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.

CinemaCon 2025

There were too much to hold, from Las Vegas, this April 3rd, 2025, but the CinemaCon has always been the 'highlight show' of future film releases, from all the major studios any year.

We're not too sure how to begin, or from which to begin, immediate soon-to-be released, are introduced as "Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning" with Tom Cruise taking the center stage.

The top of the list, on merely '2025 slate' comes with "Avatar: Fire and Ash", December 19 world-wide debut, the genre covers from "Freakier Friday" with Jamie Lee Curtis, to "Predator: Badlands".

Cannes Showcase

From 13th of May, 2025, 78th edition of Cannes Film Festival kicks off, with Juliette Binoche as a chair, this year particularly honors Robert De Niro for his long time achievement.

Tom Cruise would return to Avenue de Croisette for the world premiere of "Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning".  But the main feature title could go to Wes Anderson's "The Phoenician Scheme".

Or, 2021 Palm d'Or winner, "Titane" director, Julia Ducournau's latest "Alpha", 1980's set shocker, about a 11 years old girl, rumored to have new disease.

Iceman Goes Out

But he was more than "Top Gun"'s Iceman, he was "Batman Forever" also, and Val Kilmer's best performance must go to Jim Morrison, in Oliver Stone's "The Doors".

And his blockbuster hit list covers the film version "The Saint"'s Simon Templar himself, film fans could imagine Val Kilmer himself would say his own favorite could go to "Heat", since with ensemble cast of Pacino, De Niro, directed by Michael Mann.

His last appearance was "Top Gun: Maverick", as Iceman bowed out with his cancer death.  Hollywood lost another iconic star, early with with age of 65.

Last Action Heroes

2025 summer heat is near, as movie fans may well be counting down to advance tickets sales to "Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning", May 23 (Fri.) official opening day, and we have a question.

Is it really the final ?  For Tom Cruise ?  Would there be a new Ethan Hunt, and Mission Impossible Force ?  But we must see the last of the action, speed for sure.  And one more early Box Office is already open for "Thunderbolts".

For May 2 (Fri.) release, projection tracking is on, to show impressive earning predicted for a first time franchise debut, to equal any other 'Avengers', 'Captain America','Black Widow'...

Spring Break

When the season turns... this is how the box office reacts with kids and family audiences, "Snow White" the live-action fairy tale, its debut is the second best since "Captain America" this year.

90 years !, since the original "Snow White and Seven Dwarfs", Rachel Ziegler and Gal Gadot's latest feature is reviewed as one the'fairest' of all time reboot, on course to equal Christmas' "Lion King: Mufasa".

And the box office is furthermore going ahead with advance ticket sales of "Minecraft" movie, opening before April 5 release, Jack Black's Minecraft and Jason Momoa racing up to the hype of expectations.

Secret Service

And their services would undergo, up to the top, not as top secret, but to the top of its class, as suspense thriller genre classic.  Steven Soderbergh presents "Black Bag", reviewed as aesthetically electrifying.

Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender are the intelligent agents, with flair of romance in international espionage setting.  Later opening from April 11th, is "The Amateur", with Rami Malek.

A CIA decorder, whose life turned upside down when his wife is killed in London terror attack, to take revenge, going solo, taking matters into his own hands.  Directed by James Howes, based on a novel by Robert Littell

4K Winners

Post awards season, our own collection could have these titles already released in blue-rays. Own entertainment into our households.  March '25 issue "Conclave" 4K UHD [Blue-ray] is reviewed as better yet.

That's as better as the film, and better as Robert Harris' original novel, with its ingenious idea, the Vatican is stirred after the Pope's death, but the religious leaders of the world act so human.

The winner of best supporting actor Oscar, Kieran Culkin, and the director himself, Jesse Eisenberg, team up as young cousins through journey of their family routes, simplistic yet this drama is appealing to the core.

Oscars Tribute

It was a surprise at 97th Academy Awards, of "Anora" sweeping the major criteria, over other titles about holocaust survival. or survival of the Pope...  And one outstanding tribute went to Gene Hackman.

Introduced by Morgan Freeman In Memoriam segment, to honor one of the greatest Oscar winners of the cinema history.  The strongest message was heard over best documentary feature film acceptance by "No Other Land".

 

Musical tribute for Quincy Jones, and a medley of James Bond themes songs.  A little film, such as "Anora" was a message, importance of independent productions.

31st SAG Awards

One week before the Oscars being handed out, the Screen Actors' Guild recognized the years' best achievement in the movie industry, that's annually fair & square, and professionally.

If there were one surprise, which must be Timothee Chalamet was honored the best actor, for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown", 'A honor of playing him' was being described.

Life-time achievement was handed out for 87 years old Jane Fonda, her milestone appropriately presented by the guild, voted by the fellow actors.

Classic Anniversary

Our living room collections have been more than joyous, these anniversary special collectors' edition 4K UHD titles are purely the milestones of cinema history.  Or simply the fans must-have.

Jan. 25, 2025 issue, "North by Northwest (1959)" 4K restoration steelbook celebrated 65 years of Alfred Hitchcock's legend, on-disc special features include 'The Making',  and 2 documentaries.

2024 marked 50th anniversary of "Chinatown", 4K Ultra HD collectors' edition is reborn with total running time of 4 hours 20 minutes, with 2 discs, bonus theatrical poster, art cards.

Valentine too.

On this February 9th, Super Bowl Sunday, 2025, all eyes on a movie, because Harry is meeting Sally again, on its commercial !  Any talk of a real sequel ?  Not likely, not within this year anyways.

This 1989 romantic comedy, one of the best, beloved ever, wittiest, sweetest, most iconic, must be remembered, especially over the Valentine's Day.  And one more movie !  One of the most popular woman protagonist is back.

We cannot think of any others !  Bridget Jones' latest "Mad About The Boy" is just in time, to open on February 13, the story follows the death of her husband, played by Colin Firth... !  But let's just try to enjoy our Valentine's Day 2025.

Blockbusters '25

They are coming, in any franchise, many are series, and heroes... First off, and one of the most anticipated of all, "Captain America: Brave New World" is opening this early February.

And the expectation, anticipation could go to the US President, played by Harrison Ford, and the red Hulk, as much as Anthony Mackie himself.  And the next off must be "Snow White" from March 21.

Before getting into the summer season race, with July 11 release James Gunn's new "Superman", also new is "Fantastic 4"' July 25.  Isn't this a classic line-up !?  Aren't they all of your favorites !?

Deja Vu Oscars

If Demi Moore receives her 1st Oscar at 97th Academy Awards on March 2nd, 2025, over decades of her stardom, that's well deserved, if Karla Sofia Gascon could win, that's historical also.

But as for Best Actor, Adrian Brody has already won the Academy Award, from "The Pianist", which was the best picture equally, a true story onset WWII.  And so did Ralph Fiennes.

The best supporting actor, from "Schindler's List (1993)", the latest of 4K Blue-ray issue we could admire, is a 25th anniversary 3-disc set.  They're all still deserving, though we've seen them already.

Vision Noir

His directing style is almost impossible to describe, the shot, his tempo, certainly was the most unique, in the history of cinema, there were no one like David Lynch.

Even from his debut, "Eraserhead (1977)" was a most original horror movie, but he could be remembered most from television series "Twin Peaks (1990)", following film titles, "DUNE", "Blue Velvet" in successive years.

 

He received the Honorary lifetime achievement Oscar in 2019, as perhaps, a surrealistic artist, cult icon, envisioning his twist of reality, into his world of film & television screen.

Latin Tribute

Perhaps the awards lavished over "Emilia Perez" is the controversial subject and most unique women characters, set in Mexico crime thriller, with musical aspect.  In Spanish.

That's how the Golden Globes' Best Picture was won, also the Best Lead Actress in motion picture, drama, went to a Brazilian actress, Fernanda Torres, for "I'm Still Here", a period epic during Brazil's military dictatorship.

Mostly meaningful for Torres, with her mom, Fernanda Montenegro's appearance in the film, who had Oscar nod 26 years ago with "Central Station", the film was already nominated as Best foreign language film.

Golden Honorees

His 50 years career has been longer than Carol Burnett herself's, and Ted Danson seems more active, yet he is not traditionally a comedy actor, except he's been celebrated with comedy characters.

2025 kicks off with Golden Globes, and honors with distinguished excellence in film & television, tops with the actor, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award would be presented to Viola Davis.

Who debuted in 1996 on Broadway, she's most memorable with movie fans, from "Woman King (2022)", countless supporting roles, such as "Suicide Squad (2016)".  82nd Golden Globes airs on Jan. 5 (Sun.)

Year In Memory

Stars do fall.  2024 was a year, the world of cinema has lost Alain Delon, his passing is monumental, period epic, so was his placement, star value, in the history of films.

His debut, yet may be his best, as well as on top of the genre in 'Noir', 'Thriller', 'Pre-New Wave French Cinema', "Plein Soleil", simply overwhelms the remake, "The Talented Mr. Ripley".

Almost entire works of him, are timeless masterpieces, vintage of world classics, he may have pioneered, created the path, now appropriately, deservedly, restored in high definition collection.

Xmas Day Derby

Never have been so much in Christmas Day opening movies in recent memory, packed in quality titles, award nomination contenders, along with blockbusters, we even feel more... Unprecedented.

Already celebrated in Venice Film Festival, Nicole Kidman could go all the way down to the wire, with her gold statuette, in sensuous thriller "Babygirl", opens from December 25, to wider audiences.

Also Xmas day release is "A Complete Unknown", Timothee Chalamet's protrayal of Bob Dylan, in this biography epic directed by James Mangold, the performance reviewed as a must-see.

Musical Ending

...all of a sudden, is it ?  That is, the year end's awards' nomination season kicked-off, and the best pictures of 2024, seem to be swirling around... musicals.  As "Emilia Perez" in pole position.

And this Oscar front-runner is a musical-crime-drama !  And on the lead, Karla Sofia Gascon could be the majority vote getter, along with Zoe Saldana, and French director, Jacques Audiard.

And with the opening of "Wicked" to wrap up the Holiday season, the reviews are 'Spectacular cinematic triumph', to 'One of the best stage-to-screen adaptations ever' !

Surprises of the Year

December '24, looking back the year that's been, ahead of nomination season, and the movies we saw, or yet to be seen, and the best picture of the year, may well be... a documentary.

Of a best Superman actor, Christopher Reeve, tragically had a horse back ride accident to lose his life prematurely, "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story" is a dramatic chronicle itself.

And what's more surprising, was this year's blockbuster season has the No.1 box office revenue, not from "Deadpool & Wolverine", but from "Inside Out 2" !  Kids & family went more to theaters this year, or ever.

Retail Calendar Winners

And those are both Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and all of the above, the movie industry has a tally...  (Footnote) These items might well be delivered in December !  And your picks are now.

This "DUNE 4K UHD Blue-ray Steelbook" [Limited Edition European Region Free Import] would do well from the pre-sales, as well as the theater box office, but fans wish to repeat at home with 4K UHD.

Also a must-own for fanatics, "Mad Max 5-Film Collection" was already released in September, but a 'Limited Edition (4K Ultra HD + Digital)' in stocks might not last forever.  Extra features include 'Furiosa: Black & Chrome'.

Honorary Oscars

Ahead of awards season kick-off, 15th annual Governors' Awards ceremony celebrated notably the contribution of works behind the camera, the Honorary Oscar was given to late Quincy Jones.

The Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences recognized the posthumous recipient, Quincy Jones' score to the film world, aptly given just two weeks after his passing.

Equally, tributes were made to casting director, Juliet Taylor, the Irvin G. Thalberg Award was handed out to Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, for establishing the ever lasting James Bond franchise.