25th Hour (2002)
Those of you who jeered our inclusion of Spike Lee in the list of great directors frequently overlooked by the Academy owe it to yourselves to seek out this 2002 drama. Lee’s film version of David Benoiff’s novel wasn’t intended to be a mediation on post-9/11 New York (and, by extension, America); it just kind of worked out that way, as Lee and Benoiff (who wrote the screenplay) adapted the story to the devastated city around them. Seen now, it captures that specific moment better than any documentary could — and it’s also a smart, compelling tale in its own right.
Comments (7)
Blue Valentine’s way overrated. Though Gosling and Williams were great, the movie’s underwhelming.
First off, great list here! I’ve watched about half dozen of these, and they were great. I’ve recommended 25th Hour numerous times.
On a side note, I agree with James. In my opinion Blue Valentine is pretty medicore. It wasn’t genre-defining, it wasn’t anything new or interesting, it was just kinda…boring. The acting WAS good, which goes a long way to carry the story- but it was a story that was too bland for my tastes. With that said, it wasn’t a bad movie. It lies just under the radar, and imo that’s where it belongs.
Notice how they snubbed EVERY “Ernest” movie?? Outrageous.
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