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Reviews
at a Glance II: 25th Hour, Empire, Catch Me If You Can
By Judd Taylor
25th Hour (2002) -R-
Directed by: Spike Lee
Written by: David Benioff
Starring: Edward Norton, Rosario Dawson, Barry Pepper, Philip
Seymour Hoffman, Anna Paquin, Brian Cox
Empire (2002) -R-
Written and Directed by: Frank Reyes
Starring: John Leguizamo, Peter Sarsgaard, Denise Richards,
Isabella Rossellini, Sonia Braga
January 4, 2002
Champagne & Bullets: A Look at Two NYC Drug Dealers
Two recent films take a look at New York City drug dealers and focus
on how they want to change. 25th Hour, directed by the masterful
storyteller—the young Martin Scorsese—Spike Lee, tells a story of friendship,
trust, betrayal and redemption. While Empire, directed by
newcomer Frank Reyes, is like an update of New Jack City set in
the late 90’s. Both have talented lead performances by Ed Norton
and John Leguizamo, respectively, and while the richly textured 25th
Hour takes a deep look into the life of a street criminal, Empire
is more of a fun ride from the South Bronx to Manhattan, meshing the lifestyles
of the old neighborhood and the Manhattan elite.
25th Hour is Nominated for
6 Fidelio
Film Awards
| Best Dramatic Feature |
Best Adapted Screenplay
David Benioff |
Best Cinematography
Rodrigo Prieto |
Best Supporting Actor
Barry Pepper |
Best Supporting Actress
Rosario Dawson |
Best Score
Terence Blanchard |
Catch Me If You Can (2002) -PG-13-
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Jeff Nathanson
Adapted from the book by: Frank W. Abagnale Jr., Stan Redding
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Jennifer
Garner, Martin Sheen
December 15, 2002
Typical Spielberg
The irony didn’t hit me until about half way through the movie.
The free screening that I just conned my way into was about, none other,
than a con man. At 17, Frank Abagnale Jr. was the youngest person
ever to make the FBI’s most wanted list. Catch Me If You Can
is Frank’s story and Steven Spielberg directs—in one his most straightforward
Hollywood films to date. While there is nothing inherently wrong
with Catch Me, it’s a typical film you walk out of and say, “That
was nice,” and move on to the next—i.e. it doesn’t spark much discussion
like Spielberg’s highly entertaining sci-fi hit Minority Report.
Check out these other Fidelio Film Reviews:
A.I.
Bamboozled
The Beach
Gangs
of New York
The
Green Mile
Magnolia
Summer
of Sam
The
Talented Mr. Ripley
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