2025 Yearly Wrap-Up

Another year, another wrap. As society continues to spiral into Orwellian madness, I continue to catch up with various pieces of entertainment to help me ignore the dark side of the world and escape to experiences that are engaging or thought-provoking. Last year, I spent much of it going through the catalog of James Bond films, coincidentally finishing my review blitz in time for the end of the year. This time, I’ve been making my way through the first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and there’s still plenty to go. Since I will make a list at the end ranking each movie in the Infinity Saga of the MCU, those films will be exempt from my best and worst lists. However, there were plenty of other movies I watched this year that are worth noting. There were some video games worth talking about, too.

Best Thing I Watched

Late Night With the Devil (2023)

Late Night With the Devil is a charming, small movie that does a lot right. It effectively captures the look and style of the 1970s late-night talk show. It moves at a brisk enough pace to keep you interested throughout its 90-minute runtime. It has moments in which dialogue establishes something for the audience to consider before revealing the truth later. The actors all do a great job with the material. Frankly, I didn’t praise this movie enough in my review for how well it works. Having watched it two more times since then, my appreciation for it has only increased. The acting, the dialogue, and the subtlety contained within them do a lot to make it such a satisfying experience.

My only real issue with it is that it claims to be a found-footage movie, but then it has “behind-the-scenes” footage that looks and sounds too good and is too well directed to fit that style. Those scenes are important to the story it’s trying to tell, but they just don’t quite fit with the aesthetic this movie so brilliantly manages to capture in other scenes. Still, it’s really just a nitpick for an otherwise great horror film to check out if you haven’t already seen it.

Honorable Mentions

Nosferatu (2024)

Robert Eggers immediately caught my attention as a director and creative to keep my eye on when I watched The Witch in 2016. The Lighthouse further reinforced that idea, as his sophomore effort proved to be a unique and intriguing experience that I really enjoyed. The Northman proved he wasn’t perfect, as I found that to be a slightly overly stylized and indulgent retelling of Hamlet that didn’t really work for me, but I had faith that, having him behind the camera for a retelling of the classic silent film, Nosferatu, I was going to see something special.

It most certainly had the look and style of an Eggers film from start to finish, and it managed to evoke similar artistic perspectives that reminded me of Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula from the 1990s. Eggers’ rendition of this classic vampire tale is horrific and ominous, oozing with gothic tones and sensuality. Acting from the entire cast was convincing and captivating. The music was intense and ominous. This movie has a style to it that evokes a similar German expressionism look of the original, with the various angles to the shots and how the cities look, while maintaining its own identity.

Oddity (2024)

I considered listing Weapons for being a somewhat unique horror experience, but that was a major motion picture that got a lot of attention. It was still a good movie that I thoroughly enjoyed, but I’d like to recommend another horror story that is unique but less well-known. Oddity is a low-budget Irish horror movie that plays off of mysticism and folklore in interesting ways. It has some tense moments that are creepy and harrowing. It’s also a movie that is best watched cold without knowing exactly what to expect because of the mystery and the surprises, so I’ll leave it there and just say you should watch it.

The Killer (2023)

David Fincher doing a movie about a professional assassin? Sign me up! I didn’t know what to expect from The Killer, and the trailers certainly didn’t line up with the actual movie, but when it was all done, I was thoroughly satisfied by what I had seen. It’s a bleak, intriguing story about a rightfully paranoid and meticulous assassin who botches a job and has to deal with the fallout from it. A lot of effort is put into giving the audience insight into his mind and understanding what his thought process is. It’s something of a slow-burning drama film, so don’t go in expecting something like John Wick or The Bourne Identity, and you might enjoy it.

Star Trek: The Original Series

Image: Paramount

I grew up watching Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine with my parents in the ‘90s, which gave me an appreciation for science fiction and the franchise. While I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard fan, having stopped watching Star Trek shows midway through Voyager’s run, I still had a curiosity for the earlier shows I hadn’t seen. I hadn’t bothered to go back to where it all began until this year, and I feel like I’ve been missing out. Cheesy as some of it is, the show deals with some legitimately interesting scenarios. It has also convinced me that if I were choosing Kirk or Picard, I’m fully in Kirk’s camp. He gets mocked for kissing a lot of aliens and for being a jock in comparison to Picard’s diplomat archetype, but he’s often forced to make incredibly tough and smart decisions that I think make him a superior captain.

Worst Thing I Watched

Skinamarink (2022)

I wouldn’t even call this a movie. It’s an art project that should have been less than five minutes long. Instead, it’s 80+ minutes of nothing with a single jump scare to remind you it’s supposed to be a horror movie. While movies like The Room and Troll 2 are often considered the worst movies ever made, things like Skinamarink are far worse because there is no entertainment in the experience. It’s boring, pointless, and irritating. Don’t watch it.

Dishonorable Mentions

The Dead Don’t Die (2019)

The Dead Don’t Die is lucky that I decided to watch Skinamarink this year. I didn’t know anything about this movie before I watched it, but that didn’t stop me from having expectations with its extensive cast of notable actors. These expectations were not met, however, as The Dead Don’t Die is a terrible attempt at either being a comedy or a zombie horror film. There are multiple instances in which the acting of talented actors falls flat. The special effects are pitiful. Worst of all, the jokes don’t land. I snorted a handful of times, but never did I get beyond a single chuckle. Even Adam Driver couldn’t save this mess.

Alien: Romulus (2024)

I could have opened this wrap-up with “Another year, another crappy entry in the Alien franchise,” but I haven’t seen Alien: Earth yet and don’t want to, so I’ll take my disappointment out on Romulus instead. I know this movie did well at the box office and is getting a sequel because of that fact, but I think Romulus sucks. Sure, it’s not as infuriating as Covenant was, but that movie was still attempting to do things unique to itself. This is soulless nostalgia-bait of the highest order that only serves to damage other movies in the same franchise while doing some questionably ethical things involving actors who are no longer alive. It may look nice on its surface, but it is hollow and vapid. It’s the equivalent of a nutrition bar in a colorful wrapper that is made up of ground-up bugs.

Happy Gilmore 2 (2025)

Would you look at that? Two so-called comedies on the list. The Dead Don’t Die was definitely worse in terms of overall enjoyment, or lack thereof; however, it was still trying to do something more original and managed to make me exhale with enough force to be confused with a laugh. Happy Gilmore 2 commits the same sins as Alien: Romulus in that it relies heavily on material from its predecessor and does next to nothing to deserve its existence. I didn’t laugh once and found the overreliance on the first movie and cameos to distract you to be profoundly irritating.

The Pit and the Pendulum (1991)

There is really only one reason to watch this movie: Lance Henrikson. He gives an insane performance that is completely over the top. However, the ridiculousness of his acting is not enough to make up for the stupid moments that transpire in this movie or the meandering plot. You’re far better off reading the Edgar Allan Poe short story.

Middest Thing I Watched

These are the pieces of media that I saw and had some thoughts, but didn’t necessarily feel positive or negative enough to do much more than shrug my shoulders. Some were on the verge of something good, while others were dipping in the opposite direction. These either fall just below the good or just above the bad movies I haven’t already mentioned, but you might still enjoy them.

The Gorge (2025)

I have to admit, I was curious about The Gorge before I saw it. The premise sounded interesting, and I was open to a blending of Lovecraftian horror and romance. It started out well enough in the first half, showing only a little of the creatures that dwell beneath the mist of the chasm and focusing on the growing relationship between the protagonists. It was fun, and it had some charm. Then the halfway point involves them exploring the titular canyon, and the movie sh*ts the bed. Too much is shown. Too much is explained. What you ultimately learn makes little sense, and everything is capped off by an ending that left me saying, “Meh.”

Mehhhh Mentions

Crimson Peak (2015)

Crimson Peak was a movie I had been putting off for a while. I tend to like Guillermo del Toro’s stuff, but I just was not in the biggest rush to see this. When I finally did, I came away thinking, “That was just okay.” While the “midness” of The Gorge can be broken up by the first and second half of the movie, Crimson Peak is more granular in how it has some good stuff mixed with some dumb stuff. It has some cool sets and the typical brilliance that comes with del Toro’s direction. It also has a predictable and dull plot, as well as some poor digital effects. There are some good aspects to pull from, but it’s a weak entry in del Toro’s portfolio.

Demon Baby Movies

I didn’t expect to watch so many horror movies in which a woman becomes impregnated with the seed of something supernatural. I was also surprised by the fact that they all came out the same year. It’s another one of those phenomena where movie makers were all on the same page in some way, though Immaculate was in production hell for several years, so it’s a miraculous coincidence it was birthed the same year as the other two. I might have to do a comparison article someday. Regardless, all three of these are middle-of-the-road with their own pros and cons. I have my preference for one, but I still wouldn’t call any of them amazingly good or bad.

It Lives Inside (2023)

It Lives Inside starts out with promise. The evil creature is mysterious and interesting, and the dynamic of the family creates some believable and empathetic drama. However, it makes the same mistake as many other monster movies, and it reveals far too much about the creature and ultimately makes it an impotent threat.

Even Mehhhhher Mehhhhhntions

Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023)

I’ve seen my share of Dracula movies. I love the novel that has inspired so many movies about the infamous vampire. The Last Voyage of the Demeter is about as middle-of-the-road as you can get when taking inspiration from Dracula’s story. It’s essentially a knock-off of Alien on the high seas with Dracula playing the role of the xenomorph. It has its moments, but it also does nothing to stand out.

Woman of the Hour (2023)

I heard good things about Woman of the Hour prior to seeing it. Upon initial impressions, it seemed like it was going to be interesting with some great acting by the main cast members. Then I noticed the true narrative, which then alerted me to the fact that there wasn’t really a throughline of a plot, just a series of scenes connected to a single individual and edited in a nonchronological order to push the same one-sided message I’ve been hearing for years. It still has good moments and some good acting, but once I saw what the movie is really about, I couldn’t unsee it, so I got bored.

Maxxxine (2024)

Of the X trilogy (X, Maxxxine, Pearl), Maxxxine is probably the worst. That isn’t to say it’s a bad movie, but it lacks the charm and intriguing dynamics of Pearl, as well as the surprises that X had. If you were to only see one movie of the three, I wholeheartedly recommend Pearl, as it has the most style and substance to its story, with a terrific performance by Mia Goth as the titular psychopath who is rapidly losing her sanity. X, while not as satisfyingly exploitation-style as I would have liked, still had some surprising and suspenseful moments and grisly deaths. Maxxxine has some gruesome murders, but a mystery that falls flat. It’s got its moments that work, and it gives Mia Goth more opportunities to show her acting abilities. It also doesn’t feel like a real conclusion. In other words, it’s a mixed bag.

Wolf Man (2025)

There are simply better werewolf movies out there. The original The Wolf Man from 1941 still holds up as a great psychological horror film that this movie tries to mimic in some way and utterly fails to replicate. An American Werewolf in London showcases some of the best practical and makeup effects you’ll ever see and makes the werewolf a terrifying creature. Wolfen tells a thriller about werewolf attacks taking place in a city and uses its visual storytelling techniques to say something bigger about society. Wolf Cop is a low-budget, funny experience with a very on-the-nose title. I’d recommend watching those instead if you haven’t seen them, but if you’re looking for a newer werewolf movie, this is that, I guess...

Trap (2024)

It’s an M. Night Shyamalan film. It’s got its positives and its negatives. Just keep the mute button close at hand for the musical sections.

Best Game I Played

This was a year of returning to previous games I had already played because, much like the movie industry, the gaming industry is not exactly thriving with new releases that I feel the need to play. There are a few that have been added to my library that were relatively new, but I have not gotten very far, like Clair Obscure: Expedition 33. I would have picked up Monster Hunter: Wilds, but I saw too much negativity surrounding it to be willing to pay its full or even discounted price. Instead, I returned to a previous Monster Hunter and tried a few indie games.

Balatro

What a simple and brilliant idea: Poker + Rogue-Like mechanics. Poker is already a fun game on its own, but when you add some random number generation with the influence of various situations, you create an addictive, fast-paced game that manages to surprise you with so little behind it. It’s small and simple enough that it’s an ideal game to take on the road with you if you are looking to kill some time.

Honorable Mentions

Hitman: World of Assassination

I took a break from HITMAN for a few months, but it was never uninstalled from my computer because I knew I’d get bitten by the bug again at some point. I was apparently away long enough, however, for IO Interactive to tweak some of the maps in ways I didn’t expect. New guards, new cameras, and new patrol routes were added to the Master versions of the maps, for which I was not prepared. So, I’m essentially learning the game all over again and having a blast. Several of the elusive targets have had additional layers of complexity to them that have made me even more interested lately.

Dredge

Dredge is a simple game with a simple gameplay loop: go fishing in seas that are influenced by some eldritch horrors, and avoid going insane as you discover relics to solve a mystery. As you fish, you get more money and gear to catch bigger fish and earn better boat equipment. Rinse repeat. The underwater monsters and the hallucinations add a great deal of flair to the experience, and the game is just short enough not to get dull. It’s a fun time.

Monster Hunter: World

Last year, I listed Monster Hunter: Rise as a disappointment. It wasn’t a bad game. It had some cool new mechanics to the traversal and combat, and some interesting new monsters to hunt. However, the world was barren and dull, as were the weapon and armor designs. It’s rare for a game’s presentation to be significant enough for me to turn against the obviously solid gameplay, but Rise managed to do it. I didn’t like the aesthetic and much preferred the environments and style of World. Diving back in again and starting over has been immensely satisfying and reignited my love for the game, and it has even made me interested in returning to Rise with some of that momentum. However, I also realized that I never completed all of Iceborn’s content, so I still have plenty of hunting to do.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI

Yup, I’m still playing it. 1000+ hours and I’d still rather play it over Civ VII.

Worst Game I Played

This might as well be the “hot take” list because I’m going to list games that people really adored that I have given a try this year. I don’t play games I don’t like for very long, and I typically don’t buy a lot of games, so the “worst game” category on these yearly wrap-ups is often the most difficult for me to create. Don’t take these too seriously.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

I know, I know! Boy, do people love Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. There are things about it that I also enjoy, like the art style and world-building. Unfortunately, the main thing I don’t like about it is the core gameplay, as in the combat. That’s the thing that’s praised the most, too. People rave about how rewarding the difficult combat is. It is indeed very difficult, but I do not find it rewarding, just boring and repetitive. I’ve given it at least three tries on separate occasions since it came out, with my first attempt being the most satisfying. I beat Lady Butterfly, the horseback general, the bull, and did my best to explore as much as possible along the various paths, discovering hidden bosses and the like. After a while, though, I noticed I was not having much fun. I was actively trying to avoid combat and perform stealth kills as though I was playing a Tenchu game (I wish that’s what it was).

I do not like the “pling-plong!” combat of just wearing down a stamina bar and bouncing my sword off deflections all day. When I played and enjoyed Lies of P and Another Crab’s Treasure last year, which both used similar deflection mechanics, I was riding a high and thought I could give Sekiro another shot. Nope. I didn’t even make it back to the bull before I got bored again. I don’t know what it is. I’ve been a From Software fanboy since Demon’s Souls on the PlayStation 3, and have gotten all the achievements from Demon’s Souls to Bloodborne (yes, even Dark Souls II). I just don’t like Sekiro.

Dishonorable Mentions

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

I haven’t gotten very far, so I may be premature in my impressions. Still, I have not fallen in love with the traversal or combat. Something feels off, like everything lacks impact when it comes to attack and movement. I also have not found the writing to be particularly good or even close to mimicking the style of James Gunn’s movies about the Guardians. I may change my mind if I get a little deeper into the game, but I don’t know how long I’ll last.

Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered

This is mostly on here because I just want to call out how I think there’s too much busy work and not enough meaningful missions with Spider-Man’s enemies. He has an extensive rogue gallery of villains to pull from, but most of the experience is in doing tasks that feel dull or repetitive. The game is still good overall, and it plays better than most other Spider-Man games. I just think there’s too much menial stuff to do.

Musical Recommendations

Wolves of Glendale

Wolves of Glendale is a band a friend introduced me to this year as the next comedy music group to watch. In their album alone, you can get a good idea of the amount of talent everyone has with how effortlessly they manage to play songs of all different subjects and genres. From a song that hits its punchlines on the big musical stings like “The Gym” to the simple and repetitive songs like “Shrimp” and “Free Sample,” they can write some catchy tunes that are also pretty funny.

Midori

Midori is yet another reason why I need to occasionally look for some punk sounds on the other side of the Pacific. I’ve always had an appreciation for Japanese Punk because I feel that, while Punk in the West has gotten stale and soft with its gradual transformation into pop over the past 30+ years, it stayed hard and aggressive in Japan. Midori adds to the aggression with an interesting Jazz twist in its sound to make it more unique. It’s unfortunate that they’ve been long disbanded, but for those who have never heard of them, they’re worth a listen.

Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

While I still prefer Nine Inch Nails (albums from With Teeth and earlier), Trent Reznor’s musical talents, in combination with Atticus Ross, have been frequently at the top of my Recently Played list. Akira Yamaoka is my go-to composer for music that I can work to and use to focus on a creative project, but when I get tired of listening to Silent Hill soundtracks, I switch over to Reznor & Ross, namely their soundtracks for Gone Girl and for the Ken Burns documentary series about the Vietnam War. There’s some quiet solemnity in the tracks that rightfully fills the quiet background and rarely gets overbearing. If you listen to their entire discography, you’ll hear plenty of overlap in their style and tones, but you’ll also suddenly realize you were listening to them for four hours while you were working.

Closing Thoughts

The past few years, I have ruminated (or pontificated) on various issues in both the world and my personal life during the closing section of these wrap-ups. There’s been a bit of a downward trend in terms of these issues, and I’d rather not perpetuate the pattern, so I’ll keep this brief.

Think for yourself. Question everything. Hope for the best. Plan for the worst. Stay strong. Happy Holidays!

---