In a lengthy back-and-forth discussion about Django Unchained, critics Steven Boone and Odie Henderson discuss the subtleties of Tarantino's racial commentary (as well, as, of course, the more blatant commentaries), their thoughts on Spike Lee's criticism of the film, and Tarantino's vast and nuanced range of inspirations. Elsewhere, Tarantino responds to a critic who called a plot point in Django "harebrained", and what ensues offers an interesting insight into how Tarantino thinks about his characters.
posted by Rory Marinich on Jan 3, 2013 - 169 comments

Spike Lee on New York, Obama, film, Hollywood, reality teevee, marriage equality, Taylor Lautner, and so forth.
posted by shakespeherian on Jul 9, 2012 - 84 comments

Spike Lee: The Dolly Shot (SLVimeo) Compiled by Richard Cruz, featuring "Bra" by Cymande.
posted by beaucoupkevin on Apr 30, 2012 - 13 comments

One of the surprise stories of the NBA season has been the effective play of New York Knicks rookie Landry Fields. After four years at Stanford, his draft selection was at the time mocked, booed, and met with skepticism, but now he has Spike Lee sporting his jersey at nearly every Knicks game.

Non-sports fans may be more interested to know that he appears to be a World of Warcraft fan. [more inside]
posted by jng on Feb 10, 2011 - 42 comments

Do The Right Thing (youtube) performed by little people muppet figures, set in Sesame Street.
posted by mathowie on Apr 7, 2007 - 22 comments

Blackface : From mainstream entertainment to (nearly?) being considered a hate crime. Do we still have 21st century minstrel shows? Can one "plainly see similarities between the insulting stereotypes acted out by blackface minstrels like Al Jolson in the 19th and early 20th century and today's actors who play exaggerated, cutesy roles of gay people in the 21st century" ? Here is a larger question: Is humor and ridicule a necessary first step down the path to eventual acceptance? Is that what Spike Lee is saying in Bamboozled or is he saying we haven't progressed as far as we think?
posted by spock on Jan 30, 2005 - 33 comments

He's the owner of a formerly Nashville/Country-themed cable network attempting a massive rebranding into "The First Network for Men" through a heavy schedule of wrestling, A-Team reruns, and original cartoons featuring Pamela Anderson as a stripper-slash-crimefighter. He's an outspoken though provocative filmmaker who seeks to bring awareness to the trials and tribulations of the African-American experience. They sue each other! Guest starring Johnnie Cochran, weekdays at 7 on whatever the network ends up being named.
posted by XQUZYPHYR on Jun 19, 2003 - 36 comments