BlacKkKlansman

7

AJGo85Feb 27, 2019

“If I had known this was a Klan meeting, I wouldn’t have taken this motherf__king gig.”

Spike Lee’s career is full of peaks and valleys. Lee has always been aware of the power of film to directly and indirectly affect and influence“If I had known this was a Klan meeting, I wouldn’t have taken this motherf__king gig.”

Spike Lee’s career is full of peaks and valleys. Lee has always been aware of the power of film to directly and indirectly affect and influence audiences. At times, he can be overly didactic and forget to capture viewer attentions with entertainment. Other times he perfectly blends his skills as a visual storyteller with a message or issue he wants to address with incredible results. His latest film, BlacKkKlansman, is definitely a peak. It tells the unbelievably true story of Ron Stallworth, a black undercover police officer who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado Springs in the 1970’s. Lee, working with a screenplay by Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & himself, based on Stallworth’s book, bundles a true story, a crime thriller, and a social drama about race and racism together with a lively and even comedic tone for a film that is as entertaining as it is unsettling.

John David Washington (yes, Denzel’s son) plays Ron Stallworth, the first black police officer in Colorado Springs. Stallworth begins his career in the records room but after he is reassigned to the intelligence unit, he begins an investigation into the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. The rookie Stallworth makes a rookie mistake, however, and gives his real name to the Klan recruiter he speaks to over the phone. So, when the Klan wants to meet him, Stallworth enlists fellow undercover cop Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) to pose as white Ron Stallworth in person while he pretends to be white Ron Stallworth over the phone. Like I said, an unbelievable true story.

John David Washington handles both the lighter and heavier material in BlackKklansman with ease. His character never saw any conflict in being a both cop and a black person until he meets and begins a potential romance with Patrice (Laura Herrier) the head of the Black Student Union he was initially assigned to investigate. Adam Driver gives a great low-key performance as Flip. Driver portrays him as an average person that is very good at his job but finds himself in an unusual, extraordinary situation. It’s the kind of subtle performance that usually gets overlooked during awards season but Driver has managed to pick up a Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. Stallworth’s infiltration of the Klan over the phone leads to many conversations with the head of the KKK, David Duke. Topher Graceplays Duke almost too well, capturing the insidious affability and unassuming presence that was meant to be the new face of the Klan.

Throughout BlacKkKlansman, other movies are referenced to show the power of cinema in regards to race and culture. The movie opens with one of the most famous shots from Gone With the Wind and a recreation of a racist propaganda film from the 1950’s. The classic Tarzan movies and Blaxploitation films are also referenced. The most emotionally affecting scene for me comes when Harry Belafonte, as an elderly speaker at a Black Student Union gathering, shares how a harrowing injustice he witnessed as a boy was inspired by the silent epic The Birth of a Nation. In 1915, D.W. Griffith, a pioneer of early filmmaking who invented much of the basic language of cinema, made the first big budget, epic film. It portrayed the KKK as the heroes and protectors of post-Civil War white Southerners. After its release, it inspired hate crimes and revived the long extinct KKK. Film historians have long wrestled with how to present or teach The Birth of a Nation; it’s importance to film history is as undeniable as the movie is revolting. I think Spike Lee has finally found a way to present both the importance and the horrendous nature of The Birth of a Nation.

BlacKkKlansman seems to be unsure of what note it wants to leave the audience on. It is a very entertaining and even comedic story but also a serious one dealing with problems that are still unfortunately relevant today. Lee inserts real footage from the Charlottesville protests to emphasize that the KKK is still a real and dangerous threat (and of course he is correct). Though this documentary footage packs a powerful emotional punch, it would in any context and feels inorganically tacked on. It is one of a few missteps in an otherwise entertaining and powerful piece of cinema.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

MacamJan 6, 2019

At start I was already prepared for another biased, sjw, pro white guilt driven movie, but after a wile and overlooking the forced sexism themed scene about the actress in the magazine and disregarding the end footage about modern times (IAt start I was already prepared for another biased, sjw, pro white guilt driven movie, but after a wile and overlooking the forced sexism themed scene about the actress in the magazine and disregarding the end footage about modern times (I don't think people are that dumb that need that to understand the parallelism intended), the movie was actually pretty good. I liked the fact that the black cop defends that not all cops are bad, calling on both sides of the extremism. I would prefer if they didn't had dismissed the calling for violence made by the black extremist as "...just talk, retoric..." but I also understand the dificulty the character has to admit that his side of the conflict also has extremists.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

zNeverSleepingOct 16, 2020

O humor desse filme poderia ser bem especifico, tanto pra ruim como bom, mas aqui Spike Lee sabe muito bem como dosar o humor racista em cima da subversão, fazendo-os parecer idiotas - o que realmente eles são. O longa também dá espaço paraO humor desse filme poderia ser bem especifico, tanto pra ruim como bom, mas aqui Spike Lee sabe muito bem como dosar o humor racista em cima da subversão, fazendo-os parecer idiotas - o que realmente eles são. O longa também dá espaço para mensagens importantes, abre algumas discussões em relação ao próprio movimento, quanto a fragmentação, por exemplo; e ainda conta com um elenco excelente, que convence e entrega o necessário quando é preciso.

Audio: English, no subtitles [16°] - Q60T 50' TV Speakers [Dolby 5.1]
Quality: 4K HDR [Bluray]… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

DawdlingPoetNov 24, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a film based on a true story and that made me interested in it. The cast is good (particularly John David Washington and Adam Driver) and the way the plot develops is good. Its worth hanging around for the final scene, which I thought was quite satisfying. It certainly highlights how horrendous the KKK are, for their vile views and some of the nonsense their followers believe. I'd hope those who support such organisations wouldn't find anything positive about them when watching such a film but then, who knows these days frankly. I thought it was a good film as a piece of social commentary certainly - quite how the main character managed not to lose his what-not when conversing with members of the local 'Klan' is, quite frankly, beyond me. I would recommend this film, yes. It makes for an understandably sobering watch with obviously strong language featured, including strong racial slurs but then of course that makes it more realistic I suppose, as sad as that is.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

FilmanwaltDec 17, 2020

It is simply necessary that such films are made over and over again (keyword actuality). This topic is so important and unfortunately falls into oblivion over and over again. History repeats itself.

It is sad that the memory of so many needsIt is simply necessary that such films are made over and over again (keyword actuality). This topic is so important and unfortunately falls into oblivion over and over again. History repeats itself.

It is sad that the memory of so many needs to be refreshed because racism is one of the most shameful repulsions in human history.

The film itself is a success and shines with a good acting performance. Above all Adam Driver is brilliant all along the line.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

marco34laAug 11, 2018

This is a decent movie. It has some moments and it could have been better. It falls apart at the end, sort of anti-climatic in terms of the script, then it goes into propaganda over-drive by editorializing about trump and protest rallies inThis is a decent movie. It has some moments and it could have been better. It falls apart at the end, sort of anti-climatic in terms of the script, then it goes into propaganda over-drive by editorializing about trump and protest rallies in 2017. Spike Lee... sometimes LESS is more, buddy.… Expand

21 of 37 users found this helpful2116

All this user's reviews

6

BenardenMar 9, 2019

Too long, too dark, too much time spent in rooms with people you'd rather not be in the company of,
A very good story but needed editing down / possibly adding more tension.
Maybe meant for a younger generation. At points I shut off theToo long, too dark, too much time spent in rooms with people you'd rather not be in the company of,
A very good story but needed editing down / possibly adding more tension.
Maybe meant for a younger generation.

At points I shut off the sound. I've been around people like that & it's really not something I want another dose of.
- Signed " Old enough to have participated in Civil Rights marches"
(& I miss Obama )… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

jgzegerFeb 13, 2019

I'm not a fan of Spike Lee movies as he is too obsessed with racial issues. I would dismiss this film as just more of the same if it wasn't for the ending which makes the film relevant and important for the current times.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

6

FrogacudaAug 26, 2018

An entertaining and likeable film, but much of it beggars belief. Its portrayal of the police as a force to fight racism is an all-too-generous distortion that borders on fabrication, and many of the characters come off like one-dimensionalAn entertaining and likeable film, but much of it beggars belief. Its portrayal of the police as a force to fight racism is an all-too-generous distortion that borders on fabrication, and many of the characters come off like one-dimensional cartoons. This would be less troubling if it wasn't billing itself as a true story, but the fact that it is makes it feel misleading rather than just broad.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

All this user's reviews

6

TrevorsViewAug 16, 2018

Kidding? I’m not right now. Racial tensions are still as horrific as ever, it now seems every month there is a new film made to empower Black people while exploring those unjustified relations between them and White people. So appropriatelyKidding? I’m not right now. Racial tensions are still as horrific as ever, it now seems every month there is a new film made to empower Black people while exploring those unjustified relations between them and White people. So appropriately enough, filmmaking legend Spike Lee gives us BlacKkKlansman to explore those very relations in a time when White cops kill innocent Blacks like dogs. Even when history books have records of the “Black Panther Party” threatening the United States back in the 1970s, the message is clear: We need to stop and learn from our historical darkness.

Kicking the can more, this film has a humorous plot scenario pulled straight out of real life: a Black guy applies to be a cop, leading him to work undercover. Essentially, he pretends to be White on the phone as he speaks to the leaders of a secret Ku Klux Klan organization, leading to that undercover investigation where his White partner pretends to be him. Beyond the mere ironic comedy, this Klan’s planned massacre of Blacks becomes quite disturbing as they are seen praying to God, complete with an oil anointment before they do their cross burning. This new Boston Tea Party as they call it is all a part of their plan to make America achieve its greatness again… because apparently they made America and must keep it for themselves. That mindset is visualized by a stain glass window with the words “Thine O Lord is the Victory” behind those who think they understand God’s will, but truly have the knowledge of a snowflake.

Key here may be Spike Lee’s history of exploring Blackness in America, but he’s trying way too hard to connect the early 1970s to today. That especially goes this movie’s historical inaccuracy, “Stallworth's real colleague wasn't called Flip Zimmerman - his true identity remains a mystery, in accounts known only as Chuck - and there's no indication that he was Jewish.” (ScreenRant) At least the expert acting is easy to like, as nobody ever tarries in their performances, always racing on their palms to let the true soul of Blackness come out. Yet I most want to commend how Paul Walter Hauser particularly confronts his role well as a Klansman damaged beyond repair, like he’s half-a-man dragged down onto the cement pavement.

Klans such as this one will certainly give anyone watching strong opinions, just don’t expect that to mean the character arcs will be the thing to suck you in to this film’s humanity. While effective, the main romantic subplot was unnecessary in influencing the protagonist or reconnecting him much with Black culture. His partners in crime also don’t seem influenced much by being involved with the Klan during their undercover case. Those Klansmen they bamboozle likewise are not multidimensional enough with clear fears written down on paper.

Kennedy would not have wanted to see this type of future after being assassinated in his Ford, but it happened, as the sincere nature of this film is kept through an inspirational speech at the Black Student Union of Colorado College. This whole scene helps you to listen, then the script hops right back onto its tongue-in-cheek humor, including how Blacks pronouncing “are” as “are-uh” puts a halt in our understanding. Then topping all the memorable lines off in the cleverly detailed dialogue is an awesome phone call that speaks fluent Jive, a very lively form of English! But the artistic language rich with racial segregation sadly is not helped by the handheld camera that could very well been supported by a gorilla.

King Kong may have had a bit of word to say in the editing and cinematography, but that’s not what will affect you the most while watching… it will be the realism. You’ll feel disturbed to see this KKK’s gunfire practice use targets of running black silhouettes in the autumn forest, but not nearly as much so as when these events connect straight to The Birth of a Nation, which the Klan reacts to with thunderous applause. Overall, the right perspectives are told from Ron Stallworth’s autobiography that will live on once he’s nothing more than a casket and bones.

Really though, while it means well, BlacKkKlansman paints an unintentionally immoral portrait of Spike Lee’s ideal America where any motivation by God is just a fuel for racism. Apparently, it’s all about humanism, but the Klan proves that we should not rely on ourselves, as its unnecessarily preachy final sequence proves: a series of modern day news footage showing the destruction caused by Black Lives Matter, not secretive about hatred towards our president. On top of that, this movie claims to be “based on some fo' real, fo' real sh*t" except it’s not, plenty of it is made up. So, with that put, this film’s message of relying on ourselves contradicts itself in a way. Likewise, you’d be better off living today for love, not rebellion, with the capacity to work of a donkey and the wise strength of an elephant.… Expand

5 of 11 users found this helpful56

All this user's reviews

6

TuneisonAug 15, 2018

My review was longer than 5000 words so, here it is:
https://letterboxd.com/jerkbutt/film/blackkklansman/1/

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

AndrewBurgeOct 29, 2018

Spike Lee's newest "joint", based on some "fo’ real, fo’ real sh*t" is the type of film in which its creator constantly and repeatedly explains to you its ideas, in this case, making sure that we know without a shadow of a doubt that this isSpike Lee's newest "joint", based on some "fo’ real, fo’ real sh*t" is the type of film in which its creator constantly and repeatedly explains to you its ideas, in this case, making sure that we know without a shadow of a doubt that this is a film about the disgusting evils of white supremacists, specifically the Ku Klux Klan and the burdens of the Afro-American peoples. Yet its face-to-face presentation of these two communities, more specifically, a scene zig-zagging between a Klan ritual governed by the so-called Grand Wizard David Duke (Topher Grace) and a shocking and tragic speech carried in a BSU meeting, make it feel more like a one-on-one fight between two different groups.

Nevertheless, while Spike Lee's frustration with the idiocy and ridiculousness of racism might get to him, these things also bring up funny and awkward interactions between the likes of David Duke and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), the colored police-man assigned as his security asset on his visit to Colorado Springs. These interactions are really interesting and its amazing to see Lee and his writers Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott adapt these funny situations with a natural flow. Specifically, the scene in which Ron suggests to take a picture with David Duke and while he accepts, his body language represents an obvious unease. It is the only time in the film when you see an Afro-American holding the power, even if is for a few seconds. But while funny, you can't help but choke a bit on your laugh when you realize the seriousness of this issue. This is a man feeling uneasy near a police officer assigned as his bodyguard simply because of his skin color.

I feel like Spike Lee is sick of dramatizing racism and complaining about its evils, but I do not like the way in which he wants to make you feel bad by causing a cheap laugh. I do like the way in which he uses D.W. Griffith's 'Birth of a Nation', a film which is difficult to discuss as a film-lover because it is a landmark film from a purely cinematographic perspective, but a total resentful and disgusting piece of work in any other context.

In the end, 'BlacKkKlansman' is a film having no insight on its own except excerpts from 'Birth of a Nation' and footage from the 2017 Unite the Right White Supremacist Rally. Also you cannot help but think something as simple as why didn't Flip (Adam Driver) talked on the phone with Duke after being selected as Ron Stallworth's "face"? Was it really just for that satisfying reveal at the end?… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

6

DjakeirFeb 6, 2019

I avoided this film for so long because I thought it was just going to be a replica of highly politicaly motivated movies we have been seeing since modern day cinema was created. I was glad to see a project more orginal and not designed toI avoided this film for so long because I thought it was just going to be a replica of highly politicaly motivated movies we have been seeing since modern day cinema was created. I was glad to see a project more orginal and not designed to shock you but to make you think. Overall, I enjoyed this film. Its cast for the most part was good, the cinematography at times was excellent, the dialogue was smooth and enjoyable. I do have some grievaces about the movie and that is why I gave a mixed score. Some of the actors fell short, mainly "Flip", some scenes were a bit too long, and at times; mainly in the first half I was extremly bored. Knowing that this is Oscar noinated for best picture, I am surprised because I do think that this was a slightly above average film, albeit with a satisfying ending, but then again are we to be that surprised that as politically concerned as the academy is to be awarding a political movie, probably not. I hope we begin awarding movies for its artistic value and creativity and make representation and equality a given standard that is appreciated but not projected as a rare advancement, which sometimes comes across as a public stunt to gain better opinion. This film does has creativity and some would call it artisic. I just think its interesting and deserves to be watched, just not awarded so highly.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

5

foxgroveAug 25, 2018

Watchable, but vastly over rated not to mention overlong. This dissection of racism could only be made by a black man and comes over smelling of propaganda. The white man is painted less than his skin colour whilst the black man is cast asWatchable, but vastly over rated not to mention overlong. This dissection of racism could only be made by a black man and comes over smelling of propaganda. The white man is painted less than his skin colour whilst the black man is cast as the hero. Hate is certainly the order of the day here, I would just question at whom that hate is aimed. A dangerous and provocative film that isn't actually that good!… Expand

6 of 9 users found this helpful63

All this user's reviews

5

aguila9Apr 14, 2019

I'm recalling that silly ending to Schindeler's List where present-day survivors and sympathizers are putting rocks on his tomb: cue in violins, pander, please tell me what and how to feel, reassure me the story was all real life events. NowI'm recalling that silly ending to Schindeler's List where present-day survivors and sympathizers are putting rocks on his tomb: cue in violins, pander, please tell me what and how to feel, reassure me the story was all real life events. Now imagine that same paint-by-numbers direction filling an entire film. he only thing, literally, missing was Spike Lee leaning into the shot at addressing the viewer, "Ok guys, another terrible thing is going to happen, people shouldn't behave like this... now roll scene." You don't kneed to treat the audience like dim-wits, we can absolutely draw the parallels and see the present day importance of this film's subject without the Mickey Mouse Club "educational cues".… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

5

meta_kingSep 21, 2018

Dobry film.Dobry film.Dobry film.Dobry film.Dobry film.Dobry film.Dobry film.Dobry film.Dobry film.Dobry film.Dobry film.Dobry film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

5

MondayQBAug 20, 2018

Important movie, and generally well directed and acted. The only sad thing is that this movie from the left, and Death of a Nation from the right, do nothing more than push groups even further into their safe place corners. I have lived aImportant movie, and generally well directed and acted. The only sad thing is that this movie from the left, and Death of a Nation from the right, do nothing more than push groups even further into their safe place corners. I have lived a long time in the US and not since the 1960’s have I seen such division in our society. I can only pray that we get a new ML King and JFK to emerge, but I suspect any such effort would be immediately torn down by social media attackers.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

All this user's reviews

5

vidcylclopsAug 24, 2018

Everybody references "Do the Right Thing," which I liked, as the Spike Lee movie Blackkklansman should have aspired to. But Lee should have given Blackkklansman the nuanced touch he gave in his 2006 documentary "When the Levees Broke: AEverybody references "Do the Right Thing," which I liked, as the Spike Lee movie Blackkklansman should have aspired to. But Lee should have given Blackkklansman the nuanced touch he gave in his 2006 documentary "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts" which made similar points as Blackkklansman but without the polemics, without the now-clichéd "Spike Lee Joint" film-making angles and effects and the awful "let's-hit-the-audience-over-the-head" endings that Lee has become infamous for. Adam Driver was outstanding, and like User reviewer @LamontRaymond I also enjoyed the cameo of Isiah Whitlock (Senator Clay Davis from "The Wire) in Blackkklasman. But overall, this movie is not the 80+ percent approval film that Metacritic rankings make it out to be.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

4

imthenoobOct 24, 2018

The cast does a great job and the story is good enough but in typical Spike Lee fashion, This film is painfully slow paced and features a rather poor editing job. This did not need to be an over 2-hour movie. I think they could have cut thisThe cast does a great job and the story is good enough but in typical Spike Lee fashion, This film is painfully slow paced and features a rather poor editing job. This did not need to be an over 2-hour movie. I think they could have cut this into a more manageable runtime because there were huge chunks that just didn't need to be in there - Like the 5-minute speech from the Black Panthers leader.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

4

myemailnamelolaNov 22, 2021

this movie can be very triggering for black and white woman becuase if how the man act and make jokes

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

3

DeadlyOct 28, 2018

Based on the cover and the trailer I expected some comedy relief what I found was a propaganda piece.

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

All this user's reviews

3

max1cJan 30, 2019

Mediocre, racist, boring, movie. I expected this to be a lot better was disappointed.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

All this user's reviews

3

koconnorNov 28, 2018

They said the movie was factual but I kept thinking this seems too incredible. And why had I never heard of it? I did research afterwards and discovered that only the most basic storyline is true - the rest is total fiction. The part of theThey said the movie was factual but I kept thinking this seems too incredible. And why had I never heard of it? I did research afterwards and discovered that only the most basic storyline is true - the rest is total fiction. The part of the story that was true didn't make much sense - why wouldn't the same person be meeting in-person and speaking on the phone?

And why is Trump brought into the movie? Oh, to win an Oscar. Spike, you make some good movies but you try just too hard to make some meaningful statement but it falls flat.… Expand

5 of 10 users found this helpful55

All this user's reviews

3

defdog99Aug 11, 2018

Wow. Was this movie bad. So yeah the story was fine and Washington has a ton of charisma... but Spike was obviously trying to make a Quentin Tarantino movie. He was aiming for a 70s cop show vibe with blaxpoitation movie references (evenWow. Was this movie bad. So yeah the story was fine and Washington has a ton of charisma... but Spike was obviously trying to make a Quentin Tarantino movie. He was aiming for a 70s cop show vibe with blaxpoitation movie references (even going as far as showing 70s movie artwork inside the movie!). A hitler salute watching a movie (ala Inglorious Basterds)?? Check. Spike should have went with a different style. Quentin is a master of the fine-line of a talky with hyper violence with cultural allusions with comedy. Spike tried but instead his comes off as agenda instead of entertainment. Mediocre music and sound effects especially the 2nd half. Come on man, its the 70s. He must have rushed it to get it released on the Charlottesville anniversary.… Expand

10 of 30 users found this helpful1020

All this user's reviews

3

bjdesantisAug 30, 2018

Unfortunately the official files were all destroyed, so suspension of disbelief drives this embellished "true" story. It's too bad since since otherwise recently CIA declassified files are making such great true stories on TV and in theUnfortunately the official files were all destroyed, so suspension of disbelief drives this embellished "true" story. It's too bad since since otherwise recently CIA declassified files are making such great true stories on TV and in the movies these days. Please be warned that unwarranted anti-Trump and anti-police propaganda videos are tacked onto the end of this movie. I prefer when Hollywood leaves its secret political agendas checked at the curb before making/releasing movies for the public, but alas here it is.… Expand

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

All this user's reviews

2

namelessAug 11, 2018

It is part Spike Lee, a solid filmmaker, and it is part Michael Moore. Spike Lee channeling Michael Moore kills everything that goes before it. It is so weird because he uses the audience's intelligence in the beginning to make connectionsIt is part Spike Lee, a solid filmmaker, and it is part Michael Moore. Spike Lee channeling Michael Moore kills everything that goes before it. It is so weird because he uses the audience's intelligence in the beginning to make connections and then by the end he treats the audience as if they must told everything. Go see "Inside Man" again to see the director at his best, this is not it.… Expand

16 of 37 users found this helpful1621

All this user's reviews

2

AxeTAug 30, 2018

Spike Lee is at his best as a talented moviemaker delivering for the audience and at his worst as a preachy activist pandering with his tired obsessive skewed overkill agenda, and this no surprise veers heavily toward the latter.Spike Lee is at his best as a talented moviemaker delivering for the audience and at his worst as a preachy activist pandering with his tired obsessive skewed overkill agenda, and this no surprise veers heavily toward the latter. Stylistically he lazily goes with his tendency toward self conscious post modern filmmaking here (random insert cuts from other media, actors staring straight into lens, etc.) even though he's quite capable of making the point by more difficult to do narrative craft, or at least he used to be capable of that. Based on a true story that is pretty funny, damn crazy and yes timely again now; but instead of being ripe with its inherent suspense this shoddy effort is full of logic flaws, sloppy period colloquial errors, and cartoony didactic dialogue in a silly heavily re-manipulated plot to tie into perceptions of today's America that all rings anything but true and worse is boring.

His best joints: "Do the Right Thing", "Summer of Sam", "Inside Man"… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

All this user's reviews

2

SimpsonsSep 7, 2018

This movie only proves that Spike Lee is a shadow of his former self. Far distant from his greatest moments like Do The Right Thing, Clockers or Inside Man, this movie is nothing more than political pyromania and hysterical activism thatThis movie only proves that Spike Lee is a shadow of his former self. Far distant from his greatest moments like Do The Right Thing, Clockers or Inside Man, this movie is nothing more than political pyromania and hysterical activism that blantly decontextualizes footage from D.W. Griffith' Birth of a Nation for pure demagogic reasons. Lots of cliches and a militant overexcitation which is expressed in a misplaced way instead of shaping and transmitting naturally the story. Paltry movie, with a redudant and simplistic vision only to continue at full steam the 'agitprop' which is intoxicating USA.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

All this user's reviews

2

beels1Aug 29, 2018

Clumsily written, uneven in tone, repetitive, obvious and didactic, this film felt like a very rough draft without editing. The klan and police characters were cartoonish and the attempt to state the obvious parallels with the Trump era feltClumsily written, uneven in tone, repetitive, obvious and didactic, this film felt like a very rough draft without editing. The klan and police characters were cartoonish and the attempt to state the obvious parallels with the Trump era felt superfluous and condescending to this viewer. The musical score was intrusive and further trivialized the story. A waste of time and effort.… Expand

5 of 13 users found this helpful58

All this user's reviews

1

CirceJan 6, 2019

There's only one reason to watch this movie- to affirm your wokeness and share some venting over Hillary Clinton's loss in 2016. The entire point of the movie is to portray the Klan as a proto-Trump campaign PAC. Absurd, boring and insulting.There's only one reason to watch this movie- to affirm your wokeness and share some venting over Hillary Clinton's loss in 2016. The entire point of the movie is to portray the Klan as a proto-Trump campaign PAC. Absurd, boring and insulting. I'll look for Spike Lee's portrayal of the Dallas shooting as result of Obama's racial rhetoric culminating in a violent Black Lives Matter movement- but I'm guessing I would be waiting a long time.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

All this user's reviews

1

Humboldt1337Aug 25, 2018

SJW movie by racist Spike Lee. Absolute garbage. Spike Lee just makes movies where he blames "white people" as an entire group for the self-inflicted problems of the thug community. Do yourself a favor and never see this.

12 of 32 users found this helpful1220

All this user's reviews

1

seanr06Dec 8, 2018

Great acting, Adam Driver sells it all. The movie itself is propaganda. The final 5 minutes was beyond a joke.

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

All this user's reviews

1

FrankieGSep 27, 2018

A weak movie, fully of illogical plot holes. Advertised as a comedy whereas it's quite a slow moving cliched movie.

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

All this user's reviews

0

EludiumQ36Oct 27, 2018

Ok, so you know a film's director makes the film what they want it to be. Spike Lee is a hero of the black community in a film involving the KKK and white supremacy in Trump America. What did you think was going to happen?! I think I speakOk, so you know a film's director makes the film what they want it to be. Spike Lee is a hero of the black community in a film involving the KKK and white supremacy in Trump America. What did you think was going to happen?! I think I speak for most of us when I say we watch movies for entertainment, for escape from the ugliness of American politics. I do not need Spike Lee or any other Democrazed progressive globalist pushing their race-baiting, hyper-biased agenda on me when I'm trying to ESCAPE all that! Movies are for entertainment, not politically foolish propaganda.… Expand

5 of 23 users found this helpful518

All this user's reviews

0

derekjaypostFeb 11, 2020

Mediocre, racist and boring. Just another trash politically driven film. With an inaccurate ending.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

0

ViajeSep 14, 2018

Can you really be "entertained" or "educated" when you're immediately aware the film you're watching is intentionally biased to manipulate you to a political paradigm not based on the truth? Think about it.

Instead of providing seriousCan you really be "entertained" or "educated" when you're immediately aware the film you're watching is intentionally biased to manipulate you to a political paradigm not based on the truth? Think about it.

Instead of providing serious treatment of the subject matter, at best, the "Blackkklansman" functions as a parody of "true events," or even worse, a lousy derivative of "Undercover Brother (2002)." That's right, "Undercover Brother," starring Eddie Griffin, Jr. and directed by Spike Lee's cousin Malcolm D. Lee is superior to "Blackkklansman" with a better script, direction, editing, and acting, plus it's also "Blacker."

The script failed to detail fact-based images of Stallworth conducting surveillance to document actual criminal activity being performed by the KKK, and instead the film took "artistic license" to present: (1) chronologically incorrect social and political rhetoric; and (2) stereotypcial degrading images of Black and White people. Remember, this film is based on a "true story," but instead of dealing with the truth, Spike Lee ignored the veracity of historical facts and intentionally made-up a bunch of crap.

As the first Black police officer for Colorado Springs, Stallworth (John David Washington) was directed to go "undercover" to inflitate an upcoming speaking engagement by former leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and "Honorary Prime Minister" of the Black Panther Party (BPP), Kwame Ture, who was formerly known as Stokely Carmichael. The film completely ignored the fact that Kwame Ture was NOT a threat to "White rule," and in particular, that every so-called major "Black militant" from the 1960s had already been assassinated, or incarcerated, or in college completing a Ph.D, or in Russia receiving an honorary Ph.D., or an escaped felon living in Cuba, or as with Kwame Ture, on a book tour. By 1979 the threat of "Black militancy" had already been eliminated.

Art direction by Marci Mudd, set decoration by Cathy T. Marshall, and costume design by Marci Rodgers were all poorly executed. The early 1960s to the early 1970s were volatile times for Black people, but 1979 was no where nearly as volatile, because White people and disingenuous Black people had already successfully killed the threat of "Black militancy." So, why did Spike Lee have his cast of characters wearing large militant-looking afro-wigs, leather jackets et al especially when in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s chemically processed "jheri curls" had largely replaced the afro? Spike Lee could have easily "fact checked" the aforementioned by watching that classic scene in Eddie Murphy's 1988 film, "Coming to America," where oily glyserol from three jheri curled Black people dripped and stained the couch.

The "real" Ron Stallworth clearly looked more like former boxing heavyweight champion Larry Holmes than the "supersized and militarized" version Spike Lee trust upon an unsuspecting film audience. Is "Blackkklansman" a "Blaxploitation" film simply because it's directed by and features a predominately Black cast? If so, what about "Black Panther (2018)?" Sadly, it's typical for the White controlled media is to completely ignore the fact that until the early 1960s and throughout the United States, in both Southern and Northern states, many if not most Black people were prohibited from entering White owned and controlled theatres, or required to sit only in the balcony or at the very back (of the bus - get it). So, to provide films for Black people, in 1916 Noble and George Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska formed the first all-black movie production unit in the country, the Lincoln Motion Picture Company, which included a network of places (local social halls, churches, schools, Black-owned theatres, etc.) located in Black communities to showcase their product. As with the Negro Baseball League, the Black film production industry was very successful throughout the 1930s and 1940s as hundreds of movies including musicals, westerns, crime dramas, romantic comedies, etc., with all-Black casts were produced and released. As with the Negro Baseball League, integration eventually killed the Black film industry.

The purpose of seeing a movie is to be "entertained" or "educated," right? Perhaps, in an attempt to "entertain" and "educate" (Black people?) Spike Lee sought to give "Blackkklansman" a 1970s "look and feel," but if true, that was a mistake because by 1979 the production of films targeted to Black audiences was nearly over, but the need for truthful, fact-based films about the Black experience in America never disappeared. "Blackkklansman" only used the "truth" for source material, but not as a linear, fact-based docu-drama. Can you really be "entertained" or "educated" when you're immediately aware the film you're watching is intentionally biased to manipulate you to a political paradigm not based on the truth? Think about it.… Expand

4 of 22 users found this helpful418

All this user's reviews

0

Voodoo123Dec 27, 2018

I came to watch a film and instead was bombarded by a frustrated hollywood director's charged political rhetoric....

4 of 11 users found this helpful47

All this user's reviews

0

mvrtsOct 21, 2020

Incredibly biased and fails to mention the fact that crime is happening disproportionately in Black communities, not the "evil whites", latino, asian community nope. Pres. Obama served two terms but America must HATE black people amirite? ;)

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

0

lvnvsalesAug 31, 2019

Was a good movie until the end !!!! They had to add Liberal Democrat propaganda based on lies at the end !!!!

Did they mention that the Democrat National party formed the KKK to keep black people from voting and running for office?? OfWas a good movie until the end !!!! They had to add Liberal Democrat propaganda based on lies at the end !!!!

Did they mention that the Democrat National party formed the KKK to keep black people from voting and running for office?? Of coarse they didn't mention that!!!!

Did they mention that Trump has done more for Black people than ANY president since Abraham Lincoln ????? OHHH NO they don't mention that!!!

Did they mention that Trump reversed what Obama did to Black Colleges ??? Obama took $85 million AWAY form HBCUs(Historic Black Colleges) That was given to us by a Republican predecessor George W. Bush. YEP!! First black president and he takes money way from black colleges most likely because they require Black history courses. People that took REAL Black history courses know that it puts Democrat in a really bad light, It exposes the Democrats for who they are.

I could go on forever but I will stop here.… Expand

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

All this user's reviews

0

IncredibilisMay 23, 2020

doesnt make sense doesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt makedoesnt make sense doesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sensedoesnt make sense… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

BlacKkKlansman

User Reviews