Here is favorite films for 2025! The previous list had films up to the summer and this part will cover all of the year. First, there is a backlog of movies that I have to catch up on reviews; Wicked: For Good, Rental Family, and I really want to get to Zootopia 2 which I liked a little better the second time. Also on the back burner is Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. I have not seen One Battle After Another or Hamnet. I think all of the films have expectations, what you might know, interest you, and if it exceeds them. Number one, Rental Family, this is a movie that has everything; broken families, loneliness that fills our lives now, marriage, business, growing up, growing old, laughter, and sadness. Every emotion is felt, honestly, not some Hollywood construction.
I think it is one of Brendan Fraser’s best performances, I feel that he was changed by the filming, it is challenging since he plays three parts; father, reporter, and the character of Phillip. All of the actors are of the highest caliber, also a twist at the third act. The expectation of the unusual premise is just a step into the door of what was movie that had the joy of life. Number two, Sinners, what a phenomenon and a film. Ryan Coogler has sheen of lively jazz and the darkness of the supernatural here. Michael B. Jordan has a stunning performance as twins, Smoke and Stack. All of the cast is first rate. One scene in particular where the music is playing; musicians and dancers from across time take part with the driving, thumping notes.
There is the element of vampires, with every movie you have to understand what are the parameters of the vampire. We get introduced to the desperate Remmick (Jack O’Connell) who is on the run from Native American hunters. He gets refuge and turns a couple in a cabin. We find them later at the juke joint, they appear, but can’t cross a household without permission. Sinners is impressive as a drama with the story, acting, music, and cinematography. It is streaming now on Max. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is number three. This feels like the culmination of del Toro’s work. Del Toro is a top world builder with film, animation, and novels. The vision for his movies is fascinating and the standout for me is Pan’s Labyrinth (2006).
I find it is interesting that the usual del Toro actors; Doug Jones, starting with. All the way to the lead role of the Amphibian Man in The Shape of Water (2017), The Faun and the Pale Man in Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), back to Mimic (1997). Also, Ron Perlman from Cronos (1992), lead character in Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), to voicing Podesta in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022). Del Toro has both actors as leads and the actors would go out of their way to be in his movies. I think Frankenstein was del Toro’s opportunity to go without Jones and Perlman, new actors, I expect Oscar Isaac to be in del Toro’s next film. Jacob Elordi puts in a complex performance as The Creature. A direct adaptation of Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) would not be effective, her novel stands alone, adapters should add their touches to the story.
Number four is taken by K-Pop Demon Hunters, like Sinners, it is a sensation. Still, its dominating music, in every important concert and event so the animated film is constantly relevant. Also, that the people who made the film are still being interviewed, director and co-writer, Maggie Kang, and the speaking voices; Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo. A whole new level of celebrity. Now, the singing voices; Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami especially with Grammy noms. It will be interesting to see how all of this talent will move on until the next film. I think the promotion is perfect and really unlike any other animated film. Netflix released The Art of Demon Hunters online. The Korean creative talent, culture, and K-Pop has smashed into pop culture.
The story of the Huntr/x trio; Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, is complex, but not to confused young audiences. Rumi struggling with her half-demon nature, hiding it from her friends. Also, the music is the best, “Golden” just can be played over and over. I hope they release two-three shorts with music until the sequel drops. Of course it is currently streaming on Netflix. The fifth spot goes to Red Sonja, only a one day theatrical release, and now on Blu Ray and pay per view. Fantasy has tended towards high fantasy with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) than sword & sorcery like Conan the Barbarian (2011). I always love the character of Red Sonja with roots in Robert E. Howard, but becomes powerful in the comic books. Even more fascinating for me was the evolution of the character with her origin.
Gail Simone had cast away the violated Sonja and made her strong. The film reboots Red Sonja all under the guidance of director, M.J. Bassett. She had directed Solomon Kane (2009) which was brilliant. I really hope that a third movie in the REH worlds can be made! Bassett captures the characters from Howard and others while making worlds solid, believeable. The surprise for me is Matilda Lutz, she has all of the dimensions of the character, and the convincing part is seeing her using the sword against others. Red Sonja held promise, but went beyond with Lutz's lead, the past stories, and Bassett's past film! Number six is the apex of war films, Warfare, by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza. My expectation was that Garland would encapsulate the feeling of being on a battlefield like his previous movie, Civil War (2024).
It eliminates Hollywood war film conventions in characters and story. The cinematography by David J. Thompson is blunt, not wandering the battlefield with the typical Hollywood lens. He was a camera operator on Civil War. The leader is Erik (Will Poulter), along with sniper, Elliot Miller (Cosmo Jarvis), Ray Mendoza, communications officer (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), the counterpart to co-writer and co-director. They are not heroes, they are people, and the Iraq opposition, is largely faceless, we don’t know their maneuvers or their stories. Warfare is honest as a war film that makes an conflict best to be avoided. It is streaming on Max now. In contrast, there is the fairy tale fantasy of Wicked: For Good, much of the fantasy is constructs, the very human element of friendship, deceit, and betrayal is there from the musical.
The other part for me was seeing the musical after Wicked: Part I. It helped me understand the characters and story much better than the first film. I also thought Jon M. Chu would pull the story together like what he did with In the Heights (2021). Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande plus Jonathan Bailey were great with vocals and character. There were many duets in this movie musical. The threads of the L. Frank Baum novel are more entangled here with Dorothy (Bethany Weaver) and her companions. The story gets changed with the addition of the Yellow Brick Roads creation and the fate of the animals which is forgotten in the musical. I really like the changes, but I was confused about the songs if they were new or from the musical. I would have liked a reprise of “Defying Gravity”, there are hints, but nothing like that showstopper. The visuals continue to impress with the sequel. Wicked: For Good is still playing in theaters.
Next at number eight is Fantastic Four: First Steps. My expectations are extremely low with the MCU movies.The MCU has just been a confusing web of unrealized connections and just fake CGi worlds and characters. So it was a breath of fresh air with Matt Shakman’s direction that had none of the boulder of Sisyphus baggage of the MCU. Instead, it was a story of a family, who happen to be a super family. Comics continuity was also thrown away to tell Marvel’s First Family story. Sue Storm played to perfection by Vanessa Kirby is given the spotlight as mother, hero, founder of the Future Foundation, and her upgrades to take on Galactus. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) is supportive, Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) doesn’t show off his strength, instead he’s a friend, and Joseph Quinn plays an inventive Johnny Storm. Plus there is H.E.R.B.I.E. (voiced by Matthew Wood)! An impossible situation facing the non-cloud Galactus (Ralph Ineson)! The best part is that the FF film is a tribute to Jack Kirby! Fantastic Four: First Steps is streaming on Disney+.
We are getting closer to the end with number nine, Ballerina! The expectation was that the movie fit in the Wickverse and it did seem so with Chad Stahelski on board as producer. Then, there was director, Len Wiseman, whose films had style with the action and design. He seems to have understood the Wickverse. Ana de Armas as Eve, proved her action chomps with the Bond film, No Time to Die (2021). Here she proved herself taking on the lead as more of a protector, mythical Kikimora, instead of an assassin. I really like how it moves through the Wick movies and finally ends with a duel with the Baba Yaga himself, John Wick (Keanu Reeves). The innovative fights and Eve’s underdog battle to take on a cult army led by The Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne). It was great to see all of the key players in the Wickverse, Winston (Ian McShane), The Director (Angelica Huston), her employer, and the final appearance of Lance Reddick as Charon. It is my favorite of the Wick films since it has an awesome female lead. It is currently streaming on Starz.
Lastly, at number ten, is Superman. There are some high expectations since this film would launch the DC Universe setting the world. James Gunn, director and writer, has superhero cred with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) for the MCU and The Suicide Squad (2021) for the DC Universe. David Cornswet’s Superman is not invincible, but very vulnerable against Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. He is challenged by Lois Lane played by Rachel Brosnahan, who is introduced fairly late with the host of other characters. His family in Smallville, Pa (Pruitt Taylor Vince) and Ma (Neva Howell), are the backbone, down home wisdom that Clark needs.
The government and public turns against him as well as the villain, Ultraman, who equals his power, and The Engineer (Maria Gabriela de Faria). The Justice Gang as Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Ed Gathegi’s Mr. Terrific are the world’s heroes. Mr. Terrfic is the standout. He needs all of his friends and allies to deal with Luthor’s world threat. Superman was released early on Max in September while the movie was still in theaters leaves a gap until the next DC film or show. There is a range of films from dramas, action movies, and an animated movie that are all favorite films this year!
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