This life came so close to never happening.

25th Hour

Spike Lee has made some pretty powerful films and 25th Hour packs one of the biggest, most powerful emotional punches in my opinion. This film about drug dealer Monty's (Edward Norton) last day of freedom before a seven year prison stint is a masterpiece of human emotion and a gorgeous love letter to New York City.

The performances in 25th Hour are superb, beginning with Edward Norton. He brings a confidence but overpowering vulnerability to the role. He's a good, smart guy who does bad things; you don't want to feel sorry for him, especially in the scene where you see him brush off a man he sold to, but Norton makes you feel sympathy. His "Fuck You" scene is so earth shattering and it takes a truly gifted actor to deliver it. He blames every person he can think of for what happened to him, until he realizes he only has himself to blame. Along with Norton's stellar performance is Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Monty's friend Jacob. His awkwardness is spot on.

Barry Pepper adds to the film's amazing cast. He too brings confidence and vulnerability to his role as a friend of Monty's. His honesty is brutal. His final scene in the film is utterly devastating but he and Norton play together brilliantly. Finally, as Monty's father, the always amazing Brian Cox continues to be always amazing. The female representatives, Anna Paquin and Rosario Dawson, round out this perfectly cast film.

Spike Lee and writer David Benioff worked together so well. Neither could function without the other. Benioff wrote a beautiful story and Lee brought it to life. Furthermore, the use of a post 9/11 New York further adds to the story's theme of making use of what little time we have. Lee did not merely make mention of post 9/11 New York, he thrust us right into the middle of it, with Pepper's character's apartment overlooking Ground Zero. I like the Lee did not shy away from these powerful and potentially controversial imagery. This is a part of New York now, and New York is a character in this film.

Another brilliant aspect of 25th Hour is the relationship between Monty and his dog, Doyle. They are so similar; kind but with bite and steadfastly loyal and protective. The film's opening scene between the two gives great insight into Monty as a person. Doyle is a symbol of Monty, and the way Monty looks and is at the end of the film is exactly how Doyle began. Hopefully Monty will have the same future Doyle was given.

25th Hour has such a strong emotional core and such unbelievable heart. The performances, the script, the direction, everything comes together so beautifully it moves me to tears. 25th Hour is about as perfect as a film can get.

Jamie Lee Curtis in Freaky Friday

We sometimes think of our parents as so uncool and out of touch that they couldn't possibly be us. Well, Jamie Lee Curtis playing a mom who changes bodies with her teenage daughter is certainly an exception. She's totally believable as a teenager trapped in the body of an adult. Everything is very natural. Her mannerisms and behavior is true to teenage form and hilarious, especially when she's a tad over dramatic. I would love to know how she prepared for this role. She was great.

Netflix

Alice in Wonderland-Missed it.
Up in the Air-Love it.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (every season)-Netflix Instant. Time I watched all the seasons and finally see how it ends.