Do the Right Thing (1989) Revisit ft. Andrew Corns and Sean Phillips
Dana and Tom with returning guest, Andrew Corns (The Revisionist Almanac), and new guest, Sean Phillips (Math Teacher Movies) revisit Do the Right Thing (1989): written and directed by Spike Lee, score by Bill Lee, starring Spike Lee, Rosie Perez, Danny Aiello, Giancarlo Esposito, and John Turturro.
Plot Summary: "Do the Right Thing" is a film set in the scorching summer heat of Brooklyn. It's a story that captures a single day in the lives of a neighborhood's residents, showcasing their joys, struggles, and the simmering tensions that come to a head. At the heart of the narrative is Sal's Famous Pizzeria, a local institution run by Sal and his sons, Vito and Pino. As the day unfolds, we witness a mosaic of characters—Mookie, the pizza delivery man; Radio Raheem, whose boombox blasts Public Enemy's "Fight the Power"; Buggin' Out, who demands representation on the pizzeria's Wall of Fame; and Da Mayor, the neighborhood's elder statesman.
Through a series of interactions, misunderstandings, and confrontations, the heat and the bubbling racial tension reach a boiling point, culminating in a tragic act of violence that forces the community to confront the complexities of race, identity, and justice. "Do the Right Thing" is a raw, unflinching look at the choices we make and the consequences that follow, urging viewers to reflect on what it truly means to "do the right thing."
Guests:
Andrew Corns
- Host of the Revisionist Almanac
- @revalmanac on IG, X, YouTube, TikTok, and Letterboxd
- Previously on Gaslight (ep. 210)
Sean Phillips
- Creator of Math Teacher Movies
- @mathteachermovies on IG and Letterboxd, @mathteachermov1 on X
- Co-Host of The Guy at the Movies podcast with Joe and Sean or @guyatthemovies on YouTube.
Chapters:
00:00 Introductions and Guest Introductions
01:47 Getting to Know - Sean Phillips
06:27 Cast and Recognition for Do the Right Thing
08:55 Relationship(s) with Do the Right Thing
12:45 Is This the Most Relevant American Film?
21:36 What is Do the Right Thing About?
24:33 Recommended Viewing for Spike Lee?
26:53 Plot Summary for Do the Right Thing
28:17 Did You Know?
29:28 First Commercial Break
31:53 What's Happening? with Andrew and Sean
36:56 Ask Dana Anything
38:47 The Stanley Rubric - Legacy
58:18 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance
01:19:47 The Stanley Rubric - Novelty
01:20:34 Second Commercial Break
01:21:25 Ask Dana Anything #2
01:34:07 In Memoriam
01:35:56 The Stanley Rubric - Classicness
01:44:26 The Stanley Rubric - Rewatchability
01:50:02 The Stanley Rubric - Audience Score and Total Score
01:53:06 Remaining Questions
02:06:18 Duncan Family Photo
02:07:28 Thank You to Our Guests / Final Thoughts
02:10:19 Credits
02:11:34 Sign Off
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For more on the original episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/do-the-right-thing-1989
For more on the episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com//post/do-the-right-thing-1989-revisit-w-andrew-corns-and-sean-phillips
For the entire rankings list so far, go to:Full Graded List - Greatest Movies of All-Time
Ronny Duncan Studios
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