The World According to Spike
Always thoughtful, always provocative, Spike Lee is a man with a mouth and an opinion for every topic, and when he sat down with "Extra" he certainly didn't dissapoint.
Our first topic: "The Coz" -- America's TV dad who recently blasted some African Americans, saying they aren't taking enough responsibility for their lives. So what's Spike's take?
"I'm not going to hate on Bill for what he's saying. I
think he's earned the right to say what he wants to say,"
Spike told us. "I think it's a wake-up call. That's a phrase
that's in almost all my films -- ‘wake up.'"
In fact, Spike had some criticisms of his own, as he took on
some African-American entertainers -- like R. Kelly -- who Spike
believes are sending out the wrong message: "There a lot
of blacks making money and not doing their part to go back and
help sisters and brothers."
And while Spike is never afraid to speak his mind, he did admit
to having some regrets, telling us, "I've said some ignorant
things over the years and yes, you learn and grow."
Spike has grown -- as a person and a filmmaker. This weekend
in Miami, he was honored with an "Innovator Award"
by Angela Basset and Time-Warner chairman and CEO Richard Parsons.
Meanwhile, his new movie, "She Hate Me," deals with
corporate greed. So could Spike ever do a mainstream blockbuster?
"I don't think I could do a movie like ‘I Robot,'"
he said. "but I can appreciate it."
Love him or hate him, we can all appreciate Spike, for making
us talk -- and making us think. |
