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Arts & Entertainment

Spike Lee Complains (Again)


By

Chris O'Shea

Published Jul 1, 2011

Modified Jul 1, 2011


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Photograph by smoothdude on Flickr

 


By

Chris O'Shea

Published Jul 1, 2011

Modified Jul 1, 2011


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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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Do The Right Thing

interviews

movies

spike lee


Chris O'Shea

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