Hello everyone
There’s been bit of a gap again, and that was just due to the run-up to Christmas, but I have written something for My Other Blog. More about that at the end of this piece.
I’m going to give you my best 10 films of 2025. I was rather stunned to see how few I’d seen over the year. I only saw 28 films as opposed to 56 in 2024. Good grief, only 28! That’s half the number of films seen in 2024. This, I suppose, has to be because of the various health issues I’ve come up against. Anyway despite the low number I have seen some really good films.
Starting at No 10, is A Complete Unknown, starring Timothee Chalamet. Some might think that’s rather unkind putting this film in 10th place, but despite it being a truly wonderful experience to both see and hear Timothee Chalamet take on the one and only Dylan, it is a biopic and an easy watch. You probably will not agree with me, but I like films that make me think, now what is going on? I also like to feel something akin to a feeling of wow or even, oh, and definitely, oooof, because the film is quite difficult to watch. For me, films needs to be beyond being easy on the eye.
Having said all of that here are two films at 9 and 8 that were just a delight to watch. So at No 9 is, The Last Journey, which is a documentary made by two Swedish film makers whilst driving from Sweden to the South of France, with the Francophile father of one of them. This is about a father and a son, and not only the literal journey they took (in a battered Renault, of course) but the journey the son has to make to realise that his father is frail. A lovely watch.
And at No 8 is, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, which is the most delightful rom-com you could possibly find. I am going to make a confession I cannot stand Jane Austen, and nor can one of the protagonists who is the great grandnephew of Austen. You watch this guy and a lovely Parisian slowly get to know each other at a Jane Austen retreat and workshop. A very intelligent, and sweet film.
We are now getting to, for me, the more interesting films. At No 7 is Sing Sing, starring Colman Domingo, who got an Oscar nomination for being the leader of an acting group in – Sing Sing prison. It is not just a stunning performance, I was astounded (should I have been) that the other actors were, or had been, actual prisoners in Sing Sing. It was very uplifting to watch.
Then at No 6 is The Nickel Boys, oh my word what a film! The Nickel Boys is a novel by Colson Whitehead published in 2017 about two African-American boys sent to an absuive reform school. The film, which doesn’t deviate much from the book, is shot in quite a ground-breaking way as you are seeing everything from the two characters point of view. Exceptionally good, but it is a hard and harrowing film to watch. Do not let that put you off.
At No 5, is A Real Pain, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin as two Jewish cousins making a pilgrimage to a Polish concentration camp to honour their holocaust survivor grandmother after her recent death. As one reviewer said the script is whip-smart. There is also quite some depth to this film as we see the anguish experienced in both of the cousins’ lives, some of it due to the generational trauma experienced by children of survivors. This is a film that is both stimulating and questioning, especially around making visits to concentration camps somewhat touristy.
At No 4 is The Life of Chuck. You might wonder why this simple Stephen King story would even warrant being made into a film, but I thought it fascinating. This is a backwards journey of the life of Charles ‘Chuck’ Krantz, with the world coming to an end thrown in. What to make of it? I defy you to understand it, and yet I thought about it for days afterwards. Hoping to get some kind of understanding I even read the short story written by Stephen King, and got not a single clue as the film follows the book to the letter. And having found out its meaning I won’t reveal it to you. Just go and watch it. A puzzling yet enthralling film and one I left feeling, what on earth…..
At No 3 and No 2 come two bat-shit crazy films that days, weeks even, after seeing them, I still think about them
So at No 3 is Begonia. Btw, both these films we watched without once looking at our watches, they were both mesmerising. OK, Begonia, well the director is Yorgos Lanthimos who directed Poor Things and Kinds of Kindness, which are also out of the ordinary films. Once again he uses Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons as the leading protagonists, this time in a conspiracy theory film, where Jesse Plemons is greatly disturbed by the wrecking of this planet through the overuse of chemicals. He thinks an alien race is behind this ghastliness. Enter Emma Stone as the icy CEO of a chemical corporation. The Plemons character thinks she is one of these aliens. And he needs her to take him to the mother-ship, which is somehow nearby. Look, this isn’t an easy watch, because amongst other things it is quite bloody in parts, what with a torture scene. Oh no, you think, that absolutely isn’t for me. But the ending, OMG, the ending. We just laughed and laughed and laughed. It made sense now. What an extraordinary film.
So, at No 2 is One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. How to describe it? It’s difficult. It’s a riff on American counter-culture and counter-revolution. It’s both serious and exciting and a screwball comedy. The director, Paul Thomas Anderson has taken the Thomas Pynchon book, Vineland, and made it work on the screen. Consequently the film becomes an action thriller. BTW, I tried to read the book and it defeated me. Couldn’t make head or tail of it and apparently you need to keep a spreadsheet going to actually follow what is happening. Not so with the film, it was the most exciting film I watched all year and one that will probably win a whole raft of Oscars – just watch the awards being thrown at it. Several critics called it a masterpiece. I agree, it is. This is definitely a film to watch and almost the film of the year.
But the film of the year has to be, at No 1, is Ocean. This is the magisterial documentary of the destruction of the planet’s seas, and especially the sea bed, where those ghastly bottom trawlers reek devastation with their hideous grappling nets. But it also showed the beauty of the sea and gave some hope that ruined sea beds can recover. I defy you not to weep at this beauty, I defy you also not to recognise the extraordinary authority of David Attenborough, whose presence in this documentary gives us such a passionate vision of what could happen. If only….if only…..This is a truly wonderful film that all politicians should be forced to watch, as regulation is the only way to curb this destructive fishing. It is a must watch for everyone.
There you go, it’s a mixed bag of really nice films and then again, there’s a few there that will not be everyone’s cup of tea. I’m perfectly willing to watch a ‘difficult to watch’ film. Tell me are you?
So, how are your Christmas holiday arrangements going? My poor little grandchildren have chicken pox so our get-together has been moved from this weekend to after the New Year! Poor darlings I hope they are not too itchy, but it’s best to keep away whilst they are infectious.
And finally, here is the outfit I wore for a lunch with a friend and her friends, on her 70th birthday.
I’m wearing my pre-loved Paige jeans (which need further tucking into my boots) plus a new jumper from M&S with sparkly bits on it, underneath is a very old turtle neck top from Mango. On the right of the jumper I am wearing a great broach, which I love, given to me by my friend whose birthday it was. A great time was had by all.
Btw, at some point, I might be discussing this new trend of very wide trousers/pants worn now certainly by all young peeps, especially students. Although I thought I would really hate this trend, as I always wear skinnies, I now have a pair of wide-leg denims. And they are – OK!
That’s all for now, with love, from Penny
P.S. Last week I wrote something for My Other Blog. This time it is about America’s National Security Strategy. I don’t hold back or mince my words, instead I do my best to express my displeasure. Just saying so you are aware. 😊
What an interesting selection of films, Penny. I haven’t seen any of them but will bear them in mind for when I’m feeling mentally stronger to watch them. With the state of the world as it is, I’m doing my best to stay positive, so only watching stuff that is fairly light or uplifting at the moment. Recently I watched Jay Kelly starring George Clooney, which I recommend; very thought provoking and quite deep, with comedic elements.
I like your birthday lunch outfit – wish I was as slim as you!
Sorry to hear about the grandchildren; I’ve not seen mine for a couple of weeks because of similar issues with viruses going round. Better safe than sorry. Wishing you a wonderful time when you are able to spend time with them in the New Year. All the best, Penny x
I will watch Jay Kelly as I like what you say about it. For me, while I watch films I am taken far away from i) the state of myself (!) and ii) the state of the world. None of these films either are from the horror genre, so you would be safe watching any of them, (perhaps not No3) but you would absolutely love No 9 and especially No 8, which is just delightful. I see No 2 is No 1 on the Guardian’s Best 50 films of the year. Watch for the awards – it’s going to win all of them.
Thanks so much about the outfit – we managed to get there and had a great time. Poor grandchildren, they would still be infectious tomorrow (20th) so best to avoid.
Thanks also for the good wishes. And here’s wishing you all the best too X
I loved the film with Kieran McCulkin and Jesse Eisenberg so very much.
I read The Nickel Boys,certainly a harrowing read. Love Colson Whitehead,he is such a good writer.
Merry Christmas to you.
Great reviews Penny and I will definitely try to watch Ocean and One Battle After Another based on your reviews of both.
Penny I love your latest outfit, I think the style suits you so well but also wide leg jeans would look great too. I say this as the proud owner of some wide leg jeans bought recently here( in Italy) at a Levi outlet store. I hadn’t bought any jeans for about twenty years and had really given up wearing them but I love the ‘dressiness’ of my new high waisted ( as in not on the hips!) wide leg jeans as they look really good with the type of neat jumper you model in your picture. Also they are crucially really comfortable! In a funny kind of way they remind me of the wide leg trousers from the forties as perhaps worn by the likes of Katherine Hepburn.
Have a lovely Christmas with the grandchildren when they are well again and thank you for your great blogs. I love the mix of fashion/ style/ film and politics
Ocean is a marvel and a great experience to watch, I will never forget it. Indeed it ought to be obligatory for politicians and anyone who is able to regulate our oceans. As for One Battle After Another, it is really exciting to watch and I see it reached no 1 of the Guardian’s Best 50 films of the year. Just wait for the awards season and see it get most of them!
Oh wow, and good for you getting some fashionable wide leg jeans. The ones I’ve got are a bit thin so I will have to wear something under them, like thin tights, I think. But yes a neat boxy jumper (with this type of leg) will be great.
And many thanks for those kind words about the blog – it’s good to get that feedback. Wishing you all the best for Christmas too 😊
I sure enjoyed your movie summaries and input: i haven’t watched any of them (I think we might have gone to the movie theater once or twice this year), but inhavenseen the preview for Begonia. I really only watched movies for a laugh or a light distraction so I’m not sure Inl would watch more than the Ocean documentary
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I would say, Begonia might be too much if you just like light films. No 9 and 8, though are delightful, but No 9 is very European and No 8 despite being partly in French and partly in English is a very British film. Both would be termed Indie so probably wouldn’t get to any mainstream cinemas in the States. However, No 9 is streaming on Apple, and No 8 is on Amazon. Here in the UK both can be found on YouTube.
Ocean is lovely and tbh, should be watched by politicians and anyone, who can regulate our oceans.
Thanks Mireille 😊
I think my number one film this year was Conclave a wonderful film with a great cast.
And then we had the real thing
I too thought Conclave one of the best films of the year, but I saw it in 2024! It was very, very good. And then indeed we had the real thing!
Thanks Jayne 😊
HI Penny
I want to wish you and yours all the best during the holidays and into 2026. I look forward to your upcoming posts.
Thank you so much Cindy – I really appreciate your good wishes. And here’s wishing you all the best for the New Year too 😊
I just wanted to say that you are looking great. I love your outfit and our hair really suits you. I enjoy ‘My Other Blog, we see eye to eye on many issues
Thank you Ann, gosh I really appreciate those kind words, as we have just recovered from one virus and I am now fighting off a blepharitis flare-up, so your words really helped boost me today.
And also good to hear you read My Other Blog. After a bit of a gap on there, increasingly these days, I find I feel impelled to write there. Especially with regard to that National Strategy – what a document!
Thanks again Ann 😊
Thanks for these. I will add them to my list
Xoxo jodie
A lot of these films would be categorised as Indie so won’t be reaching the mainstream cinemas, but just watch the awards go to No 2. That was just such an exciting film to watch – and brilliant too.
Thanks Jodie 😊
What a lovely outfit Penny and the hair looks great. this has been a quiet week. I has been especially cold these past two weeks with several inches of snow over the weekend. There have been a few days where I did not leave the house. That said my learning in retirement group held it’s annual Winter luncheon last week and it did dress up a bit. And the next day I had dinner with three friends. I dressed as much for warmth as looks and was glad I did, the venue was was pretty, all greens and golds for the holidays but the large windows made it cold, so glad I did. I had not seen these friends in a while so this was a nice event. Today I finally was able to get out for a walk and do some errands ,including going to a chocolate shop for last minute gifts and got a free sample. Also checked a used book store nearby and had a lovely chat with Fernando, the young man who works there. So a good day. This year family will come to my home for Christmas dinner. I was really not going to host but somehow volunteered. I am keeping it much simpler that in earlier years and getting help with the food. I have to confess I have not been to the movies or seen anything on TV of late. I do feel I am missing out and may actually bite the bullet and get a streaming service in the near future.
So sorry to learn that your family is ill. Hope they have a speedy recovery and that you and your family have the happiest of Christmas’s As always love from New York, Darby
A couple of days ago we had a day of torrential rain and high winds and we didn’t go out. I’m looking forward to going out today as – it’s sunny!!! Which is quite unusual nowadays as we are having a lot of wet weather here, but it’s still I think too warm for the winter months.
Your lunch and the day you got to do your errands sound really pleasant.
The thing about streaming either Amazon or Netflix is that 80% will be utter rubbish. But, you eventually get to see all the films that are popular and you have not managed to see when they were in the cinemas. And there are both mainstream and indie films on both platforms although the latter are harder to find. But there will be a lot of rubbish there as well!
Fingers crossed re: the family. I’m hoping we are all going to be well as there are a lot of bugs going around, and poor grandchildren with their spots. Apparently the spots are scabbed over now and Oscar is back at school, but Lydia sleeps in the same bedroom and spots haven’t appeared. The thing is will she get it – we don’t know.
As ever I do wish you all the very best and hope that all will go well for you on Christmas Day. Thanks so much Darby 😊
A delightful and different jumper. I didn’t see it when I was actually in the huge M&S last week (a good sign if it’s sold out!). I love the sound of The Last Journey and Begonia. Like you, I loathe Jane Austen (although I’m going to try one of her books in a cruel challenge to myself next year) so Jane Austen Wrecked My Life doesn’t immediately appeal – nor does a rom com – but I know you have very high standards. Timothee Chalamet was on BBC Breakfast this week and it’s worth finding on the iPlayer as he came across very well. I haven’t counted films this year, I only went to the cinema once, and as Mr M and I have such different taste, we usually skip most films!
Oh wow, I’ve found the jumper online https://www.marksandspencer.com/gem-embellished-jumper-with-wool/p/clp60762623?_gl=1*6cap5z*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr5nKBhCpARIsACa_NiNJaCizfdvocTjEXq35EmvdkD63vhpArwU4UN4SbecWfBchnLeLXL8aAjZ3EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bTkYeMvt_Qzxj_WYAFdsROPH#intid=pid_pg2pip48g4r12c2%7Cprodflag_plp_ts_QP_41
As for films – for me they are as important, if not more, than reading, and also music. They are my go-to cultural thing. And actually both of us keep up with new films and all the reviews. But we are very lucky in that we have an independent cinema in Lewes that shows a lot of Indie and foreign films and alongside those all the mainstream films, so every week I get an email telling me what’s on and we go to this cinema nearly, well last year we did, every week.
You would love No10, and No 2 was the most exciting film of the year and it has already reached The Guardian’s No 1 out of its best 50 films of the year. Watch it get all the awards. We also stream films we’ve missed. So actually watching things is very important to both of us, but increasingly I have gone out with a friend to this cinema so Bill was complaining he hadn’t seen half of the ones I mention (!) so tonight we are going to watch A Real Pain – which is a very good film. Yes I do have high standards as I cannot stand dross or sentimental films, so it was quite unusual for me to like No 8, but it was the loveliest film of the year.
Thanks Gail 😊
I am going to bookmark this page so I can refer to it when we need to watch a good movie. I haven’t seen a single one but Begonia has me intrigued if only because he directed Poor Things which was bonkers to me! You look quite striking in your outfit for your outing. I hope you had a wonderful time!
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Hi Marsha, and oh my word, do watch No 10, that biopic of Dylan, Timothee Chalamet whose charms I’ve tried to resist! He is amazing in it. Now Begonia, this is a film that is only for the hard core watchers, and yet the ending makes it incredibly funny. As you’ve watched Poor Things I think you will be OK. It is a very very good film though, enjoy.
And of course, I am incredibly lucky as we have an independent cinema in our small town, that shows many Indie and foreign films alongside the more mainstream films, so we are able to see so many different types of films every single week!
And yes, we did enjoy the party – thanks Marsha 😊
Hi Penny, I would just like to wish you and hubby a very happy Christmas and a lovely 2026. Thanks for keeping us entertained.😘
Merry Christmas, Penny!
I do hope your family recovers for the big day; how cruel of those spots to choose this moment!
I do so enjoy your blogs, including our occasional opposing views, and look forward to more enjoyment – and sparring! – during 2026. So all the very best to you and yours, and good health and happiness all round – and you take care of those eyes!
Zepherine x