My Year in Film (2025)

Welcome to my 11th annual movies-of-the-year list! I watched 100 films that were released in the year 2025! If this is your first time seeing this, I will be ranking every film I watched from worst to best, including some brief thoughts for each, as well as a watchlist of films I am eager to see. One new element I'm trying this year is adding a note next to films that are my favorite in a particular genre or category. I hope you enjoy and find something that intrigues you.

Abysmal:

100) A Minecraft Movie (2/10)(Worst Film of the Year) - A complete flop in every way other than the box office. Nothing about this remotely evokes the feelings and mood of the game. Instead the focus is on cheap nostalgia and formulaic plot-lines.

99) Jurassic World: Rebirth (2.5/10)(Worst Sequel) - Every Jurassic Park and World movie somehow manages to get worse than the last. What made the original film so great, philosophical quandaries and the wonders and terrors of nature, is not present here. To state that the characters are unlikable would be a massive understatement.

98) Happy Gilmore 2 (2.5/10) - A sequel that largely relies on nostalgia and recycled jokes. It also utilizes a very cheap and lazy plot tactic to get the titular character back into underdog status.

97) The Lost Bus (3/10) - This drama, and I do mean drama, stars Matthew McConaughey. It's based on a true story of a school bus driver trying to rescue children from an out-of-control forest fire that took place in Paradise, California in 2018. The writers for this decided that the life and death stakes of the rescue itself weren't nearly dramatic enough. This has soap opera levels of melodrama so while it's not a very good film, it was an enjoyable watch.

96) Karate Kid: Legends (3/10) - I was hopeful that after the success of Cobra Kai, we might get a film that matches the quality of the show. Unfortunately, we got a very bland and uninspired reboot.

Bad:

95) Highest 2 Lowest (3.25/10) - While I love the majority of Spike Lee's work, this is pretty comfortably one of his worst films of his career. The screenplay is largely at fault, as the writer wants you to like the main character despite him being morally bankrupt.

94) Now You See Me Now You Don't (3.5/10) - While the cast is clearly having a great time, the plot is completely incomprehensible. The one plaudit that deserves mentioning is Rosamund Pike's mastering of the South African accent.

93) Caught Stealing (3.5/10) - Darren Aronofsky (Mother!, Black Swan) was one of my favorite filmmakers growing up. The Wrestler is still one of my favorite films of all time. But his recent output has been obnoxious (Mother!), offensive (The Whale), or in the case of Caught Stealing, boring and without a semblance of life.

92) Elio (3.75/10) - Aside from the recent example to the contrary in Andor, it feels like Disney is increasingly reluctant to have their media say or state anything notable beyond broad universal ideals. Playing it safe leads to movies like Elio that are simply forgettable and will have no lasting impact.

91) Novacaine (4/10) - A man who can't feel pain ends up battling bunches of bad guys to save his romantic interest. While there's good humor sprouting from the clever concept, the woman he's vying for is not the quality of person you want a hero fighting for in the first place.

90) The Running Man (4/10) - I am a huge fan of Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver), but his recent crop of films have been severely underwhelming. While his previous film from 2021, Last Night in Soho, has moments of brilliance, Running Man lacks any real inspiration.

Below Average:

89) Freakier Friday (4.25/10) - A perfectly adequate sequel that will be a fun time for fans of the original. They mess with the formula a bit with mixed results.

88) Marshmallow (4.25/10) - A shy young boy attends a summer camp for the first time in this horror film. You won't be able to predict where this one goes, but whether you'll find the surprise stimulating is debatable.

87) Avatar: Fire and Ash (4.5/10) - The first two Avatar films were visual achievements in digital effects. The third film, coming just two years after the second installment, didn't feel nearly as revolutionary or impactful. Fire and Ash potentially being the finale and therefore needing to tie up all the loose ends led to less time spent on the wonder of the world and its surroundings, which is a big part of the appeal of these films.

86) The Housemaid (4.5/10) - While the setup is formulaic and the characters are relatively one note, the final act is satisfying enough to make the journey worthwhile.

85) Sketch (4.75/10) - A young girl who lost her mother has started exhibiting anger issues and subsequently started drawing dark and menacing looking creatures in her sketchbook. When the creatures start coming to life and terrorizing the town, the girl's father must reckon with his culpability in not giving his children an outlet to properly grieve.

84) Good Boy (4.75/10) - This horror film stars a real dog named Indy. The filmmakers spent years crafting meticulous and specific shots with their completely oblivious pup. The end result is pretty stunning from a technical perspective. Indy emotes and unknowingly gives a wonderful performance. The film surrounding the technical aspects is a bit bare bones.

83) Wolf Man (5/10) - Director Leigh Whannell (Upgrade, Invisible Man) does his second consecutive reboot with this horror project. I found the opening act to be quite captivating but it loses momentum from there.

82) Nobody 2 (5/10) - There's no action set-piece that comes close to rivaling the bus fight from the first film, but the choreography is still impressive.

81) The Phoenician Scheme (5.25/10) - Wes Anderson has been very hit or miss for me of late. I loved his previous film, Asteroid City, but found this one to be less captivating. His films are always a feast for the eyes and feature memorable moments and performances.

80) Eternity (5.25/10) - Elisabeth Olsen plays Joan, a woman who was married and widowed twice. When she eventually passes away, she is reunited with both in the afterlife. She must choose which former partner she'll spend the rest of eternity with. Her first husband has postponed his eternal decision for over 60 years, stunting his own personal growth just waiting for her to arrive. Her second husband exhibits no empathy for Joan's dilemma nor for her first husband not getting to live an extended life with Joan like he did. Much like Novacaine, this romantic comedy fails to grasp that it's just as important to have a romantic interest that is relatable and charming as it to give us a likable main character. If you're missing just one of those elements, the will-they-won't-they tension and intrigue is lost.

79) Thunderbolts (5.5/10) - Dubbed the new Avengers, this crop of superheroes are intriguing enough but the buildup during phase 5 of the Marvel-Cinematic-Universe (MCU) didn't accrue any sense of anticipation or excitement.

78) Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (5.5/10) - Despite the typical impressive set-pieces and stunts, this final installment (maybe?) of the Mission Impossible franchise felt off from the jump. It acts less like a stand alone film and more a homage to past entries.

77) The Monkey (5.75/10) - Much like the upcoming movie on this list, the best part of this Osgood Perkins (Longlegs) feature is the hilarity that comes from the elaborate and wicked deaths that come for those that have managed to cheat death or be cursed by the grim reaper.

Average:

76) Final Destination: Bloodlines (6/10) - This is the first update to this franchise in 14 years. It's a welcome addition, as it manages to do what the franchise does well while putting a fun new spin on the gory genre.

75) The Life of Chuck (6/10) - Much like Mike Flanagan's other projects (Doctor Sleep, Haunting of Hill House), there is a hypnotic vibe present. While I found many of the individual scenes to be sufficiently entertaining, it lacks cohesion.

74) Relay (6/10) - A captivating thriller that features great performances from Riz Ahmed and Lily James. It would be much higher on this list if not for a brutal final act.

73) The Fantastic 4: First Steps (6.25/10) - The first film in the MCU's phase 6 is a step in the right direction. I'm still not fully back in the fold like I was previously, but I at least went to the theater for this which is more than I can say for most of phase 5.

72) Drop (6.5/10) - A woman heads to a fancy restaurant to embark on a first date. When she arrives, she starts getting suspicious texts from an unknown number. The person behind the messages proves that they are a viable threat and seemingly close by, and tells the woman that she needs to take action against her date. The direction is excellent, with every inch of the restaurant scanned and every guest under the cinematic microscope.

71) Friendship (6.5/10) - If you haven't seen any of "I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson," this is a pretty good jumping off point for Robinson's peculiar and cringe comedy. If you end up liking this, I highly recommend the series The Chair Company, which is an even more eccentric and wild ride.

70) Sisu: Road to Revenge (6.75/10) - While I enjoyed this sequel well enough, it just feels like anything remotely successful these days automatically gets a follow-up, even when the original tells a full and complete story.

69) Unknown Number: The High School Catfish (6.75/10) - A mesmerizing documentary chronicling a high school couple's experience with prolonged digital harassment. You'll never believe who is responsible for the offense.

68) Last Breath (7/10) - A true story about a deep sea expedition that goes wrong and quickly evolves into a rescue mission.

67) Materialists (7/10) - Director Celine Song (Past Lives) continues to explore the complications of relationships, the decisions we make, and how that shapes our lives. While Past Lives focused on long distance relationships and coming to grips with the choices we make, Materialists hones in on the superficial elements that alter our perception of a potential mate.

Above Average:

66) Eddington (7.1/10) - Ari Aster (Midsommar, Hereditary) is an incredibly ambitious and polarizing filmmaker. Hereditary, his debut, is my favorite film of his perhaps because it's his most focused. Eddington, much like his previous film Beau is Afraid, received mixed reviews and feels like three movies packed into one. While I admire the attempt to examine the Covid-19 lock-down and the various reactions and behaviors people exhibited, he doesn't take a political stand and merely just points a camera like he's simply an unbiased observer.

65) Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost (7.1/10) - Ben Stiller directs this documentary film about his parents and growing up in a showbiz family. Given his own success in the business, he, much like his parents, has had to attempt to balance his art and familial obligations. Through his fathers recorded home videos made during his childhood, he begins to see the parallels in his own parenting.

64) She Rides Shotgun (7.2/10) - An action thriller that puts it's foot on the gas and never reaches for the brake. Ana Sophia Heger, who is just 11 years old, is a revelation.

63) Nonnas (7.2/10) - Vince Vaughn plays a man who comes up with an idea to hire Italian grandmothers as chefs for a home-cooked style restaurant. It's a feel-good film that tackles subjects like grief as well as never being too old to be bold or to take risks.

62) Song Sung Blue (7.3/10) - Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson star as the Neil Diamond tribute band "Lightning and Thunder" that rose to prominence in Milwaukee in the 1990's and 2000's. The real life true story is equal parts inspiring and tragic. The performances are great, especially Hudson. She inhabits a woman who's experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and navigates that spectrum of emotions with a subtle ease.

61) Good Fortune (7.3/10) - Aziz Ansari's debut feature film makes great use out of Keanu Reeves' comedic chops. While the movie doesn't necessarily have any vital commentary on class and status, the premise is fun and the writing is clever.

60) Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (7.5/10) - These short animated adventures are always a treat. This time, the titular heroes are bamboozled by a wicked penguin, who turns Wallace's newest inventions against them.

59) Oh, Hi! (7.5/10) - My friend Evan Dyal is a producer on this film! I encourage everyone to check it out (it's on Netflix) not just because of his involvement, but also because it's a genuinely enjoyable flick that illustrates the awkwardness and insecurities of modern relationships. The leads, Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman, are charismatic and display wonderful chemistry playing off each other. Gordon stars as Iris, a young woman who is going on her first lengthy getaway with the man she's been dating. When she realizes he may not be taking things as seriously as she is, she panics, does something impulsive, and finds herself in quite the pickle.

58) Clown in a Cornfield (7.5/10) - The director of Tucker and Dale Vs Evil returns for this hilarious clown crazed kerfuffle. A high school girl moves with her dad to a new town and quickly notices a disconnect between the youth and the rest of the community. Has she gotten in with the wrong crew, or is there something else afoot?

57) Perfect Neighbor (7.6/10) - A Netflix documentary that uses exclusively police body cam footage to shed light on a neighborhood squabble that largely hinged on one woman's racism. Based in Florida, the states "Stand Your Ground" laws are part of the story and how that piece of legislation leads to a lot more civilian violence.

56) The Long Walk (7.6/10) - A very dark and disturbing Steven King adaptation that takes place in an alternative future not too dissimilar from the world of Hunger Games. Instead of fighting to the death, the contestants have to walk at least three miles per hour and go without breaks until only one is left standing. Cooper Hoffman and David Johnsson are magnetic in their respective roles.

Good:

55) Companion (7.7/10) - A science-fiction thriller with plenty of twists and turns. Harvey Guillen (What We Do in the Shadows) is hysterical in a supporting role.

54) The Smashing Machine (7.7/10) - While the actual sporting drama is a little underwhelming, the familial entanglements are incredibly engaging. Dwyane "The Rock" Johnson gives a career best performance as a calm and confident wrestler that has his life and ego slowly fracture as his relationship, his body, and his career unravel. Emily Blunt is also chaotically brilliant as the romantic entanglement.

53) F1 The Movie (7.8/10) - While I enjoyed this film for what it is (a fun popcorn movie), it's certainly not a Best Picture caliber film. The direction is sound and the action sequences are lively, but the writing and some of the performances are lackluster.

52) Superman (7.8/10) - James Gunn's interpretation of the famous character is refreshing in its unapologetic kindness and empathy. Nicholas Holt is excellent as the politically devious and technologically savvy villain Lex Luther.

51) Zootopia 2 (7.9/10) - About as good of a sequel as you can make while not updating, expanding, or changing the message of the original. They do manage to make the world of Zootopia more expansive and the music from Shakira is once again electric.

50) The Mastermind (7.9/10) - Director Kelly Reichardt (Meek's Cutoff, First Cow) loves period pieces and this one is based in the early 1970's in Massachusetts. Josh O'Connor plays "JB," who concocts a heist where him and three other accomplices will rob an art gallery to secure four high valued paintings. While it seems he's put a lot of thought and effort into the plan, it quickly becomes a much more arduous and risky endeavor than he anticipated. This also features a terrific jazz soundtrack by Rob Mazurek.

49) Roofman (7.9/10) - Channing Tatum plays "Roofman," a man who burglarized various McDonald's stores via cutting a hole in the roof and waiting for the manager to open for the day. A good example of a protagonist that is multi-dimensional. A character can have negative attributes but if you allow the audience to see the humanity behind the mistakes they make and that their humanity is not defined by any individual action, they can be even more relatable than a flawless, angelic archetype. The film takes place mostly in a Toys-R-Us while he is a fugitive on the run.

48) Dangerous Animals (8/10) - This horror film features an antagonist that kidnaps women, takes them on to his boat, and uses them as bait for sharks. Jai Courtney is deviously fun in the role and fully understands the assignment.

47) Wake Up Dead Man (8/10) - The third installment in the Knives Out series is another intriguing philosophical affair. Josh O'Connor plays the role of a priest that is looking to make a new start despite a checkered past. Has he truly changed for the good or is the latest mystery a further encapsulation of his violent tendencies?

46) Sovereign (8/10) - Nick Offerman (Jerry) and Jacob Tremblay (Joe) star as father and son who largely survive off speaking engagements meant to convince people of the power of sovereign citizenship. Despite a mounting pile of bills and eviction notices, Jerry proceeds as if nothing is wrong and he owes the banks nothing. Joe wants to attend school, for both the social and educational benefits, but Jerry refuses, believing his home school teachings of various laws and semantic disputes are sufficient. How will Joe's indoctrination ultimately manifest itself?

45) Truth & Treason (8/10) - While most World War II era films focus on the evil actions taken by large swaths of the German military, this true story focuses on a select group of German civilian heroes that fought back against the Nazi's any way they could. While I understand why the filmmakers did it, it's frustrating that a film based in Germany in the 1940's is spoken entirely in English.

44) Fight or Flight (8/10)(So Bad It Is Good Award) - A man with a specific set of skills is hired to board a plane and protect a certain passenger. He begrudgingly accepts the mission despite not knowing who exactly he's supposed to shield. To further complicate proceedings, he realizes shortly after boarding that many of the other passengers are assassins trying to kill the target. If that sounds like a stupid plot, it absolutely is, but everyone involved here, especially star Josh Hartnett, knows that and plays it as campy as humanly possible.

43) The Waiting Game (8.1/10) - This basketball documentary chronicles the NBA-ABA merger and the troubling lack of retirement benefits given to the ABA players that joined the new league. It's obviously a glimpse into corporate greed but also the power of persistence.

42) Mickey 17 (8.1/10) - Director Bong Joon Ho (Parasite, Snowpiercer) is committed to the political ramifications of class and greed. His newest feature, starring Robert Pattinson, examines the lengths corporations will go to exploit and dehumanize their workforce.

41) Predators (8.1/10) - A documentary that breaks down the N-B-C series, "To Catch a Predator" and it's various copycats. While you're mileage may vary on the amount of empathy you have towards the people that were broadcast and arrested on the show, director David Osit examines the consequences of conflating entertainment with law enforcement as well as using actors as "bait" to execute the formula.

40) Vincent Must Die (8.2/10) - A unique concept that involves an ordinary man that begins experiencing random acts of violence against him. I saw this in theaters as a double feature with Hallow Road (which we'll get to later). Unfortunately the version I watched was the English dub which was not well done. I plan on seeing this in its original language, French, on my second viewing.

39) Together (8.2/10) - A couple, after falling into and getting stuck in a mysterious cave, soon find themselves starting to be magnetically pulled towards each other. It's a creepy horror film that slowly unravels its webs as it goes along.

Really Good:

38) If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (8.3/10)(Best Actress) - Rose Byrne plays a mother that is completely overwhelmed by the responsibilities of taking care of her special needs child. It's rare in Hollywood to see a film showcase a faulty parental figure. Rose Byrne's phenomenal performance externalizes the stress, anxiety, panic, and despondency of her character. Due to the performance and the writing, we empathize with her despite the obvious faults. A lesser script or actor would've led to an unreservedly villainous portrayal. Also, Conan O'Brien is in this and he's quite good!

37) Jay Kelly (8.3/10) - This Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story, Frances Ha) directed drama stars George Clooney and Adam Sandler. Clooney plays the titular character, Jay Kelly, who is at the tail end of a lengthy acting career. Baumbach's script dissects the sacrifices one must make in their personal life to achieve and maintain fame and fortune.

36) 28 Years Later (8.3/10) - Danny Boyle and Alex Garland reunite for another entry in their "28" series, a mere 22 years after the original films release. I'm so pleased at the revival of this series. A little spoiler for next years list: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple will end up even higher than this one did.

35) Bring Her Back (8.4/10) - A standout performance from Sally Hawkins elevates this feature from the director of "Talk to Me." Oozing with a foreboding mood, this horror film is a visual feast. Fun side note, I spent a good chunk of time in Canada in 2025 and became a member of Landmark Cinemas Movie Club. One perk is they offer "Mystery Movie Mondays," which allow you early access to unreleased films. This just so happened to be my first experience with that particular promotion.

34) Predator: Killer of Killers (8.4/10) - A series of animated vignettes all taking place at different time periods and locales, all with the commonality of human warriors coming face to face with a Yautja (aka Predator). At under an hour and a half, and with each story only lasting about 20 minutes, it's an easy and worthwhile watch that could be viewed discontinuously.

33) Paddington In Peru (8.5/10) - The third film featuring the lovable London bear is unfortunately the least rewarding from an emotional standpoint. You definitely notice the absence of Paul King, who directed the first two and has a distinctive visual flair. Paddington In Peru is still funny, charming, and a good time, but it's hard not to compare it to the previous entries.

32) It Was Just An Accident (8.5/10) - Iranian director Jafar Panahi has received prison time for his previous work and has to direct in secret due to his anti-government messaging. The country has banned him from making movies and yet he continues to produce deeply powerful and moving films. His newest feature is his most political work yet, and it grapples with the trauma of victims persecuted by the regime.

31) Train Dreams (8.6/10) - My #2 choice for best cinematography for the year (the #1 will show up later). This story follows a man's life through the early and mid 20th century. The narration, despite being eloquently delivered by Will Patton, blunts the emotional impact somewhat. Instead of seeing for ourselves the feelings and connection of the characters, we're mostly just told.

30) Predator: Badlands (8.6/10) - This is the second Predator film released in 2025 and the third in the franchise since 2022, all of which have been directed by Dan Trachtenberg. He's single-handedly rejuvenated the series. All three have been really good from a quality perspective and they also bring a fun variation to the core conceit. The differentiation in Badlands is simply that a Yautja is the protagonist.

29) Ballerina (8.6/10)(Best Action) - Ana de Armas stars in this John Wick spin-off. Her commitment to the physicality and technical elements of the performance is exemplary. If you enjoy the John Wick films or just appreciate action choreography, this is well worth the time.

Great:

28) Blue Moon (8.7/10)(Best Screenplay) - This is the first of several bottle films (where the setting is mostly in just one location) on the list. Richard Linklater (School of Rock, Hit Man) directs this drama starring Ethan Hawke based on songwriter Lorenz Hart. The script and performance both punctuate the sadness and longing that seemed to define the later portion of Hart's life. It's a remarkable screenplay, as you feel the loneliness and isolation permeating his soul.

27) Hedda (8.7/10) - A play brought to life on the big screen by the talented Nia DaCosta (Little Woods, 28 Year Later: The Bone Temple). Tessa Thompson stars as Hedda, a severely depressed woman in 1950's England who hosts a party at her and her husbands estate. The party is intended to help her husband acquire a professorship and with it, a financial boost they most desperately need. But a former lover of Hedda's and fellow academic, Eileen, is also applying for the position and threatens to upend their plans. Hedda decides to take matters into her own hands, and begins an elaborate plan to sabotage Eileen's reputation.

26) Lurker (8.7/10) - This clever paranoia thriller comments on the human leeches that attach themselves to rich and famous people. The "lurker" in this film manages to deceive a musical artist and infiltrates his posse. Director and writer Alex Russell (The Bear, Beef) illustrates that the lure of power and comfort can be an addictive drug.

25) Presence (8.8/10) - This is one of the more creative concepts I saw all year. Movies revolving around a supernatural presence usually are shot from the perspective of the character's being haunted. Director Steven Soderbergh (Contagion, Ocean's Eleven) decided to flip that on its head and tell a captivating story from the perspective of the supernatural entity.

24) Sinners (8.8/10) - The tonal shift at the midway point of the film didn't fully work for me. It didn't feel as if the tone shifted dramatically enough, and it also created a dilemma where it required a character making an incomprehensibly dumb decision to propel the plot forward. Having said that, the first hour is magnificent. The scene where the character Sammie's music summons musicians both past and future is a remarkable feat of film-making and ingenuity.

23) The Ugly Stepsister (8.8/10) - A Norwegian horror variation of Cinderella that will stick with you. This is not for the faint of heart, but those that appreciate gore as well as clever reinterpretations of well known intellectual properties will find a lot to enjoy.

22) Sorry, Baby (8.8/10) - A harrowing glimpse into the ramifications of sexual assault. The film is spread out over a number of years and illustrates the intense psychological effect that trauma can have on someone. It features a lot of dark humor which shines a light on the lack of empathy and awkwardness that women experience during the process of reporting and acknowledging abuse.

21) My Dead Friend Zoe (8.9/10) - A military centric film that explores the struggles soldiers have acclimating back into society after deployment. There’s many challenges including finding work, getting mental health services to deal with the trauma experienced in the field, and having to adjust to a change in lifestyle including a lack of a regimented schedule.

20) The Assessment (8.9/10)(Best Science-Fiction) - With societal resources limited, couples are subjected to a weeklong assessment if they wish to have a child. As the assessment commences, the couple begin to question the assessors methodology and motives.

19) Warfare (9/10) - The script for this war film was carefully crafted from a multitude of soldier accounts of one incident. This meticulous approach to accuracy makes for an incredibly authentic feeling experience.

18) Dust Bunny (9/10) - A child fears her parents were eaten by the monster hiding under her bed. She hires a local hit-man, Mads Mikkelsen, to slay the beast. Creator of the television series Hannibal, Bryan Fuller, makes his feature film debut with this visually appealing dark fantasy.

17) Hallow Road (9.1/10)(Best Bottle Movie) - A parents night quickly becomes a nightmare as they get a call from their daughter who informs them she hit someone with her car. As they frantically drive to the scene, they learn that things aren’t exactly as their daughter initially described.

16) Bugonia (9.1/10) - Jesse Plemons plays a man who kidnaps a CEO (Emma Stone) with the belief that she is an alien and that the abduction plan will lead to a negotiation with the extraterrestrial species. The screenplay highlights the dangers of echo chambers and how these dangerous bubbles we live in manifest and propagate.

15) The Ballad of Wallis Island (9.2/10)(Best Feel Good) - A man who won the lottery twice invites his favorite band to his private island for a concert. The catch? The duo has been broken up for some time and didn't part amicably. They also may have accepted the invitation unaware that the other half was even invited.

14) 40 Acres (9.3/10) - In an alternative future, the world's animals have all died out via disease which has caused a worldwide food shortage. Farmland then becomes the most valuable asset. A family owns 40 acres and is fully self sustaining, but they'll have to fend off attackers if they want to keep their property and way of life. Danielle Deadwyler shines as the head of the family trying to hold everyone accountable.

13) Black Bag (9.3/10) - Steven Soderbergh's second film on this list is a spy thriller starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett. The screenplay manages to keep the audience guessing as to who is the guilty party and whether or not the answer will even come to light.

12) Frankenstein (9.4/10) - Director Guillermo Del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, The Shape of Water) incorporates his own unique visual style and tone to the legendary story. It's a beauty to behold. Jacob Elordi completely transforms for the role and brings a peaceful innocence to the character. Alexandre Desplat's score is haunting yet hopeful.

11) K-Pop: Demon Hunters (9.4/10)(Best Animated Feature)(Best Original Song) - The music alone is worth the price of admission. The most important thing for me when it comes to a musical is that the songs don't feel like an intermission to the plot. Here the numbers are both entertaining as well as instrumental to the progression of the characters and story-line. They're also catchy as hell.

Masterpieces:

10) The Naked Gun (9.5/10)(Best Comedy) - A rapid-fire comedy in the best possible way. There's constant jokes and most of them land. Liam Neeson plays it completely straight and allows the writing to shine. This is genuinely one of the funniest movies this century.

9) Hamnet (9.6/10) - Chloe Zhou (Nomadland, The Rider) gets back to her roots after a brief diversion into the M-C-U. This drama focuses on William Shakespeare and his wife dealing with the tragic death of their young son. While the film isn't clicking on all cylinders for its entire runtime, the final act showcases how everyone grieves differently and how powerful art can be in processing shared trauma.

8) Rental Family (9.6/10) - In Japan and many parts of Asia, there is an extreme stigma regarding mental health. This debut feature from Hikari tackles the rental family businesses that have cropped up to handle the emotional needs of the people that have no therapeutic recourse. Brenden Frasier plays a struggling American actor living in Japan. He takes on an unusual "acting" gig that helps him gain a better understanding of the place he now calls home.

7) The Brutalist (9.7/10)(Best Cinematography) - A three and a half hour epic that is deserving of your time. Director Brady Corbet lets the film slowly absorb you into its world of architectural beauty and sociopolitical drama. Cinematographer Lol Crowley incorporates many static shots to highlight the beauty and precision of design, while utilizing handheld cameras with lots of movement to capture the frenzy and excitement of a post World War II America.

6) Weapons (9.7/10)(Best Horror Film) - Zach Cregger's profile has skyrocketed since his feature debut Barbarian. With a bigger budget and a star studded cast, the expectations were through the roof for his follow-up. Not only did this live up to the hype, but in many ways exceeded it. Cregger's use of non-linear timelines helps add to the intrigue and mystery.

5) Come See Me In The Good Light (9.8/10)(Best Biopic) - An incredibly emotional documentary that focuses on poet laureate Andrea Gibson. Through their poetry, they navigate a cancer diagnosis and use the power of language to help process the weight and gravity of life and reckon with its fleeting nature.

4) Sentimental Value (9.8/10)(Best Drama)(Best Supporting Actress) - A delicately told story about two daughters and their father. Stellan Skarsgard plays a world renowned director who makes very intimate and personal films. His daughters, having been cast in his films when they were young, have a very rocky relationship with him today because of his fixation on his work. Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas is incandescent in her role as one of the daughters navigating both her father, who wants her young child to be in his next film, and her sister, who is still somewhat broken from their upbringing and the lack of care.

3) Marty Supreme (9.9/10)(Best Thriller)(Best Actor) - Josh Safdie (Uncut Gems, Good Time) takes audiences on another unforgettable, tension fueled journey. Timothee Chalamet stars as Marty, an arrogant table tennis player that will do anything to get to the top, even if it means burning bridges with everyone he comes across. The performance and character is so specific and compelling.

2) 2000 Meters to Adriivka (10/10)(Best Documentary) - Mstyslav Chernov follows up his previous film, 20 Days in Mariupol, with another essential examination and glimpse into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. This highlights the resistance to the Russian invasion and showcases the heroism of the Ukrainian civilian militia.

1) One Battle After Another (10/10)(Best Picture)(Best Director) - Director Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood, The Master) has as good of a filmography as any present day filmmaker. This effort is perhaps his very best. It's easily his most political film to date, and the talented ensemble cast balances the humor, drama, themes, and action with aplomb.

Watchlist:

Arco

Cloud

Cover-Up

Die My Love

Familiar Touch

Homebound

I'm Still Here

In Your Dreams

Keeper Left-Handed Girl

Little Amelie or the Character of Rain

Merrily We Roll Along

My Undesirable Friends

Nouvelle Vague

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl

Pavements

Rebuilding

Restless

Sirat

Splitsville

Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

The Alabama Solution

The Bad Guys 2

The Things You Kill

Urchin