"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Million Dollar Movie

Happen to walk past the Cinema Village last night…haven’t been inside in years but I do remember seeing “She’s Gotta Have it” there, jeez, almost twenty-five years ago…

9 comments

1 RagingTartabull   ~  Jan 19, 2011 8:28 pm

I wonder what the hell ever happened to Tracy Camilla Johns, according to imdb her last screen credit is her unforgettable turn as "Uniqua" in New Jack City.

please baby baby, please baby, please baby, please!

2 Alex Belth   ~  Jan 19, 2011 9:26 pm

I remember Spike being hailed as the black Woody Allen. The only thing they've got in common is that they are regulars at the Garden.

3 cult of basebaal   ~  Jan 19, 2011 10:26 pm

Hmmm, I wonder why they didn't put the whole title up there for Lemmy: 49% Motherfucker, 51% Son Of A Bitch.

Must be the length ...

4 Chyll Will   ~  Jan 19, 2011 10:46 pm

[3] I bet they're not big on math...

5 Chyll Will   ~  Jan 19, 2011 10:49 pm

[4] ...and they really should have waited until May 8.

6 RagingTartabull   ~  Jan 19, 2011 11:09 pm

[2] I can KINDA see it only in that they're both New York/ethnocentric filmmakers who specialize in character pieces that usually feature idealized versions of members of their own cultural/social background.

that and, ya know...the Knicks and a penchant for shoving jazz scores down the viewer's throat.

7 Boatzilla   ~  Jan 20, 2011 4:37 am

[2] [6] They are both big sports fans, and often include references to sports in their movies. They both have shot a lot (or mostly) in NYC, and they both have made movies about aspects of NYC life. Both have introduced ground-breaking techniques and styles to film making, which have become their signatures. Woody allowing the actors to interact with the viewer...as well as actors coming out the "movie". Spike's dolly close-ups. Their movies are much better when they are not in them. Well that's always been the case for Spike, only the last 15 years or so for Woody. I just wish Spike would start making better movies, because Woody's played.

8 RIYank   ~  Jan 20, 2011 7:25 am

[2] [6] [7] And they're both little.

Actually, I always thought the comparison was because they make popular movies that are out-of-the-mainstream, very unHollywood. But I agree with what Boatz said, too.

They're two of my favorites, too. But I agree with Alex that they don't really have all that much in common -- only superficial stuff.

9 Alex Belth   ~  Jan 20, 2011 8:34 am

I think Spike was promising--and that dolly close up was tired and showy a technique after he used it the second time, nevermind as a signature--as a filmmaker but has had a disappointing career as a feature film director. I think his work in documentaries--surprisingly--is much stronger.

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
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