Lee's Miracle at St. Anna (1 Viewer)

[Abby_B]

This is one film that's on my fall to-see list. Although Spike Lee often makes headlines for other reasons, you can't deny the man's talent. His latest film, Miracle at St. Anna, really seems like Lee is branching out stylistically. Much more "Inside Man" than classic Lee. I'm excited. Any other fans?
YouTube - Miracle at St. Anna - New Movie by Spike Lee (iHD)

 

[Jari K]

I'm really looking forward to this one. "Inside Man" was great and I´m sure Lee will respect the historical facts, etc. WW2-films have been excellent in the recent years.

I personally didn´t approve Lee´s "verbal attack" towards Clint (I mean what was he thinking), but I guess that´s old news now...

 

[Abby_B]

Yeah, like I said, he definitely is a somewhat controversial figure in the public sphere, but I try to ignore all the hoopla surrounding him and focus on the films. I was looking forward to this as I love a good war movie, but now that I've seen the trailer it looks like there is a lot more going on here with the murder mystery and the statue - I'm even more intrigued than I once was...

 

[Ray H]

I think the trailer looks great. I'm looking forward to the movie.

Plus it's got Alexandra Maria Lara.

 

[Abby_B]

Thought I'd share some positive buzz surrounding the film - apparently it's being shown at the Toronto International Film Festival and is predicted to be one of the highlights:

With James McBride adapting his own novel for the big screen, Miracle at St Anna would already be intriguing ...But the fact Spike Lee's in the director's chair seals the deal to make this one of the must-see films this year at Toronto.

TIFF 2008 Preview: Miracle at St. Anna - Cinematical

 

[Edwin-S]

I think he was way off the mark in criticizing Eastwood's choices when filming "Flags" and "Letters", but this film does look promising. I'll be keeping an eye out for it.

 

[Jari K]

Yep, this is what I always do. Same thing with Mel Gibson, Cruise, etc etc. People make mistakes and have "dark/weird/different aspects" in their lives, but in movies - they´re actors (and directors).

"Miracle at St. Anna", "Valkyrie", "Edge of Darkness"... Bring them on!

 

[Chuck Mayer]

I think Spike Lee is a very good director, but I'd be interested in this material regardless. The experience of the black American soldier during WWII is largely untouched by Hollywood. Spike Lee is icing on the cake.

Looking forward to the film.

 

[townsend]

I'm interested in this movie as well. In fact, I'm nearly always interested in World War II movies.

Another WW II movie coming out in December, Defiance, stars Daniel Craig, summarized on the apple movie trailer site by the following:


In WWII Russia, Jewish refugees band together into a brigade that hides in the forest, ambushes Germans and survives until war’s end, eventually 1200 strong.

I would post a hypertext link to a trailer, but I'm on probation until I have ten posts on this site! So just search for a trailer (I found one at apple.com site).

 

[Abby_B]

Indeed! I can't wait

Also interested in seeing Joseph Gordon Levitt play such a mature and serious role. I've always liked that kid...(well, I guess he's a kid no longer)...

 

[Abby_B]

Great review from Ain't it Cool - very good news indeed!

Does Moriarty Believe In Spike Lee’s MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA?! -- Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

 

[Jari K]

Good interview here:
» Legacy Q&A: Spike Lee - KING-mag.com

Lee has no love for QT, but things are cool with Samuel L. Jackson and I guess also with Clint..

 

[Edwin-S]

I have seen only one of his films: Inside Man. And, to tell the truth, I really don't remember much of it. I noticed that he had bid to do "Ali" with Smith, but didn't get it. I wonder what he could have done with that material, since the film that was made was basically, IMO, badly done.

This new film of his interests me because it deals with a subject that I always find interesting: WWII.

 

[Jari K]

"Inside Man" was great. IMO, you should at least see "Do the Right Thing" and "Malcolm X". I haven´t seen all his films, but these three are at least "must see".

 

[DavidPla]

I agree. If there are any two Spike Lee films that would sum him up it would be those two.

 

[townsend]

This was on my "must see" list for the fall, but I've changed my mind.

The movie critics have savaged it. Yes, I don't always agree with their opinion, but this movie received an overwhelming low rating of 27% on the tomato meter. That does not bode well . . . movie demoted to maybe a 1.00 theater or rental situation.

Miracle at St. Anna Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes

I'd like to hear what others think who have seen it.

 

[mattCR]

I was really pumped on this, but the reviews kind of paint the story I feared might happen. Lee is a good director, but he's not the best editor of his own work. As time has gone on, his creative control has been such that he allows his movies to turn into these overly long affairs. I get the gut feeling from reading the reviews that if this movie was about 2/3 the length, it could be a really tight, solid story told well. But as it is, it's too loose and too messy.

 

[Abby_B]

I saw it this weekend and I gotta say, I really enjoyed it. When critics complained that it jumped all over the place and was unfocused, I appreciated the additional context and backstory. They say it's too long and I thought it flowed nicely and, because it was driven by the mystery story within the war story, was anxious to see how it all unfolded. In short: the cinematography was brilliant, it was a beautiful, thought-provoking story, and I thought there were a few very solid performances - esp from Valentina Cervi. I recommend it.