Z/Web

Author: Spike Lee

Director: Spike Lee

Wow, where do I begin? Lee’s tackles an incredibly complex subject — racism — and throws everything on the screen. The plot is about a black TV producer who creates a new “racist” TV show which features black actors in blackface, sparking controversy and huge ratings. The producer did this just to spite his employers, but the show’s success puts him in the middle of an awkward dilemma. As his actors begin to rebel, we’re given lots to think about the nature of racism. Can a black man be racist? What about a black man who’s white (in personality and attitude)? Is blackface, by its nature, racist? What if the intention is not racist — like a mime’s whiteface isn’t racist? Does a person’s perception of racism make an act racist? (In other words, if I feel I’ve been racially slurred, have I been?) As I said, lots of complex questions. Ultimately, I’m not sure how many of these Spike answers — but its an intriguing film (though a little uneven).

Silly but fun high-tech adventure about the war between cats and dogs. The two species do commando raids and use secret agents to foil each other. Terrific special effects (the animals were a combination of live animals, puppets, and digital and the result was seamless). Ultimately it gets rather ridiculous and carries the one joke premise too far, but it’s still fun.