Rating: 
Summary: One of Last Year's Better Films!
Review: Though often branded and criticized for outrageuously stupid reasons, Spike Lee has once again demonstrated that he is top notch director, sort of the African American version of Standley Kubrick in that it perhaps takes more than what the standard moviegoer is willing to do to understand what he or she is seeing, the story that is unfolding and be interested in the characters enough to keep on watching that screen. There are some points in which the film tends to lag, however the dialog is crisp and smartly written. Seemingly focusing on the depth of Monty's ordeal and the challenge that he must face, that on some level we all must face which is change and taking responsibility for every action whether good, bad or committed in the face of having no other option but to go. This movie I think deals more with reality, though I question a little about what I would do if I were in Monty's place. Telling his friend to make him "ugly" for prison was bit much, though I can see what Spike was trying to say. I don't want to give too much away, I suggest that you rent this film first since like Kubrick, Lee is an accquired taste.
Rating:
Summary: One of Spike Lee's best
Review: It's a funny thing about Spike Lee, but he often seems to do a better job directing white actors, rather than people of color. I dunno why that is, exactly -- maybe be feels obliged somehow to make his African-American protagonists live up to certain ideals, or espouse certain viewpoints, as opposed to just being, well, just themselves. For whatever reason, his white characters are less stagey and agit-prop, more believable and less like cardboard cutouts. That's certainly true of Edward Norton's character, a mid-level street dealer named Monty Brogan, an Irish tough guy who works selling heroin for some greasy Russian mobsters. Monty recently got busted, though, and today's his last day in New York before he has to turn himself in for a mandatory seven-year prison sentence. The plot revolves around Monty's rapproachments with his old childhood friends, and his frustration at not knowing who, among his associates, turned him in to the cops. It's a subtle, low-key performance, with Norton doing a panicked slow burn as a guy who thought he had it all wired and cool, but realizes that heading to the Big House may be something he can't handle. Character actor Philip Seymour Hoffman is typically great as his nerdy old pal, while Barry Pepper is a little too abrasive as his former best buddy, a soulless stockbroker who secretly holds Monty in contempt for his sleazy lowlife lifestyle. The movie unfolds slowly, unhurried, and taken as a whole, may be Spike Lee's best-directed effort to date. I dug it.
Rating:
Summary: In my Top 5
Review: The 25th Hour is the best movie I've seen all year. I'm sure you're at least familiar with the plot, so I'll talk about the performances. Edward Norton, one of the most talented young actors of our day, gives a performance that should be remembered as one of his two best to date (the other being American History X). He plays Monty Brogan, convicted as a drug dealer and sentenced to seven years. The movie is his last day of freedom. It shows his fruitless attempts to relax and enjoy his last night of freedom with his friends. He is one of the most tragic characters in recent years. Tragic in the true sense of the word, because all tragic characters make some attempts to redeem themselves, and failing that, ultimately accept the consequences of their actions. Although we never see Monty arrive at the prison, we can see his vacant stare at the last highway exit before the jail, as he passes it.Every character plays their part to perfection, Philip Seymour Hoffman in particular. He is fast becoming one of my favorites, and is perfect as the very socially inept high school teacher. Barry Pepper, another favorite actor of mine since 'Saving Private Ryan', is amazing. But the true star here is Edward Norton. Words alone cannot describe Edward Norton's abilities. His Monty Brogan is plagued with the struggle to determine who turned him in and whether or not to report to prison. You can see, in every moment Monty has to himself, the internal debate as to whether he should go willingly to jail or run. It is probably Norton's most confilcted character yet, and maybe his most difficult. He even starts lashing out at his friends because he's trying to make his leaving easier by alienating his only friends, and it is heartrending to see. Subtle, slow, and bordering on heartbreaking, 25th Hour should be on everyone's 'must see' list.
Rating:
Summary: ASTONISHINGLY... the best film I've EVER seen.
Review: I left the theater less than an hour ago. So take my review for what it is worth. I think I'm a bit in shock. I would have never guessed that I'd be writing a movie review tonight -- let alone one like this. But I'm left with the reality that this is the best film I've ever seen... better than "Casablanca"; better than "Life Is Beautiful." The script itself may lose out to "China Town", but it is the story that serves as the foundation, the enabler, for such a wonderful film. Granted, the acting is extraordinary. Truly extraordinary. But it is the whole package here that will not let this film leave your mind. "Wow." That's what I keep saying to myself. "Wow." In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a big Spike Lee fan. But this is his best BY FAR... by far. It vastly exceeds his other two best -- "Malcom X" and "Four Little Girls". SEE THIS FILM. YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY YOU DID.
Rating:
Summary: outstanding
Review: I went to see 25th Hour at the movie theater because at the time it was the only movie playing I hadn't seen; I knew little about it and had pretty low expectations. I was blown away by this movie, it touched me on such a deep level, I went back to the movie theater a week later to see it again to see if it still held up - I loved it more the second time. I don't really understand all the nasty reviews for this movie here, but I guess the movie is a matter of taste; I will say that I have recommended the film to dozens of people, all of whom also raved about this movie. The performances, the mood, the depth of this film are just outstanding, don't miss this gem!
Rating: 
Summary: a flat movie
Review: Am I supposed to feel sorry for this guy? I suppose the other main plot was who turned him in. The movie was just flat. No peak, no climax...jst flat.
Rating: 
Summary: Coullda been, shoullda been, wasn`t...
Review: Pity, real pity that Spike Lee fails to bring out the potential of this film. But, keeping in mind, that this is based on a book, i doubt he could actually do much more with the story when the story is so full of holes in its original version.
First of all, for the European audience there`s one thing that makes no sense from the get-go: we have this guy who gets busted with a sofa practically stuffed with weed and cash. He gets taken downtown for interrogation (mind you, by the DEA not just the cops) but, miraculously, he is given one last day of freedom before he can go on to serve 7 years in maximum security.
Hmm...I dont know, but this is a possibility in the States, wouldnt at least half (if not 90%) of those given that "last day" option run off to Mexico or to Brasil???
Even if that is really how things work out in the States , Spike Lee makes no effort to explain that to non-Americans so i, for example, was left with the feeling that i`m watching a plot that`s totally unconvincing from minute 1.
Then there`s again this last day thingie: I mean, you have a last day before you for 2.555 days in jail and you spend it in a totally cheap way like the main character did? That would be believable if that main character was himself cheap, but he isn`t, au contraire, he`s portrayed as a very intelligent guy with a very human side. This very guy is shown going to some meaningless party where he can drink his brains out and then "go in"...Sorry but that just wont cut it.
Shame then, because this film offers some truly great performances, namely, Edward Norton delivering in his usual superb style, and everybody else in the film following that suit in close distance.
I was also left wondering what all the 9-11 themes were doing in this film. What was the connection??? In the end, this came through as yet another annoying "feature" of the film.
Bottom line: with so many good assets this film fails, it fails on the plot, fails on the pace, fails on its individual components and their coherence. I blame Spike.
Rating:
Summary: Norton trys his best to save a lousy script.
Review: Edward Norton is great actor, perhaps one of the best of our time. But this movie has a weak plot about a guy destined for jail and spending his last full day going through his rounds seeing his friends, girlfriend, and father. Overall the acting is great, from Norton down to his friends. But there is just too thin of a plot. This movie was stretched to over two hours when it could have been done in just over one. I got one word for you Spike Lee - overkill. To top all of this off, we're left in the dark on the ending. Left to surmise our own opinion on what happens. After sitting through over two hours, the least we could've gotten was a finish. On the other hand, the 10 minute rant in the middle was very entertaining. And I'm sure it really ticked off quite few people.
Rating:
Summary: They should have cut 100 minutes off it...
Review: It is 135 minutes long, 100 minutes too many of too much rumbling going nowhere. Just leave the scenes of ground zero and the one where they the guy talks to the mafia don. I'm happy I didn't buy this dog and just wasted my money renting it.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice Film With A Little Bit of Everything.
Review: There's not much happening, actually. It's about a man, who quits the drug business in order to live like a normal human, and then gets busted in his house because of his old Russian lad. 'Tis bitter, 'Tis sad. But for him... he's fine actually. As if he's not the one who's going to go in the jail the next morning, he behaves perfectly calm until the last hours of his freedom. What happens at the '25th hour' is a seemingly surprise, but actually a natural thing that real Montgomery would do. This movie reveals some of the nice aspects of the life, as it's value is immeasurable for a man who is about to lose it. We see old friends meeting after a long time; we see the trust. We're reminded of things like family relations, love, and money. Perhaps they are the most common parts of our lives, but we never think over them. After I saw this movie, I thought that one is never late for anything. It's a good movie, indeed. Edward Norton delivers a shining performance.
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