Do the Right Thing

Do The Right Thing (1989) It's hard to believe that it's been 20 years since I first saw this movie in theaters, but it has and I'm getting old. This one chronicles The hottest day of the summer in the Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy for short) neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. Danny Aiello plays Sal, the owner of Sal's Famous Pizzeria that has been there for over 25 years. During that time, I assume the neighborhod changed from predominately Italian American immigrants to mostly African American. Through it all, it seems as if Sal is very appreciative of the business and people that have allowed his family to thrive over the decades. Sal's son , Pino (John Tuturro, Transformers), who works at the Pizzeria is less appreciative. He is very open about his dislike for black people and openly urges Sal to sell the bussiness and move to the predominately Italian neighborhood of Bensonhurst Brooklyn. Spike Lee plays Mookie, the neighborhood guy that Sal hired to deliver his pizzas across Bed-Stuy. Needless to say, Mookie and Pino don't get along. Long story short, in the course of one day, things devolve, a lot of good people make some tremendously terrible decisions and some regrettable events transpire in what the American Film Institute included in it's 100 most Powerful Moments on Film (link when I get home.They subsequently named DtRT thier 96th greatest american film of all time.) You as the audience are tasked to decide who "did the right thing." As a teenager, I always thought that Spike Lee used the Mookie character to speak for his own opinions on the matter, but now, 20 years later, in the age of Obama, I really don't think so. I think he was just writing the character. His director's commentary seems to confirm that. He says he gave up offering his opinion on the "Right Thing" a while after the movie was released. The shot of Public Enemy's 1989 anthem "Fight the Power" playing in the backgroung while panning through the ashes of Sal's Pizzeria was worth it alone. I have to admit that sometimes the characters seem more like caricatures and in a weird way, that helps to give a it a feeling that this could be any black neighborhood in the US at almost anytime, but when it's all said and done, this is a great movie, IMHO. In my mind, this is one of our modern classics that is a must have. If you've never seen it or rarely seen it, I strongly urge you to give it a viewing. Ernest Dickerson (Cinematographer, Director of Dexter, The Wire, Stargate Universe) made a concious choice to film this movie in the hue of yellow in order to get a summer audience to "feel the heat" and this really shows through well on Blu-ray along with other movie magic he reveals on a special featurette. The special features are well worth it for the director's commentary alone. Spike Lee is not a typical director and his personality really shines through. Looking foward to more Blu's from Spike like Malcolm X and Jungle Fever. It's worth noting that if this movie came out right now, it would be considered "star studded." Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Danny Aiello, John Turturro, Spike Lee, Rosie Perez (who was a freakin' hottie despite her mouth), Bill Nunn, Martin Lawrence, Giancarlo Espisito and many other were in here and for many of them, it was their first film. I'm really glad to have this Blu-ray in my collection. Film 9.0 Disk 7.5

Still Spike Lee's best film, made before he got a little too crazy, and before the media took over race relations in America. This a pure film straight from the heart, and its 90s roots show no rust. This is Chuck D in his prime rapping among other greats over a soundtrack so powerful few can match it. Watch it just for the soundtrack alone if you are new to the film, but the footage is just as good. It's just a simple film about a pizza place and the people around it in Brooklyn. That's all that be known. A classic in every sense of the word. The 4K remaster here is superb, making the Criterion disc, and Universal disc before that, appear old and crusty. I love the colors here. They got is just right, and the details are amazingly resound and resolute. So much more filmic than we have seen before, and this is a true 4K presentation for film buffs and new fans alike. Revel in the beauty on display. The DTS:X and 7.1 audio mixes are superb, better than ever before, and there is nothing to worry about here. I think it's an amazing package, and one of the best on the format. The slipcover is a nice play on the old poster art with a matte slip and embossed 4K logo on top. This film is now on a whole new level. Highly recommended.

I purchased this movie for rental for a media class I was taking 2 semesters ago. Some material from the movie was going to be on my exam and at first I felt obligated to watch this, but 10 minutes in I forgot it was for an assignment. Great movie. They don’t make them like this anymore

The 1989 film Do The Right Thing, directed, written, and produced by Spike Lee, depicts the daily expressions and occurrences experienced by a diverse community that occupies a portion of Brooklyn, New York. Unlike many movies that have a few main characters, Do The Right Thing analyzes the community as a whole, acknowledging the individuality of each character, as well as the cultural dynamic of those who live and embody the streets of this small Brooklyn suburb. One of the leading elements of the film is the apparent presence of racism and the oppressive sentiments that inevitably curate divisive aggression within the community. Three characters who are especially critical to the community’s oppressive angst and perpetuation of racism are Sal, a passionate Italian, and his two sons Pino and Vito. The three Italians make up a few of the distinguished Caucasians who own businesses in a town largely occupied by African Americans. Despite having owned owed a Pizza shop in the community for over 25 years, on a particularly hot summer day, Sal’s Pizzeria becomes the center of conflict as his rage and racism culminates and ultimately reaches its tipping point, showcasing police brutality and the unmistakable impact that racism has on a community. When assessing the social justice recognized in the film, the main factors include socioeconomic status, racism, pride, ignorance, and cultural division. Specifically, the small Brooklyn suburb is racially divided between the black and white race. However, Sal’s pizza shop is representative of a bridge that forges a connection between the white business owners and the African American patrons. Initially, the viewer is led to believe that Sal is a genuinely caring business owner who also prides himself in his work and ability to be an integral part of the community. However, due to repetitive confrontation, Sal’s patience and composure deteriorate, and eventually, he reveals his true racist colors. Similar to a tea kettle, with enough heat and energy, it will eventually erupt. Although it could be argued that violence cannot equate to justice, as a result of Sal’s aggression towards two African American patrons, in particular, one of them, known as Radio Raheem, played by Bill Nunn, dies from the repercussion of police brutality. Amidst the confrontation, Sal becomes the victim of his own actions as his pizza shop is vandalized, looted, and ultimately set on fire. However, no action can compensate for the death of Radio Raheem. Ultimately, Sal and becomes the victim of his own prejudice views. When comparing Do The Right Thing to The Great Dictator by Charlie Chaplin, a fundamental similarity I can identify is the strength of the public/community and their devotion to each other and freedom. Specifically, in The Great Dictator, the country of Tomania is oppressed by a dictatorship, while in Do The Right Thing, the community is subjected to racism by police, Sal, and his oldest son Pino. However, despite the fact that both films present oppressive situations that curate intense adversity, pain, and suffrage, inevitably, virtue prevails, illustrating the strength and preservation of the country of Tomania and the Brooklyn community. When analyzing the historical context of Do The Right Thing, the presence and influence of popular culture are overwhelmingly prevalent. For example, based on the music, clothing, devices, and attitudes embraced by the different characters in the film, the viewer is able to recognize the era the movie is portraying. For example, Buggin Out’s (Giancarlo Esposito) Air Jordans shoes, Radio Raheem’s boombox, and the music he plays, recognized as public enemy’s acclaimed hit, Fight The Power, released in 1989. Another distinct example that adds historical context to the film is the price of pizza at Sal’s. Instead of handing over fist fulls of cash at the register, customers are seen paying for a slice with change, a monetary statement that is reflective of the last ’80s. A specific cinematic device utilized through the film that is very distinct to Do The Right Thing is the usage of audience interaction through specific camera angles. While blog-style videography has become increasingly popular in modern media, I cannot think of another movie in which the actors talk directly into the camera as if they are communicating intimately with the audience. Overall, despite the fact that Do The Right Thing is labeled as a comedy, I think the film is more reflective of an authentic drama that includes characters that are innately comical, as opposed to a scripted comedy that is curated through deliberate action and communication. This film culturally relevant, showcasing police brutality and cultural division that remains relevant in modern America. I truly enjoyed this film and believe it showcases a portion of history that everyone can appreciate and learn from.

I've seen a few of Spike Lee's films but I believe this one to be overall his consistently best film from start to finish. I actually met him and got his autograph in 1993 when I was at Notre Dame when we actually had a very good football team and I remember that for some reason he was there wearing a Florida St jacket and I was walking past him after we had beaten their Charlie Ward-led team which eventually went on to top the AP Poll - a travesty as Notre Dame beat them and should have finished first and not second in that poll despite the Boston College game but I digress. He looks a lot smaller in real life but his directing talent is gigantic. Not since Gentleman's Agreement have I watched such an intelligent film that explores racism in its many nuances and levels and just as Gregory Peck's character went to great lengths to explain that toleration and passive discrimination is just as bad or even worse than blatant outright discrimination as it is just hypocrisy in that film, Spike Lee does the same with Aiello's character. In "Gentlemen's Agreement" the best scene was when the late great John Garfield character tells the bewildered fiancee of Peck's character who says in effect she's not racist because some of her best friends are Jews that because she just sat and did or said nothing while her other racist friends are spouting racist remarks that in effect she was just as bad. Compare and contrast Aiello's character and that of his older and younger sons. When the older spouted his "animals" crack Aieollo did or said nothing to discourage him suggesting that he was a hypocritical closet racist himself while his younger son stood up several times to the elder brother even risking a beating telling him off whenever he said racist things. Although Raheem was out of line, the scene was important for the subsequent racist cursing Aiello was spouting while he was destroying the radio showing that Aiello was a hypocritical racist all the while and it also shows just how close to the surface it was - Aiello the closet racist while his older son the openly racist with his youngest son the noble anti-racist who makes an attempt to correct them with no success but not for want of trying. And to say that Aiello's character was "innocent" of Raheem's death is ridiculous as it was Aiello's stubborn racism which precipitated the fight causing the arrival of the police. Just putting up a single photo on his wall would mean the police never arrive and kill Raheem. I understand although I don't condone Mookie's subsequent actions as he sees the ludicrousness of how the refusal of a simple, inexpensive, painless request leads to the complex, extremely costly and painful loss of life. To say that Spike Lee was kinder to the Blacks and harsh on the Whites is ludicrous; he made no attempts to sugar coat the behaviour of the 3 "wise" men bums who constantly talk about doing something but never do and yet one of them gets angry and racist against the Korean new immigrant who has the courage to actually do something. "Mayor" was chided by others in the neighbourhood for making excuses for his predicament instead of doing something about it. Even Mookie as the absentee irresponsible father isn't depicted or intended to be a role model. Lee I thought was very fair in showing the bad behaviour across all the races and characters that he projected. Just being tolerant is not enough and not the endgame but true acceptance and "colour-blindness" is which is what this film tries to convey and I feel succeeds in doing. Being just tolerant is equivalent to a mentality of separate but "equal" which the American Civil Rights movement and Apartheid in the past has shown is a nontenable arrangement which is merely racism disguised. As Dr. Spencer Wells and others have shown in The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey and Journey of Man you can't tell anyone's race from their DNA and so racism is a human/social construct with no scientific basis or justification for "superior" genes. What makes us different is education and opportunity and we all have unique characteristics that makes life on earth interesting. No race has a monopoly on "good genes" while racism can and does ensure that only certain races have a monopoly on good education and good opportunities. This blu-ray version is a bit of a mixed bag for while the special feature documentaries are extensive and good the picture quality isn't perfect and further restoration can be made for future releases while the sound quality is good enough. Great film classic with an excellent story and cast but with not so great picture quality makes this a mixed bag but still comes recommended for serious movie buffs who don't yet have this in their video library.

This Spike Lee movie was controversial, but subtle in uncovering the racism in our communities. We are not taught to respect or love each other, and this film proves it.

Great Movie for ya Buck!

Great movie 🍿

Der Film ist einfach ein Meisterwerk. Im Film werden viele Blickwinkel der dort lebenden Menschen gezeigt und man muss sich auf den Film einlassen können. Filme von Spike Lee wie Crooklyn, Nola Darling, Spiel des Lebens - He Got Game, Mo Better Blues, Clockers, Love&Basketball usw. sind nur ein paar seiner mega Filme die man sich ebenfalls anschauen sollte. Die Bildqualität von „Do The Right Thing“ ist toll und der Sound ist ebenfalls top. . Die deutsche, als auch die englische Tonspur ist vorhanden (siehe Foto). Die Blu Ray gabs im Angebot für 15€ ist aber auch den Vollpreis mehr als wert. Die Lieferung von Amazon erfolgte wie immer super schnell.

Je conseille ce film à tout passionné de cinéma

Sorprende lo bien que ha envejecido esta película. De obligado visionado por su estética, su ritmo y su mensaje.

Excelente, la remasterización a 4K se ve increíble, tiene doblaje y subtitulos en español latino y muchos extras. Un clásico en su mejor presentación.

EXCELENTE DVD Y EN CASTELLANO CON SUBTÍTULOS.SPIKE LEE SIGUE SIENDO UNO DE LOS GRANDES CONTEMPORÁNEOS.ESTA PELÍCULA ME TRAE MUCHOS RECUERDOS DE MI JUVENTUD.