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10

donaldholmes3Feb 6, 2016

This is a good movie to have group discussions on issue of gang violence. Adults should view it first, than children based on their level of maturity. In truth, he did give an answer to the problem - LOVE. But we have to include all itsThis is a good movie to have group discussions on issue of gang violence. Adults should view it first, than children based on their level of maturity. In truth, he did give an answer to the problem - LOVE. But we have to include all its attributes in our everyday lives. As it is written, Love: is patient and kind, is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked, it does not keep account of the injury, it does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth, it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and never fails. Yes, the answer is LOVE.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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4

TVJerryDec 10, 2015

Spike Lee has made some entertaining films, but when he gets political, things get heavy-handed real fast. The women of Chi-Raq (named because there are more gun deaths in Chicago than Afghanistan and Iraq combined) decide to withhold sex inSpike Lee has made some entertaining films, but when he gets political, things get heavy-handed real fast. The women of Chi-Raq (named because there are more gun deaths in Chicago than Afghanistan and Iraq combined) decide to withhold sex in an attempt to force their men to stop the violence. Their slogan, "No Peace, No **** The ploy is obviously based on the ancient Greek play “Lysistrata,” but I had no idea how literally Lee would take it: a chorus (Samuel L. Jackson), rhyming couplets, stylized confrontations. Even so, it might have worked if the message points weren't hammered home so bluntly and repeatedly…for 30 minutes longer than necessary.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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7

geedupJan 22, 2016

Very timely and a very modern take on the ancient greek tale. For this aspect, I give Lee his due. Power of thought provocation in a way that is very outside of what is happening in theaters these days. This aside, the movie played like aVery timely and a very modern take on the ancient greek tale. For this aspect, I give Lee his due. Power of thought provocation in a way that is very outside of what is happening in theaters these days. This aside, the movie played like a made for TV movie. Simple dialog, bright colors and wrapped in exagerated stereotypes. Sad that Lee, despite the important message and great concept has to do the dumb sh*t to get people to watch… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

LamontRaymondDec 4, 2015

It's a good movie, but it's sorely in need of an editor. And it's politics are muddled. At the very least, it brings attention to the crisis of violence in inner-city Chicago, which is highly necessary. At certain points in the movie, itIt's a good movie, but it's sorely in need of an editor. And it's politics are muddled. At the very least, it brings attention to the crisis of violence in inner-city Chicago, which is highly necessary. At certain points in the movie, it correctly urges that the people need to get their act together and stop shooting each other. At other times, Lee wants to blame the government, white people, the prison system, education, etc. for the problems. It's tough for him to reconcile the need for personal responsibility and the blame game. ALL that being said, I was entertained.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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1

lancedance2Dec 14, 2015

Regarding Behuman's review, the movie was terrible, but Jesus Christ I hope you're a troll. Gang violence is caused by "hyper-masculinity"? You expected the "examining the gender norms that enable male violence"? Are you seriously thisRegarding Behuman's review, the movie was terrible, but Jesus Christ I hope you're a troll. Gang violence is caused by "hyper-masculinity"? You expected the "examining the gender norms that enable male violence"? Are you seriously this uneducated about what's going on? First of all, we'd still be living in the stone age if it weren't for that Masculinity you are crying about. Second, when did "gender norms" ever dictate that it's OK for men to murder people? I'm pretty sure murder is highly discouraged in society. And if you want to talk about rap music, I can point out tons of female rappers who glorify violence, and not that I even think there is an issue with that, that kind of rap came as a result of the violence, it did not cause the violence. Third we know why violence is so rampant in these communities, it's because of poverty broken homes, lack of education, lack of job opportunities, drugs, and gang culture that all play a factor into the violence. They didn't talk about "gender norms" because it literally has NOTHING to do with the violence. I mean this is something that's been known for a very long time, you have to be a troll, you can't be this ignorant. Fourth, lesbians, gays, and transgenders aren't in the film because the plot of the movie isn't about them. Why wasn't there crippled people to, autistic people, or people who believe they're dogs? The film is trying to push a message and doesn't have time to meet your absurd equality quota.

It's clear you must hate black people because you are really pushing hard to keep the attention away from the actual causes of violence and crime and instead, you try to focus it on absurd nonsensical issues. Something tells me that your issue with masculinity isn't because of any violence you believe it causes, but more about your hatred for men in general. It assumes that if men don't act like women then they are doing something wrong, completely ignoring the fact that men and women are different all the way to the their instinct. I don't know what turned you against men, but taking that out by hindering attempts to solve serious issues is HIGHLY inappropriate.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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7

wcrosherDec 6, 2015

Director Spike Lee creates something truly creative and original with "Chi-Raq." It's fresh, has quite a lot to say about many controversial topics in today's society, and is vastly entertaining. This movie may not be very well edited, andDirector Spike Lee creates something truly creative and original with "Chi-Raq." It's fresh, has quite a lot to say about many controversial topics in today's society, and is vastly entertaining. This movie may not be very well edited, and feels a bit overpacked, but it can be overlooked for just how creative the film is.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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2

Brent_MarchantDec 5, 2015

Despite having its heart in the right place, this stunningly unfocused, poorly executed amalgamation of ideas, narrative threads, and writing and filming styles doesn't hang together as a cohesive whole. Instead, viewers are left to endure anDespite having its heart in the right place, this stunningly unfocused, poorly executed amalgamation of ideas, narrative threads, and writing and filming styles doesn't hang together as a cohesive whole. Instead, viewers are left to endure an overlong, repetitive diatribe that criticizes seemingly everyone and everything without offering much in the way of realistic solutions. The film never decides whether it wants to be incisive satire or serious drama, taking a scatter-shot approach that's akin to throwing a bowl of spaghetti against a wall to see what sticks. Unfortunately, these shortcomings obscure whatever strengths the picture has to offer, such as its excellent performances by Jennifer Hudson, Steve Harris and John Cusack. In short, "Chi-raq" represents a lost opportunity to draw serious attention to a real American tragedy.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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5

ProteusDec 7, 2015

Critics will love this movie because it is verbal clever and opinionated. But its a mess needs an editor badly and has a lot of junk in it that shouldn't be there. There is a long long long tirade by Cusack as a preacher who is wildlyCritics will love this movie because it is verbal clever and opinionated. But its a mess needs an editor badly and has a lot of junk in it that shouldn't be there. There is a long long long tirade by Cusack as a preacher who is wildly mis-cast and could have been cut completely....its just a monologue from a liberal nightly news program...lots of stuff like that. On the other hand there is a lot of clever writing and word play and some good acting by the female cast and parts are very funny. A mixed bag. Go see it if you like an urban drama comedy with a message I guess.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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2

behumanDec 10, 2015

Spike Lee has sold out black women to save black "manhood," taking his old school definition of "sex" from the porn industry, which is ironic, since the film is about becoming conscious of your own "slave conditioning." Apparently the womenSpike Lee has sold out black women to save black "manhood," taking his old school definition of "sex" from the porn industry, which is ironic, since the film is about becoming conscious of your own "slave conditioning." Apparently the women in this film did not get that memo regarding sexuality. Also shamefully hetero normative. Lesbian, gay and trans gender people of color simply do not exist (other than one embarrassingly homophobic caricature). I expected a polemic examining the gender norms that enable male violence. Instead, this film went out of its way to reinforce a strict gender binary in which females are dressed as porn stars and move like
strippers and are the objects of lust. Women’s true power to end male violence is in waking up to their own "sex slave conditioning" and stop finding psychopathic pimps and murderers sexy—in life or on film. Chi-raq is one step forward, two steps back in analyzing and addressing the true cause of male gang violence--toxic hyper masculinity and the sexual scripts that enable it, which this film not only enthusiastically reinforces, but celebrates, making this "Joint" an epic fail.… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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6

jrodfilmsDec 6, 2015

a sometimes refreshing sometimes frustrating movie. the main character chi-raq is hardly a focus in the film, and there is not enough story to see why the violence is going on, just lots of screaming and blaming, samuel l jackson gives aa sometimes refreshing sometimes frustrating movie. the main character chi-raq is hardly a focus in the film, and there is not enough story to see why the violence is going on, just lots of screaming and blaming, samuel l jackson gives a great nod to 'Dolemite.'… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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0

hendrikchipmanJan 5, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. An hour into this movie, I wanted it to stop. This movie goes for too long. They should have made this movie 1 hour long rather than 2 hours. My partner debunked this movie in 2 seconds. She said "boycotting sex would not work because the men would just find new partners". Yet, Spike Lee made a 2 hour movie about something that could easily be debunked in 2 seconds. This movie was also a Hollywood//leftie propaganda piece. John Cusak came off as an anti-gun nutter. There was one scene where John was preaching against gun violence on the pulpit. I can think of no better analogy to describe this movie. It was about a bunch of privileged Hollywood actors preaching about gun violence. No one likes to preached at.

I also didn't like the content of this story. The women withheld sex from the men to stop gun violence. Leave aside the fact that this would not work, why didn't the women just dob their partners in? If the men were murdering people (including children), a lack of sex does not seem like a fitting punishment. And, if these men were gang members and were killing children, wouldn't there be a risk of rape if the women withheld sex? I guess Spike Lee didn't think of this.

I feel like I need to respond to the propaganda presented in this movie. (1) Spike Lee introduced the movie by comparing the deaths in the Iraq war to murders in Chicago. As a statistics graduate, I suggest Spike Lee compare all of the murders in Iraq during this period and include Iraqi deaths to get a better comparison between the two areas. (2) Spike Lee can criticize the South all he wants but he cannot deny that Texas has a better track record than Chicago regarding gun violence.

All in all, a waste of time, to be preached at by a bunch of privileged actors. Also, why was John Cusak the head of an all black church? That doesn't make sense. Oh, and I couldn't understand a word Samuel Jackson or John Cusak said. This is what I heard: "blah blah blah leftie nonsense blah blah blah guns are bad blah blah blah something racist blah blah blah blah". In summary, I wouldn't even recommend pirating this movie.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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8

SpangleJan 29, 2016

A great modern take on both the situation in Chicago and the ancient Greek play Lysistrata, Chi-raq is one of my favorite Spike Lee films. I say that as someone who does not really like Lee, so this one ranks as one of the few I do like. AA great modern take on both the situation in Chicago and the ancient Greek play Lysistrata, Chi-raq is one of my favorite Spike Lee films. I say that as someone who does not really like Lee, so this one ranks as one of the few I do like. A provocative look at the situation in Chicago, the film makes you want to run out and change the world like portrayed in the film. The writing is phenomenal and incredibly creative and shows the great blending of the Greek comedy and the hip-hop influence to be found in the film. Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris, Angela Bassett, and John Cusack, are all phenomenal here. Admittedly, the film can be a bit vulgar and far-fetched at times, but if you are willing to go where the film wants you to, it will be a very enjoyable experience. Though the plot itself can be messy, it is thematically tight and the pieces all work if you think about what they are symbolic of and are meant to represent, a lot of which ties to both the Greek-influence, as well as today's violence and sexuality. Chi-raq will not be for everyone, but was luckily for me.… Expand