Spike Lee, The Dolly Shot / Montage by Richard Cruz / Music “Bra” by Cymande
I love this video essay that Richard Cruz put together assembling some of Spike Lee’s best dolly shot moments. Spike is definitely one of my all-time favorite filmmakers, and I’m one of those people who gets really excited when he busts out the dolly shots. I know he gets some criticism for overusing them, but I think that mainly comes from people within the film industry who have an awareness of how these shots are achieved technically. As a non-film industry moviegoer, however, I love the surreal, dreamy feeling these shots impart on his movies—and this montage makes me want to have a Spike Lee film festival in my living room this weekend.
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agreed! crooklyn is one of my all-time faves. my fiancée is in his upcoming release, due out in august!
That’s awesome, Elle! I’m glad they were able to find distribution for Red Hook Summer. I’m excited for the return to Brooklyn!
definitely (:
‘kin love them! When you see them montaged like that you see how much he owns them. Can’t wait to see Red Hook Summer!
YES! Spike Lee was my first favorite director (which felt like a big deal to me – at 16 to have a favorite director). His films taught me a lot in regards to having style and a creative aesthetic. Since then I’ve become a fan of lots of directors and their go-to techniques – like Wes Anderson’s symmetry or Tarantino’s long takes. But even beyond that I can still get lost in their movies and think about them for days, weeks and years after. That’s the most important thing, really.