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Da 5 Bloods – 2020 Spike Lee
- In contemporary cinema especially- decades removed from the studio era- it is worth noting and admiring that this is now Spike’s 11th archiveable film and counting
- Opens on documentary footage, first of Muhammad Ali in an interview, then a montage of powerful 1960’s and 1970’s imagery from the Vietnam era to the angelic voice of Marvin Gaye. Blending doc footage into his features has been a trait of Spike’s going back to the Rodney King footage to open Malcolm X in 1991 and of course the Charlottesville footage to end BlackKklansman in 2018
- References to Apocalypse Now – both overt with the bar themed after the acclaimed 1979 film set in Vietnam—but also on the Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner—not 100% sure on the usage of this though and its meaning
- It’s a nit-pick but early the film there’s a firecracker that goes off that triggers a PTSD reaction and it is simply edited too quickly- a mistake
- So the 16mm grainy box frame is used to show the flashbacks of the war, and the expanded screen and clearer image is contemporary
- In a few spots Spike sloppily uses the grainy 16mm box frame look for a current day home video (Lind’s son in the film shows up in one and he wouldn’t have been born in the Vietnam flashbacks). It’s poor form.
- Great use of stream of consciousness editorial cutaways by Spike- like throwing in the picture of the medal of honor winner, Aretha Franklin, Edwin Moses (this is a great scene) when it’s a part of the discussion among the characters
- Certainly owes a great deal to The Treasure of the Sierra Madre from John Huston in 1948 and outwardly acknowledges it in the text with the “stinking badges” exchange. Delroy Lindo gives the best performance of the film in the Bogart role (he starts talking to himself like Bogey does in the film- Spike works in one of his trademark talking directly to the camera sequences he uses in Do the Right Thing and 25th Hour). Lindo is a great actor and this is his best work since Get Shorty in 1995. His character is haunted by his past
- It seems strange that they didn’t have the older cast (all 50/60+ years old) at least shave their grey beards for the flashbacks where they are supposed to be teenagers or in their 20’s
- At 57 minutes Spike blacks out the screen and then expands it vertically for a day break—I’ll have to watch again for why or see if it happens again
- The Marvin Gaye music is certainly a character in the film- prevalent- Spike’s frequent collaborator
- Terence Blanchard is here as well with an operatic score
- It gets messy with the sprawling ensemble—the narrative would have been better served without so many tangential elements
- At the 145 minute mark we get the trademark Spike double-dolly shot for a quick second
- Recommend but not a top 10 of the year quality film
Drake2020-07-03T10:27:57+00:00
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I agree that there were a few too many ideas going on that Spike Lee could have narrowed down for a more cohesive film. Though I thought this was a stronger effort than BlacKkKlansman which I felt undercut its own sincerity with some misplaced comedy. I admire the decision to not age down the actors for the flashbacks, certainly a bold choice that could go either way but ultimately reinforced how the men we see in the present day are still stuck in past.
I’ve got it at a low HR, though this has been a pretty unfortunate year for cinema for obvious reasons and may end up higher on my list than it would have any other year. What are your top 2020 films so far?
It really shouldn’t be a bad year since the movies have already been recorded, only they have not been released, we should be more concerned about 2021, since those films should be recording now
@Declan – yeah- it looks like it is going to be a weird year. I now think a lot of these films are going to get released in 2021. Extraction (also netflix) and this are it for the archives so far for 2020.
Interesting idea on the “bold choice” not to age down the actors. I’m not sold though– Spike is literally trying to hide them in the frames and shadows in the flashbacks. Why do that if it is intentional and mean to reinforce how the men we see are stuck in the past?
Drake, I do not remember in a publication you said that you did not think it was going to be a weak year, since Nolan, Denis, Wes were in 2020, but now you are not sure, what is the weakest year in the history of cinema? (Out of the 20s)
@Also- absolutely — this spring I thought we’d be closer to back to normal here- I don’t think it’s a given we get the films from Villeneuve, Wes and some others released in 2020. Telluride was just cancelled sadly. They keep pushing back Nolan’s film. I’m just not sure what the release slate is going to look like for 2020– it could be all Netflix.
Hmmm— I don’t know if I have a year from the 21st century that’s overly weak. Maybe 2002– after the incredible 1999, 2000 and 20001 I think there’s a pretty noticeable dip.
Did you see The Old Guard(2020) and Greyhound(2020)?Will they land in the archives?
@Malith– I’ve seen The Old Guard– didn’t land in the archives. Have not caught Greyhound yet
I know this film got really bad reviews.But did you see The Rhythm Section(2020)?The lead actress turns in a fantastic performance.I am mostly reccomending this because there is a car chase scene with dazzling camerawork inside the car.Might be worth a look.
@Malith- thanks for the note here- I want to check this one out- I remember the previews- big fan of Jude Law as an actor, too. I will check it out. thanks
Dolemite is My Name may be a masterpiece.Although I need another look to make sure.The thing is you go into a film like Once Upon a Time In Hollywood or Irishman expecting a high quality film considering the cast and director but you don’t give a film like this a fair shot.I’m Okay if it is a HR but not any lower than that.
@Janith- This is incorrect. It sounds like you’re just guessing and giving a personal opinion. That’s fine and you’re entitled to it. But that’s not what I’m going for here on the site.
No no I’m not guessing I watched this film in December and It blew me away.Even before you made the 2019 page.There are some fabulous scenes here.I will say it is a Must See film for now but I just need a second look to make sure.
@Janith- I remember back when I couldn’t tell the difference between masterpieces and films like Dolemite and Misery. It is frustrating not knowing the difference– I remember how that feels so I’m sympathetic to what you’re going through right now. However, I also remember focusing on trying to learn more about cinema before I was so adamant about being right and everyone else being wrong. Still, it is great you have an enthusiasm for cinema.
No.I’m serious about Misery here.I watched Shining and Misery back to back.I can argue why Misery is better than Shining.The situation is more realistic,there is no overacting on the part of Caan and Bates unlike Duvall and Nicholson.There are so many memorable moments(The hobbling scene,the killing of Richard Farnsworth’s character,the burning of Paul Sheldon’s book,The crashing of the typewriter on James Caan etc).I admit there are more visually stunning shots in Shining but simply Misery is the perfect film it grabs you by the neck from the start and never let go.This here feels like a miss from you.You were singing praises for Goodfellas and the ultimately forgettable Godfather Part 3 while you forgot a great film like Misery. You said I think everyone else is wrong.No.Taste of Cinema ranks Eddie Murphy the 6th best male performance of 2019.Dolemite has a better RT score than every single one of your top 10 films and over 90% Audience score as well.There are faboulous scenes here as well.One where a girl and Murphy are on bed while the whole room collapses,The whole crew wearing costumes and walking across a street,the look on Murphy’s face while his film is playing on the theatre,the perfect ending etc.Snipes is a true scene stealer here.You can never forget him in this role or Murphy as well.I get it.Dolemite is My Name was never in a conversation for being a top 5 film anywhere and entirely snubbed by the academy as a comedy when it is so much more than that.I think it should get more attention and love.Who knows it could become a cult classic like The Big Lebowski all the elements are there.Lastly Misery is miles miles miles better than Godfather Part 3 while Catch Me If You Can(One of my favourites) is miles miles miles better than Gangs of New York.Sorry DDL we still love Bill The Butcher.
Hm… Dolemite Is My Name is a good film. Eddie Murphy is very good in it – but he shouldn’t have been Oscar-nominated. To me, it’s like an 8/10… so, that’s probably a strong Recommend rating. It’s defo not Top 10 of the year – and I wouldn’t compare it to films such as Uncut Gems, Marriage Story or The Irishman – to name a few. Granted, it’s probably in my Top 20 – I haven’t yet seen Waves, The Lighthouse and a few others yet either. So, in the long run, probably about 20-30 for me. I, personally, struggle to see Dolemite becoming a cult classic – it is very watchable, but cult classics are generally very unique and idiosyncratic… i.e. a recent cult classic could be Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers or Shane Black’s The Nice Guys – both films are far from perfect, but they are highly idiosyncratic in their dialogue and characterisation, endearing certain fanbases. Dolemite is a bit too cliche – the biggest flaw with the film is that.
As for Misery, I agree that I think Drake underrates it a bit here – it’s a probably a HR for me. It’s not really a masterpiece – it doesn’t have the right amount of visual beauty imo – but Kathy Bates and the screenplay are superb. But, compare it to GoodFellas – undoubtedly, the best film of 1990, a masterpiece, if there ever was one – and you will see Misery’s faults more clearly. On initial watch of Misery, I’d probably have given it a 9/10 – it was really good. But I’m now on the 8.5/10 lines – it’s one of those films which doesn’t have a whole lot of depth to it – therefore, I get why Drake doesn’t rate it too highly. The same goes for Dolemite – it isn’t a film of much depth, but is very enjoyable.
I will, actually, agree on Catch Me If You Can – it is way better than Gangs Of New York. I think Gangs Of New York hasn’t done so well over time… I believe part of the reason some critics saw it as a masterpiece was due to it being Scorsese’s passion project, as well as the superlative production design and Day-Lewis’ magnetic performance. However, the film itself, whilst very good in some areas, is just “pretty good”. On the other hand, Catch Me If You Can is an extremely captivating film – in many ways, it is the perfect Spielberg film. It has many of his tropes, but, also, like many of his other great films, shows his nuance as a director. Catch Me If You Can is very showy in moments, but there is a great subtlety to the use of the camera for most of it. The performances, on the whole, also, elevate Catch Me If You Can – it might be DiCaprio’s best (outside of Wolf Of Wall Street – granted, most of DiCaprio’s performances (even supporting ones like Django) would be most actor’s best performance)… controversial opinion, yes – but Paul Thomas Anderson apparently agrees. Christopher Walken gives a performance unlike any he has done before – and Tom Hanks, also, shows great range as a socially awkward character. The screenplay for the film, also, has much more depth than Gangs Of New York – as well as more emotional resonance with its audience. In my opinion – and I know a lot of people would disagree – it is the best film of 2002.
And, whilst I’m on the page for Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods, I will make another controversial statement – Da 5 Bloods is a Must-See film imo – and Delroy Lindo gives one of the best performances of recent memory in it. Only reason it’s not a masterpiece is because the flaws in it are so obvious – most people have mentioned them already. The ending, for me, was a big problem – it didn’t ring true with the rest of the film. I would have much preferred it if it ended on the nihilistic note that it seemed to be leading up to. However, I do love the subtext of the screenplay, as well as the directness of some of it. The way it is shot is, also, often very beautiful – I loved the whole ensemble. Chadwick Bosemann gave a poignant and powerful performance in his scenes, reminding us of how great an actor he was. It is, perhaps, even more moving, in the aftermath, considering his character’s and his own premature deaths. However, Delroy Lindo is absolutely mesmerising here – portraying a deeply-troubled man in an incredibly cathartic manner. Very few actors could portray what Spike Lee wanted here – as the audience, we are sometimes laughing at his character. And, then, we are terrified by him. However, Lindo never fails to make him sympathetic… as we understand more of the character of Paul and we understand the reasons for his instability. I found his performance to be particularly moving in the minefield scene – the whole film becomes frightening real as a virtue of his intensity, his lose control of the situation and the love and fear he clearly holds for his son. So, essentially, I will riot if Lindo is not nominated for an Oscar – lol.
I agree with Catch Me If You Can.Christopher Walken has two great performances(Catch Me If You Can and Deer Hunter) and should be close to 56th not way down at 81.I also think Catch Me If You Can is Dicaprio’s career best performance.Dicaprio in Catch Me If You Can and Gangs of New York are like heaven and hell. Coming into Misery Godfather Part 3 has a HR it is no way as memorable as Misery.I get it.The Shining has more visual beauty.But then Lion King or Knight of Cups has to be the best film of their respective year if you are only concerned with visual beauty.Does Dog Day Afternoon have visual beauty.Like Dog Day,Misery keeps you wondering what’s going to happen next and never lets you go.I could argue Misery has more memorable scenes than Dog Day.James Caan’s work is getting underappreciated here.He is better than Jack Nicholson’s over acting in The Shining and gives one of the best performances of the year which was criminally overlooked by the academy.Who the hell said Misery is better than Goodfellas which is like the 20th best film of all time.Compare it to Dog Day and you will see the greatness of Misery and the greatness of Dog Day as well.I didn’t see any major fault in Misery,Shining has something like 10 or more plot holes and unrealistic situations.Misery is a masterpiece and the best adaptation ever made from a Stephen King book.
I would actually say Walken has 5 great performances – Catch Me If You Can, Deer Hunter, At Close Range, Dead Zone and King Of New York – very interesting actor – but, in all honesty, I think Drake’s ranking is probably about accurate. (I, also, love Walken’s cameos in Pulp Fiction and True Romance).
DiCaprio’s weakest role of the century is probably Gangs Of New York – admittedly, though, I don’t think much of Body Of Lies or The Beach either, but he has a presence in them two.
I haven’t actually watched Godfather 3 yet, so I can’t comment 🙁 – but, I think, what many people like about The Shining is the atmosphere and the depth. There is a certain enigmatic charm to The Shining – Misery is a very obvious movie. There are memorable scenes – but I don’t think it is an enormously creative film – it’s main positive trait is its immense watchability.
I agree Dog Day Afternoon does not have an amazing visual beauty – but there is a great intelligence to the way it it shot – almost like a documentary, in a way. What makes the film great is arguably one of the greatest performances of all-time and one of the best screenplays of all-time. The editing and directing are, also, pretty great – very uniquely put together film. What makes the film work is that the film is almost a black comedy at the start – but we quickly empathize with Pacino’s Sonny and the story becomes much bleaker and sadder from there. A true masterpiece. On the other hand, Misery is watchable, but it certainly isn’t anywhere near as profound or atmospheric as Dog Day Afternoon.
James Caan is pretty good in Misery – but it is far from his best performance. He’s great in Thief and The Godfather. Nicholson gives a much more memorable performance, for sure. Caan wasn’t really overlooked by the Academy – his performance was good, for sure, but, by no stretch, GREAT – which is what an Oscar performance should be.
And, also, if the film doesn’t have plot holes, I’m not sure it equates to it being a masterpiece. For a film to be a masterpiece, there has to be something there that truly makes it stand out – and Misery just doesn’t have that.
The thing is I never said Dolemite Is My Name is a masterpiece.Certainly a HR not any lower than that.I just need another look to make sure.I think Murphy is superior to Dicaprio and Phoenix and definitely should be mentioned this year.
I don’t really see why it is so certainly a HR – it really isn’t THAT good. I get it that you liked the film – but I don’t think that many critics would regard it as better than Joker or Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Leonardo DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton is quite a bit more detailed and has a lot more depth than Murphy’s Ruddy Ray Moore – Rick Dalton is a rounded character. Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck is a much more interesting subject than Murphy’s Ruddy Ray Moore.
It is certainly a HR because it blew me away.Top 10 films like Widows,If Beale Street Could Talk didn’t blew me away.I personally found Leo in Once Upon a Time In Hollywood little bit uninteresting than Cliff Booth and I certainly think that Murphy is better.Eddie Murphy is as interesting as Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck.The thing is Joaquin easily wins in a popularity contest.The thing is these films like Joker,Once Upon a Time in Hollywood are more discussed,featured on top 10 lists etc.So people get angry when someone say a wildcard pick like Dolemite.I just need a second look to make sure if it is only a HR,a MS or even a masterpiece.
Walken has 2 great performances in Masterpieces(Catch Me If You Can and Deer Hunter).He should be close to Heath Ledger at 56th not way down at 81.Unlike Walken Ledger has nothing else.Misery is intelligently shot and certainly not obvious.Did you expect Richard Farnsworth’s character to die or anything that happened after that.It is intelligently shot because It never got bored or unexcited at any point and still kept the tension going.High praise for a film with two characters talking at one another.We quickly empathize with Caan’s Sheldon and the story becomes much bleaker and sadder from there.A true masterpiece.Have you seen Gardens of Stone,The Gambler,Cinderella Liberty,Brians song?No you haven’t.And Caan is so damn good in them and he is so damn underrated.Historically Jack Nicholson is a much more memorable actor than James Caan.I will take James Caan in Misery over Jack Nicholson in The Shining all day long.James Caan in Misery is oscar worthy and Misery is a masterpiece.If the hobbling scene and the killing of Richard Farnsworth’s character doesn’t make you shiver with fear I don’t know what will.
So, essentially, you are telling me why it isn’t bad – I agree, it is a great film. Highly Recommended. But not a masterpiece. There is nothing overwhelmingly spectacular that would warrant a masterpiece status.
I have actually seen the Gambler lol – he is good in it, I also like his performance in El Dorado.
All you are really telling me, though, is that you think something is good and, more or less, stating your opinions as fact, without any evidence. You aren’t really convincing me, in all honesty.
So in a nutshell it is like this.Misery has two scenes that you will never ever forget.They are spectacular.It is more realistic,believable and better than Shining.If you are only concerned with visually beauty then Knight of Cups is the second best film of the decade.It has a lot in common with Dog Day and involve actors in two great performances in tight situations.To add to that James Caan is also very good in A Bridge Too Far and Rain People and Rollerball(Even though there are one or two missteps it doesn’t take away from a very good performance even Pacino has some missteps in Heat and Florence Pugh have a misstep in Little Women and Scarlett have a misstep in Match Point)You will never forget Caan in Rollerball.
I don’t think James Caan being great in other movies somehow makes Misery a masterpiece… I agree he is a great actor – but a great actor can be in a bad movie.
Being “realistic and believable” is not necessarily a requisite to a great film. I am not only concerned with visual beauty – screenplay, acting, themes, atmosphere and editing are all factors as well. Misery has two (possibly three on atmosphere, but not too much) out of those.
Something like Dog Day Afternoon has all of them apart from visual beauty – but part of the way Dog Day Afternoon is shot is to make it have a realistic vibe to it. The way Misery is shot is just like most other pretty good early 90s movies.
I don’t really see what you think Dog Day and Misery have in common.
Misery has a superb screenplay,superior acting to The Shining,atmosphere and good editing as well because I never got tired and it only got more interesting.It has a lot of moments on atmosphere(the scene where Caan is in The kitchen and Bates comes into the house struck me).But part of the way Misery is shot is to make it have a realistic vibe to it.Certainly Shining is more popular and Jack Nicholson’s performance is more popular as well,but Caan’s performance is superior and it is one of the best performances of 1990.So there you have it Misery is a masterpiece.You should really give it another look if it is fading in your memory and keep these things in mind as well.
@Chris – you are aware that all you are doing is telling me your opinion as if it is fact – without backing it up with evidence?
Watch Shining and Misery back to back and you will understand they are equally good.Also don’t miss other great James Caan performances like Rain People,Brians Song,Cinderella Liberty,Rollerball,A Bridge Too Far and Gardens of Stone.They are certified fresh good I guarantee that.How the hell is James Caan not in the top 70 with a resume like that.That’s absolute bullshit.
@ Chris
I would, honestly, say that Widows is not a Top 10 of the year-worthy movie – it’s Top 20, imo. The issue is that the film never really allows itself to breath… Everything happens a bit too quickly, so I imagine some people would find it hard to follow. It’s not surprising, though… It was originally a TV show in the 80s. I admire Steve McQueen’s directing, though, all the same – even if there is some disconnect from the screenplay. If Beale Street Could Talk is R/HR for me – it is a little bit too slow and atmosphere-based at times… But I think I owe it a rewatch.
Eddie Murphy isn’t as interesting – he is literally playing himself. I will admit he brings charisma, presence and pathos though…
I’m not angry about it – I just don’t understand what equates it to be in the Top 10 for you?
So many great moments.Snipes steals every scene he is in.Eddie Murphy is not playing himself damn it he is Rudy Ray Moore.No actor can put that role off better than Murphy.Beautiful costumes,Faboulous mis-en scene with the gang walking across a street,that whole scene with a girl and Murphy on bed and the whole room crashes down is one of the most hilarious scenes put on film,the perfect ending etc.Like I said go into this film thinking it is a top 10 film and you will be blown away and don’t watch this film thinking that other films are better.It is a true gem.I just need a second look to know if it is a HR,MS or even a masterpiece.
@Chris and @Janith
Are you the same person? These arguments seem eerily similar.
Their sentence structure’s are, also, pretty much identical. No spaces between sentences, too.
there’s no way two separate people are this far off on Dolemite is my name and Misery
I’m fairly sure the Malith is the same person as well.
No I’m not the same person I just liked Misery,Dolemite is my Name just like the other person.