Rating: 
Summary: interesting film on one neighborhood in 1977
Review: In 1977, David Berkowitz aka "Son of Sam" was a serial killer in New York, targeting young brunette women. Spike Lee centers this film on one New York neighborhood as they react to the news and decide for themselves who is guilty, choosing their punk friend Richie (Adrien Brody) as their suspect.Meanwhile, David Berkowitz lies in a squalid apartment in his own madness, sure that his big black dog Harvey is speaking to him (in John Turturro's voice, no less) and insrtucting him to go out and kill. New York in 1977 was also struck with a heat wave, and the oppressive heat seems an appropriate metaphor for all the events that reach a boiling point and culminate into a tragic violent explosion.
Rating: 
Summary: Spike Lee's brilliant direction
Review: Spike lee is a brilliant director and it show's with this movie. his direction and placement of camera positions and angels is just plain remarkable! this movie is a masterpiece of film makeing, good job Mr. Spike Lee!!! I only hope you continue to make more film's with this style.
Rating:
Summary: "Feverish, intense, and electrifying."
Review: The Summer of Sam is one of my favorite movies in recent memory. The story takes place in 1977 in NYC. The story doesn't focus on the "Son of Sam",but rather focuses on the people and accounts that made 1977 a summer to remember. Oppression, sexuality, violence, fear, and rebellion are the key elements in the Spike Lee feature. However, that is not a bad thing, instead of exploiting these traits they are weaved through each characters unique personality where each person copes with them in a certain way. This is what makes The Summer of Sam such a great film. We see the different reactions and actions people had in 1977 in NYC. The movie shows us the darker side of humanity on many levels. The film also does a great job of showing memorable 70's culture such as the beginning of the punk-era and the height of disco. The performances are wonderful. John Leguizamo, Jennifer Esposito, Mira Sorvino, and the rest of the cast performances' are brilliant. Adrian Brody does an outstanding performance as Ritchie. His punk personified, male-hustling, open minded role was electrifying. The cinematography is sleek and feverish and is accompanied by a sizzling soundtrack. The Summer of Sam is one of the best films I seen last year. The performances, characters, script, and cinematography were all wonderful. The film is vulgar, but often touches on lighter notes such as humor and friendship. Overall, The Summer of Sam is a great film and shouldn't be missed. I recommend it highly. Thank you, Mr. Lee.
Rating:
Summary: Summer Of Chaos
Review: This movie was not about Sam Berkowitz, and I think it would be unfair to assume it was about mimicking other flicks such as "Boogie Nights" for profit. Perhaps some of the Disco, and Punk Rock scenes were used as "fillers" and some the sex shots also.
The film was mainly about the hysteria surrounding a serial killer on the loose in 1977, but also I believe Mr. Lee was conveying another message such as how many people are trapped in the role they have to play in life that society dictates.
Example, when Vinnie (Leguizamo) tells Ritchie (Brody) "Look at you, you are wearing a dog collar!" Ritchie responds by saying, "So are you, you are on a leash!" In other words, Vinnie has to act a certain way because he is a Catholic Italian, and for that matter commits adultery because he supposedly cannot perform certain sexual acts with his wife because its against his religion. Ritchie, even though being Italian is rejected by his own people because he looks and dresses different. The other Italian men in the neighborhood have to act like "mobsters", and go on a mission to catch this killer because that is what is expected. If one wants to be part of things, they must act a certain way, and there is no freedom of choice.
Spike Lee makes a point to remind every one that there is prejudice and ignorance among every culture, and in this movie he chose Italians. Of course, he had to throw his two cents in the movie making comments such as if the killer was murdering Blacks no one would be making a big deal, but that's Spike Lee for you. I still recommend the movie and think it was very well directed.
Rating:
Summary: Very misunderstood movie
Review: From the reading of the reviews found here, one would wonder why some people hated and some loved this movie. FIRST, you must understand this is NOT a documentary about the Son of Sam (aka David Berkowitz). This is a story about the EFFECT, LIVES and TIMES that resonated around the Son of Sam's grip on not only NY but the rest of the country during a very different time in the USA. I suspect most of the bad reviews purchased this expecting a 60 minutes type/docu-drama exposing the inner workings, actions and life of the Son of Sam....which is quite the opposite...this is the story of the people this touched...and being a teenager during this time...I found it hit right on the mark with how it was back then. There may also be a gender gap of buyers too old during this time to relate or too young to not even know/heard of ABBA. If you are somwhere in the middle, you will understand where this movie is at and appreciate the story line of those touched by the Son of Sam.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing wonderful
Review: If Adrien Brody hadn't been in his underwear. I wouldn't had watched it. The movie really was bad.
Rating:
Summary: You like it or you don't
Review: Summer of Sam seems to polarize folks. I like it. Very much in fact. Yes, it's self-indulgent at times, over long by a bit - but it had a similar feel and dedication to it as Boogie Nights. To me this film felt like a companion piece to Saturday Night Fever. Leguizamo is absolutely excellent here - you don't like him - but you're not supposed to. Sorvino is fine as his put-upon wife/doormat. Brody (I guess the most hero-like character) is excellent in his role - but still it's not a character or lifestyle that most could relate to. Esposito is fine too as Ruby the former bad girl. There is a lot going on and a lot of it is offputting, but it is well done.
Rating: 
Summary: "Killllll!!!!"
Review: A very mediocre movie that left me very unimpressed. This is a movie that rode a trend (retro 70's) in order to milk a profit. It also apes and mimics other films like Sid and Nancy as well as Pulp Fiction. It tries to be shocking and decadent but really is just kind of boring and a waste of time. It seems like nothing really happens and I don't mean that in a Seinfeld way. Really not Spike Lee's best film...
Rating:
Summary: A pretty good movie
Review: I can definatly say this is the best spike lee movie yet. The movie is about the infamous .44 killer "son of sam". Spike lee does a terrific job at showing the impact Sam caused to each and everones lives in that city. He grew fear. But I would only consider that as more of a side story in the movie. Theres more to this than just a mad man running around shooting people. The main point Lee was trying to get to the audience was that everone is on a certain wave and only the few strong ones can get off it. the main character happens to be a victim of this particular wave and is struggling to get off it. Also he was trying to show us that people destroy what they dont understand. You may not understand this right now but just wait until you see the movie. It was all become very clear.
Yes it has a decent plot and good acting and drama but thats not what makes the movie what it is. The message and the whole meaning of the movie is what makes it what it is. See the movie on your spare time and pay very close attention. Only then you will see the big picture.
Rating:
Summary: interesting film on one neighborhood in 1977
Review: In 1977, David Berkowitz aka "Son of Sam" was a serial killer in New York, targeting young brunette women. Spike Lee centers this film on one New York neighborhood as they react to the news and decide for themselves who is guilty, choosing their punk friend Richie (Adrien Brody) as their suspect. Meanwhile, David Berkowitz lies in a squalid apartment in his own madness, sure that his big black dog Harvey is speaking to him (in John Turturro's voice, no less) and insrtucting him to go out and kill. New York in 1977 was also struck with a heat wave, and the oppressive heat seems an appropriate metaphor for all the events that reach a boiling point and culminate into a tragic violent explosion.
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