Here are some films that wrapped up 2024 and a few that I've seen to start off 2025. All these films were released in 2024 except where noted 2025
FLOW--This animated film has no dialogue but it is riviting as a cat and a few other creatures must share a sail boat to survive a major flood to stay alive. There is no explanation here, just self preservation, and some sound effects and a little background sounds (like raining, twerping, barking, tweeting, etc), and the animation is lovely and thought provoking. In the animation categories I had been a fan of THE WILD ROBOT but after seeing FLOW I was happy to see it win the Oscar. GRADE----A
RIFF RAFF 2025--A funny, clever start to the new year, this film reminded me of the violence, humor and sarcasm of FARGO. A young man shows up at the luxury cabin of his father and new wife to hide from a nasty criminal hunting him down because the criminal's son was "accidentally" murdered by the young man. The father is played by Ed Harris, his new wife played by Gabrille Union (and her son - newcomer Miles J. Harvey is great). Bill Murray and Pete Davidson are amusing as the criminals, Ed Harris is solid as the ex-criminal and the hilarious Jennifer Coolidge is his ex-wife--still drunk and horny after many years. I enjoyed laughing a lot. GRADE----A
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN--Great performances by Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan, Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger lift this musical drama in subtle ways. The bonus--Chalamet sings and plays guitar and harmonic himself very well, as do the other artists. I've seen this one twice already and I've been engrossed both times. GRADE------A
GHOSTLIGHT--Viewed this Netflix film a second time after viewing on SIFF last May and it holds up well even as a low budget film. A troubled teen girl assumes her unemployed father is having an affair, but instead he is in a Shakespeare play--something which changes for the better the whole family dynamic. Even as a low budget affair, the film manages to pack a great emotional punch. GRADE-A-
THE BLACK BAG 2025-- Cheerfully twisted spy thriller about a married couple of spies who are forced to spy on each other. The mystery and suspense are tempered with humor and wit--sort of a low grade Hitchcock film--sort of a cross between SHADOW OF A DOUBT and SUSPICION, though to be honest, Hitchcock usually out does the BLACK BAG. Still, fun! GRADE--------A-
MICKEY 17 2025--This twisted sci-fi thriller has a man being constantly murdered, then resumed back to life to be studied--all in outer space . Boon Joon Ho, who directed PARASITE, has his tongue in cheek again and there is a strange likeness to last years POOR THINGS with the inclusion of an evil master scientist who runs thing, played by Mark RUFFALO, who is even more over the top than POOR THINGS, if that can be possible; also effective is Toni Collette, Steven Yeun and Robert Pattinson as the unfortunate Micky. GRADE----------B+
THE BRUTALIST--This epic looking film was filmed in VistaVision which was first used in 1954 but hasn't been used for over 40 years. This type of filming has allowed it to be seen in 70mm in many places around the world, and it might be worth it to see it that way. The many themes include immigration, capitalism, Jewishness, and new age buildings (brutalism in particular) were mostly engrossing and very serious, and I especially liked Oscar winner Adrian Brody and the sweeping dramatic score which was also awarded the Oscar. I had some issues with the plotting, especially the dropping of a major early on character, and a late in the film sequence of sexual abuse that seemed to come from nowhere. Still, an impressive effort--long but with a 15 minute intermission built in to the screening. GRADE- B+
THAT CHRISTMAS--A charming animated feature about kids left alone on Christmas Eve due to their parents van flips over in the snow, featuring voices by Bill Nighy and Brian Cox. The story was written by Richard Curtis (director/writer of LOVE, ACTUALLY). Sure to become a Christmas classic over the coming years. GRADE--------B+
QUEER--Based on the 1954 novel by William S. Burroughs and directed by Luca Guadagnino this story of a gay drug addict wasting away in Mexico is played by Daniel Craig with conviction and no pride. It is an astonishing commitment to character. GRADE--------B+
I'M STILL HERE--This film won the Oscar for best foreign language film, which I was happy to see, and the lead actresss Fernanda Torres, really carried the film and was very deserving of the nomination she got. GRADE---B+
MAGAZINE DREAMS--This film makes for uncomfortable yet compelling viewing and has some scenes and sequences that should propel many future discussions among serious film goers. That said, the film is not for everyone. I found it depressing and sad, yet star Jonathon Majors is a talent that can't be denied, and themes of mental illness, fantasy, racism, violence, drug use linger in the mind and won't be easily forgotten. GRADE------B+
THE FIRE INSIDE--Based on a true story of Claressa Shields, the first black female boxer to win a gold medal at the Olympics--twice in separate years. Ryan Destiny as Claressa and Brian Tyreee Henry as her manager are terrific together. GRADE--------B+
THE FOLLOWING FILMS WERE ALL GOOD AND RATED B:
NOVOCAINE--Bloody violence is the key here, but thankfully there is a lot of humor, as the lead cannot feel pain and uses this to search for his new girlfriend kidnapped by dangerous bank robbers. The plot is a bit predictable, and the ending is protacted, but there is a sweetness that helps soften this.
HIS THREE DAUGHTERS --Streaming, with Carrie Coons, Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen who meet to care for a dying father and realize they have more in common than they think in spite of living apart for many years.
JOY--Streaming British film about first IVF baby born, with James Norton and Bill Nighy.
SLY (STONE) LIVES 2025--Documentary directed by Questlove features interviews and lots of great music (Everybody is a Star, Everyday People, Stand, You Can Make It If You Try and others!)
THE BLITZ--Streaming British film staring Saoirse Ronan for director Steve McQueen set in WWII.
A BETTER MAN--British singer views his life as a monkey in spite of his popularity in this bio-pic.
PADDINGTON IN PERU 2025--His human family all help him find his granny in Peru.
JUROR #2--Streaming film directed by Clint Eastwood about juror who may know more about this case than he wants to know.
HARD TRUTHS--British director Mike Leigh's most difficult film features a painful lead by Marianne Jean-Babtiste, a woman in so much emotional pain that she can only scream and rant and complain even at those she loves. Fascinating but difficult to watch at times.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: A BRAVE NEW WORLD --New Marvel film features a new Captain played by Anthony Mackie with OK story, but the highlight for me was the final ten minute fight scene which has the President of the USA played by Harrison Ford throwing a major snit fit and turning into a RED incredible HULK and completely destroying the WHITE HOUSE, ROSE GARDEN and other national monuments. Talk about art imitating REAL LIFE! HA!
THE FOLLOWING FILMS WERE BETTER THAN AVERAGE--I RATED THEM B-:
NOSFERATU--Classic story of Dracula features dark and creepy visuals but nothing more than we know before.
MUFASA:THE LION KING--The animation is excellent--every hair on lion's faces is visible, but the story has been done many times before.
BETWEEN THE TEMPLES--Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane in story of older woman who wants her cantor friend to instruct her to a bat mitzvah. Film features witty and gentle sarcasm.
BACK IN ACTION--Streaming comedy/action about married spies who have retired to raise children, but get pulled back into spy business when they have stolen something that other spies have been searching for. Cameron Diaz , Jamie Fox and Glen Close get to play if for laughs and thrills.
SORTA PREGNANT--Streaming comedy with Amy Schumer pretending to be pregnant to impress new friends ? in silly but often hilarious comedy. Favorite scene has her giving fake birth to a turkey ?in front of hundreds of people.
EX-HUSBANDS--Sweet comedy drama about divorced middle aged man who needs a break so he books to Mexican resort unaware that his oldest son is holding his bachelor party in the same area with all his friends.
LEAST FAVORITE FILMS
THE MONKEY 2025--Violent, bloody film featuring weird ways for people to die--and plot made no sense at all, and there is no explanation about this deadly creature that causes such bloody violence.
BABYGIRL--Nicole Kidman has fantasy affair with young intern in her company even though she's married to Antonio Banderas, and she must do degrading things for her new sex partner. Ugh.
LOVE HURTS 2025-- Chaotic and violent comedy about real estate agent with a gangster past. Tries to be funny and slapstick, but no laughs here.
NICKEL BOYS--Avant garde film with shaking camera about best friends sent to boys prison, but film misses chance to be moving by being so confusingly shot.
YOU'RE CORDIALLY INVITED- 2025-Streaming film about two wedding parties booked in the same resort at same time, so they try to share it. Humorless, even with Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon involved. Needed a better script.
SUMMER CAMP--In spite of some of my favorite actors (Kathy Bates, Diane Keaton, Alfre Woodard, Eugene Levy etc.) there are no laughs or plot in this pointless, stupid film.
VINTAGE FILMS DECEMBER--FEBRUARY
A ROOM WITH A VIEW 1985--Lovely and smart and cerebral. GRADE------A
THE NARROW MARGIN 1952--Even better than the 1990 remake with Gene Hackman and Anne Archer, this low budget thriller keep me engaged for an hour before I remembered I'd seen it several years ago--and still the ending surprised me. GRADE------A-
LIFEBOAT 1944--Cruise ship is sank by the Nazis--a strange group of survivors climb aboard this small LIFEBOAT, including a German captain. Even Hitchcock manages his brief cameo. Tallulah Bankhead is a standout. Based on a story by John Steinbeck. GRADE--------A-
LAST NIGHT IN SOHO 2021--British comedy drama thriller ghost musical ! story with Thomasin McKenzie, Anne Taylor-Joy and in her last role, Diana Rigg. GRADE A-
MY NAME IS ALFRED HITCHCOCK 2022--British director Mark Cousins uses an actor to narrate some of Hitchcock's words and uses many film clips to show the real genius of Hitch. This is a must-see for Hitchcock fans with some fascinating insights to many scenes and sequences. GRADE--A-
GOOD MORNING MISS DOVE 1955--Based on a popular novel, Jennifer Jones and Robert Stack star in this sentimental melodrama about a severe teacher's memories as she lies ailing in a hospital. Very moving at times. GRADE------B+
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2006--Amusing parody of US fashion industry with funny turns by Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. GRADE----B+
ASSASSINATION BUREAU 1969--Silly but clever story about woman trying to kill off the leader of said club with Diana Rigg and Oliver Reed. GRADE-----B
THE FOLLOWING FINE FILMS ARE ALL RATED B:
CAT DADDIES 2022---Yes, men and their love of cats.
MOTHER 1996--Albert Brooks loves his mom (Debbie Reynolds.)
THE FAMILY STONE 2005--Family gathers at Christmas with mother Diane Keaton
A LITTLE WHITE LIE 2023--A non-reader is mistaken for a one hit author and asked to a book
RATED C
SPARKLING CYANIDE 2003--TV movie based on novel by Agatha Christie.
INVITATION TO MURDER 2003--Want to be Agatha Christie tale is ho hum. 1945--Film noir filmed in Honolulu is dull--with Wendell Corey, Evelyn Keyes and Elsa Lanchester
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