Spike Lee Complains (Again)

Photograph by smoothdude on Flickr

Spike Lee is a difficult guy to like. If he's not whining about Tyler Perry making movies that Lee doesn't approve of, he's preaching the word of Brooklyn while simultaneously screwing the hood. And if he's not doing either of those, he's typically just acting like an all around jerk. So it should come as little surprise that during a discussion with Charlie Rose at a marketing conference, he was as grumpy as ever!

During the talk Lee blamed Hollywood for him being unable to secure financing for future projects—like a sequel to Inside Man—and then half-jokingly mocked the Academy Awards because of his decades-old chip on his shoulder about Do The Right Thing not being nominated for Best Picture. Of course, most people would be happy with their film constantly being mentioned as one of the best of all time—which Do The Right Thing is—but Lee made this point, "In 1989, Do the Right Thing was not even nominated [for best picture]. What film won best picture in 1989? Driving Miss Mother F---ing Daisy! That’s why [Oscars] don’t matter. Because 20 years later, who’s watching Driving Miss Daisy?" (Um, people on Broadway and, soon, London?) He added, "There are many times in history where the best work does not get awarded. And I’m not even talking about my own work. So that’s why [the Oscars] don’t matter.”

Lee did nail one thing during his talk with Rose. When he was asked about President Obama's chances at being reelected, Lee said, "It’s going to be tough. It’s going to be a fight." Next up for Lee: Wondering whether to wear Knicks outfits during the lockout.

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By Chris O'Shea in Arts & Entertainment on July 1, 2011 4:05 PM

Comments [rss]

jay smooth

Spike is often a grump and a grouch, but he's absolutely right about the Oscars. And a revival of the original Driving Miss Daisy *play* doesn't prove anything about the movie.

Guest

He's dead on about the Oscars, or any awards show for that matter.

Christopher Havens

who cares.... his pictures are great... all that counts

Guest

Come on people it's Spike Lee...a never was wannabe.

bggb

What is the difference between complaining and criticizing? It's "complaining" when the person doing it is someone you don't like?

Lee is right about Hollywood and more than right about the dumbass Oscars.

dogbertt

Uppity.

robingee

He has a solid point about Tyler Perry.

Le Nwwaert

I think it's all because of racism

JPeditor

Oh, thanks, now I have an eye-worm of spike lee replacing that child in the "thats racist!" gif...

RalphE

One person who doesn't find it difficult to like Spike Lee is Clive Owen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

jaycjay

" (Um, people on Broadway and, soon,London?)"

Um, you do realize that he's talking about the movie, and that those people are or will be watching the play, right? The play was written first; the movie was an adaptation.

Also, he's right about the Oscars.

estragon_nyc

Yeah, but those Broadway and West End audiences are going to see the play because they liked the movie. The overwhelming majority, anyway -- I suppose it's possible some of them hated the movie and are going to see the play because they enjoy being angry.

jaycjay

Since the movie is about 22 years old, seems pretty likely that a lot of people have never seen it. For example, I haven't.

MermaidFornicator

that's true because that movie has never been released on dvd or aired on cable.

JoanCollins

If he's not whining about Tyler Perry making movies that Lee doesn't approve of,

Um, Spike Lee isn't the only one that doesnt appreciate Tyler Perry. Most people with good tastes and a critical eye know that Perry's films are rubbish and do a disservice to black folks (said as a black person).

Jimbo853okg

You know, if Spike Lee were somehow relevant, I wouldn't have had any objection to Mark Halperin calling him a "dick" on yesterday's "Morning Joe."