George Roots (GeorgeRoots) Based on a 1992 novel, and set in the suburbs of New York City. "Clockers" is the story of a street-level drug dealer, who becomes entangled in a murder investigation.What story that is wonderfully told amongst stellar Hollywood A-Listers and newcomers alike, sadly doesn't hold strong enough for a full feature length picture. Even New York magazine said that the film adaptation was "more emotional", and "less factual" relative to the original novel. Please don't think that I didn't enjoy this movie as Spike Lee has again crafted a wonderfully shot movie, in a territory he so realistically depicts time and time again.Final Verdict: But personally the man has done better, both prior and later in his career. Consider my review with a hint of biased behaviour, as I only ever heard of this movie via recommendation from a friend. Nevertheless, "Clockers" is a welcoming addition to a very prestigious career. 6/10.Plus the novel served as a inspiration to the stellar TV series "The Wire", now that I cannot recommend enough.

p-stepien Dope dealing on the Nelson Mandela projects in Brooklyn is the everyday bread of local hoodlum Ronald Dunham aka Strike (Mekhi Phifer). Staking the local park the line of work is relentlessly stressful causing a stress-induced ulcer, which he deals with by drinking down yoo-hoos by the litres. At night respite is found in the form of a trainset hobby, an voyeuristic escape from the reality he has accepted. When his boss Rodney Little (Delroy Lindo) hints towards the necessity of cropping one of his less trustworthy workers Strike confides to his brother Victor (Isaiah Washington). Soon after the murder is committed and Victor steps up to claim self defence. However hardliner detective Rocco Klein (Harvey Keitel) quickly assumes this is a cover up for the true culprit.One of Spike Lee's most accomplished works and a worryingly underrated gem bordering on a masterpiece. While showing artistic restraint in symbols and style, Spike Lee offers a well-devised structure, which lets the strength of the story carry itself. Especially in the final act Lee's well-tuned reserve makes for a heart-felt conclusion full of poignant suggestions, as to the nature of violence. Even the innocent can be corrupted needing a vent for their endless victimisation, while the corrupt seek innocence by befriending children reminiscent of them in their youth and dreaming about a life with 'no more packing'. The ultimately compassionate Rocco, previously shown as a no nonsense cop with a strong moral compass ultimately rejects 'Justice in Black and White', deciding that even the guilty are seldom dealt justice and takes on the role of a benevolent judge and jury - the antithesis of Dirty Harry and Judge Dredd, one more attuned to understand human faults, accept them, than issue warrants. Nonetheless this self-conscious style of storytelling does backlash during build-up, as the convoluted plot mires midway with mild bouts of oversentimentilisation and underwritten character motivations, before finally hitting back with an astoundingly well-rounded finale. Nonetheless a brilliant and captivating movie, which ranks up there with Spike Lee's best with high probability of future rewatching pleasure. A big part of the success comes from disposing of the preacher like stance so predominant in many of Lee's weaker works.Albeit mostly low-key and pretty standard the most significant scenes feature sudden detachment from traditional cinematography to a more detached, surreal focus, as if suggesting a detachment from the grim everyday reality of the protagonists offering escapist release from hardships. This offers some extremely imaginative cinematography by Malik Hassan Sayeed.

Terrell Howell (KnightsofNi11) Take a murder mystery story, mix it into a contemporary vulgar urban setting, then sprinkle some racial tension into the mix and you've got the highly intellectual and intense Spike Lee film Clockers. Clockers is about Strike, a young black man living in Brooklyn, dealing drugs for his ruthless drug lord Rodney Little. Strike deals drugs for the money, but all he really wants to do is hang out with his brothers in the park and play with model train sets. But things start to get rough when a night manager at a local fast food joint is murdered and Strike's brother Victor turns himself in. Det. Rocco Klein is the lead detective on the case and he doesn't buy Victor's story, which sets him on an obsessive hunt to unmask the truth behind this whole ordeal. The film is loaded with spirited yet vulgar dialouge, artistic and vibrant direction, and plenty of memorable characters. Clockers is witty, intelligent, and a lot of fun. It isn't your typical murder mystery or racial tension film. It is a beautiful blend of the two genres that turns into something very unique and very exciting.Spike Lee adds a lot of visual flair to this film and the way he directs it is something you can't quite pinpoint. The panoramic visual style is something you can't exactly describe in words and it is really something you have to see for yourself. There is something obviously unique going on in the way Lee directs this film, it is just difficult to articulate what exactly that is. But the visuals do work in a whole plethora of unique films, allowing the film to succeed on multiple levels. The film ranges from intense and gripping to quirky and fun. From one scene to the next the film grows more fun and more enthralling. Rarely do I care this much about what happens to the characters of a film and I'm not always so compelled to learn the motivations of the very well written characters of a film.All that being said I can't say that I loved the main character, Strike. The actor, Mekhi Phifer, wasn't great and the character himself had some odd moments. I eventually learned to like him and his character thankfully didn't deter too much from my liking of the film. Besides, a lot of the film actually focuses on Harvey Keitel's character and his unending search for the truth behind the murder. There are also numerous subplots that all end up being more interesting than the main character's story. It helps that this is just an all around well written film that is just smarter than your average crime film.Clockers is very different from any murder mystery crime film, as well as any racial tension film. But it provides plenty of great work on both sides of this spectrum. Spike Lee has created a visually interesting film with a fantastic story. The main character is the only low point of the film, but everything else is very good. Clockers is a very worthwhile watch for fans of Spike Lee or the multiple genres this film spans.

jamesxgamble This is one of my all-time favourite films. Director Spike Lee adapts the Richard Price Novel, set in New Jersey, to his hometown and favourite movie backdrop: Brooklyn. It is often said that films never live up to the books on which they are based, but in this case I think the movie out performs the novel. This is because the book can be slow moving at times, and the action is separated by long passages of writing. However, the film chops all of these slow parts out, and the result is a film that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Spike Lee uses music perfectly to compliment the tone and mood of each scene, be it hip-hop in the urban playground, the acoustic interludes of Seal and Des'ree, or minor key, intense jazz to accompany drug use in doorways and nooks, and the final scene's soundtrack is absolutely inspired.Delroy Lindo plays his king-pin character with such comfort, at times it is hard to imagine that he isn't that person in reality! Harvey Keitel and John Turturro work well as the detective double-team, conflicting over whether to take the easy close-by-arrest, or the moral crusade to find the truth behind the case at the heart of the film. Mekhi Phifer is impressive in many of his scenes as the central character, who keeps you guessing to the end on whether he deserves your sympathy or not. For me, Lindo's performance is the standout turn.The cinematography is luscious, and the colours and compositions make this film a visual feast. But more importantly, the natural dialogue of the film and the delivery of nearly every line really reinforce the fact that you are watching a film about real situations. Overall, I give this film my maximum rating of 9.5 stars. If you like this film, you'll love The Wire Season One, and you also might want to check out another overlooked film, Jason's Lyric.