From: il@bambam.u.washington.edu (Il Hwan Oh)
Subject: Re: spike lee &  boston celtics
Organization: University of Washington, Tacoma
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 1992 04:20:56 GMT

Let's start trimming this a bit.

isbell@ai.mit.edu (Charles L Isbell) writes:
>il@bambam.u.washington.edu (Il Hwan Oh) writes:

>No one is crucifying you; however, your quotes are above.  What you
>said is that his movies "tend to be about the same thing."  Even for
>the two movies, you cite: _DTRT_ and _JF_ this is simply untrue.

In the broadest sense, it is true.  They are both about interactions
between blacks and whites in an urban setting.  They both ended up
in violent climaxes.

>|I didn't say that they were the same, but that they were about the
>|same subject.  You helped me discover my error WRT _Mo'_Better_Blues_,
>|but there is a recurring theme in his movies.  Furthermore, This
>|particular recurring theme does not hold any particular attraction
>|for me that I should keep going back for more.  This is, of course,
>|just personal opinion.  I'm sure there are movies I like that you
>|(and many others) don't, but it's a free country.
>
>*What* really is the "recurring theme"?  What is the subject?  Are you
>promoting subthemes to the focus of the films?  Are _Ghost_ and
>_Defending Your Life_ "about the same thing"?

Like I said, in the broadest sense, they are about the same thing.  If
you (or I) had a major problems with exploring what happens after death,
it would not unreasonable to group the films together and express
distaste the entire group along with others that fall within the confines
of it.

>I'm sure I can; however, you miss the point.  Let us take a different
>tack: how is it "blatantly obvious that the movies were written by a
>Black person"?  What does this mean?  And is it a bad thing?  Is it
>ever "blatantly obvious" that a film is made by a White person?

It is blatantly obvious that Lee's movies were written by a Black
person for similar reasons that old Westerns were written by White
people.  The White people in his movies seem to be caricatures to
me.  They seem to lack depth only exist to provide conflict for the
various Black characters.

>If you say so.  Still, you aren't discussing what I'm discussing.  It
>seems to me that you have two basic themes:
>
>1) Spike Lee's movies "tend to be about the same thing."

I think I've addressed this above.

>2) You do not like Spike's "innovative techniques" in that they become
>the focus of the film (mainly because of 1).

Actually, it's not mainly because of 1.  It's a separate issue that I
interjected late in the discussion to clarify what bothered me about
MBB.

>Well, this is an opinion.  I have not addressed this claim because of
>this, even though I would be interested in your critque of them and
>how they've detracted from his films.  For example, what techniques of
>his doomed _MBB_ for you?

It's been a long time since I've seen it, but one thing does stick in
my mind.  The love scene with the spinning background, giving it a
merry-go-around effect, seemed an inappropriate use of that particular
technique to me.  There were others that I do not recall.

Let me restate that I believe that I think Spike Lee uses some very
innovative techniques and brings a refreshing look to movies.  I'm
certain that when he gets older, and has had time to work off some of
his (in my opinion, harmful) energy, he'll make movies that I'll be
-- 
Il Hwan Oh                              | "You live and learn.
Computer Facilities Manager             |   At any rate, you live."
University of Washington, Tacoma        |            -- Douglas Adams
iho@cac.washington.edu                  | 
Newsgroups: rec.arts.movies