From The Shadows: My Top Ten Films Of 2025...Number 1

I have come to my number 1 film of 2025!

However, first, let's look at all my number 1 films from the years past:

2014...Wild

2015...The Martian (Looking back I should have gone with The Grand Budapest Hotel, which is better with time).

2016...The Edge Of Seventeen

2017...The Big Sick

2018.. Green Book

2019...Knives Out

Decade..Brooklyn

2020...News Of The World

2021..Coda

2022..Top Gun Maverick

2023..Poor Things

2024..Daddio

Lets look at my top ten films from last year!...

10   Ghostlight

 9    Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare

 8    Inside Out 2

 7   White Bird

 6   Touch

 5   Wicked Pt 1

 4   Anora

 3  Young Woman And The Sea

 2  My Old Ass

 1  Daddio

I think every film in this list is perfectly placed, I would not make any changes.

Now here is a refresher of this year's top films so far.....

10  The Housemaid

 9   Train Dreams

 8   Zootopia 2

 7   How To Train A Dragon 2025

 6   Wicked For Good

 5   Marty Supreme

 4   Is This Thing On

 3   Wake Up Blind Man

 2  She Rides Shotgun 

Well before I give you number one..here are some runner ups:

Sinners

Americana

One Battle After Another

Frankenstein

Bone Lake

Jurassic World Rebirth

Bugonia

Caught Stealing

Relay

You can't go wrong with watching any of the above films!!

So, finally, I have come to my number one film of 2026!

1

CHRISTY

Yes the film that lost a ton of money, however I don't care. DADDIO from last year, I still say is the best film from last year and did not make much money on the big screen. I really don't care.When I originally reviewed this film it was not even my number one film of the month. Then I watched again, and again I could not take my eyes off this trainwreck of a story. 

 Marketed wrong, like Rocky is a love story with some boxing. Christy is a story about manipulation and abuse with some boxing.  

The true story of Christy Martin and her rise as the first famous female boxer, and the manager who abuses her.

Fantastic performances by Sydney Sweeney (almost unrecognizable) and Ben Foster. This film had me tearing up at the end. Do not let the press stop you from seeing this.Again it's a true story, an underdog in life, with enough attitude to rise above her situation. Please seek it out and watch it.

My Number 1 Film of 2025...Christy

And there you have it....

Stay tuned for the Shadow Awards; My February movies ranked; and my Oscar pics.

From the Shadow, as always thanks for your time as always.

MY TOP TEN FILMS OF 2025.....4-3-and 2!!!

 Back to 2025 , the year of "That film was better than okay".

Again this is far from an Oscar list, this is my top ten films that kept me locked in and entertained.

So...now we come to 4....3....2!!

4

IS THIS THING ON?

A late arrival in 2025! Directed by Bradley Cooper. 

This film follows a relationship that is broken between Alex played by Will Arnett and Tess played by Laura Dern. It's honest. Sometimes it's hard to watch. Sometimes hilarious.Sometimes awkward. There are also moments that Cooper does well as a director, he lets the camera just sit on moments and no words needed. LOOOOVE! 

There are also some really good small performances by Bradley Cooper; Andra Day (That Andra Day); Sean Hayes; and Ciaran Hines. All helped to make this film work.

A simple idea for a film, a couple is going through a breakup. Alex becomes a pretty good standup comedian, while Tess seems to be trying to find her footing.

Is it perfect. No...Peyton Manning?...The ending? It missed the landing kinda. Still I really like this film, I was all in. How did this not get recognition from the Academy but The Secret Agent did?

My number 4 film of 2025.....Is This Thing On?

3

WAKE UP DEAD MAN

I was lucky enough to see a screening of this film in the theater before it went to Netflix.

Is it better than Knives Out? No

Is it better than Glass Onion? Yes

Directed and written again by Rian Johnson, Blanc gets called to help solve a crime at a small town church.

The plot is kinda, well odd. However the ODD gets help from fantastic performances:

Josh Brolin as Jefferson Wicks

Josh O'Connor as Jud Duplenticy

Glenn Close is fantastic as Martha Delacroix

The performances help keep the viewer locked in.

A wonderful addition to the Knives Out mystery films.

My number 3 film of 2025....Wake Up Dead Man

2

SHE RIDES SHOTGUN

Directed by Nick Rowland written by Ben Collins; Jordan Harper;  and Luke Piotrowski.

What a great story.

You may notice as you see my top 10 list some movies moved ahead of other films from earlier in the month. I just get a second look and think WOW...and move it ahead. You will see that when you see my number 1 film of 2025. However this film She Rides Shotgun ...from the first time I saw it, the film stayed at my number 2 spot and never moved.

A man gets out of prison and picks his daughter up from school and takes her away. Is he a bad guy?

Oh...who are the bad guys?

This is a run from the law/ bad guys movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

A fantastic performance by Ana Sophia Heger as the little girl Polly. 

Taron Egerton is so dirty and great as the father Nathan.

Rob Yang and John Carroll Lynch with fantastic supporting roles.

Well anyway, father and daughter are running from the law and maybe some others....

Just exciting and tense...just wish for a better ending. It's almost like they did not know how to finish this film. 

Still one of my favorites, that stayed with me long after the film was over.

My number 2 film for 2025....She Rides Shotgun

And now we come to number 1!!!

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.

MY TOP 10 FILMS OF 2025.....7-6 and 5

Back to 2025 the year of "That film was better than okay".

Again, this is not an Oscar list, I used this criteria:

-Was I entertained or locked in enough that I did not look at my watch or phone

-Would I like to see the film again and I recommend you seek out the

So I went with that....

7

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

Who would have thought. A remake of a classic animated movie would be better than the animated movie. It works better as a live action film.Directed by Dean DeBlois,the action is perfect for adults and kids. It is well cast with Nico Rhames; Nico Parker; and Gerard Butler. The special effects are fantastic. The story is the same but seems more, exciting. I see people on line noting..it shot by shot of the other film...what is the point. Did you say that about the remake of The Great Gatsby; Little Women; Cinderella; and so on. So just shut up and watch, it is a fun, and exciting, edge of you seat fun movie.

My number 7 film for 2025...How To Train Your Dragon

6

WICKED FOR GOOD

Yes Jon Cho made mistakes:

-Splitting this stage play in two. Les Miz was shown on the screen as  one long musical and it was fine.

-Adding more songs to this 2nd part. However I love Girl In The Bubble.

-Michelle Yeoh...who cannot sing as Madame Morrible

-Keala Settle in the film but not singing!!??

--editing problems like the Tinman being in 2 places at once.

Still with all these issues, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are wonderful in this darker back end of the musical. I still think Wicked is the best piece of entertainment ever written...For Good. Maybe not the best movie..but..how can you not watch both pieces of this film together and not love this story. It is soooo rewatchable.

It brought people to the theaters which I loved, 527 million dollars, combined with the first Wicked 950 million dollars.

I did not even mention the soundtrack is wonderful...

Well anyway..my number 6 film of 2025 Wicked For Good!

5

MARTY SUPREME

Directed by Josh Safdie, who gave us Uncut Gems, and this has almost threw same feel. Like Gems you feel like the film is in constant motion, from one event to another., The film follows Marty in his pursuit of greatness as he leaves a trail of lies and deceit and pain behind him.

It is not an easy watch, Marty is a narcissist, and is not really a good guy and he is in every scene making the film not ...well...an easy watch. The performances by Chalamet (He will Win the Oscar): Paltrow as the actress has been Kay Stone; Mr Wonderful pretty much playing himself: and a fantastic performance by Odessa A'Zion as Rachel Mizer; they all make this film work.

This film has so many levels, and it works even though often you think...I don't want to watch this.

My Number 5 Film Of 2025...Marty Supreme

Well there you have 5 6 7...........of 2025

From the shadows as always thanks for your time

My Top Ten Films Of 2025! 10-9-8

 10 for 2025

2025 the year of "That film was better than okay".

Out of 106 films seen in the cinema (Thank god I don't pay yikes), I had to narrow it down to 10. With the year of just better than okay films, I used this criteria:

-Was I entertained or locked in enough that I did not look at my watch or phone

-Would I like to see the film again

So I went with that....

So here are my top ten films you should see at least once..........

10

THE HOUSEMAID

Oh the hate for Sydney Sweeney is hilarious. This film made 200 million dollars! So much so that Housemade 2 is already in production. However people say it is all about Amanda Seyfried, please, just stop. Sydney Sweeney played a character that was in jail for 10 years, of course she will be afraid to speak and be monotone. Shut up.

What I can say is...you will be hard pressed to walk out of that theater and see anyone who did not enjoy it or have a blast watching this film. This is when going to the movies is a blast. Everyone was shocked at the same time; everyone was laughing at the same time; covering their eyes at the same time; and staying in the lobby talking about the film with complete strangers. It is communal.

As for the film: Perfectly acted by the three leads Amanda Seyfried; Sydney Sweeney; and Brandon Sklenar.

Oh....welcome back...Elizabeth Perkins!!

It is bat shit crazy fun, even better if you never read the book. Oh...Is that light fixture hair? Oh lord.

Oh a really good soundtrack helps!!

I need a fucking sandwich!

My number 10 film of 2025...The Housemaid.

9

TRAIN DREAMS

Train Dreams is directed by Clint Bentley, and based on the novel written by Denis Johnson. The film follows the life of a logger, and railway worker Robert Grainier played wonderfully by Joel Edgerton. The film is gorgeous and almost mesmerizing. A great score by Bryce Dessner leads us through centuries of joy, sadness, and wonder. I still cannot stop thinking about this film. A lot happens and often nothing is happening. The film is almost haunting.

I wanted to also note, a nice performance by Felicity Jones as Robert's wife Gladys.

I was lucky to see a screening of it on the big screen at the beginning of the year before it went to Netflix. Just beautiful and soft. I know it may not be for everyone...but I really liked it.

My number 9 film of 2025... Train Dreams!

8

ZOOTOPIA 2

It is funny, I thought this movie was good when I saw it the first time, and then I saw it again and I caught the layers, that are kinda shocking for an animated film. The stories of love of and friendship; the traditions of family and culture;  and persistence..never giving up. 

Great voice work by Ginnifer Goodwin back as Judy Hopps; Jason Bateman back as Nick Wilde; and Ke Huy Quan as Gary De'snake.  

Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard the film so far has made 1.8 Billion dollars...That with a B. A much needed win for Disney studios.

 Perfect for adults and children.

Hey Bub my number 8 film, of 2025...ZOOTOPIA 2

So you already see...this will not be a list of many Oscar contenders. 

7-6-5 come next

From the shadows as always thanks for your time!!

My 5 Worst Films Of 2025!!!

 Five...films I feel that once you watch them, you will regret it because you will never get the time back.

Last year's number 1 worst film was a film called Babes. So which movie will take the trophy or toilet bowl away from Babes?

5

HOT MILK

A small film that looked interesting. A mother and daughter go away. Daughter starts to break away from controlling mother. Mother acts a bit cra cra. NO...this story was so slow and boring and went nowhere. There was no point at all.

Number 5 for my worst...HOT MILK

4

SKETCH

Oh boy this looked promising. A young girl, going through grief, whatever she sketches ends up becoming real.  This was really bad. People with children walked out. It is somewhat scary. Makes no sense. No reasoning. The storyline is boring. And its Angel Studios?! 

Number 4 worst film is ...SKETCH

3

YOU ME & HER

A couple decides to spice up their relationship by having a threesome.

A dumb plot..with a story that goes nowhere.

I cant tell if this was poorly acted by the two leads Selina Ringel and Ritesh Rajan or do they just have no chemistry or maybe both. They are both unlikable...then throw in a third person Sydney Park who is also unlikable and miscast. Its all bad.

Number 3 for the worst movie of 2025...You Me & Her

2

LOVE HURTS

A very bad film. It is supposed to be funny, I did not laugh. Action packed, unrealistic and boring.

Miscast...how can you have two Oscar winners and fail so badly. Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose, and they are sooooo miscast, and have no chemistry. Director Jonathan Eusebio gave us this ridiculous film that has a plot with sooooo many holes, that after awhile I just didn't care.

My number 2 worst film of 2025...Love Hurts...watching it hurts more.

So I was sure Love Hurts, which was the 7th movie I saw in 2025 way back in February, was a lock for the worst...then this happened:

1

WEAPONS

I am not a horror guy, you know that. However this had a good buzz so off I went. People love this film. I think it was nothing but trash. If torturing a bunch of children is something you like to watch...have at it. Especially one young student who is being tortured and watches his parents get their minds wiped. This is entertainment????!! Then at the end, you hope everything goes back to normal. NO!No one gets better. What happens to the Julia Garner character? The only one who actually cares about the children! We never find out. I know Amy Madigan got an Oscar nomination for this. She was barely in the movie! Tells you a lot about Hollywood....lets give a nomination to a person playing a witch harassing children.

This movie was garbage!!!

So the movie Babes step aside...WEAPONS is my worst film of 2025!!

Okay my top ten films are coming soon for 2025!!

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.

Ranking The Films I Watched In The Theaters This January!!!!!!!

 Well January and August in the cinema world are usually dump months. This is the time where production companies will throw a film into the cinemas, that during screen testing did not do very well. They hope to recoup some cash then throw it out to a screening service. January and August are historically slow months in the cinemas, and this is why they choose to throw these films out because there is really no competition. 

Now January is also the month where small films that are Oscar contenders get a wider showing.

Sooooo long story short...this is what January brought to my local cinema...7 Films.

7

THE DUTCHMAN

Directed by Andre Gaines

I had hope. It sounded intriguing. Clay (played by Andre Holland) is bored in his marriage. Runs into the batshit crazy Lula (Kate Mara) and well..you can see. I was hoping for suspense. I got a boring deep melodrama and could not stand everyone in this film.  My first 2026 film is a top contender for film of the year already.

6

THE SECRET AGENT

From 2025. Oscar nominee for Best picture. This film shows you the sad state of the Academy Awards, and how voters are such sheep. This film is a cluttered mess at almost 3 hours...and I will never get my 3 hours back. This takes place in Brazil 1971. Too many stories. Too many loose ends. Poorly edited. Jumps in time leaving the viewer confused. A beginning that starts wonderful but has nothing to do with the film.

It's not good. Well acted however. So sad.

5

A PRIVATE LIFE

From 2025. Jodie Foster in a French Film. She plays a therapist who believes her patient did not kill herself, but was murdered. So she investigates using the help from her ex-husband Gabriel (Daniel Auteuil).

Its an odd film, its not as much of a mystery then comedy drama about personal growth. Lilian is a therapist who kinda does not listen to everything around her including her patients. I liked it, did not love it but liked it. Maybe worth a look on streaming.

4

MERCY

Starring Chris Pratt as Chris Raven, a detective on trial for murdering his wife. He had only hours to prove his innocence. Rebecca Ferguson cashes in here playing an AI Judge Maddox. It is not as bad as what critics are saying; at the same time it is kinda silly and it goes off the deep end near the finish.

3

SHELTER

I don't have to give you the plot! Its freaking Jason Statham dammit! I am a sucker for a Jason Statham movie. This one, like last year in January The Beekeeper delivers exactly what you want action and suspense and humor. Good story. Great bad guy played by Bill Nighy. Plus a really good performance by Bodhi Rae Breathnach as the young Jessie. At one point I was so into this I was saying out loud ...crush him..crush him.  See it ..Its Statham!!

2 

SEND HELP

Well unless you are living under a rock, you know the plot. 

Rachel McAdams is a national treasure...that's all.

Throw in it is Sam Raimi...

The movie is suspenseful and exciting , and sometimes you switch who you cheer for. I just wish it closed better...that's all.

1

IS THIS THING ON?

What happens here. What happened to the marketing of this film. This movie is really good.

Directed by Bradley Cooper. Follows a relationship that is broken between Alex played by Will Arnett and Tess played by Laura Dern. It's honest. Sometimes it's hard to watch. Sometimes hilarious.Sometimes awkward. There are also moments that Cooper does well as a director, he lets the camera just sit on moments and no words needed. LOOOOVE!

Is it perfect. No...Peyton Manning?...The ending? Still I really like this film, I was all in. How did this not get recognition from the Academy but The Secret Agent did?

Well there is January. There is a lot coming now. My Top Ten of the year. My five worst of the year. Shadow Awards. Oscar Picks.  

So stay tuned.....From the shadows as always thanks for your time!!!

Second Of 52 Films You Should Watch, Or Need To Take A Second Look At This Year

 

Here is Number 2, of 52 films I feel you must see this year. 

There is a trend online to post pictures of yourself from 2016 (10 years ago); so I decided ....let me go back to 2016.

The one thing I noticed as I looked back 10 years ago, 2016 films seemed to be so much more fun, or interesting as a whole compared with 2026. No messages to try to gain approval from a group, they just put it out there for the viewer to decipher and enjoy. 20126 was a very good year for small films.

Well here is my number 2 of 52 you must see....

Set in Ireland, Cosmo's (Walsh-Peelo) family is having money trouble. So now he has to go to a "rougher" school. Along the way he meets a beautiful girl (Boynton) and he tries to impress her by starting a band with some of his new classmates.

First this film would make a great Broadway Musical, and it almost was, it was ready to go and then COVID hit and it just died.

From Director and writer John Carney, It is a musical. It is a comedy. It is a love story.

What makes it work? The three leads perfectly cast. Three actors I have never seen before in film!!
Walsh-Peelo as Cosmo. He is smart and funny and brave. Yes, he does not have the perfect voice, however that even works. He is a teenager with dreams. His voice is not going to be perfect but that makes the film real. Walsh-Peelo owns this character.
Lucy Boynton as Raphina is a find!! She is beautiful. Smart and funny. She also adds a sensitivity to her role. Just wonderful. Boynton understands that sometimes a look says a lot more than a word. Sometimes young actors try to push and explode in their parts. She lets her character almost smolder.
Jack Reynor as Brendan, Cosmo's brother. I think I love his character the most. He is like a Yoda to his brother. He also has a little remorse or longing for things he did not do, or that he was not brave enough to do. I thought Reynor. was really good.

Screenplay:
It is almost a teenage version of another Irish film, The Commitments.
A sweet love story with humor.
Some pretty good 80's music, and some bad 80's music. Strangely, even the bad music is enjoyable.
There is a story line about being bullied and how to handle it. Also, there is something here about  finding your niche in an atmosphere where you feel like you are on the outskirts.
Still all these story lines are under one big umbrella about following your dreams.

You can rent Sing Street for a mere $3.99 on Amazon, you can thank me later.