He Got Game

Film Related to Class:  In class we spoke about how Spike Lee uses montages.  I think that he does this to add some background to his films.  It gives a more complete setting to where the film takes place.  His montage showed people playing on nice basketball courts.  We also spoke of his use of classical music.  Spike Lee strayed from hip hop and went really old school.  I like when films use seemly opposite things, such as basketball and classical music.  One of the most elite forms of music, and the most city style hip hop sports are combined.  I think that the slow motion and the classical music went together well.

Article Summary:  ( http://www.allmusic.com/album/he-got-game-the-music-of-aaron-copland-motion-picture-soundtrack-mw0000382819 ) This article explains how bold Spike Lee was in choosing classical music for his film.  The composer of the music was Aaron Copland who has composed music associated with the American heartland and not the inner city and hip hop.  The gamble pays off during the montage and the display of universality of basketball.  The author did think that the music worked to s certain extent but that other genres like rock, R&B, rock, or jazz.

Article Related to Film:  This article spoke of the classical music used for Spike Lee's film.  Spike Lee decided to use classical music and not the basketball associated hip hop.  I think that the classical music went along with Jesus' sophisticated approach to his career and how he valued education.  Jesus may have lived in the ghetto but some parts of him seemed to not belong there.  I think that the classical music spoke specifically to the Jesus character in the movie.

Critical Analysis:  I did enjoy the movie and how the viewer got to follow the Jesus character through his process of choosing a school.  I think that a lot of people don't realize how much pressure and  turmoil is involved in a character like Jesus's life.  People think that someone like Jesus have it very easy but people like him have it harder than most people.  I think that Spike Lee went into a realm that is not usually spoke of.  People like to criticize college athletes for taking money and perks but what they don't realize is that just because they have a nice jersey and all the attention in the world, when they go home they still have nothing.  This movie not only opened up peoples eyes to the pressures behind being an athletic star but also had a very high pressure plot involving Jesus' father.