tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post8371603022419108639..comments2024-03-13T06:28:44.715-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: Why 25th Hour is the Most Important Film Ever Made About 9/11Alex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-33792247139427059172017-09-19T10:49:40.249-04:002017-09-19T10:49:40.249-04:00Thanks so much. What a damn fine film, with one he...Thanks so much. What a damn fine film, with one hell of a Hoffman performance. Love everything about this movie. (PS, I'm Alex. But I'm glad you dug the post either way!)Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-18441839614139952962017-09-18T08:17:04.076-04:002017-09-18T08:17:04.076-04:00Philip Seymour Hoffman was outstanding. Watching i...Philip Seymour Hoffman was outstanding. Watching it again after his death - makes the theme of the film even more haunting. We gamble and lose in many different tragic ways. Pure genius.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-48347028758182202382017-09-18T08:03:39.152-04:002017-09-18T08:03:39.152-04:00One of my favourite Philip Seymour Hoffman films a...One of my favourite Philip Seymour Hoffman films and that's saying something, considering I consider him the best actor of his generation. I've just re-watched it and loved it even more than I did 15 years ago.<br />Great critique, Nick. Respect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-51486504779980500102014-10-07T15:01:22.692-04:002014-10-07T15:01:22.692-04:00Hey Stefano, thanks so much for stopping by and co...Hey Stefano, thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I really appreciate it.<br /><br />You know, for a man not born and raised here, you have a <i>very</i> good handle on America, its policies, and the fear that is prevalent in many of its citizens. Really insightful comment here. I absolutely love this film, and always enjoy hearing others' thoughts on it.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-10027373364093784272014-10-03T11:50:33.530-04:002014-10-03T11:50:33.530-04:00Hi, I'm Stefano from Cagliari, Italy.
I absolu...Hi, I'm Stefano from Cagliari, Italy.<br />I absolutely agree. This is one of the most important film of the last 30 years and one of my favourite ones ever. I also always thought that 9/11 played a central part in it. I think it has a lot in common with the Noir films the '30 and '40s for it shows a society in pain, trapped inside a sort of self destructive spiral. <br />I was in the USA in September-October 2001 and I perfectly remember the sense of paranoia, the feeling of insecurity that was in the air in those days. I think that the impossibility of really trusting someone or something (the government, friends, girlfriend, teachers, financial institutions etc ...) is an important topic in the film: 9/11, the Enron scandals really brought americans to reconsider their trust in the government and in the social structure in which they live. America had to look in the mirror to understand what had really happened. How couldn't they know? Are they protecting us? Do they take care for us? These are some of the questions subtly asked by the film.<br />The story of Monty is also the one of a man who pays for his mistakes and who is aware of his guilt. It's no secret that the 9/11 attacks were done as a response to USA's foreign policy and, especially, to its much debated support to Israel military operations. <br />I think that the end of the movie also bitterly suggests that small tragedies and big ones, Monty's or 9/11, have something in common: maybe they wouldn't have ever happened if different decisions hade been taken in the past.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-26370762173962723682012-09-17T17:45:39.522-04:002012-09-17T17:45:39.522-04:00Thanks Eric! Hey dude, if I can in any way get any...Thanks Eric! Hey dude, if I can in any way get anyone to watch this film (for the first time, or another time), then I guess I've done my job!<br /><br />Really glad you like this flick.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-11787218831007321882012-09-17T16:58:52.275-04:002012-09-17T16:58:52.275-04:00Awesome post, man. This really is a great film. I ...Awesome post, man. This really is a great film. I saw it for the second time earlier this year, and it was even better than the first. I agree with Nick above -- you've made me want to give it another go. Great job.Erichttp://twscritic.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-12884485022630427612012-09-17T09:46:01.336-04:002012-09-17T09:46:01.336-04:00Thanks Nick! It's funny, I didn't really c...Thanks Nick! It's funny, I didn't really consider that term applying to the majority of Spike's stuff, but you're absolutely right. Say what you will about him, but the man goes all in, everytime. Ya dig?Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-75480940949247861972012-09-17T09:44:40.320-04:002012-09-17T09:44:40.320-04:00Nice man, glad you like it. Definitely my favorite...Nice man, glad you like it. Definitely my favorite Spike Lee and my favorite Edward Norton performance. It's still shocking to me that this didn't get a single Oscar nomination. One of the bravest flicks I've ever seen.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-13448226631825931062012-09-16T22:15:43.402-04:002012-09-16T22:15:43.402-04:00Powerful piece. Love reading people write about th...Powerful piece. Love reading people write about the films they love the most. I've seen it - twice - and liked it a great deal both times and now all I want to do is re-visit it.<br /><br />Great line here: "It’s as haunting (and purposefully obvious)..." That describes a lot of Spike's best stuff, don't you think? And that's hard to do. Make something that's purposefully obvious so haunting. I think that's why he has duds. He's always reaching high for something. Nick Priggehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17895803287589438170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-30475379915767153092012-09-13T14:36:48.134-04:002012-09-13T14:36:48.134-04:00I agree 25th Hour was really good, my favorite by ...I agree 25th Hour was really good, my favorite by Spike Lee as well. A brave response to the terrorist attacks. Also, one of Edward Norton’s best performances since Fight Club and American History X. Norton's mirror monologue was indeed powerful, so was The Bruce Springsteen song "The Fuse" in credits.<br /><br />Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09395044055566348346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-28392997343314649562012-09-13T09:34:43.527-04:002012-09-13T09:34:43.527-04:00Thanks! Ah, you MUST watch this movie. I cannot re...Thanks! Ah, you MUST watch this movie. I cannot recommend it highly enough.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-37901185353440920792012-09-13T09:34:23.072-04:002012-09-13T09:34:23.072-04:00Excellent comment here, Jeff. Couldn't agree m...Excellent comment here, Jeff. Couldn't agree more with you. It's funny when you go back and read the book, because it really is quite brilliant, but what Lee brought to the film with all of the 9/11 subtext is just epic.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-74715431000109341102012-09-12T20:40:46.403-04:002012-09-12T20:40:46.403-04:00I haven't watch 25th Hour, but it seems worth ...I haven't watch 25th Hour, but it seems worth a watch. Great writing as usual!Andinahttp://www.inspired-ground.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-39944779155481407162012-09-12T18:35:31.374-04:002012-09-12T18:35:31.374-04:00I was just as in awe as you the first time I saw t...I was just as in awe as you the first time I saw this recently, one of the few films to live up to and eclipse the hype as one of the very best films of it's decade. The 'in-your-face'ness of post-9/11 NYC adds so much more to the tragedy of Monty. Even in the face of an unfathomable event as 9/11 everyone Monty knows will continue on with their lives. "Yeah, the attacks happened, what of it?" The only one who's life is not going on, will be on hold, will be his own. Brian Cox's speech at the end just about brings me to tears every time. Definitely high in my top 10 a must see before-you-die category. Jeffhttp://cityuponahillmedia.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-63354709668353064772012-09-12T13:00:59.444-04:002012-09-12T13:00:59.444-04:00Great comment here, buddy. Thanks so much for your...Great comment here, buddy. Thanks so much for your compliments about the post and the insightful notes about the flick. I love how metaphorical you see the film. The notion of the blue light repetition is groovy, as is his beat down representing the pain of America at the time.<br /><br />Glad you love this movie so much, it's a doozy!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-34430520869858759112012-09-12T12:58:03.050-04:002012-09-12T12:58:03.050-04:00Oh yeah, for sure. Three very powerful films right...Oh yeah, for sure. Three very powerful films right there. Glad to you like and appreciate 25th Hour so much.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-90764556888778610892012-09-12T12:55:53.308-04:002012-09-12T12:55:53.308-04:00Thanks man! I could practically watch it on repeat...Thanks man! I could practically watch it on repeat.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-74273128011523767162012-09-12T12:55:28.525-04:002012-09-12T12:55:28.525-04:00Ah, it is SO GOOD. Profund and epic and audacious....Ah, it is SO GOOD. Profund and epic and audacious. You could by it from Amazon or wherever and you would in no way be sorry!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-19322527563395967962012-09-12T12:54:30.607-04:002012-09-12T12:54:30.607-04:00Thanks dude. I seriously can never watch this movi...Thanks dude. I seriously can never watch this movie too much.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-9139678264569350302012-09-12T12:45:05.518-04:002012-09-12T12:45:05.518-04:00Terrific write-up man. It's a masterful film, ...Terrific write-up man. It's a masterful film, and I'll be rewatching it soon.Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08596682195753811295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-25783920653602086642012-09-12T09:51:50.499-04:002012-09-12T09:51:50.499-04:00This movie looks phenomenal. In fact, I was lookin...This movie looks phenomenal. In fact, I was looking for this at a number of video stores the other day (even the ruins of Blockbuster), and no one had it. Shame. I'm going to find it!alleyandthemovieshttp://randomfilmbuff.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-90670609209917654962012-09-11T23:29:45.546-04:002012-09-11T23:29:45.546-04:00Excellent post. I really really really want to see...Excellent post. I really really really want to see this movie again, it's incredible.Tylerhttp://magnoliaforever.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-51288680547339226032012-09-11T21:27:25.897-04:002012-09-11T21:27:25.897-04:00It's a very underrated movie and while I thoug...It's a very underrated movie and while I thought it was good the first time around. Later viewings made me realize how powerful it is. I think it's one of Spike's best works. Definitely a great way to start the 9/11 film series along with the <i>September 11-11'9'01</i> anthology film, and <i>United 93</i>.thevoid99https://www.blogger.com/profile/03055459287396592446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-68997642052898977532012-09-11T21:15:43.040-04:002012-09-11T21:15:43.040-04:00Absolutely phenomenal film and great write-up. The...Absolutely phenomenal film and great write-up. The first time I watched it I didn't pick up on the 9/11 metaphors and importance (yet still thoroughly enjoyed it as a film), but the next two times that I watched it all I could see was a film about 9/11. <br /><br />I feel like the "Make me ugly" scene is one of the key scenes in the film, along with the afore mentioned montage and scene looking over ground zero, and there is some complex metaphor for Monty representing America and the beatdown and following prison sentence being 9/11 and its aftermath.<br /><br />I also love the reoccurring blue lighting from the intro credits in the club scene. The lighting of everything that takes place in the club is spectacular. <br /><br />It's a shame that the film isn't seen as such a culturally significant film, when people mention 9/11 in cinema Fahrenheit 9/11 and Untied 93 (which I think are both magnificent films) are the two everyone talks about, when the effects of 9/11, and America in a post-9/11 context are explored just as keenly in this film as the tragedy is in the previously mentioned films.Matt McGrathhttps://twitter.com/#!/MatthewJMcGrathnoreply@blogger.com