BEST FILMS OF 2025

 LIST WEEK RULES  RECAP:

- It doesn't matter what year the film was made as long as I saw it for the first time in 2025.

- I have to watch the film in it's entirety for it to make a list

Merry Christmas! I'll be taking a break over the Christmas/ new year holiday season and I will be back on the 5th of January in the new year.

HERE WE GO, we are finally here, the big boy list. I'm not going to beat around the bush and I will keep this introduction brief. here are in my opinion the best films I saw in 2025. 

20. A GHOST STORY (2017)

I really loved the story that was told, didn’t make it higher though due to this film being one of those that you either get or you don’t and with minimal dialogue it won’t be for everyone.

19. RHYMES FOR YOUNG GHOULS (2013)

             I enjoyed this drama much more than I thought I would, well worth seeking this one out.

18. WHEN EVIL LURKS (2023)

I have no idea what I was expecting but I wasn’t expecting that, the amount of tension on display was

 remarkable. 

17. LILO AND STITCH (2025)

A feel-good family film, one of the only Disney live action remakes I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

16. JACOBS LADDER (1990)

This is a horror film but also not in a way. I know that makes no sense but that is as much as I am willing to say without spoiling anything. Go check this one out.

15. TOOMELAH (2011)

An Australian drama about a young indigenous boy who lives in a remote community, very eye opening as the subject matter is very close to home.

14. PIG PEN (2015)

A coming-of-age film that takes a turn into the most insane clusterfuck I have seen in a long, long time, this one must be seen to be believed as I’m not doing it justice.

13. THE DEAD GIRL (2006)

One of, if not the bleakest film I’ve seen this year. I felt deflated by the end and that was its mission, to let you know that sometimes life has no happy ending.

12. THE FLORIDA PROJECT (2017)

There is something oddly innocent about seeing kids be kids and this film captures that perfectly.

11. THE BIKE RIDERS (2024) 

I regret not going to see this one in theatres, especially with how much I ended up loving it. As a crime film it is well worth your time.

10. WHEN THE WIND BLOWS ( 1986)

Tragic, when you first realize the dire situation, the main characters find themselves in and then secondly that it’s only going to get worse, this film is designed to break you, where it succeeds and then some. 

9. THE SAMURAI (2014)

Just haunting, this was nothing like what I expected, and it turned out to be riveting as a result, another must watch.

8. FLEE (2021)

This animated documentary was a mesmerizing and thought-provoking account of life as an illegal immigrant and the challenges they face.

7. SINNERS (2025)

A vampire film that was way better than perhaps it ever should have been. This film blew me away. Well worth a watch.

6. LEON: THE PROFESSIONAL (1994)

As heartfelt as it is action packed, this film caught my attention, dragged me in and did not let go, was great from beginning to end.

5. FRANCIS BACON AND THE BRUTALITY OF FACT (1987)

A fascinating look into the mind of one of the art world’s more interesting figures. 

4. A MAN CALLED OTTO (2022)

I loved this one way more than I thought I would, Tom Hanks performance was great, and he really delved deep into the role. Give this one a go you won’t be disappointed. Will make you laugh, cry and all the things in between.

3. AWAY (2019)

A film that paints a beautiful story without using a single word, sure the animation can be a little spotty in places BUT it more than makes up for it with the world building.

2. PREDATOR: BADLANDS (2025)

This film was fantastic, I had high hopes due to the hot streak this franchise has been on since “PREY”, and it smashed my expectations out of the ballpark.

1. MEMOIR OF A SNAIL (2024)

The world that is on display in this film could only have been created by Adam Elliot. A truly unique, heartwarming experience that is a must watch, this film is further proof that Adam is a master of his craft.

 

 

 

 

WORST FILMS OF 2025

 LIST WEEK RULES  RECAP:

- It doesn't matter what year the film was made as long as I saw it for the first time in 2025.

- I have to watch the film in it's entirety for it to make a list

Half way through the list week 2025 and we arrive at the first of two main lists. Tomorrow we have the best of what 2025 had to offer, Unfortunately today we have the worst.

15. THE SURFER (2024)

I was so excited to see this and when I did, I had no idea what was going on. It left me so confused and it was a shame because I had high hopes.

14. JINDABYNE (2006)

It is a drama film where most of the drama has been forced by the wife of the lead character, there was also no resolution to any of the events in the film leading me to go “is that it?”.

13. HOLMES & WATSON (2018)

A film starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly is a proven formula to be a smash hit, so why was this movie such a misfire? A serious blunder for all involved. 

12. CRYWOLF (2005)

A film that likes to think of itself as smarter than it is, but unfortunately, it’s just surface level. Full of unlikable characters.

11. ANOMALISA (2015)

Stop motion oral sex, that’s all I need to say.

10. FIXED (2025)

Just sex and fart jokes for 90 minutes. Nothing of substance with an unfunny gag throughout of nana humping.

9. SPEED RACER (2008)

This movie was just dumb with cheesy FX and horribly written.

8. DADDY DAUGHTER TRIP (2022)

This film tried to be a fun family road trip film in the style of “are we there yet?” and “RV”. Yet with none of the budget of any of those this failed miserably, also I couldn’t help but feel that Rob Schneider looked disgusting.

7. THE SLAMMIN SALMON (2009)

Unfunny, bland and forgettable.

6. RATKO: THE DICTATORS SON (2009)

An unfunny Borat ripoff that rubs the once great National Lampoon Name further into the ground.

5. LOST IN SPACE (1998)

This film looked so horribly cheap that it took me out of the story completely. Matt Leblanc also took this role way too seriously.

4. WICKED: FOR GOOD (2025) 

An overblown dismantling of the Wizard of Oz that left a sour taste in my mouth, utter slop.

3. ULTRAMARINES: A WARHAMMER 40,000 MOVIE (2010)

This film could have been great instead it looks like it was animated on a game cube.

2. GRIMCUTTY (2022)

This film had to have been made by an elderly man who has a vendetta against technology because there is no other reason for this film to exist. 

1. FIFTY SHADES FREED (2018)

The 3^rd Film is also the worst of the three WHICH BY THE WAY is not saying much, the lowest barrel of “entertainment” I’ve ever had the misfortune of laying my poor eyes upon. Please for the love of all things holy, avoid this like the plague.

HELLBOY: BLOOD AND IRON (2007) REVIEW

              The comic comes to life in this animated film, featuring the voices of the original live action cast

              3.5 out of 5 STARS.

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS 2025

LIST WEEK RULES  RECAP:

- It doesn't matter what year the film was made as long as I saw it for the first time in 2025.

- I have to watch the film in it's entirety for it to make a list

2025, Another of many firsts for me in terms of films. Here are 10 that just narrowly dodged the year end list!

THE STRANGERS (2008)

A high octane horror film that doesn't rely heavily on gore and more on mind games, definitely recommend to fans of the genre. 

SHOOT EM UP (2007) 

Action for actions sake, this film knows exactly what it is and completely owns it!

CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL (1993)

The first film by Trey Parker blew me away, it was great! so much better than what I was expecting.

THE VOURDALAK (2018)

A really fun vampire film that takes inspiration from the likes of Dracula and Nosferatu.

THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA (2005)

An interesting modern western film that takes influence from the Coen brothers.

CHEF (2014)

Hilarious and heart warming.

127 HOURS (2010)

This film had me thoroughly invested, I wasn't expecting to be blown away but I was.

NOTZILLA (2020)

A parody film which is limited by a low budget but more than makes up for it with charm.

DEATH OF A UNICORN (2025)

A balls to the wall film that I loved.

UTU (1983)

A "western" film from New Zealand, this film is a must see.

 

 

DISHONORABLE MENTIONS 2025

 

2025 is almost over and that means List Week 2025 has begun! I begin the week by dropping some "Dishonorable Mentions". Don't get me wrong these films were terrible BUT they didn't do quite enough to make the main list, so sit back and enjoy as I go through the muddy waters and let you know what to avoid.

LIST WEEK RULES:

- It doesn't matter what year the film was made as long as I saw it for the first time in 2025.

- I have to watch the film in it's entirety for it to make a list (NO turning it off).

In no particular order, here are the Dishonorable Mentions for 2025.

(GRAVITY) (2013)

I can't stand Sandra Bullock, but this film wasn't going to make the list on that fact.

(AMUSEMENT) (2008)

Made no sense and was not scary, very mediocre.

(COWBOYS & ALIENS) (2011)

Way too serious for its own good, this films flops hard as a result.

 FIFTY SHADES OF GREY (2015)

The only reason this never made the list is because another film in the franchise already has.

YOGA HOSERS (2016)

This hurt even more due to the fact that I'm a die hard Kevin Smith fan, I can't defend this one.

MADISON COUNTY (2011)

A film full of nothing.

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (2005)

A convoluted mess of a movie, didn't enjoy this at all, only reason it didn't end up on the worst films list is due to the fact that the film itself is well made, its contents though, terrible.