Some quick thoughts on movies I watched last month, followed by lists of my current favorite films and performances of the year so far...
Bugonia (2025)
Look, Sean Penn is obviously great in One Battle After Another, but now I kinda wish PTA had zagged hard and gender-swapped it to cast Emma Stone in that role instead. Then between that, this, and Eddington, 3 big auteurs of the moment would have her in their "society's kinda fucked, huh?" movies this year.
DEVO (2025)
It's well-produced, informative, and entertaining enough that it's easy to look past it's somewhat hagiographical approach. And hey, I know a lot more about Devo now, and that's pretty cool.
The Running Man (2025)
Pretty entertaining overall, even if it's not quite as smart or trenchant as it thinks it is — or as it could be.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
The kid loved it. And for good reason – so much potential here, in spite of the bad JJ-isms that come along with the good JJ-isms.
Scarface (1983)
First watch in probably 20-25 years. Man, that first 2/3rd is so damn good. But Pacino's performance in the last 3rd becomes borderline insufferable when he starts to get all aggro at the people around him. He truly seems like a poorly rendered cartoon figure at times. But man, the overall film sort of works in spite of those moments.
Frankenstein (2025)
Left me a bit cold. Elordi, though... that guy hits.
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
The daddest movie of all time? Not gonna lie, Bale's performance grates on me, but it might be more the writing of his character... not sure?
Nouvelle Vague (2025)
It may not be particularly groundbreaking or even really necessary, but damned if it isn't pleasant as hell.
Die My Love (2025)
Jennifer Lawrence gives a great performance, but at some point the film began feeling less like it was building to something and more like it was stuck in gear or even collapsing in on itself. And perhaps that's the point, but to paraphrase Fran Hoepfner's review, tedium with a purpose is still tedium.
BlackBerry (2023)
Extremely rewatchable.
Train Dreams (2025)
Watched this on Thanksgiving and somehow that made a lot of sense. Gorgeous movie all around.
Zootopia 2 (2025)
Took my daughter to see this for her 4th birthday. She loved it. And I thought it was pretty solid, too.
Also Seen:
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
- True Grit (2010)
- Zootopia (2016)
Current Favorite Films of 2025
Current Favorite Performances of 2025
Best Lead Female Actor:
- Renate Reinsve, Sentimental Value
- Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
- Alicia Vikander, The Assessment
- Chase Infiniti, One Battle After Another
- Jennifer Lawrence, Die My Love
- Elizabeth Olsen, The Assessment
Best Lead Male Actor:
- Joaquin Phoenix, Eddington
- Michael B. Jordan, Sinners
- Stellan Skarsgård, Sentimental Value
- Joel Edgerton, Train Dreams
- Jesse Plemons, Bugonia
- Tim Robinson, Friendship
Best Supporting Female Actor:
- Teyana Taylor, One Battle After Another
- Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners
- Amy Madigan, Weapons
- Felicity Jones, Train Dreams
- Emma Stone, Bugonia
- Rachel Brosnahan, Superman
Best Supporting Male Actor:
- Delroy Lindo, Sinners
- Sean Penn, One Battle After Another
- Nicholas Hoult, Superman
- Benicio del Toro, One Battle After Another
- Ralph Fiennes, 28 Years Later
- Austin Abrams, Weapons
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