Customer Reviews

Spike Lee Joint Collection (Clockers/ Jungle Fever/ Do the Right Thing/ Mo` Better Blues/ Crooklyn)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This would be a steal at twice the price. I don't know what possessed Spike Lee to offer five of his best movies at such a low price. Do the Right Thing is a brilliant movie, capturing both the rhythms and tensions of Lee's beloved Brooklyn, which he would return to time and again. Lee is at his best when avoiding the polemics and sticking to character-driven movies. Jungle Fever and Mo' Better Blues stand out in this regard, because they are first and foremost about people. Jungle Fever introduced the great Samuel L. Jackson, as well as launched Wesley Snipes in an intense social drama which revolves around an inter-racial love affair. Jackson stole most of the scenes however as the drug-addled brother who simply couldn't get his act straight no matter how hard he tried. Mo' Better Blues exposed Lee's love for jazz. Moody and atmospheric, with Denzel Washington delivering a solid performance, the film tries to recapture the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance. Clockers was his crime drama with plenty of tension. Crooklyn revolved mostly around amusing family disputes, with Alfre Woodard as a strong mother figure. It was probably the least satisfying of the five, but fun to watch just the same. Lee embelishes his movies with such rich cinematic color, and offers numerous fascinating camera angles such as his now famous walking scenes in Jungle Fever. Not since Gordon Parks, had someone done so much for black cinema, rescuing it from the blaxploitation films of the 70's.

This is a great set of films. Spike Lee's early Universal years were his best. "Do The Right Thing" is a remarkable film and is as strong today as it was back in 1989. Too bad the Academy did not see fit to reward "...Thing" with the Best Picture honor back then: they waited to reward the awful "Crash" instead. Think of the impact they could have made back then, kind of what they could have done with "Brokeback Mountain" this year. They really are out of touch and really have dropped the ball so much in their history.

I'm wondering off... back to this wonderful collection. My other favorites of the group are the underrated "Clockers" and "Crooklyn". "Crooklyn" brings back good memories to me. It may not be my neighborhood represented in it, but the time period is my era and he captured the essence of what life was like as a child in the 70's. "Mo Better Blues" is a nice throw back to the 40's and 50's melodramas, it has a wonderful music soundtrack. But then again Spike Lee's films usually are enhanced by the music in them. Mr. Lee has also a great eye for untapped talent, in this collection you will see early works by Samuel L. Jackson, Halle Berry, Wesley Snipes and the late Robin Harris. At a price around $20.00, this Collection is definately worth adding to your DVD library. Bravo to you Mr. Lee.

This is a must have DVD set for anyone that has seen or not seen these Spike Lee movies.

There is so much energy and rawness to "Do the Right Thing". Issues such as bigotry, racism, sexism and cultural differences as a whole are brought front and center and seen through the eyes of the people in the Brooklyn Bedford-Stuyvesant 'hood.

"Jungle Fever" is there a better movie that tackles inter-racial dating? A resounding,"I don't think so!"

"Clockers" is such a riveting film regarding the drug dealers and drugs that have engulfed so many people, particularly young adults and children. This is another must see film.

Purchase the collection and you will not be disappointed.

There are a few artists who come to mind - Peter Max, for example - who strongly believe that their craft should be accessible to fans at any income level. Simply, art is solely not defined by its high price tag.

With the release of the Spike Lee Joint Collection (Clockers/ Jungle Fever/ Do the Right Thing/ Mo` Better Blues/ Crooklyn), the legendary film maker is making a very strong statement in the movie industry on producing an extraordinary product at an affordable price.

This is Economics 101 at its simplest, five movies for the cost of a couple of movie tickets at most theaters. It is as much a collection for fans of Lee's career as it an outstanding sampler for those just getting into his style.

And it begs a very important question; if Lee and Max - along with others - can do it, why isn't this practical approach done industry-wide within the arts?

What the hell is the guy above me talking about? Buy this because the films are great!

However, the packaging is medicore at best. But if you are just looking for the films, this is the CHEAPEST and BEST way to get all of them in one package.

5 CLASSIC FILMS BY ONE OF THE BEST AFRICAN AMERICAN DIRECTORS OF ALL TIME FOR $20.00! IF YOU THINK THIS ISN'T A GREAT DEAL THAN OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM! MO BETTA BLUES IS ONE OF THE MOST WELL PUT TOGETHER PIECES AND IF YOU ENJOY THE FILMS I SUGGEST LISTENING TO THE ACTUAL SOUNDTRACKS.

How exciting to find all of these movies together. This was too easy. Can't wait for the day my kids and I can sit and watch these together and discuss thier views on each film.

Also Australian-made DVD accomplished just first three movies of this set, it is already makes a reviewer being a fun of this moviemaker as stories of Harlem, NY, was presented so realistic and professionally that one felt being inevitably in environment surrounding the characters surely.

Do the Right Thing is of a silly protest towards none-own values, a manifestation of racial intolerance and bigotry Afro-African majority exercised towards an Italian family providing a friendly business more than quarter century in "black" area.

Jungle Fever is about a Baptist Minister's family having both adult sons lost on a landscape of lust and lack of opportunities for Afro-Americans in then America.

Clockers is about police drug investigation and interaction of characters involved in.

I like these movies-and you will too.

These five films make a fine introduction to the early work of Spike Lee, one of the most exciting directors working today, a man who has remained true to his cinematic vision. In the 80s and 90s, Lee was working with top talent, including such icons as Halle Berry, Wesley Snipes, and Samuel L. Jackson. This compact box set really captures the cream of black motion pictures during that period.

The quality of the DVDs matches that of the films, but please be advised that this set includes no extras. Also, the collection contains three discs rather than the five that Amazon claims in its description of the product (Clockers and Jungle Fever are on opposite sides of Disc 1; Do the Right Thing and Mo' Better Blues are on opposite sides of Disc 2; Crooklyn is on Disc 3). Still, you can't beat the value!

This is an inexpensive but great collection of of Spike Lee's films. Who could ask for more? Some are better than others, but all are good and are worth more than one look. My favorite is Crooklyn but I enjoy the others too. Do The Right Thing and Clockers are also masterpieces. Jungle Fever and Mo' Better Blues have some great moments. Do yourself a favor - enjoy!