25th Hour Blu-ray - Edward Norton

We have started a Patreon page with the hopes that some of our followers would be willing to donate a small amount to keep DVDBeaver alive. We are a tiny niche, so your generosity is vital to our existence.

We are talking about a minimum of $0.10 - $0.15 a day, perhaps a quarter (or more) to those who won't miss it from their budget. It equates to buying DVDBeaver a coffee once, twice or a few times a month. You can then participate in our monthly Silent auctions, and have exclusive access to many 'bonus' High Resolution screen captures - both 4K UHD and Blu-ray (see HERE).

To those that are unfamiliar, Patreon is a secure/verified third-party service where users can agree to a monthly donation via credit card or PayPal by clicking the button below.

Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

directed by Spike Lee
USA 2002

As I reflect on Spike Lee's recent film "25th Hour" it is evident in the shift in his directorial maturity. Although I will wait for subsequent viewings, I am prepared to call this his best film to date. If nothing else, this is his most somber and subtle expression, veering from his usual heavy-handed approach. '25th Hour' had elements of his highly acclaimed "Do the Right Thing' but was closer to a more controlled and deliberately paced film.

Known, with Woody Allen, as the consummate New York director he broached (in a mainstream film) the aftermath of 9/11 by more than just incorporating the presence of ground zero at various scenes into his character study of five individuals and their reaction to a single event. The focus of the film's plot lies not in the collapse of the Twin Towers but in the final freedom (24 hours) of a convicted drug peddler known as Monty Brogan. He is set to spend the next 7 years behind bars and this film documents his last 24 hours prior to incarceration. His interaction with girlfriend, family and friends - his suspicions of who "ratted" him out and his past reflections and future redemptions are all confronted.

Edward Norton displays his usual charisma as another talented, intelligent and potentially dangerous young man. Monty is an affable, street-smart Irish-American New Yorker, who chose to sell drugs to his rich school mates to acquire wealth. His best friend is Frank Slaughtery, played by Barry Pepper in a breakthrough role for this fine young actor. Frank is a similar street-wise Irish-American hustler - but he manipulates stocks and options as a financial trader. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays his other childhood friend, a teacher named Jacob Elinsky. A passive innocuous educator who is tempted to sexually indulge himself in one of the coquettish female students in his class; Mary, played by Anna Paquin. Lee uses the 2.35:1 widescreen lens to best effect while often showing major characters focused but off-centre or to the very edge of the frame. This detachment helps to fulfill a more realized representation. He is helped though, with all-star performances across the board. If this wasn't enough, include what I would rate as perhaps the best musical score of the year; Terence Blanchard's opus of contemplative, soul-searching violin and operatic accompaniments match the mood of the long cinematographic pans and collages.

Monty's echoing lament of "if it only hadn't happened" is easily reflected as the tragedy of 9/11. Whether it be the blue searchlight beams from ground zero or the ode to firefighters in Monty's father's bar, the references are continuously evident. Is Monty the microcosm of a shell-shocked America? - confused about who has betrayed him - critical of his own complacency - weary of the undetermined prospects that the near future has in store? The open-ended speculative nature of these critical focal points seems too coincidental. In addition there are a multitude of non-judgmental interpersonal issues that face direct comparisons touching upon the myriad of subtleties of the consistent coda of directors Zhang Yimou or Abbas Kiarostami . These can be digested in different portions by different viewers - and the contemplative nature is their beauty.

The film concludes with Monty's father (played by Brian Cox) giving a fictional representation of how to come through this tragedy - it instills the hopeful nature that must be kept in mind for Monty and perhaps all New Yorkers. The vision though is too idealized, and although enjoyably serene we must inevitably come back to the harsh realty of the future. With many themes harkening to the tragedy of September 11th, the film contains elements of reflection, sadness, friendship, trust, regret, power, fatalistic life decisions, temptation and coping. I've read many critics lukewarm reception of this film and I don't get it... I found it a modern masterpiece. out of

Gary W. Tooze

Poster

Theatrical Release: December 16th, 2002 - USA

Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews

Comparison:

Buena Vista - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Touchstone - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

1) Buena Vista - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT

2) Touchstone - Region 'A' - Blu-ray RIGHT

Box Covers
Distribution	Buena Vista Home Video Region 1 - NTSC	Touchstone - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	2:14:32	2:14:45.118
Video	2.35:1.00 Letterboxed WideScreen / 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.5 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 42,103,794,981 bytes Feature: 39,391,561,728 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 30.96 Mbps
Bitrate:
Bitrate Blu-ray
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French THX Certified	DTS-HD Master Audio English 3978 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3978 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Dolby Digital Audio French 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 320 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 320 kbps / Dolby Surround Commentaries: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles	English (Close-captioned), None	English (Close-captioned), Spanish, French, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Touchstone / Buena Vista Home Video Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1 Edition Details: • DVD Menu • Bonus Material The Evolution of an American Filmmaker (22:21) Deleted Scenes (non-anamorphic widescreen) Play All Sway (1:34) Little Odessa (3:08) Naturelle, Mom and Monty (2:45) Party Plans (:55) Sneaking Mary In (:50) Mary's Death Scene (1:03) • Director Commentary View the Film With Optional Audio Commentary by Director Spike Lee • Screenwriter Commentary View the Film With Optional Audio Commentary by Screenwriter David Benioff • Ground Zero (5:33) DVD Release Date: May 20th, 2003 Keep Case Chapters: 20	Release Information: Studio: Touchstone 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 42,103,794,981 bytes Feature: 39,391,561,728 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 30.96 Mbps Edition Details: • Commentary Spike Lee + Edward Norton • Director Commentary by Spike Lee • Screenwriter Commentary by Screenwriter David Benioff • The Evolution of an American Filmmaker (22:22) • Deleted Scenes Play All Sway (1:34) Little Odessa (3:08) Naturelle, Mom and Monty (2:45) Party Plans (:55) Sneaking Mary In (:50) Mary's Death Scene (1:03) • Ground Zero: A Tribute (5:33) Blu-ray Release Date: June 10th, 2014 Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters: 20

Comments:

The below Blu-ray captures were obtained directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Touchstone - Region 'A' Blu-ray - June 2014 - Well, I continue to champion this film - Spike Lee's best, IMO. It is certainly my favorite. Once again , we see indifference in marketing the film on digital. Only recently we find out it is part of the Spike Lee Joint Collection Vol. 1 Blu-ray - sharing the package with Lee's excellent 1998 He Got Game on its own separate Blu-ray. But it is a very solid 1080P transfer - dual-layered for the 2 1/4 hour film and it supports the film's visuals style in the cinematography of Rodrigo Prieto (Amores Perros) - grainy at times and frequently saturated. I see no digital manipulation. This is faithful,, super contrast, very clean and looks, totally, wonderful. The high resolution improvement over SD is depicted in the comparison captures below.

Terence Blanchard's score (Miracle at St. Anna, Inside Man) is one of my favorite in all of film. It sounds so rich and pristine via the strong DTS-HD Master in 5.1 surround at 3978 kbps. The track handles any aggressive effects the film exports - but there are few. It's the score that benefits, as does some other pieces (ex. by Cymande) and there is very notable depth in the strings movements. It really does sound fantastic and there are optional subtitles on the region 'A' locked Blu-ray disc.

Extras mimic the DVD but add, yet another commentary, with Edward Norton and Spike Lee - specifically for the Blu-ray. It's pretty 'off-the-cuff', but Norton talks about many of the specifics of the production details that aren't fully covered on the first two commentaries. This Blu-ray also has the 9-minutes of deleted scenes and "The Evolution of an American Filmmaker" documentary and 'Ground Zero Tribute' footage.

My appreciation for the film only grows. I love the story, I LOVE the score and the cast - Edward Norton (Rounders), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Synecdoche, New York), Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan), Rosario Dawson (Seven Pounds), Anna Paquin (The Piano), Brian Cox (L.I.E., Zodiac.) Although not individually released - this is still an excellent deal in the 2-disc Spike Lee Joint Collection Vol. 1 package.

***

ON THE DVD: It is as flawless as I have seen in a while. The image shows film grain and perfect contrast levels. I don't recall seeing any digital manipulation caused by the transfer process. It is sharp as a tack displaying the often gritty cinematography of Rodrigo Prieto. The picture is anamorphic and maintains the wonderful 2.35 original aspect ratio. It is full of Extras... two commentaries - one by director Lee - one by screen and novel writer David Benioff, Six Deleted scenes, a short documentary by Lee entitled "The Evolution of an American Filmmaker" etc. I can't see where this DVD would be lacking for even the most anal of Digital Versatile Disc aficionados. Great audio (5.1) track too.

Gary W. Tooze

P.S. I think the 'Edge Enhancement' noted by some DVD critics may be the way the film was shot - in varying lens' - not excessive edge enhancement. it can tend to make the picture look saturated at times (especially in the opening sequence and the dream sequence at the end).