2025 - "This Year In Film"

I was quite shocked to discover that I have not done one of these end of year reviews for some 5+ years. And given some of the movies that I have had to endure during 2025, I decided it was time to correct that.

Being a serious cinephile, I do go to the Cinema quite a bit. I managed again over 100 visits during 2025, with varying results.

I still firmly believe in Cinema, nothing that one can create at home, now matter how big a TV screen you have, can compare to the big screen experience. Like so many I have been horrified to read about the potential Netflix buyout of Warner Bros. which like so many are saying, will be the beginning of the end of Cinema.

But enough of doom and gloom, let us look at the past 12 months of films.

Like 2024, this year did not produce a 10/10 film. Quite something really. I cannot recall two back to back years where there was not a standout film. 

(I will just mention that I normally do not allow retro screenings into the scoring for a film year, but if one were to class "Kill Bill The Whole Bloody Affair" as a new film, given it has been re-edited, then this would certainly have a score of 10 out of 10)

When I look back at the films and their scores for 2025, I am surprised at how many have really low scores, like between 2 and 4. This is most unusual, and does not bode well. Some films that have received much hype and praise have fallen in that score range....more of that later.

Great Horror and horrific Horror....

2025 was siaid to be the year of the horror film - here are just four examples of how the Horror film can vary in degrees of success. "Silent Night Deadly Night" was passable though I have not seen the original version. I was a huge fan of "Black Phone", and was somewhat weary of a sequel, and it turns out I was right to be. For me everything they got so right in the first film, they completely ignored for the sequel. 

"Bring Her Back" is a rare film. Loved by so many, but not me. I loathe it with a passion. When watching the film I found myself getting angrier and angrier. There was so much wrong with the plot of the film. Things that should have never made it to the page let alone on screen. A huge mess of a movie.

Then the flip side is "The Monkey". I had hoped it would be good, especially as every time I saw the trailer, one particular moment had me laughing everytime I saw it, and yes it did deliver, and then some.Wickedly funny, wonderfully gruesome, and a real delight to watch.

Back on the Big Screen....

Like Horror, familiar faces returned to the Big Screen with varying results.

 

After a sigficant absense, the "Final Destination" franchise returned to the big screen, with a somewhat lacklustre effort. You kind of think that if this is the best that they can come up with after all this time, then was it worth doing??

As for "Superman", I could write pages and pages just on this one movie. Boy what a waste of a golden opportunity. Main issue was no chemistry between the two lead characters, and don't get me started on what Ma and Pa from Krypton were secretly up to. Another mess of a movie.

There was a final reckoning for the MI Team, and I think it is safe to say the whole franchise has finally run out of steam. The films seem to be fitting themselves around the stunts rather the stunts fitting within the film. It was ok, but if this is the last film, then it left one feeling rather underwhelmed.

That mad cap diarist Bridget Jones returned with a wonderful new movie. It was great to see a beloved character still able to work her magic thanks to the amazing Renee Zellweger, and also from up and coming Actor Leo Woodall.

Films that did not impress.....

Nosferatu....Wolf Man....Flight Risk....Hard Truths....The Brutalist....Heart Eyes....

One of Them Days....Mickey 17....Drop....Death of a Unicorn....The Ritual....Clown in a Cornfield...

 Weapons....Together....The Toxic Avenger

Films that were even worse (Absolute Worst of 2025)

One of the films in this category, believe it or not, is the favourite to win Best Picture at this years Oscars ceremony. Just shows how opinions can be divided. 

 

Here are the most tedious, absolute waste of time movies that I have seen during the past 12 months. For me they really are shockingly bad. My only consolation is that I will never have to sit through them again....one viewing was more than enough.

Biggest Surprise of the Year

I had heard the rumours that this film was going ahead. Then filming began, and then I saw the trailer. And for me it had disaster written all over it. With some reluctance and a great deal of trepidation, I went to see said movie.

I could not have been more wrong...and will gladly admit it. This film was one of the highlights of the year, coming from nowhere, with so few expectations.....and it was one of the most entertaining films of 2025. And it is......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After years of playing the mature action hero in great movies like the "Taken" series, "The Grey" to name just a few, the last person you expect to take on the lead of Frank Drebin jr, especially taking over from the comedy legend of Leslie Nielson, would be Liam Neeson. You just would not put the two of them together....and that is why it DOES work, that and a wickedly funny script, coupled with great visual gags, that were what made "Naked Gun" so successful the first time round. I think it is a shame that there is little chance of a sequel, but sometimes it is best to leave well alone. A huge well done to all concerned with the making of this comedy great.

Films that I really enjoyed watching

Timothee Chalamet really excelled in "A Complete Unknown", there is little that this incredibly talented actor cannot do.

Action thrillers fared well with great movies like "Black Bag", which when I saw the trailer it was almost like it was tailor made for me, and excellent it was too.Likewise Rami Malek proved he can be an action lead in the equally entertaining "The Amateur".

The 'John Wick' universe provided its first spin-off with the wonderful actress Ana de Amas taking the lead in the action packed and heated film "Ballerina". I thoroughly enjoyed it. Alas the masses did not seem to agree.

Other movies that I really enjoyed include F1, The Life of Chuck, Downton Abbey The Grand Finale, Relay, Nuremberg and Wicked For Good (and this is despite not being a fan of "Wicked")

So.....although no one fim really stood out ("Kill Bill aside) to earn a score of 10, there were 3 films that came close with an impressive score of 9, and they are.....

As mentioned a phenomenal performance from Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan in the music biopic. It was a great shame that he did not win the Oscar, along with Ralph Fiennes. Both were far more deserving than the actual recipient.

"Tron Ares"...what a great movie. A wonderful marriage of visuals and sound. Seen on the IMAX it was the best looking film of the whole year.

And completing the trilogy is the biopic "I Swear", a truly brilliant, moving and uplifting film about a young man and his daily struggles living with tourettes syndrome.

Amazing performances across the board, and just a great example of fantastic storytelling.

 

 

So there you have it. 365 days of Cinema, which included some great retro screenings.

Jaws had its golden, The Goonies had its ruby (hard to believe), Se7en turned 30 as did Sense & Sensibility, Heat and GoldenEye also turned 30, The Shining hit the big 45, and there were many more.

At times the retro screenings prove more favourable than new releases, especially with some of the films released in 2025.

But here is hoping that the New Year will have some great, inventive and original films to enjoy

Love the movies....love Cinema

The 97th Annual Academy Awards - My Predictions

 

It is the eve of the biggest night in Hollywood, and indeed the entire film calendar. What a year it has been. At one point it looked like the ceremony was going to be postponed following the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area, but as the expression says....."The Show Must Go On".

2024 was a first for me, in that no film scored a maximum of 10 points. A couple of films got very close, and maybe in time and with some reflection that will change.

As always there are some questionable nominations and obvious snubs. But it has gone from being the year of "The Brutalist" to anything is possible.

As always, I shall be looking at the main categories, and naming what I would like to see win and what I think shall win. Hopefully in some of the categories they will be the same. As of typing I have seen 39 of the 45 nominations in the main 8 categories.

 

Best Actor in A Supporting Role.

For me the biggest surprise was seeing no nomination for Stanley Tucci in the excellent "Conclave". It would have been perfect to see him nominated alongside his fellow co-star Ralph Fiennes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This years event has gone from being a run of certainties to take your pick. But one thing is for sure in that Kieran Culkin will be picking up the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his work on "A Real Pain". 

  

And whilst I am not the biggest fan of "The Brutalist", and despite some ham over-acting at the start of his performance, I would like to see Guy Pearce win. Though had things gone my way, then not only would Stanley Tucci have been nominated, but he would also have been triumphant, in an ideal world.

Best Actress in A Supporting Role.

For me, and I know many others, the biggest mystery here is why Zoe Saldana is nominated in the Supporting category when she clearly carries the whole film, and has top billing. Very bizarre.

 

This is one of the few, if only award that "Emelia Perez" will be successful in winning. It is a great performance and Zoe will be a worthy winner.

 

However, despite being a small screen time performance, there is something rather special when seeing Isabella Rossellini on the screen in "Conclave". If there was to be a big upset, then I would be delighted if this were to be it. God does move in mysterious ways.

Best Original Screenplay.

For me there is only one winner in this category, and the emphasis is on the gory.

 

The trials and tribulations of a sex worker who gets married to the Son of a Russian Oligarch may not sound like the usual material nominated for Best Original Screenplay but times they are a changing. There is a lot of love for this film, and I think it is the favourite to win this catergory.

 

If the above is an example of more unlikely material,then "The Substance" will be off the chart but I would dearly love to see Coralie Fargeat get The Oscar her stunning work on this remarkable screenplay.

 

Best Adapted Screenplay.

Like Best Actor in a Supporting Role, this one is a no-brainer, and thankfully it is the first Award where I agree with what I think will win.

 

This compelling screenplay from the novel by Robert Harris has been a winner time and time again, and rightly so. It will be an absolute delight to see screenwriter Peter Straughan take to the stage to collect his Academy Award

Best Actor in a Leading Role.

About six weeks ago, any sane person would have put their life savings on Adrian Brody to win the Oscar for Best Actor in A Leading Role for his work on "The Brutalist". 

 

But it is safe to say it has become a three way race between him, Ralph Fiennes for "Conclave" and Timothee Chalamet for "A Complete Unknown". Anyone who knows me knows that I have a huge regard for Mr. Chalamet, I think he is one of the most remarkable actors working in the business. I still think that he was robbed for his work on the heartbreakingly beautiful "Call Me By Your Name".

As to who I would like to see win well that's easy, for me it has to be Ralph Fiennes for his stunningly understated performance as Thomas Lawrence in "Conclave". And yes I would be equally delighted should Timothee Chalamet win for his work as Bob Dylan. Yes he did win the Screen Actors Guild award last weekend, and that can be an indicator for Oscar success, but I think he will be this years Lily Gladstone, in that she won the SAG Award last year but failed to win The Oscar. And for the record, I thought TC's SAG speech was great, there is nothing wrong with striving to want to be the best at what you do.

Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Like Mr. Brody, I feel that Demi Moore, for her work on "The Substance", was as close to a certainty for Actress in a Leading Role as one could get, but I feel that there is a possibility of Oscar upset, and that upset is in the form of Mikey Madison for her role in "Anora".

 

Whilst Ms. Madison is undoubtedly talented and does give an excellent performance, I feel that Demi Moore just knocks it out the park time and time again in a real tour de force performance. And though it should not matter but there is her career, she has been acting for some time, and given the subject matter of mature actresses, I think it would be the perfect icing on the cake for her to win this much deserved award.

Best Director.

I feel almost loathed to choose in this category because for me the biggest snub is that Edward Berger was not nominated for his faultless directing of "Conclave", and whilst we're at it, the film was also robbed of a nomination for Cinematography too.

 

I know that the smart money is on Sean Baker for directing "Anora" especially given his DGA Award, but I still think that Brady Corbet will win for his work on "The Brutalist", though I would be delighted should Mr. Baker be successful.

 

 

But my personal choice, given the lack of Edward Berger, would be Coralie Fargeat for her amazing work on "The Substance", there can be no more original film this year.

 BEST PICTURE
 

Like Lead Actor, six weeks ago I would have also bet my life savings, begrudgingly, on "The Brutalist" winning Best Picture. Now once again it is a three horse race.

Given that there are anything up to ten films allowed to be nominated in the category of Best Picture, and indeed we have ten nominees this year, it can make things very interesting, especially that the scoring format is that of a preferential vote. 

The general consesus is that "Anora" is going to be victorious and win the biggest award of the evening. Personally it is not the kind of film that I would think worthy to be Best Picture, "The Brutalist" either for that matter. I would quite easily ditch half of this years nominees. 

I do think that "The Brutalist" will win Best Picture, but I say that through gritted teeth. But I am keeping my fingers crossed and a little hope that there may be a chance that "Conclave" could take home the top prize, and it would be a very happy me to see this happen. Of the ten nominated movies, it is by far the best and a most worthy winner.

WHAT I THINK WILL WIN                                                              WHAT I WANT TO WIN

Kieran Culkin                                Actor in a Supporting Role               Guy Pearce

Zoe Saldana                                  Actress in a Supporting Role             Isabella Rossellini

Anora                                            Best Original Screenplay                The Substance

Conclave                                       Best Screenplay Adaptation           Conclave

Adrian Brody                                Best Lead Actor                              Ralph Fiennes

Demi Moore                                  Best Lead Actress                           Demi Moore

Brady Corbet                                 Best Director                                  Coralie Fargeat

The Brutalist                                  Best Picture                                   Conclave

 

There you have it. Not long now til we see who and what will be the toast of Hollywood

Best of luck to Conan O'Brien, his first time as Host of The Oscars.  

 

 

The 96th Annual Academy Awards - My Predictions

 

Another year of cinematic delights, and of varying degrees of entertainment and success. Some firm favourites have returned to our screens but not all have proved to be the box office gold as was expected. 

One thing is clear, a huge budget does not guarantee to have cinema seats filled time and time again. And something I have said for a while, is that a good proportion of the cinema going public are getting weary of Super-hero movies. At one stage, like a Bond film or a Tarantino film, it was event cinema, but since the floodgates opened, and we seem to have a new film pretty much every other month, it has become the norm, and we yearn for originality.

As always, I shall be looking at the main categories, and naming what I would like to see win and what I think shall win. Hopefully in some of the categories they will be the same.

And for the first time in recent memory, ahead of the Oscars ceremony, I have seen all 45 nominations in the main 8 categories.   So here, we go....

 

Best Actor in A Supporting Role 

I am really torn on this category. I know that I am in the minority in that I was not blown away by "Oppenheimer". But one thing that did strike me was the remarkable performance from Robert Downey Jr. I would say it is a career best performance from a man with a very varied cinema CV.

 There are some other great performances, though surprised at some of the nominations.

WHAT I THINK WILL WIN

Robert Downey Jr in "Oppenheimer"

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WIN

Ryan Gosling in "Barbie"

I have a huge soft spot for this movie and the phenomenal performance from Ryan Gosling, and if anyone can win against Downey Jr, then it is the very deserving Mr Gosling.

 

 Best Actress in A Supporting Role 

As above, there is at least one very questionable nomination, I am not going to name name's but you know who you are. It is always great to see a class act like Jodie Foster get another nomination. Hard to believe she has been on the Academy's nominee list for over 45 years.

Some very welcome first time nominees, including the wonderful Danielle Brooks in "The Color Purple", and in any other year, I think she would stand a good chance of taking home Oscar.

But I think it is safe to say that there is only name for this award, and it is.....

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WIN & WHAT I THINK WILL WIN

Da'Vine Joy Randolph in "The Holdovers"

 Best Original Screenplay

If some categories are pretty much set in stone, then this one is definitely wide open. I would straight away rule out "May December". Not sure if I even agree with its nomination, so for me it has little to no chance of winning.

But other than that, any of the other four could walk away with Oscar. Of the four, for me there is one clear outstanding piece of writing....

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WIN & WHAT I THINK WILL WIN

David Hemingson for "The Holdovers"

 Best Adapted Screenplay

Like Original Screenplay, this could provide some great surprises on Oscar night with most of the nominations standing a reasonable chance of bagging an Academy Award.

Some were surprised at the inclusion of "Barbie" in this category, rather than the more appropriate Original category, now going up against its 'Barbenheimer' partner. 

WHAT I THINK WILL WIN

Jonathan Glazer for "The Zone of Interest"

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WIN

Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach for "Barbie"

 

 

 

 

 Best Actor in A Leading Role

At one point Cillian Murphy more or less had the Oscar guaranteed for his title role in the Christopher Nolan epic "Oppenheimer". 

Many say now that the  ultimate test will be who bags the coveted SAG award. Both Murphy and his closest rival, Paul Giamatti have won several awards for their respective roles, both also having won a Golden Globe, but only one can be victorious on Oscar night, barring there being a tie, which is not impossible, it has happened before. 

All five lead actors are wonderful, and though much has been said why Leonardo DiCaprio has not been nominated for "Killers of the Flower Moon", but my answer is simple. See the actors who are nominated, all incredibly worthy, and on any given year, any could walk away with the award. I especially loved Colman Domingo in "Rustin", and yes it would be great to see the first openly gay actor take to the stage. 

I am going to make my prediction ahead of the SAG Awards, so here goes.....

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WIN & WHAT I THINK WILL WIN

At the end of the day, he is one of the most respected and beloved actors working in the business. So for me it has to be....

Paul Giamatti in "The Holdovers"

 Best Actress in A Leading Role

We have quite a group of amazing actresses here, from past nominees like Carey Mulligan and one of my all time favourites, Annette Bening, to first timers Sandra Huller and Lily Gladstone, and of course previous winner Emma Stone.

Like the chaps, we have a battle royale between Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone, both who took home a Golden Globe. Both are equally excellent in their roles and if there was any justice then history would repeat itself from the 1969 Oscars and we would have a tie. But if pushed, here are my thoughts....

WHAT I THINK WILL WIN

Lily Gladstone for "Killers of the Flower Moon"

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WIN

Carey Mulligan in "Maestro".

I talked about justice above, well for me the performance that I was wowed by the most would be that of this amazing actress, who has surely got to get Oscar recognition at some point.

 Best Director

Some have talked about surprises on Oscar night, but I think we are on safe ground here. Yes it is an absolute travesty that Greta Gerwig has NOT been nominated for "Barbie". The biggest film of the year, she got many first timers into the Cinema to watch her film, but does she get rewarded by the Academy with a nomination???  SHAME SHAME SHAME on you Academy.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WIN & WHAT I THINK WILL WIN

Christopher Nolan for "Oppenheimer"

I know that I am not a huge fan of the film, but I can wow at the spectacle at what he created, and the fact that he continues to champion the big screen experience

BEST PICTURE

Now the big one, and that of Best Picture. Given the way that this result is tabulated, and that there are upto 10 nominees, it can make for some interesting winner decisions. 

As I have mentioned, yes I have seen all ten films.For me, half of them have a question mark against being nominated.

Of the remaining five, four I really loved, and three were exceptional. They being.....

 

 

 

WHAT I THINK WILL WIN

Alas, as much as I loved these three wonderful films, all different in their own way, I think that the Nolan epic will prevail and take the top prize.

  

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WIN

In an ideal world, yes I would love to see this tale of the Mattel Classic doll take home the most respected film prize.

So there you have it. We now just have to wait til March 10th to find out who will be crowned Oscar winners at the 96th Annual Academy Awards. Best of luck to all the nominees....