1999, 2 hrs 20 min., Rated R for violence, nudity, drug use and language. Dir: Spike Lee. Cast: John Leguizamo (Vinny), Adrien Brody (Ritchie), Mira Sorvino (Dionna), Jennifer Esposito (Ruby), Michael Rispoli (Joe T), Saverio Guerra (Woodstock), Brian Tarantina (Bobby Del Fiore), Al Palagonia (Anthony), Ken Garito (Brian), Bebe Neuwirth (Gloria).

Summer of Sam was long, uninteresting and I hated almost every character.

Other than that, it was still not worth seeing.

It's difficult to put into words the almost seething hatred I have of this film. But I'll try:

Every other word was an expletive, the sex scenes were uncomfortable, drugs were rampant, stereotyping was beyond the norm, and I would've left 30 minutes in if not for my reviews on my web page.

I'm not saying the acting was terrible, because Leguizamo, Sorvino, Brody, Espisito et. al, performed well. But.. : Almost every character in the film I despised. Not since The Bonfire of the Vanities have I hoped that every character on screen would be killed, maimed or otherwise been harmed in a violent manner.

Spike and cast repeat the mantra that "this film is not about David Berkowitz," the mass murderer who terrorized New York City in 1977. I tell you what, my bologna has a first name, it's S-P-I-K-E. Why then does he feel the need to show us the murders and constant scenes of Berkowitz going nuts in his apartment talking to the dog? And the hysteria didn't drive these guys into a rage, they were already headed far down that road and had pulled off the Crazy Exit for a bathroom break.

Like the acting, I think the way the film was shot worked for Summer of Sam. The different cameras used, the way Lee showed New York City in '77, all fine. Of course, I'm still trying to figure out how the Christmas tree lights are working at the block party when the city's power is out.

Oh, and Spike, you make a horribly awful, don't-even-deserve-to-be-in-Traverse City, Mich. news reporter.

In the end, I was bored. The film didn't capture my attention, and because it is a long, hot summer doesn't mean, Spike, that you have to make the film just as long.