25Th Hour

Spike Lee's compelling film, written by David Benioff (who adapted his own novel), is ostensibly about convicted drug dealer Monty Brogan's (Edward Norton) last 24 hours of freedom before he begins a seven-year prison sentence. But it's also a vision of post-9/11 New York City and its inhabitants. Monty counts some less than favorable characters among his associates, but he's charismatic, attractive and compassionate, the kind of guy who'll rescue a badly beaten dog even when his own troubles are weighing heavily on his mind. Everybody seems to like Monty — he's got people skills to spare — but he only allows a few to get close to him. That select group inc...