25th Hour

[Mr_Vindictive]

Just saw a post on here bashing Spike Lee and I had to throw in this movie, just because I think the guy is great.

25th Hour focuses on Monty Brogan (Edward Norton), a drug pusher who has one day left before he has to go to prision for seven years.  He decides to take the day to patch things up with family and schoolhood friends, while also trying to find out who ratted on him.

Ok, I'm going to show my lack of culture in 3, 2, 1: I had never seen a Spike Lee film before this.

Whew, I feel better.  The first step is admission.

That having been said, this film was quite the surprise.  I rented it mainly because it has one of my all time favorite actors, Mr. Norton, and because my wife wanted to rent it due to the fact that she has the hots for him.....

Spike takes nearly two and a half hours and turns it into one of the most amazing pieces of film to ever grace my eyes.  The story is set in post 9-11 New York, and a few scenes even focus around this, especially the scene with Barry Pepper, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman (I love that guy!) conversing while looking onto the remains of Ground Zero.

Not only does Norton have a massive problem, so does one of his boyhood buds (Hoffman).  Hoffman is a teacher at a school in New York.  He has a massive crush on one of his students, the always hot Anna Paquin.  They have some fantastic scenes together, much worth the price to rent.

This film is gritty and extremely talky.  Don't expect an action extravaganza.  This flick is smart, desolate, and near perfect.  Don't watch this film if you don't like open ended flicks.


Side Note: On the subject of the "Man, I'm So Sensitive Post", add this one to the list.  Wasn't bawling at the end, but there was a pretty steady stream.


Rating: 9/10-Great if you like quirky gritty films with a lot of heart.

[Evan3]

Hey Skaboi,

It is nice to see someone else who likes Anna Paquin, she just has these really odd good looks.

I too had never sen a Spike Lee "joint" (he doesnt make films apparently) but rented it only to see my favorite actor Edward Norton in action.

While certainly not my favorite movie, I thought the acting was top notch and some of the scenes (where Norton blows up and says f**k you to all of NY, then ending by saying f**k you to himself) were well done.

The Anna Paquin/Phillip Hoffman thing was enjoyable, but what do you think the repurcussions of that night will be. I gott the impression that Paquin will stay in some sort of contact with Hoffman and they will get married.

I would give it a 6 or 7 out of 10,above aveage, but not one of Nortons best films.

[JohnL]

>It is nice to see someone else who likes Anna Paquin, she just has these really
>odd good looks.

I like her too. Check out Hurly Burly.