What An “Upside Down” Year For Cinema!
I took this selfie of me in a movie theater – empty, because streaming services have cut into the heart of theatrical movie-going, and as we wrap up another year in film, one of the Hollywood’s most iconic studios is about to be sold for parts…
After more than a century, the end is near for Warner Brothers…it will either be bought by Skydance or by Netflix…and this studio will become nothing more than a empty vessel with a logo…sorry to bring you down, but I have worked in entertainment my entire career and it has never been as bad as it is now.
The iconic Hollywood sign now looks out over empty studio lots and massive unemployment in the entertainment industry, as the number of films and TV shot in LA continues to hover near all time lows…but, there were signs that unique voices brought a bit of hope to movie theaters in 2025…here are some of my favorite films of the year:
“Sinners”
Director Ryan Coogler delivered a messy, chaotic and mesmerizing vampire movie, taking place in 1932 Mississippi. Race, class structure and supernatural horror combine in a singularly unique vision.
Unique voices like this are helping to keep cinema alive.
If you needed a laugh in 2025 – and didn’t we all, we finally got an all out comedy back in a movie theater – thanks to funny man Liam Neeson?!?!?!
“The Naked Gun”
Hollywood has virtually stopped releasing comedies in movie theaters – most now just premiere on a streaming service – but this hilarious film changed that – as it brought back Police Squad’s Frank Drebin – well, his son at least!
The much needed sequel to the “Naked Gun” series in the 1990’s is hilarious! This is why we need movie theaters: a place to gather en masse and be entertained – this is a really funny movie to see in a packed theater!
We also need to be scared en masse, and this one did the trick!
“Weapons”
Another unique artistic vision, this time from Director Zach Cregger, who made the shocker “Barbarian.” In this film, school children in a small town suddenly disappear…who they are and why it happened make for a GREAT horror film…with a stunning performance by Amy Madigan!
Trust me, this is an intelligent horror film that is worth watching – another original voice in cinema this year that was a massive hit – so there are positive signs that Hollywood is fighting bak!
Next up, one of the year’s most acclaimed films:
“Hamnet”
Based on a best-selling novel, it’s the story of how William Shakespeare came up with his brilliant play “Hamlet”…and the powerful role his wife had in the creative process. The film is beautifully realized, with one of the most powerful endings I’ve ever seen.
As terrific as all of these films are, there was one that blew me away and was my choice for Best Picture of 2025:
“One Battle After Another”
Director Paul Thomas Anderson has given us such great films as “There Will Be Blood” and “Boogie Nights”, but this is his masterpiece.
Check out the trailer:
Leonard DiCaprio leads a stellar cast in a film about a terrorist group, then and now. It’s bold, powerful, and beautifully acted by an all-star cast.
It’s torn from today’s headlines, even though it was filmed a year ago….don’t see it as a political thriller, see it as a character-driven action movie that never lets up!
It has already won many national critics awards, so we will see how it does at the Oscars!
Here’s one more great film from 2025, with one of the greatest acting performances I’ve seen:
“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
Rose Byrne is mesmerizing in the role of a Mother dealing with a sick child…or is she?
In the early 70’s there was a film called “Diary Of A Mad Housewife” and this film could be called that…is Rose going mad? Are these things really happening to her? Byrne’s performance is one for the ages, as she is in every single scene…it’s a beautiful mix of surreal moments and gut-wrenching emotions…really powerful cinema!
Now, for all of the films that delivered in 2025, there were two that I hated SO SO much!
“Is This Thing On?”
Bradley Cooper directed this dreadful film about a couple who decide to break up – not that we ever really get a sense why they did – and he takes to standup comedy to ease the pain.
EXCEPT HE’S NOT FUNNY. NOT FUNNY AT ALL.
This film feels fake on every level: he quickly becomes close friends with all of the young budding standup acts who welcome an unfunny older man into their world? And worse, Laura Dern as the estranged wife has NO motivation for the things she does or says. One minute they are breaking up, then she shows its of intimacy, then gets mad because he framed the wrong picture of her.
And as for the “middle aged man sex symbol fantasy to young woman” bit, shame on everyone for including that.
Even worse is this film, which WILL be nominated for multiple Academy Awards:
“Marty Supreme”
Director Josh Safdie made the insufferable “Uncut Gems” a few years ago, which showed Adam Sandler being as obnoxious and annoying as any person can be onscreen. Well, the Director does the same to Timothee Chalamet, who is the most offensively unlikable person to grace the big screen since “Gems.”
I won’t even get into the plot, which apparently is based on the real-life exploits of a PROFESSIONAL TABLE TENNIS PLAYER.
I would have gone along with this film except that every single word out of Tiimothee’s mouth is obnoxious – oh, and he is a liar, a thief, a con man, a scoundrel, and completely devoid of empathy or compassion for anyone – and he says the most offensive things imaginable. He’s the “Donald Trump of table tennis.” Why did they think I’d want to endure this?
I know I will be targeted by some for this, but we can like or dislike anything we want – for as long as we live in a democracy…we will see.
As for Hollywood, I wish the best for our industry in 2026 and beyond, but times are tough…I cleared my head once by climbing up to the top of the sign that has been a welcoming beacon to all who wanted to make it in tinseltown…
Click here for a closer look and more videos of just how much fun it is:
After your strenuous hike, you will be hungry – and thirsty too! So make a reservation to eat at Hollywood’s oldest and most famous restaurant!
Musso & Frank is over a hundred years old, and even has its own star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame! And they make this!
Click here to see why they have the best Martini is the city!
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Here’s to getting out and seeing some great cinema in a movie theater, and for exploring classic Hollywood as well – if you enjoyed this, please share on social media – thanks!
Categories: Action Films, Art, Awards, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Hollywood, Horror films, Independent Cinema, Los Angeles, Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities, True Hollywood Mystery
johnrieber 
The entertainment industry is being bought up by sycophants. Shows are being cancelled right and left, and some of them have great ratings nonetheless. Sad state of affairs. Thanks for the post, John.
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Thank you for the note…yes, it’s all really falling apart – never been worse
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I still have to see some of these but I must say that I loved ‘one battle’ so much! I loved seeing it with an audience and we enjoyed the roller coaster ride together, the way it’s meant to be viewed. I worried about the industry too, and hopefully the studios can find their way through all of the changes
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I can’t imagine the movie industry would ever dry up. That’s a scary thought. I wonder if things are typically cyclical in the industry, highs and lows. Here’s to a new year, and a climb upward.
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Jennie, this is the most dramatic shift in the industry in my lifetime…the use of phones, YouTube and Tik Tok for entertainment has had a profound impact…legacy entertainment companies are a bit of the “typewriters” in entertainment…locked in the past, unable to navigate the new future…but we will see and continue to make content no matter where you choose to enjoy it! Thanks for your thoughts!
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This is both scary and terrible. Saying it’s the most dramatic shift in your lifetime speaks volumes. Interesting comment on the legacy entertainment companies. Nothing stays the same, and those who are ‘stuck’ need to think outside of their box. Continuing to make content is the key! Thanks for your insight, John.
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What a great roundup! I cannot wait to see the ones I haven’t yet to compare notes asap!
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Thank you for the note! I know my “Marty Supreme” reaction isn’t typical of most critics, but in a year when so many ugly, hurtful things have been said by far too many of our elected officials, I just didn’t want to hear it for two hours from Marty.
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It’s such a shame how cinemas are now nearly empty – our local Cineworld cinema is the same, and we’ve even wondered in the past how on earth they make a profit.
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Yes, a great communal experience at risk of being lost forever…thanks of your comment and happy new year!
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A very satisfying and ‘happy’ New Year to you and your darling wife – well, I am having my morning coffee on the 1st day of it! It better be better than the last. I also live over 40 kms from the nearest cinema and that is not in the most salubrious area, so, like Pete 🙂 !!! Having your career . . . what you say makes more than sense. With as many free-to-air TV stations as we have Down Under I don’t bother with any streaming services either, so am more than ignorant these days . . . since I have always been a Shakespeare ‘freak’ and played more than a few parts myself, would truly like to see ‘Hamnet’ . . . thanks!
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This is a great service you did….I do not keep up with movies and this will help me in any decisions I have to make. Thanx chuq
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I’m expecting a lot of blowback and that is fine – critics love “Marty” but with a horrible President in office I dont’want to watch a character who shares all of Frump’s worst antics…happy new year!
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Thanks for that 2025 roundup, John. I haven’t seen any of them, though I am especially keen to see ‘Weapons’, and ‘One Battle After Another’. I don’t have Netflix or streaming services, and live too far from a decent large-screen cinema to go and watch the films. I was also interested that you hated ‘Marty Supreme’, which is getting all the praise on social media. I cannot imagine wanting to sit through a film about a table-tennis cheat.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, we have a horrific President as you know, and Marty Supreme exhibits ALL of the worst of him: a con man, a liar, a Chet, and he said despicable things without remorse…reprehensible character so it was 2+ hours wasted on a thief!
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