I first heard about Sucker Free City back in February during the 2005 Miami International Film Festival. A friend of mine had two passes to a free screening of the film, and hell, I never turn down anything free in this town. We arrived to the Gusman Theatre fifteen minutes late with precision Cuban punctuality, and after stepping on several people's feet in the dark, we sat down and began watching the film. It occurred to me in the dark theatre that I had no previous knowledge of the production behind the film, other than the fact that Spike Lee had directed it and that it was about gangs in San Francisco. After watching the movie, I found it delivered with the revelry of a pizza boy on a hell-bent, speed carousal. Spike Lee stayed true to his trademark formula that never lets down. The cinematography was excellent, shot in the typical grainy and almost cartoon looking colors that Lee captures through light manipulation. There was the trademark pensive Street scene in which the main character appears to be floating down the street, as his feet are never shown and his movements are strikingly fluid. There were also those masterfully written and hysterical impromptu racial slurs that the characters belt out at one another. However, the joint's ending left me jonesing for another touch, and it wasn't until later that I found out the film was produced as a full length two hour trailer for a crime drama series on Showtime, thus the cliffhanger. Any way, the film takes place in the streets of San Francisco and focuses on the criminal lifestyle of the three young men all coping with the crime infested street life. Ben Crowley plays Nick Wade, a nice white boy from the middle class mission district whose family is forced to move to the hood (Hunter's Point) due to high costs and taxes. Ken Leung plays Lincoln, the debt collecting street thug who is a rising star in the Chinese mafia. Anthony Mackie plays my favorite character, the righteous gangster K-Luv who is caught in the street life but tries to be the Shepard by finding nobler ways of doing dirt. As the movie progresses, the three characters' lives interweave in a very entertaining way. Look out for a cameo from the bad ass, hall of famer running back, Jim "watcha gonna do" Brown, who plays a youth counselor for kids at risk.Despite his success, Spike Lee's career is one of mixed reviews. In the past, He has established himself by creating masterpieces such as – Do the Right Thing, He Got Game, and 25th Hour, which stand amongst some of my personal favorites, but he has also made some caca films as well. Lee admits, "I've been trying to do something in television for a long time." In his first T.V. project, Sucker Free City, Lee creates his best depiction of street life to date. Sucker Free City, which is the same genre as Boyz in the Hood and Menace to Society, separates itself with a more complex story line, richer characters, and a more artistic feel that Spike Lee captures through his direction and cinematography. I found if the movie had been an hour longer, which really wouldn't have tired out the audience; it could have easily been a Hollywood success. The acting and direction is superb, the story line is solid, and the fascinating characters are really well developed. I'm pretty sure the extra hour at the end of the film that would've explained everything will never be made, and I'm sure this film will never make it to the big screen. However, if you didn't catch it at the film festival, don't stress out. As long as you're like most T.V. worshipping Americans and own the complete cable package you'll be all right. Showtime will be airing the pilot in its entirety later this month, the times and days are listed below.* Showtime - Apr 21 at 11:30 PM* Showtime Too - Apr 24 at 2:50 AM* Showtime Too - Apr 30 at 12:00 AM