One of the Criterion Collection’s latest releases is Billy Wilder’s scathing and cynical Ace in the Hole, starring Kirk Douglas. Spike Lee considers Billy Wilder to be one of his main influences, and an interview with him is included in the Special Features, released by Criterion. I love hearing directors talk about other directors, and the small excerpt above, of Lee’s interview, is fascinating. He’s right, that Ace in the Hole was “dark” for 1951, and it’s still “dark” for now.
Speaking of Spike Lee, Eminem released a new video on Mother’s Day, directed by Spike Lee. It’s the song “Headlights” from his latest album, an apology (pretty much, in Eminem-speak) to his mother, for all the things he said about her, as well as a yearning for reconciliation. It’s tremendously sad, the song, with the image of his mother’s cars headlights receding in the background. Spike Lee directed it simply and emotionally. The hug killed me.
Filmed completely in Detroit along 8-Mile Road.
Here’s a brief intro to the “Headlights” video by Spike Lee and Eminem.
