Top 5 Spike Lee Movies
Born Sheldon Jackson Lee, Spike Lee films have transcended times and have earned acclaim all over despite only winning a single Emmy. Even though none of his movies having the same plot, the similarities between them cannot be denied. From Spike's love of basketball sneakers to the borough of Brooklyn itself, these things were all apart of Spike's life making it easy for him to depict things that he already knows which makes for a more authentic film. And even though When the Levees Broke was a great movie, I cannot include it in this list because it is credited as a 'Spike Lee FILM' (not joint) when the credits roll.
Scroll down to check out our list of the Top 5 Spike Lee Joints.
5. Jungle Fever: 
Race has always been a key subject when it comes to Spike Lee movies, and that is evident in 1991's Jungle Fever. Flipper Purify, played by Wesley Snipes, is a successful black man working as an architect who finds himself having an affair with his new white secretary. When Flipper is passed up on a promotion he leaves the firm that he works at and continues to see his former secretary Angie; even after his wife throws him out because of his indiscretions. When the affair is revealed, the parties involved take to dialoging with their various peers expressing the nations' general stance on people in interracial relationships. Along with racial undertones, drug use also plays a big part of this movie through Flipper's crack addict brother Gator, played by Samuel L. Jackson.
4. Malcolm X: 
The opening scenes shows footage Rodney King being beaten by police and an American flag burning, setting the tone for the rest of the movie. Malcolm X tells the story of the Muslim leader and the things he encountered in his life. Born Malcolm Little, he was brought up the son of a pastor and by a mother who's fair skin was due to her birth stemming from rape by a white man. Starting off as an average street hustler out in Boston, Malcolm found himself serving over 10 years in prison for over a dozen counts of burglary when he became enthralled in the Muslim teachings thanks to another inmate. When released he quickly rose through the ranks as a leading minister and garnering national attention for the Nation of Islam. After publicly addressing the assassination of President Kennedy, Malcolm quickly found himself on the outskirts from the inner workings of the Nation. After an order was given by members of the Nation of Islam to murder Malcolm X himself, he left the Nation and began the required pilgrimage to Mecca; something required of all Muslims at one time in their life. Tragically we know that Malcolm X was gunned down during giving a speech in Harlem in 1965. Even though this film is almost 3 hours long, it doesn't drag and will keep you captivated from title to end credits.
3. Do The Right Thing: 
Set during a heatwave in the summer of 1989, Do The Right Thing tells the average story of living in a Brooklyn neighborhood during that time period. Though only nominated for a Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1989, actress Kim Basinger expressed feeling that it should have been at least nominated for Best Picture during a live telecast during the Oscars that same year. From the opening dance sequence compliments of Rosie Perez and Public Enemy to the fatal beating Radio Raheem suffered at the hands of Brooklyn PD, Do the Right Thing was a perfect on-screen translation of the era; music, problems and all.
2. He Got Game: 
Not to be written off as just another basketball movie, He Got Game tells the story of a college-bound Brooklyn youth and the hurdles and temptations that most black men with his type of basketball talents face. Having a father in prison, the protagonist is given the responsibility of taking care of his younger sister; which has become a growing theme within the black community. With a young Ray Allen playing the role of Jesus Shuttlesworth the movie's basketball scenes were authentic down to the last jumpshot and even Jesus's father, Denzel Washington (not God), had to hit the courts to get his game up for this role. This film addressed a lot of themes that were quickly becoming more of a problem in America from corrupt prison systems to extortion and .
1. She's Gotta Have It: 
One of his more unknown films, She's Got To Have It tells the story of Nola and the various men in her life. A film that perfectly addresses female sexuality during a time where a woman would be labeled as something less than what she is if she were to act on her libido. When Nola brings three of them together for a thanksgiving meal, their goal is simple: be the one to stay the night at her apartment. The phrase "something for everybody" just doesn't quite fit the way that every person on earth can relate to this movie or see part of themselves in at least one of the characters displayed. Note that this movie also introduced Spike's Mars Blackmon character to the world; though he will always be best known for the role played in Air Jordan commercials from the 90s.
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