Educational Media Reviews Online

25 in 24 is the story of one musician’s incredible dream; performing 25 times in only 24 hours. The dream and vision is that of Jon Foreman, the front man and guitarist from alternative rock band Switchfoot. The idea stemmed from Foreman’s tremendous urge to give back to the world around him and to embrace his local community, one song at a time.

Throughout the film, Foreman displays his healthy obsession with music and finds ways to channel the rock n’ roll chaos to transcend age, race, background, and other boundaries. The man is oozing music out of his pores. Alongside his musical talents, his philosophies are marked with inspiration and positivity. The interviews with Foreman tell a story of a person trying to change the world with his ideals. Each venue in San Diego, California where he chose to perform, possesses some personal meaning for him. His bandmates, which are an evolving lineup for each performance, all volunteered their time because of their strong friendships with Jon and their appreciation of his vision.

The film is filled with beautiful shots of the Pacific Oceanside. Since the film takes place through a full day, the lighting changes throughout depending on the setting. The camera shots often employ soft filters and blurs to transition between interviews with the multitude of Foreman’s bandmates, people in the community, and the live performances. The transitions are also accompanied by Foreman’s music, giving each scene a life all its own.

This film will be a great addition to any high school or academic library, as it deals with something that is very easy to relate to—music. Foreman’s ideals regarding reality and using music as an escape are highly poignant. The documentary is as entertaining as it is inspiring, giving the viewer an intimate view into a musician’s mind. It would pair well with popular music classes or even sociological studies.