I just came back from "Summer of Sam"- I was stunned. Lee is one of the premiere American directors. When his films don't bore they are great- now I have two fav Lee films- this one and Malcolm X. He is technically possibly the most learned film maker around. Lee consistently blows me away with his ability to apply what he's learned- both in film school and to adapt new film-making manners. This film has so many different types of atmosphere- but appropriate- NOT showing off. No, zero, none- zip, dry portions. He also captured the period to the "t".
The sequence where the dog is talking to Berkowitz is too creepy- for the first 1/2 second I thought it comical- then it turns to "hair straight up on the neck" time. What surprised me was the AMOUNT of known acting talent in this flic- I was amazed and delighted to see Bebe Neuwirth. There is a sequence at Plato's Retreat that actually borders on X rated stuff.
The shooting sequences are VERY harsh- very violent- and are very convincing. Hard to take. Too real.
John Leguizamo will get an Oscar nod for this, I am sure. He's a good actor.
The sequence where the dog is talking to Berkowitz is too creepy- for the first 1/2 second I thought it comical- then it turns to "hair straight up on the neck" time. What surprised me was the AMOUNT of known acting talent in this flic- I was amazed and delighted to see Bebe Neuwirth. There is a sequence at Plato's Retreat that actually borders on X rated stuff.
The shooting sequences are VERY harsh- very violent- and are very convincing. Hard to take. Too real.
John Leguizamo will get an Oscar nod for this, I am sure. He's a good actor.