Top 10 Spike Lee Movies

 Spike Lee: Mars Blackmon, Mega-Knick fan, Political lightning rod … yes, but do we properly remember that his filmography rivals all of the great modern directors. He is right up there with Paul Thomas Anderson, the Coen brothers, Spielberg (maybe not Spielberg), but he has had some great and underrated films. These are only Spike Lee films that I have watched so I may have some holes.

1. Malcolm X — This was not just a film for Spike Lee, but a labor of love and indeed his masterpiece. Denzel Washington’s performance is so good you have a hard time differentiating the film from historical footage. This film was important in re-shaping the story Malcolm X in the publics eye in a way similar to what the musical Hamilton did for Alexander Hamilton. The film is definitely long, and gets dreary towards the end, but that mirrors his life. So here is the deal, with Spielberg you have Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s List, those are great films. But I never re-watch them. But I can and do re-watch Malcolm X. That may be because his reckless youth is more entertaining, but it also says something about Lee as a director. As preachy as he can get, the films are still enjoyable.
2. He Got Game — Spike Lee’s ode to basketball and redemption. The story is about a young basketball recruit named Jesus Shuttlesworth (played by actual hoopster Ray Allen). Jesus (named after Earl Monroe) is a high school senior and the number 1 prospect in the land. He is being recruited by almost everyone. He is also living alone and raising a sister in the projects since is mother is dead and his father is in jail for killing her. It just so happens the warden at the prison is a Big Sate alumni and desperately wants Jesus. So inmate Jake Shuttlesworth (played by Denzel) is given a sketchy work release to talk his son into signing on the dotted line. There is such a back story here, and the culmination in an emotional one-on-one game with Jake’s life on the line is so emotional. Jake is redeemed, but not like you would think. He finds his inner peace and accepts his fate.
3. Mo’ Better Blues — This is a story about Jazz with an excellent soundtrack by Bill Lee (Spike Lee’s father) and starring Joie Lee (his sister). Spike Lee is also in it as Giant so there is a fair amount of nepotisim going on which probably limits the film just a little (Joie Lee as Denzel’s girfriend is a bit of a stretch, even if the role is well acted). The story revolves around Bleak, a virtuoso Jazz trumpet player with a complicated love life. Bleak plays Jazz, and he excels at playing Jazz. But does he love Jazz? That is the question. There is culmination of events where Bleak is injured defending his friend (one of the few admirable traits he had exhibited) and his music career is suddenly in doubt. Instead of being ruined, he finds himself and his love of Jazz. He is redeemed, but not in the way you would expect (a common theme here). He doesn’t all of the sudden come back and become Bleak the incredible trumpet player again, no. He is redeemed by love and family and being all of the things to his son he lacked.
4. Do the Right Thing — The story of an inner city pizza joint owned by an Italian family who is loved and respected by the black neighborhood they serve, until one night of sweltering heat and tensions ends all of that? Who was right and who was wrong? It is hard to say. This film was a hallmark of hip-hop culture and is still an enjoyable watch.
5. BlacKkKlansmen — The story of an undercover cop who infiltrates a KKK organization, and surprise … he is black! The retro feel of this movie was awesome, and it was directed differently than most Spike Lee films so it is a fresh perspective.
6. Inside Man — Spike Lee and Denzel are re-united, but not for a magnum opus. This is a pure popcorn bank heist thriller that is entertaining as heck. Denzel her is a jaded police detective negotiating with a very sophisticated robbery attempt
7. She’s Gotta Have It — This is about the sexual power of black women in particular and the double standard associated with women who are sexually powerful. It really shows how the male characters are doing the same or worse with no stigma.
8. Girl 6 — A film about a young woman who finds she can make much better money as a phone sex operator. Many people disliked this film but I really enjoyed it. It is difficult to find.
9. Summer of Sam — This one was a striking departure when it came out since all of the characters are Italian or Puerto Rican and not black. It is really about how the Son of Sam serial killer affected New York that summer more than about the killer himself.
10. Jungle Fever — Entertaining and good, but not my favorite. Wesley Snipes stars.