Everyone seems to have a "Best Of" list for 2025 and although there are tons of "Best" film lists, I wanted to share mine, as some of them seem to differ from the masses!
1. "Eddington" starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal & Emma Stone. This film seemed to divide audiences and has cult classic written all over it. Perhaps it was too soon to tackle the controversial subject of Covid-19 or the crazy, bonkers finale? I'm not sure, but I think 20-30 years down the road, I think it has potential to be looked in a much better light! A reminder, you'll never hear or see Katy Perry's "Firework" song the same way again!
2. "Marty Supreme" Starring Timothée Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow. Who knew that ping pong could be so stressful or entertaining! For 2.5 hours director Josh Safdie(one half of the Safdie Brothers who directed the equally stressful "Uncut Gems" from 2019) keeps the energy going non-stop! YOU WILL burn calories watching this film! Pure cinema from start to finish!
3. "Hamnet" starring Irish actors: Jessie Buckley & Paul Mescal in a novel that imagines William Shakespeare and his wife having tragedy with his family and inspires him to write "Hamlet". That brief description doesn't do it justice as what happens between these events make up the heart of the film. This is one of those films where you will need tissue or a handkerchief!
4. "Caught Stealing" starring Austin Butler & Zoë Kravitz in this highly entertaining crime/thriller involving an ex- baseball ballplayer who somehow finds himself embroiled in a dangerous struggle for survival involving several criminal organizations in New York City! Like all decent thrillers, expect the unexpected! Far from perfect, but it's been one of the better films from 2025!
5. "Frankenstein" starring Oscar Isaac & rising star, Jacob Elordi in yet another remake of Mary Shelley's classic cautionary horror tale. This was a passion project for award winning filmmaker, Guillermo del Toro and he does an incredible job in staying somewhat faithful to the material and even though interest does lag in the long 2.5 hour running time, the strengths out-do the weaknesses. Jacob Elordi especially shines and look forward to see where he goes from here!
