Review/Preview

Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1980's hit titles are getting the re-boot, series resurrection, this fall 2025.  With reasons.  Original "The Running Man" was a 1987 blockbuster, still reviewed as a first rate dystopia action pack.

Before the new version release, we could catch up the last 35th anniversary 2023 issue 4K UHD with HDR-10 and Dolby Vision.  A futuristic totalitarian police's hunt for one man begins.  Based on Stephen King's novella.

Now it is an established franchise, as much as "ALIEN"s, either series' continuation, or derivatives, "Predator" is coming back again in 'Badlands'.  And the first, directed by John McTiernan, commandos against extra-terrestrial warrior, is also in 4K Ulta HD + Blue-ray. 

Tricks & Treats 2025

Traditionally, October is full of Halloween treats films lined up for the season, and the box office does traditionally respond well, this year's most typical..., October 17 release, "Black Phone 2" is harrowing.

Coming back from 2022 original, 15 years old is still receiving stalking calls in her dreams...  As menacing as any of this season's franchises ever.   But there's this classic title, with a new life, given by Guillemo del Toro.

Already screened at Venice Film Festival, "Frankenstein" is revived in del Toro world, 1818 original story, is a must, be re-created in a new vision.  Also in theaters from October 17, as a wild card hit of the season.

New Hope

Its first teaser trailer has been revealed in September 2025, for "The Mandalorian and Grogu" May 22, 2026 release, the newest STAR WARS franchise, 'only theaters' is that anticipated.

The legendary Mandalorian, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his apprentice 'Grogu' would help the 'New Republic' from the empire.  And the galaxy for the fans, seems not too far, far away.

The next series premiere is from December 3, "Skelton Crew" start streaming, Jude Law plays the enigmatic Jod Na Nawood, in search of mysterious discovery, into the danger of the galaxy.  It sounds like a forthcoming new series to the fans.

The Natural

...is only a title of one film he starred.  If Robert Redford's carrier being described briefly, which could be "The Classic".  And his contribution to the movie history, it must not be brief.  It's a major part of itself.

Not only he has won the Academy Awards as the best director, he has created a film festival of his own, 'Sundance', named after his character from "Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid (1969)".

And his most popular ever, could be "The Way We Were(1970)", with Barbara Streisand, also his teaming with the director, Sydney Pollack, "Out of Africa(1985)", the best picture Oscar title.  It's indescribable, when this large star has fallen.

Endless Summer

We all wish that the summer blockbusters keep on coming, and this genre has been almost prerequisite each year !  That is not all fun, but frighteners.  Especially this series appeared endless, we all thought.

Is it finale ?  September 5th opening "Conjuring: Last Rites", Ed & Lorraine Warren could have their final case here, but what's most horrific about this franchise is, based on true 'Demonologists'.  Could they have a conclusion ?

The name, Jordan Peele, could be labeled as a horror genre director ?  But the film fans are simply impressed as such, his latest "Him" is a sports psychological horror, proclaims 'In this game, violence is rewarded'.

Family Values

Which may have been necessary for movie industry now, after all this '25 summer's blockbusters with super heroes and dinosaurs..., movie goers choice of tickets this September...

Though this is the very ending of the Crawley family's series drama, "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale", the time has come, an elegant bittersweet farewell to their each family members.

This reimagining of 1989 film, "The War of the Roses" with Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, has its modern twist of spousal warfare, "The Roses", with Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Jay Roach directing.

Secret Weapons

Labor Day week-end box office has been the test-stone, turning into September, last quarter of a fiscal year, the end of summer movie season..., and surprise, not only from traditional film fans...,

...but the business news consensus-wise, on top of the revenue leader is "Weapons", a super-natural horror film, about a classroom of children lured into nightly activity.  But what's more surprising ?

50 years old movie re-release came in second.  On this 2025 labor Day week-end movie theaters are yet again jostled by "JAWES" 50th Anniversary re-issue, after half a century mark, we must conclude: Ageless.

Modern Twist

...and shout, perhaps, for "Kiss of the Spider Woman"'s case, it's a musical, directed by Bill Condon, featuring Jennifer Lopez, as the diva 'spider woman', re-creation of the Tony winning Broadway show.

And a reprisal of 1985 film, won best supporting Oscar with William Hurt, an adaptation of a 1976 Argentinian novel by Manuel Puig, about two prisoners.  Opening October 10 only in theaters.

And screams would be heard..., over Guillermo del Toro bringing a new life into "Frankenstein", debuting August 30 at Venice Film Festival, since already labeled as chilling, horror film, Oscar Isaac as 'Victor Frankenstein'.

Returning Men

Who are these men ?  "The Running Man" is a re-make of 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger dystopian sci-fi thriller, based on 1982 Stephen King story, almost 4 decades later, it's revived again.

 

Its new life given by Glen Powell, directed by Edger Wright, a reality TV show follows a 'runner' escape from killers.  Focusing on a motive, circumstance, one man facing ?

John Rambo is coming back also, as Noah Centineo was cast, the lone man army, seemed to be rebooted, or the tentative tile could go "Rambo:Origin" ?  The shooting would start 2026, after 44 years of the original release in 1982. 

Jack Lemmon Centennial

If he were living..., this year our movie world is celebrating Jack Lemmon's hundredth birthday.  But his presence, performance still live on for sure, and still could entertain us.

It's even easy, to pick his best works, since these are the best also, of among all the greatest film classics, on top, no doubt, "Some Like It Hot (1959)", 4K UHD Blue-ray version has 2 discs, feature interviews with him & Tony Curtis.

No argument in second, same Billy Wilder directed "The Apartment (1960)", the Blue-ray special documentary has 13 minutes length "Magic Time: The Art of Jack Lemmon".

Into Film Fest.

Celebrating its half century mark, 50th anniversary edition of Toronto International Film Festival kicks off 2025 film festival season, from September 4 to 14th, its gala honors Guillermo del Toro and Jodie Foster.

As TIFF Tribute Awards recepients, del Toro premieres "Frankenstein", Foster presents "Private Life", a French psychological  mystery debuted in Cannes already.

Ahead of August 27 opening, 82nd Venice Film Festival announced its competitive, expansive line-ups, include, George Clooney's return in "Jay Kelly", Julia Roberts' "After The Hunt", Kathryn Bigelow's feature direction, "A House of Dynamite".

Comic Con '25

It must be the hottest peak of summer movie business, it's definitely not just comics, the annual San Diego Comic Covention is an absolute entertainment fan fest covers films to games.

From July 24, this year, the showcase kicked off with the "ALIEN: Earth" premiere, new trailers and footages introduced for "Predator: Badlands" & "TRON: Ares", and it's just Day 2.

Plus, the news of more release dates for "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" from Dec. 5, 2025, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" from Dec. 10 debut, and "The Toxic Avengers" reboot unveiled an Aug. 29 wide release.

Later, Larger (?)

Or, as large as this July mega blockbuster success over the largest of screen size, and their scores on hit chart..., revenues, 'Jurassic' scale and 'Super' presence on summer box office.

As we watch the trailer debut of "Tron: Ares" October 10 premiere exclusively in theaters may well be the next best thing, a decade after the previous "Tron: Legacy", with Jared Leto on the lead, it must perform well.

Furthermore, the competition is elevated also, it is following "Fantastic Four", flanked by "Predator: Badlands", and finally, the next big thing, "Avatar: Fire and Ashe" official release on December 19.

Franchise Test

Either looking up, or down..., this 2025 summer movie bonanza is a showcase, that long running classic titles are having reboot, and rebirth, successfully through world-wide box office.

Frankly James Gunn doesn't NEED to reboot, neither remake the "Superman", especially not repeat, we, the long time film fans, must see his own unique arrangement, and as of opening week-end, pros & cons are...

Gareth Edwards' take on "Jurassic" series are reviewed already as Spielberg twist, part JAWS, Indy Jones' action, adventurous over Skull Island, but carried on 1993 original dinosaur DNA !

7/4 Box Office

Since it indicates the peak of summer blockbuster revenues traditionally, the movie industry would see how successful each titles rest on top of the grossing chart, and how long, how comfortable...

And this summer's "Jurassic World: Rebirth" is no other, or that's an undervalue, a record breaker, as much as the previous franchise, since the original 1993's "Jurassic Park", slightly below 'Dominion'.

Came in second was "F1", also a record igniter, could pass the record of fourth of July gross domestic of Tom Cruise' "Days of Thunder", (which has a sequel talk), plus came behind of Brad Pitt's own "World War Z" record run.

Summer Reviews

The blockbusters are out, and the verdicts delivered, reviews are spoken out, for us, film fans, must read, since they're not all fun and entertainment, we need to make a good summer...

By excellent cinema time, and "F1" debuted world-wide June 27th, with full throttle favorable round-up, Joseph Kosinski brought all the expectations accomplished, Brad Pitt in super cool speed.

Plus, we don't have to be other critics, to reveal the best of the year, till half-way point,  from the top, "The Alto Knights" was most under-rated ?  And the equally sizzling "Black Bag" with Michael Fassbender & Cate Blanchett cool duo.

Main Stream

Now it's official, that statistically 'streaming' took over as top 'media browsing' for the public.  What does that mean ?  Mostly 'watching shows' means people 'stream', 'on demand'.

From now on, this summer 2025, whether new release or else, we don't have to go anywhere, neither wait, nor record anything, along with any other entertainment.  We just click.  Any time.

And we don't miss anything.  We can't.  You missed them on the theatrical release ?  No longer, that type of term exist.  Either you have a large group audience, or the titles were too long ?  Your palm top might only be the solution.

Tribeca 2025

We love New York in June...  And lower Manhattan traditionally respects artists always, and especially the Tribeca Film Festival this year, with record number submissions in 13,541 !

Kicking off from June 4th, as diverse as expected, the main features include 'Reunions and Retrospectives' such as "American Psycho: 25th Anniversary", as hilarious and disturbing, NYC set serial killer satire is revived.

Along with the many of world premieres, the spotlight narrative, Kyra Sedgwick & Kevin Bacon's "The Best You Can", a comedy romance, and a women drama, brilliant performance, as much expected in Tribeca any year.

This side of Box Office

It is almost a necessity, that the summer movie season does need a horror/shocker genre each year, to boost up the theater goers.  This June '25 needed "M3GAN 2.0" !  Due to popular demand from the 1st.

'M3GAN" wasn't a 'Chucky' from "Child's Play", it was 'A.I. Prospective Science Fiction', and the sequel is already reviewed as 'Ultimate', 'Different' kind of a killer doll, personally upgraded !

"28 Years Later" may well be a sequel, of zombie returns, but it is directed by Danny Boyle, written by Alex Garland, been highly anticipated since the 2002 original.  Speaking of upgrade, filmed in wide-screen format, digital recording, 28 years difference.

Summer of '25

We can feel the heat already, the movie blockbuster season has commenced, from Memorial Day box office surprise of "Lilo & Stitch" on top ?  And the new trailers are as appetizing as main features.

So as announced that, James Gunn's "Superman" does have early screening date, from July 7th, before officially hitting screens on 11th, as mysterious villains are speculated as of now...

And proceeding its later release date, July 25th, "Fantastic Four: First Steps" had an advance public screening in Los Angeles.  And the mysterious introduction of Doctor Doom ?

Advance Hits

It is yet to be June, but 2025 summer blockbuster movies are already welcoming you into the box office, through advance ticket sales, July 27 opening, Brad Pitt's "F1" even has fan first premiere a week earlier.

And July 2nd release "Jurassic World: Rebirth" ticket sales is on now, more than a month earlier.  A new era is born this summer ?  Scarlett Johansson, directed by Gareth Edwards, no need of hype described.

And speaking of new era, Ana de Armas' "Ballerina" may do better than predecessors "John Wick" universe, at least advance sales could surpass its expectations, before June 6 debut.

French Dispatch

And 78th edition of Cannes Film Festival is still awaiting Wes Anderson' latest entry,  kicked off on May 13th, with honorary Palm d'Or to Robert De Niro, handed out by Leonardo DiCaprio.

Following the opening ceremony, first of the long ovation went to the star, and the first competition title receiving long-lasting applause was Richard Linklater's "Nouvelle Vague", an homage to Jean-Luc Godard's 1959 classic "Breathless".

Until the closing on 21st, world premieres continue with all stars, Jennifer Lawrence & Robert Pattinson's "Die My Love" from 16th, not to mention Tom Cruise rolling in with "Final Reckoning".  Without Gerard Depardieu's news overshadowing ?

Mothers' Day Pick

The studio should have slated its opening date over this Mothers' Day 2025, instead "Freakier Friday" will premiere on August 8.  We can hardly wait till the sequel return of ultimate mother & daughter combo. 

Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reprise their roles after 22 years, trading places, since 2003, they literally walk in each others' shoes, after magical body swap force, which was a remake of 1976 original.

If you cannot wait till this summer, the last issue of Exclusive Blue-ray is a 15th anniversary edition.  Film fan's timely gift idea ?  For your Mom ?  Enjoy with your daughter ?  Happy Mothers' Day.

Anniversary and beyond...

...and not too long time ago, galaxy not too far away...  This May 2025 Box Office could still enjoy the episode III,  "STAR WARS: Revenge of the Sith" 20th anniversary re-release.

The sound-mix made full use of Dolby Atmos, 2 hours and 20 minutes run-time still fly-by after 20 years in premium theater large screens.  And for STAR WARS fans would have much more from now on.

Starting from smaller screen "Andor" season 2 from April 22, followed by animated anthologies, "Tales from Underworld" May 4 debut, "Visions" season 3 from October 29, and next year May 22 would see "The Mandalorian and Grogu" movie.

Kids are all right.

To the movie industry, that is, they contribute to bring in the family audience to the Box Office, 2025 spring already has seen "Minecraft" hit.  Not too much surprise here, or is there ?

May 23 opening of "Lilo And Stitch" is a live-action remake, to 2002 animated franchise.  There shouldn't be too much surprise, it could bring in revenues, as expected as "Lion King" or "Snow White".

And if we could remember the success last year's "Inside Head 2", our kids could have field day flocking into "Elio" opening later from June 20, which is an animated science-fiction adventure, boys certainly cannot wait any longer.