I always seek out "small" films directed by women because I know they don't last long at the theaters. "Good One" is a 2024 American film, with a terrible title, written and directed by first-timer India Donaldson and it's a beauty. A father takes his teenage daughter and a good friend on a camping trip in the Catskills and that's all I'll say. It's wonderfully acted by all three, especially by another first-timer Lily Collias. It's a character study and takes its' time to tell the story (very french in that way). So glad I saw it on the big screen.
I can only conclude that Hamnet has not yet been released in Barcelona as no other explanation could exist for its absence here. Also, new to me, but from 2024, My Old Ass was a magical find - cannot recommend highly enough.
IT HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED AND I'VE BEEN HAVING A VERY HARD TIME ABOUT IT, AMELIA! I've actually heard this re My Old Ass, I need to watch it soon! x
I cannot recommend Come See Me in the Good Light enough. It's the story of poet Andrea Gibson, their wife Megan, and their last year of a four year battle against ovarian cancer. They squeezed everything they could out of their time here, including giving one more reading, which they didn't know if they have the opportunity to. It's an incredible, life affirming story.
Thank you for this wonderful space! Oh, and so off topic (well it is about a movie) - but Wicked For Good. Regardless of the verdict about it over all (I may have mentioned this somewhere, if so apologies!) - I'm thrilled that Nessarose is being played by a woman with a disability (as is little Nessa - we have the same disability!), AND how well she's using her platform - from suggesting Nessa not be "fixed" (John Chu had the same idea, that's why she floats instead), to working with crew to make the set accessible, to clapping back at ableist comments on her socials! ❤️
Oh and for any Andrea fans who haven't heard, Ryan White the director has said he got enough footage of the poetry reading to make a whole second documentary!! 🥰
Loved Train Dreams! I read the novella as soon as I saw the trailer, and enjoyed both book and film. The film even drew out my favorite parts and minimized what I personally didn't love - so interesting when that happens.
There seemed to be some real pushback from fans of the novella, with a key incident being changed in the film, in a way that made the main character more likable. Have not the read the novella, I can’t really comment but can see how it would rankle and negatively color the film.
I did not like that that part was downplayed, so it's a fair point. For me it was a moment later in the book. However, the incident you mentioned does still haunt him throughout the film, so that aspect at least was intact.
Sorry, Baby broke me - haven’t sobbed that hard at the end of a movie in years. And I can’t even properly explain it. Thank you for this space and your writing!
I've been holding out on Sorry, Baby because I wanted to see it in theaters but I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and stream it, I've heard so many wonderful things about it. Thank you so much for reading, Gabrielle!! x
Ooh, La Grazia looks so good, will be keeping it on my radar! Same with Ida, added to my watchlist. Hamnet doesn't release here until a couple of weeks from now, which has been *killing* me but believe you me I'll have my little opinions very soon! x
Agree wholeheartedly with so many of these--also loved If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, Bugonia, and The Mastermind this year! And for offbeat foreign films, really enjoyed Peacock as well. I did not think The Secret Agent was as good as so many people are saying (great movie except for *the plot* which is unfortunately critical for me).
I've been avoiding Legs because the amount of anxiety it seems to promise stresses me out, but I love Rose Byrne and am keeping it on my watchlist for when I can handle it! I liked Bugonia and The Mastermind, too, actually, and haven't gotten a chance to see The Secret Agent yet, but am looking forward to it x
A perfect movie for festivities is Parenti Serpenti, highly suggested. Among the other movies I've seen this year: Shoplifters, Mickey 17, No other land, and to be honest I loved Predator: Badlands
A very late addition to the 2025 roundup, but Marty Supreme ended up being just as scintillating, stressful, and downright messy as we could have hoped for. Tonally similar to One Battle After Another and a worthy successor in the Safdie-verse, so no doubt you'll love it!
Bonjour, May we suggest you add the nouvelle film «French Lessons» to your watch list next, mon cher! 🧀 To find out how to watch just call +1-833-LRN-FRNC or email iamreadytolearnfrench@gmail.com 🫡
In addition to the transcendent film experiences that were OBAA and Sinners, I loved Hamnet, Sorry, Baby, Blue Moon, Black Bag, and this fall of four Josh O’Connor films.
I also started seeing more old movies in theaters this year, which I’ve really loved. Highlights: In the Mood for Love (stunning), Charade (delightful), Brokeback Mountain (entire theater was sobbing together), the 2005 Pride and Prejudice (the girlies version of a marvel release, wonderful), and Something’s Gotta Give (in memory of Diane Keaton).
I always seek out "small" films directed by women because I know they don't last long at the theaters. "Good One" is a 2024 American film, with a terrible title, written and directed by first-timer India Donaldson and it's a beauty. A father takes his teenage daughter and a good friend on a camping trip in the Catskills and that's all I'll say. It's wonderfully acted by all three, especially by another first-timer Lily Collias. It's a character study and takes its' time to tell the story (very french in that way). So glad I saw it on the big screen.
You had me at "character study," Patricia. Adding it to the list, thank you! x
Somehow forgot to mention its also heartbreaking
I can only conclude that Hamnet has not yet been released in Barcelona as no other explanation could exist for its absence here. Also, new to me, but from 2024, My Old Ass was a magical find - cannot recommend highly enough.
IT HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED AND I'VE BEEN HAVING A VERY HARD TIME ABOUT IT, AMELIA! I've actually heard this re My Old Ass, I need to watch it soon! x
this delay is an injustice to you, specifically, and to all of us, generally, as we need to hear your perspective!!!
I cannot recommend Come See Me in the Good Light enough. It's the story of poet Andrea Gibson, their wife Megan, and their last year of a four year battle against ovarian cancer. They squeezed everything they could out of their time here, including giving one more reading, which they didn't know if they have the opportunity to. It's an incredible, life affirming story.
I really need to watch this, thank you for the thoughtful rec, Amy! x
Thank you for this wonderful space! Oh, and so off topic (well it is about a movie) - but Wicked For Good. Regardless of the verdict about it over all (I may have mentioned this somewhere, if so apologies!) - I'm thrilled that Nessarose is being played by a woman with a disability (as is little Nessa - we have the same disability!), AND how well she's using her platform - from suggesting Nessa not be "fixed" (John Chu had the same idea, that's why she floats instead), to working with crew to make the set accessible, to clapping back at ableist comments on her socials! ❤️
Oh and for any Andrea fans who haven't heard, Ryan White the director has said he got enough footage of the poetry reading to make a whole second documentary!! 🥰
Some additional films I enjoyed this year:
28 Years Later (more low key horror that’s not really scary but is quite moving and profound at times)
Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man - less funny and more sincere but still winning
Phoenician Scheme: If you like Wes, you’ll probably like it (and if not, don’t bother)
Train Dreams: the lovely weight of a simple life (beautifully shot)
Watched 28 Years Later and Phoenician Scheme and liked them both! The other two are very much on my list!
Loved Train Dreams! I read the novella as soon as I saw the trailer, and enjoyed both book and film. The film even drew out my favorite parts and minimized what I personally didn't love - so interesting when that happens.
There seemed to be some real pushback from fans of the novella, with a key incident being changed in the film, in a way that made the main character more likable. Have not the read the novella, I can’t really comment but can see how it would rankle and negatively color the film.
I did not like that that part was downplayed, so it's a fair point. For me it was a moment later in the book. However, the incident you mentioned does still haunt him throughout the film, so that aspect at least was intact.
Sorry, Baby broke me - haven’t sobbed that hard at the end of a movie in years. And I can’t even properly explain it. Thank you for this space and your writing!
I've been holding out on Sorry, Baby because I wanted to see it in theaters but I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and stream it, I've heard so many wonderful things about it. Thank you so much for reading, Gabrielle!! x
When I first watched Cold War, I played Dwa Zerduszka on repeat for weeeeks and weeks afterward. The horn, the piano, her voice! Ahhhh!!! 😍
LOVED Sinners. My favorite movie of 2025.
Her VOICE!!! A heartwrenching thing. xx
Thanks for the recommendations. Since you liked Cold War, you should view his prior film Ida which is magnificent.
Two films I really enjoyed this year - Hamnet and Italian film La Grazia which had a sneak preview at Telluride Film Festival.
Ooh, La Grazia looks so good, will be keeping it on my radar! Same with Ida, added to my watchlist. Hamnet doesn't release here until a couple of weeks from now, which has been *killing* me but believe you me I'll have my little opinions very soon! x
thank you for no OBAA spoilers i'm abt finished reading vineland so planning to watch it in the next couple days lol
Agree wholeheartedly with so many of these--also loved If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, Bugonia, and The Mastermind this year! And for offbeat foreign films, really enjoyed Peacock as well. I did not think The Secret Agent was as good as so many people are saying (great movie except for *the plot* which is unfortunately critical for me).
I've been avoiding Legs because the amount of anxiety it seems to promise stresses me out, but I love Rose Byrne and am keeping it on my watchlist for when I can handle it! I liked Bugonia and The Mastermind, too, actually, and haven't gotten a chance to see The Secret Agent yet, but am looking forward to it x
A perfect movie for festivities is Parenti Serpenti, highly suggested. Among the other movies I've seen this year: Shoplifters, Mickey 17, No other land, and to be honest I loved Predator: Badlands
Ooh, noted on Parenti! And Mickey 17 was so funny to me, will never not appreciate Robert Pattinson doing his little voices x
Great list! Here are mine: https://jamesmortonwriter.substack.com/p/my-top-10-films-of-2025
Thx for sentimental value
A very late addition to the 2025 roundup, but Marty Supreme ended up being just as scintillating, stressful, and downright messy as we could have hoped for. Tonally similar to One Battle After Another and a worthy successor in the Safdie-verse, so no doubt you'll love it!
Bonjour, May we suggest you add the nouvelle film «French Lessons» to your watch list next, mon cher! 🧀 To find out how to watch just call +1-833-LRN-FRNC or email iamreadytolearnfrench@gmail.com 🫡
In addition to the transcendent film experiences that were OBAA and Sinners, I loved Hamnet, Sorry, Baby, Blue Moon, Black Bag, and this fall of four Josh O’Connor films.
I also started seeing more old movies in theaters this year, which I’ve really loved. Highlights: In the Mood for Love (stunning), Charade (delightful), Brokeback Mountain (entire theater was sobbing together), the 2005 Pride and Prejudice (the girlies version of a marvel release, wonderful), and Something’s Gotta Give (in memory of Diane Keaton).
correct! for the ones i've seen at least, and the others i will watch asap and just assume you're correct 🫡