The Best of 2025 (3-1)

 Here we are.  What you've all been waiting for.

The top 3 of 2025

3.  Sinners

Ryan Coogler's period drama combines goth horror with 1930s era race issues in a seamless fashion.  Spiritual and graphically brutal, this was high level art.

2.  Bugonia

Yorgos Lanthimos is a director who loves the bizarre.  I've found him hit and miss (usually miss), but this one?  He knocked this one out of the park.  A darkly comic conspiracy theory-laden film. You will not know where this is going.  The ending?  Brutal but kind of appropriate.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand, the top movie of 2025 is...

1.  Weapons

Congratulations Zach Cregger for directing a most thrilling mystery-horror movie on your second outing as a director.  Creepy.  Intense.  Masterfully told from several character viewpoints while staying fully coherent.  And that ending.  Tragic, brutal, and funny as I don't know what.  Don't know how that was pulled off but it was.

And there you have it folks!  Hopefully we'll see you this time next year for the best of 2026.

The Best of 2025 (10-4)

 The Nitty Gritty as they say:

10.  The Roses

I leave it to the audience to decide if this reimagining of the 1988 dark comedy, War of the Roses, is better or worse.  It does more fleshing out of how this marital relationship derails which is what intrigued me about it.  

9.  Companion

Here's a nugget from January 2025.  Usually nothing happening cinematically at this time of the year, but this was a rare gem.  A darkly comic thriller examining abusive relationships.  With a twist.  

8.  Good Fortune

A heavenly comedy examining the differences between the haves and have nots.  It does make a few political statements but doesn't get heavy handed.  The comedy is genuine.  Keanu Reeves' style is hilarious here.

7.  Together

You probably have some inkling regarding the plot of this film from the picture above.  The latest in the trend of body horror thrillers, Together gives you the rundown of what could happen if you and your mate are a little too close.  The lead up to the final reveal will give you great anxiety.

6.  Zootopia 2

Disney takes quite a few arrows over a great many things.  This sequel should never be one of them.  Just as wondrous as the first film taking us into the politics and mystery of this fictional animal world.  Yes, there is surprising subversiveness to these two films.  But also a great deal of comic relief to temper the heaviness.

5.  Thunderbolts*

Say what you will about the MCU right now.  Call me an MCU mark if you must.  But I loved watching this group of misfits on the big screen.  Yeah, I know.  The MCU has kind of done Taskmaster wrong.  However, I liked how the conflict in this one was resolved in a non-traditional superhero way.  Namely, they didn't punch their way out of it.  And I loved that the asterisk meant something.  

4.  Fantastic Four:  First Steps

We finally got a real Galactus.  'Nuff said.  And I didn't hate mustached Reed Richards.  Bonus

The Best of 2025 (Honorable Mentions)

 Hey there, hi there, ho there.  It's that time again for your favorite Sith Lord to run down the best from the previous year.  Once again, let me preface this by saying this is based on what I've seen.  Right off the bat, I will tell you that I haven't seen the newest Avatar movie so you will not find it on this list.  Feel free to disagree with the upcoming list and comment if you wish (respectfully).

Without further ado, let's start off with a few that just missed the top 10.  It wasn't easy to leave these off, but they are still very much worth your time.

Caught Stealing

A darkly comic crime thriller that entertains from beginning to end.  With a cat that quietly steals every scene he's in.

Nobody 2

The continuing adventures of government fixer Hutch Mansell.  Poor Hutch can't catch a break.  Even when he takes his family on vacation.  A corrupt sheriff and the criminal organization he works for learn firsthand what murderous mayhem Hutch is capable of.  Bone breaking (literally) action comedy at its best.

From the World of John Wick:  Ballerina

This John Wick spinoff follows the revenge quest of Eve Macarro, trained assassin of the Ruska Roma.  All of the sights and over-the-top action you've come to expect from the JW franchise.  Including an appearance by JW himself.  

Predator:  Badlands

The latest expansion of the iconic monster franchise takes a closer look into Yautja culture while maintaining the bloody viciousness we've all come to love.  Dan Trachtenberg has the pulse of the franchise and he's killing it.