Before I share my Top Ten of 2025, I thought it might be fun to dish out my least favorite experiences watching movies this year. Like the agonizing aches and fever of bedridden flu, bad movies do exist, and they can make you just as sick. You wonder what else you could have done with your time and money and even consider taking up another hobby like botanic puppetry.
Please feel free to agree, disagree, or at least smirk at my reactions to these disappointments that sucked hours away from my life…
5. Sinners, Directed by Ryan Coogler
I saw Sinners when it was called From Dusk Til Dawn (1996). Aside from the mesmerizing juke joint time warp scene, this is merely a vampire flick with the same rules, gore, and predictability that come with the fangs. Who knew a promising Delta Blues extrapolation could be so underutilized?
4. Sentimental Value, Directed by Joachim Trier
Sentimental Value is so drenched in self-regard it forgets to offer any actual sentiment—or value. Trier is a talented filmmaker, no doubt, but this is such a droll take on the luxuriously tortured that only the house it’s set in deserves empathy. The Worst Person in the World (2022) was a true achievement in painting self-reflective regret. This one encourages the art of watching paint dry.
3. Freakier Friday, Directed by Nisha Ganatra
The TikTok brain got a hold of a pink cellphone to record Gen Z accept the presidency, and Disney/Starbucks covered the bill. The only good news is that the creativity team is pre-AI 12/2025.
2. The Pickup, Directed by Tim Story
Excruciatingly unfunny, and I blame the screenwriters, director, and all the actors, as well as the producers, cinematographer, editor, and Amazon Studios.
1. You’re Cordially Invited (brought to you by Amazon Studios), Directed by Nicholas Stoller
Overtly cynical, confounded in intention, mean-spirited, and at the bottom of Will Ferrell’s gigantic barrel. The wretched opera-accompanied slow motion can’t cover up the superficiality in the script. In an odd but unavoidable way, this “comedy” reminded me of Funny Games (1997, 2007), and I wished the characters would endure a similar demise.
Thank you for reading and be sure to share YOUR least favorite movies of 2025!
Best,
Reely Bernie
Reely Bernie 
Looks like you have 2 movies on your list that are guaranteed to get a Best Picture nomination. Sinners and Sentimental Value. I know I said that I didn’t get into Sinners as much as most people, but I can’t deny that it is a very well put together film that entertains. I also enjoyed Freakier Friday even if it didn’t compare to the original remake. Can’t vouch for your other choices, but I assume you haven’t seen War of the Worlds with Ice Cube or Disney’s live-action Snow White? Those would definitely be on my list.
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Sinners: a cool movie to look at, and you’re cool if you like it. I was bored. The setup to the juke was a drag, the juke scene was pivotal and missed a few targets, and the rest was banal vamp fare. I’m singing the blues with that one. I soaked in the indie pretentiousness of movies like “Sentimental” back in the 90s, but now that I have kids, I have no patience for watching overly privileged people whine. What were your faves or least faves of 2025, MasterMix? (The reviews of Ice Cube’s blunder were so bad that I didn’t waste a minute on it.)
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Well skewered, RB. Reserving judgment for “Sentimental Value” which I plan to watch soon. My Norwegian heritage and native-born Dad naturally have me pulling for this one.
God Jul, min venn!
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It’s good. Just not for me where I’m at in my life. I think I would have loved it ten years ago. I’ll leave it there. Still lots of potentials to catch up on this week and next! Happy Holidays to you and the fam, John!
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Write On!
And may many movies of ’26 kikkk us right square in the arse!
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Will do, bud. And, yes to the arse kicking, haha!
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Hey, my Colorado Maestro! I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a most joyous festive season. I know you will be high-salooning it – banging the keys in the midst of all the goings-on. Crap that Denver lost on Sunday after their streak.
Re. your post – I have to say ‘Freakier Friday’ was probably the worst time I’ve had in the cinema this year, although I found the clairvoyant scenes really funny. I chuckled as much as I could with my daughter alongside me. I found the movie quite enjoyable enough – ironically before it went into its whole body charade thingy.
I was expecting ‘Sinners’ to be a good movie. I was a huge fan of the first 2 Creed movies. But I might keep that and the ‘Sentimental Value’ candles burning right down the last of the wick – given your comments
Looking forward to your post on your best 2025 movies, although it’s almost certain we will differ on 1. Shhh, we can’t talk about it. Haha.
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Great to hear from you, good sir! We are hosting lots of family this week, so less ivory keys and more organized chaos! Absolutely wonderful catching up with the fam with 73-degree weather in Colorado. Only one snow day so far. A little concerning.
Regarding the flicks, it’s always fun listing a few duds that ruined the day, and I appreciate your empathy regarding “Freakier.” Still lots of new, theatrical releases to catch up on before the Top Ten, but I’ll catch up soon. Looking forward to “Marty Supreme.”
I hope you and your fam are well. What’s the plan this week?
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Organised Chaos is good. That sounds like a right royal uproar! I have no idea what 73 degrees means in your language. lol Are you implying us humans have spat on your Christmas weather? Hehe
Marty Supreme looks amazing. Everyone is crazy for it – it seems.
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