Summer of Sam (1999)

Summer of Sam: Directed by Spike Lee. With John Leguizamo, Adrien Brody, Mira Sorvino, Jennifer Esposito. Spike Lee’s take on the “Son of Sam” murders in New York City during the summer of 1977 centering on the residents of an Italian-American Northeast Bronx neighborhood who live in fear and distrust of one another.

“This is one of Spike Leeu0026#39;s greatest films. To start, the acting is incredible. Leguizamo and Sorvino, as well as the other actors, give amazing performances grounded in emotion and realism. The story is enthralling, and incredibly original. It pits the people of New York City in the seventies against their fears, desires and each other. Also Ellen Kurasu0026#39;s cinematography is beautiful. It employs an expressionistic use of color, giving the film a very unique and very different look, creating stark contrasts between hues. Any fan of Spike Leeu0026#39;s who hasnu0026#39;t yet seen this film must, and anyone else who hasnu0026#39;t should. It is brilliant, simply brilliant.”