KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?

Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Spidersecu Don't Believe the Hype

Brendon Jones It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

sol- Opening on a striking note with a montage of gory crime scene photographs set to romantic music, 'Clockers' hints from early on at the desensitisation of its protagonists to their violent lives as the film to come focuses on a group of African American youths groomed by local druglords to sell their product. To these young men, the world of drugs is simply the norm, but when one of their own is murdered under suspicious circumstances, tensions erupt as the investigating police officer does not believe the man who confesses. The film is very well acted by all concerned and director Spike Lee is never one to shy away from necessary grit and grime, yet this is an oddly sentimental movie at the end of the day, heavily focused on the well- meaning adults in the neighbourhood who want anything but the local crime influence to rub off on the younger generation. Harvey Keitel's otherwise hard- nosed cop also has a strange change of heart of sorts towards the end which does not really align with his character's values and attitudes. 'Clockers' is, however, a movie full of excellent small moments as its down-to-earth characters interact with one another. The film is exquisitely shot throughout too with memorable bits including a reflection of Keitel viewed in another character's eyeball and a shot that slowly spins around Keitel while he converses with another character at night.

robert-macc Spike Lee is an example of one we need more of in Hollywood. He is a smart director. Let me start with direct pluses before I get into the juice of this movie. In one scene, where cops are interrogating the clockers in the beginning, the origin of "bro" is gotten right. A Norman (since "Thump" comes from Middle English which is Norman) named Thumper says "bro" in a rather warm way to Strike, and it's not saying it's the same as "brotha." Cause one of the cops who does say "brotha" is saying it in a derisive tone, while holding a suspect's chin very brutally. Yup "bro" is Italian slang according to this. Kudos to all three for getting it right :D Important, because we get to see the reaction by the black people (not many whites in this movie as, except for Klein who never says the word at all).Now, the important stuff. This movie is hard-hitting. It tells of the life of clockers (drug dealers who deal in the housing projects in Brooklyn). But most importantly there is a tone of misery and in some cases, suicide. You can really feel the hopelessness of some in this movie (Rodney for instance tells Strike, "Maybe you won't have to take it much longer," which shows he'll put him out of his misery or at least that's how it's implied). It's so hopeless, it makes me wanna cry. But Strike is a symbol of hope in the midst of a hopeless environment. And so is his bro, Victor. I'm a Rivera by the way :D. If you want something happy, skip this one. But if you can handle the hopelessness of this movie, give it a try. It's a good movie. However less dreary than most movies of this genre such as "Fresh" which is more darker. This movie is a human drama about the lives of young blacks and Hispanics (cause one of the drug dealers is Hispanic, and a "bro"-sayer :D ) who deal drugs because they have no fathers. It's a thoughtful story and Spike really put his time into it. Some moments will make you laugh (like the opening scene -- a funny argument about "rappers who are hard"); some will make you jump (it's something to do with Rodney and Strike) and the last 20 minutes will make you cry (including the credits). This was a tour-de-force. Spike Lee and Martin Scorsese are true masters of cinema. But believe me this is more depressing than "GoodFellas."

Terrell Howell (KnightsofNi11) Take a murder mystery story, mix it into a contemporary vulgar urban setting, then sprinkle some racial tension into the mix and you've got the highly intellectual and intense Spike Lee film Clockers. Clockers is about Strike, a young black man living in Brooklyn, dealing drugs for his ruthless drug lord Rodney Little. Strike deals drugs for the money, but all he really wants to do is hang out with his brothers in the park and play with model train sets. But things start to get rough when a night manager at a local fast food joint is murdered and Strike's brother Victor turns himself in. Det. Rocco Klein is the lead detective on the case and he doesn't buy Victor's story, which sets him on an obsessive hunt to unmask the truth behind this whole ordeal. The film is loaded with spirited yet vulgar dialouge, artistic and vibrant direction, and plenty of memorable characters. Clockers is witty, intelligent, and a lot of fun. It isn't your typical murder mystery or racial tension film. It is a beautiful blend of the two genres that turns into something very unique and very exciting.Spike Lee adds a lot of visual flair to this film and the way he directs it is something you can't quite pinpoint. The panoramic visual style is something you can't exactly describe in words and it is really something you have to see for yourself. There is something obviously unique going on in the way Lee directs this film, it is just difficult to articulate what exactly that is. But the visuals do work in a whole plethora of unique films, allowing the film to succeed on multiple levels. The film ranges from intense and gripping to quirky and fun. From one scene to the next the film grows more fun and more enthralling. Rarely do I care this much about what happens to the characters of a film and I'm not always so compelled to learn the motivations of the very well written characters of a film.All that being said I can't say that I loved the main character, Strike. The actor, Mekhi Phifer, wasn't great and the character himself had some odd moments. I eventually learned to like him and his character thankfully didn't deter too much from my liking of the film. Besides, a lot of the film actually focuses on Harvey Keitel's character and his unending search for the truth behind the murder. There are also numerous subplots that all end up being more interesting than the main character's story. It helps that this is just an all around well written film that is just smarter than your average crime film.Clockers is very different from any murder mystery crime film, as well as any racial tension film. But it provides plenty of great work on both sides of this spectrum. Spike Lee has created a visually interesting film with a fantastic story. The main character is the only low point of the film, but everything else is very good. Clockers is a very worthwhile watch for fans of Spike Lee or the multiple genres this film spans.

newman_d_007 Clockers represents a balanced and gripping look at ghetto life in the projects. Although centring on "Strike" one of the eponymous "Clockers" the film examines the ravages of drugs from a cross-section of society. Mothers, brothers, policemen, children and corner boys are all given their say. The script is careful to portray no one as entirely evil, with even the chameleon Rodney given a chance to present his own case for victim status.The entire cast give committed performances, particularly a standout turn by Isaah Washington's humblingly decent Victor. Mekhi Phifer's conflicted Strike is also utterly watchable as he meanders from disaster to disaster, trapped between his so called friends, employers and the police.Spike Lee's direction is on point as ever and although the ghetto is never beautiful, Lee's cinematography makes sure that it is always interesting. Lee uses colour and a wide variety of shots to texture the story he is trying to tell. Whether it is the brash reds and oranges of the mountains and countryside to emphasize "Strike"'s escape from the greyness of the ghetto, or Lee's trademark floating head shot, the film never lets up in its innovation."Clockers" is a classic Spike Lee Joint, imprinting itself on to the viewers' consciousness long after the end credits roll. An important work on an important subject.