A few days ago, we kept our tradition and unveiled our favorite movies of the past year. Now it’s time to pick our absolute favorite of 2025, and with the commercial success and critical acclaim of the likes of One Battle After Another and Sinners, it’s no simple task.
Thankfully, we’ve got more than a decade worth of experience doing this and we basked in a bunch of great movies all the live long year.
Find out which topped our list and along the way enjoy a deep, serpentine discussion about the cinema that stood out and left an impression.
Timeline
00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings
01:23 Reflecting on the Year in Movies
09:54 Favorite Beverages and Listener Shoutouts
13:39 Diving into the Best Movies of the Year
14:01 Unexpected Movie Highlights
28:24 Breaking Down Cynicism in French New Wave Cinema
29:32 Exploring Unconventional Films and Performances
30:10 Debating the Merits of After the Hunt and Bugonia
37:45 The Polarizing Life of Chuck and Its Unique Appeal
40:49 Celebrating Genuine and Earnest Storytelling
42:29 Top Four Films of the Year: An Overview
59:42 Leo’s Versatility and Performance in One Battle After Another
01:01:59 The Propulsive Nature of One Battle After Another
01:03:50 Sean Penn’s Unbelievable Performance
01:05:17 Benicio Del Toro vs. Sean Penn: Best Supporting Actor Debate
01:10:34 Ryan Coogler’s Sinners: A Box Office Hit
01:18:12 Michael B. Jordan’s Dual Role and Performance
01:27:55 The Joy of Cinema and Final Thoughts
