the political spectrum, "The Battle of Algiers", a political document with imagery and insights are relevant in today's world and touches base with our times as many countries experience the oppressive actions of an intervening power. The director Yulo Ponte Corvo seemed to lean towards being sympathetic with the Algerians but he also does a good job of showing the French in a somewhat favorable light as well. When the bomb goes off and all of the innocent French people are killed the audience is able to feel sympathetic towards the French. This film successfully makes the audience feel like they are watching a documentary of this battle and it becomes exciting as all of this history is thrown at them. By using a cast that is almost completely unprofessional, Ponte Corvo is able to portray this feeling of "reality" and "suspense". "The Battle of Algiers" has definitely brought a lot to the table concerning the politics of warfare, and still can be respected today as a work of art.

http://www.npr.org/templates/dmg/dmg.php?prgCode=ME&showDate=09-Jan-2004&segNum=14&NPRMediaPref=WM