Spike Lee Told Me I Watch Movies Wrong

I think New York City rats will murder every other rat in the world. That's definitely true. New York City rats are the strongest.

New York City rats, they don't play. [laughter]

And these New York City rats are big as a [__] They are big. They're big as cats.

You don't think they're cute? Hell the [__] no. [music]

So, what's your take? People buy a New Era hat. I don't care what team it is, but take the [__] sticker off [laughter] on the bill.

100% agree.

Even under both the one under and the top, this big old silver thing on the bill. Look, we already know it's [__] New Era [laughter] by the hat. This is an epidemic, bro.

It's out of control.

Why has it been like that? 'Cause it's been like that since I was a kid. Was it like that when you were a kid?

No. Hell no. We didn't do that [__]

You used to take the stickers off? Yes. There was a time where people were keeping the sales thing on, you know, if they're on the price tag. And some people doing that with cars, you know, the thing in the window.

No.

Yes.

They keep it on. Yeah.

No, I never seen that before. It's ghetto. I've never seen that before.

Just straight up ghetto.

I think they see it as like some sort of fashion statement to keep a sticker on. Someone does something stupid and people just catch on. You know,

I know I sound like old fuddy duddy, but you asked me the question. I mind doing your show on the G train going into the inner inner Brooklyn. Shout out Brooklyn. Shout out to People's Republic of Brooklyn.

You know, I noticed that you're at a lot of sports games. Is it Pope Catholic? [laughter]

Did Pope go to Villanova?

How do you have so much energy, man?

Did Bronson go to Villanova?

Did go to Villanova?

For a guy that's out there, did Brin go to Villanova? Do we trade with that brother in Minnesota? Did he go to Villanova?

So what are you saying?

I'm saying for a guy that is making movies, teaching classes, producing, there's 24 hours in a day [laughter] and I'm teaching on afternoons or afternoons where usually basketball day games might be. So it's not a conflict.

It's not a conflict in terms of time, but do you get tired? Oh,

what do you physically get tired and emotionally? Going to a Knicks game is not a chore.

Going to Yankees is not a chore. Mm-hmm.

Going to open night U.S. Open is not a chore. It's really relaxation.

That's how you relax.

Yeah. It's a blessing. As a kid growing up in New York City, having love sports, Knicks games, last row in the Garden, the blue [laughter] Yankees staying last row. Shea staying last row. I was just happy to be at the game. I was happy being there with my father. Both of us cheering sports. So me able now to sit close to the game, I'm grateful.

Now you've been courtside for like 20 years, right?

I don't cattle.

What is the fundamental tip that you have in terms of filmmaking today versus filmmaking back in the day? 'Cause you're making films over a span of 30 years. 40 years.

40 years.

Check your math. She's Gotta Have It came out in 1986. Next year is 2026. What high school you went to? [laughter]

YOU DIDN'T GO TO SCIENCE.

WELL, let's just say you didn't go to Bronx Science.

Let's just say you you to go to Brooklyn Tech.

What advice would you give to the new filmmakers? Work ethic. You got to bust your ass. And with those who speak Spanish, you got to bust your culo. [laughter] And those in England, you got to bust your arse. [laughter] You got to work. That style and profiling [__] don't work. And also, is this what you want to dedicate the rest of your life to? You know, give them the truth, Ruth. Give them the truth, Ruth.

They dream to be a filmmaker. And uh then they wake up.

Yeah. This [__] is hard.

It's really hard. You know, I just No joke. No joke.

I wrote a movie in 21 feature films.

Yep. We shot it in 6 days.

What's the name of it?

Or something. She just saw it.

Hey, she's on the payroll. [laughter] THAT'S HOW SHE GOT THE JOB. I JUST SAW YOUR FILM. YOU'RE HIRED. [laughter]

I'm thinking about how you made Do the Right Thing. Do the Right Thing reminds me a lot of how people are making movies now.

No.

No.

No.

Okay. Tell me.

Better reference would be She's Gotta Have It the first film. She's Gotta Have It cost $175,000. That was money was raised independently. Do the Right Thing was a studio film. Universal Pictures. I'm referring to the wrong film.

Mm-hmm.

She's got

Who's doing your research?

I mean, I do it all myself.

Oh, no wonder.

The point [laughter] My show is the mo the least researched show on the internet and a success.

I like to come in for for uh I like to be entertained like the audience and ask questions.

Now, you're the man of the people.

I appreciate that. But so, how has filmmaking changed?

When I went to film school, the reason my generation went to film school, we couldn't get equipment.

And now the equipment has been democratized as you can see.

Yes. You know, we make movies on these cameras.

And you can make a movie on a phone.

Yeah.

And edit on a phone.

Yeah. Why do you think of vertical video? I

I'm not a fan.

You're not a fan?

How could someone watch the Lawrence of Arabia like this?

Well, I say I want I feel like snatching these phones out of their hand.

I mean, I just name one. I mean, like,

consider this.

Look at David Lean, Lawrence of Arabia, Bridge on the River Kwai, like this and like that. [laughter]

No, no, no.

Closer counts like this.

No, but consider this fight. What if there was a movie theater and the screen was vertical, but it was it was it was the same size as a movie theater.

Let me let me give you a three-word answer. Okay.

Okay.

Nah. [laughter]

And I elongated, TOO. [screaming] How much of your films are improvised and how much of them are

n scripted but Phil Jackson coach of Chicago Bulls?

The only one player that team

that was Mike that could just improvise. So I'm Phil Jackson and Denzel is is Jordan.

Yeah,

he's Jordan.

Mm-hmm.

He's the one he's that guy. working five deals with Denzel. A gift. Mo' Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, Inside Man, and now 90 years later, the new film Inside the Low.

Inside the Lost.

I want to work with A$AP. Can you put me in touch?

I can't do that.

I want him to play me in the buddy comedy starring about me and you. It's called Old Man, Young Man.

Who's the old man? [laughter]

I'm quick, man. You guys, you got to hang with me, man. You got to keep up. You got to keep up.

But I think A$AP is one of the most talented artists of our time. Musician, actor.

I'm not going to disagree. I'm not going to disagree.

Anybody can go toe-to-toe with Denzel Washington like in the new film because you're not on you get crushed. Denzel will crush you.

Mm-hmm.

But that was like a heavyweight fight. No, heavyweight lightweight fight. But they were [laughter] they were each throwing blows and that film that scene elevated the whole film. I got to give credit to A$AP because he wasn't startled, you know. He said, "Let's go." In fact, he says one of the for me the funniest adlib in the film, he says, "What is it a rap battle?" [music]

What's your favorite movie of all time?

Yeah. On the Waterfront directed by Elia Kazan starring Marlon Brando writt my very good friend the late great B but Schulberg. What's your second favorite movie though?

I haven't got past number one 'cause number two would be like

what's your favorite

Francis Ford Coppola Father 2?

Love Godfather 2

and Apocalypse Now.

What's your favorite Spike Lee movie?

I'd say Malcolm X and do and do the right thing. Both of those 100% agree. I'm with both of those all the way. I've seen Malcolm X me at least four or five times and that's a long movie.

Three hours plus.