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25th Hour on DVD

25th Hour on DVD

Have you ever wanted to know what it's like to be a drug dealer? If so, perhaps you can appreciate Spike Lee's 25th Hour, a somewhat preachy though well made film about a "friendly stranger's" last day before going to the slammer to serve his time.

Monty Brogan (Edward Norton) has been dealing since his high school daze. It's been great for him, financially, and made him one of the Biggest Men In Town, a high roller who can get into all the right places - even places that otherwise normal guys like him wouldn't even know exist.

Not surprisingly, Monty's friends and family don't think a lot of his career choice, but what can they do?

During his last 24 hours outside the slammer, Monty spends some time with his dad (Brian Cox), his girlfriend (Rasario Dawson), and some friends (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Barry Pepper). Everyone has suggestions as to how he can cope with the problems of jail, but Monty's willing to do what it takes to serve his time and make a fresh start when he gets out - assuming he gets out alive.

25th Hour is good, but as mentioned above it's a mite preachier than it needs to be. But this is Spike Lee, of course. There are also some unnecessary subplots that could have made the movie it a bit shorter (which would also have been an improvement). Still, it doesn't really drag and 25th Hour is entertaining enough, and it includes an interesting though somewhat controversial sequence where Monty opines to himself what he thinks of everybody else.

Norton, as usual, is excellent, as is the supporting cast. But it's Barry Pepper, as Monty's feisty best friend, who steals every scene he's in. You might remember him from the much maligned "Battlefield Earth" or "Saving Private Ryan."

Perhaps part of any problems with 25th Hour is Spike Lee himself, who seems so concerned about being Spike Lee and making "Joints" and points that he forgets to entertain without all the whining. He's a good director, he just needs to take himself, and life, a little less seriously. Or is it pretentiously?

Anyway, 25th Hour is very entertaining, with some great performances, so if you feel like a good drama, this one'll fit the bill.

Disney has given the movie a very nice DVD which, given Disney's DVD track record, isn't really surprising. The THX-certified feature is presented in anamorphic widescreen (16x9 TV compatible), the picture quality is a tad soft, but impressive overall. The soft touch seems to work well for the film, and there is no grain or anything else getting in the way.

Audio is 5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, and is pretty good, even to there being more use of the surround channels than one might expect.

Extras include some deleted scenes (which aren't bad, but deserved to have been deleted), a running audio commentary track by director Spike Lee (and if you don't think he needs to lighten up this track might convince you otherwise), a second commentary with writer David Benioff, a featurette on the career of Spike Lee, and a tribute to the city of New York.

25th Hour, from Touchstone Home Video
135 min. anamorhic widescreen (2.35:1, 16x9 TV compatible), Dolby Digital 5.1 surround
Starring Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper, Rosario Dawson, Anna Paquin, Brian Cox
Written by David Benioff, directed by Spike Lee

 

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