Cheap Malcolm X (Two-Disc Special Edition) (DVD) (Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett) (Spike Lee) Price

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Customer Reviews of Malcolm X (Two-Disc Special Edition)

The emergence of a new art form
While studying acting at the American Theatre of Harlem with teacher director Hal DeWindt a few years ago (a man who also knew Malcolm personally) he challenged us all to a debate about Spike's film. He expressed dismay that Norman Jewison did not in fact get the rights to this project that Spike fought so hard for. He saw the movie as a whole deeply flawed, missing the essential elements of a "bio-pic" beyond the reported and witnessed events that make a figure stand out in one's mind, or in history, and therefore, despite Denzel, despite Angela Bassett, unsuccessful at portraying the "Shining Black Prince" (Ossie Davis) of our modern day lives.

As you can imagine, he was alone in belieiving the film to be flawed. I and my friends had long since come to the conclusion that Spike Lee had made one of the most important films of the latter half of the 20th Century with this, his masterpiece of masterpieces, and that Denzel Washington had stepped into immortality with his eerily accurate portrayal. but because of his immense knowledge of both the medium of film and the subject matter, we listened on, and found ourselves consistently challenged to understand the nature and the purpose of film, and the actual characteristics of the art form of cinema.

In the end, the students and myself began to question what I think is now still slowly becoming self evident: Spike Lee created another art form with this movie. A general theme underpinning this representation of the life of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, aka Malcolm X, is actually missing. And yet the picture, structurally if nothing else, in its near pure devotion to the Autobiography creates a transformational and transcendent portrait of the subject that far exceeds the majority of most of the bio pics that have ever been made (with the possible exception of THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD with Max von Sydow as Jesus, and GHANDHI, with Ben Kingsley). It seems as if there was no need to underpin his perspective of Malcolm with an obvious or personal unifying theme or message, because there is one already there- just one so profound, so elemental, so transcendentally human, spiritual and universal that it could only be expressed through the telling of the story. If Spike had followed the expectations of many in Hollywood and throughout the Black communities of this country, the film probably would have suffered immensely. He tells the story of Malcolm in such a way as to practically have the spirit of Malcolm telling you the story himself. You feel as if you are becoming one with Alex Haley, Malcolm's co-writer of his autobiography, while simultaneously becoming one with every emotion and every transformational experience he had throughout his life- and the ramifications on our world- practically unencumbered by his or someone else's perspective, regardless of it being one of praise.

This is not just Spike Lee's Masterpiece. This is not just a magnificent film, worthy of five stars easily, and cheated ridiculously (albeit expectedly) during the Oscars- even with the only drawback of Spike playing one of the characters (the only time you are reminded that you are watching a movie). This is a new art form, masquerading as a fantastic film.

Watch it.

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ONe of Spike Lee's best and Denzels absolute best performanc
Spike Lee's malcolm X in my opinion is one of the great fil Bio pictures of the 90's. It's easily Spike Lee's most ambitious effort to date. The film scope is expansive. The story ranges from the streets of Boston to the city of Mecca. The films look is very rich, with vibrant colors and sets. The cinematography is excellent as usual from Ernest Dickerson who goes into his usual bag of visual tricks. Malcolm X has a look that's all of it's own. It has the look and polish of a big studio movie. There's even a dance number that's a sight to see. The cast is impeccable. Stand Out performances go out to all of the cast. Al Freeman Jr. is a virtual clone Elijah Muhammad. His role should have at least earned a nomination for best supporting actor. Delro Lindo also stands out as the wicked number runner West Indian Archie. Angela Basset providesample support as Betty Shabazz. And Albert Hall is splendid as the ficitious Baines. Hey even spike lee has his moments althought I think he should've skipped out on this shot. But the real star of this movie is Denzel Washington. His performance simply breathtaking. He is Malcolm X. He utterly becomes him down to his mannerisms ,speech patterns, he even look more than a little bit like him. I think this was his best on screen performance that should have earned him an Oscar. Talk about robbery. His performance simply towers above the rest of the cast.

In a fair world this movie should've won at least three or four oscars. But unfortunately many in the hollywood community refused to give Malcolm X a fair deal. So unfortunately the movie (with the exception of best actor and best costume design) was virtually shut out of the Oscars. Politics.

Arguably Spike lee's best film, although Do the right thing is very close. It's a wonderful sprawling oddesey of the life of one of the most influential Black leaders of the 20th century.

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Powerful...
...is the best way to describe Malcolm X, Denzel Washinton's greatest work in cinema so far. It tells the story of Malcolm X, the strong-willed black revolution leader whose ironic and powerful views differed very differently from Martin Luther Jr.
Denzel Washington gives an extraordinary performance, and with heart he shows the metamorphosis of Malcolm X, from hip young kid, to his life of crime days, to when he was a white-hating civil rights leader.
There are many other great performances in the film, and Spike Lee makes Malcolm X his best "joint" ever. You can feel that this is a Spike lee film, because it is a little strange and it swings from one mood to another. Spike lee also stars in the film, but as a minor character.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching Malcolm X, and it ranks as one of the best film of the '90s. If you love Denzel Washington, you haven't seen him perform until you have seen him in Malcolm X.