Characters Missed

Even if they weren't starring roles, Robert Duvall's characters always have been significant, to carry each films themselves.  His career spanned for seven decades, even from his first in "To Kill a Mocking Bird (1962)", his presence was impressive as the lead.

It doesn' have to be his Oscar winning "Tender Mercies (1983)", Robert Duvall's most definitive has been Tom Hagen in "The Godfather", and Lt Col Kilgore in "Apocalypse Now", as he later attributed his success, quality of titles, to 'Francis Ford Coppola'.

Since his Emmy awarded 1989 TV mini-series "Lonesome Dove" to "Days of Thunder" with Tom Cruise, "The Judge" with Robert Downey Jr. in 2014, Robert Duvall has been a father figure, to most of his entire works.

True Value

Exactly one month to go, the Oscars are handed out to the best of the film of past year, and each year movie buffs come to terms, the selections, nominees are fair and square ?  We all have our opinion, the best of our own.

And especially when they're international titles, they could be left unseen, Norwegian Joachim Trier brought his finest in 'Sentiment' & 'Value', in his Ingmar Bergmanisque "Sentimental Value", also brings out Stellan Skarsgard's best work.

If it's Brazilian, and of 1977, a political thriller could be missed through our list, but  Kleber Mendonca Filho's "The Secret Agent" is certainly heading for the best praise of the year, a personal mischief during the national repression period.  True Value, of the cinema achievement of the year.

Funny Valentine

Or, it's not funny at all.  To celebrate this Valentine's Day 2026 with your loved ones, the film screens should welcome you all, with line-ups not too much with comedies, but the one from best romance novel of all time.

Emily Bronte's classic adaptation is yet again revived latest, with Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi in the lead, directed by Emerald Fennell, described as tentalising, hypnotic... hitting your theaters from Feb. 13.

And superb reviews are already in for same day debut of "Crime 101", hailed as 'the best so far of 2026', in the footstep of rock-solid crime thriller, also based on a novella by Don Winslow.

Her presence, her image...

... should not only be screaming Kevin's name from "Home Alone", but that only must be an iconic classic moment from the best of comedy films of all time, and neither Catherine O'Hara might only be remembered as comedienne.

In 2019, she accepted her Canadian Screen Award, as well as her latest of appearance in "Schitt's Creek" garners her many awards.  Her career collaborations simply matched Tim Burton's direction, design on "Beetlejeuce".

"The Studio" was just celebrated by the Emmy Awards previous year, with one of her best of performances.  Her premature passing at the age of 71, we already miss her, as Kevin's mom.

Future on screen

Based on Andy Weir's forensically scientific 2021 novel, also touted as 'one of the greatest sci-mind script', "Project Hail Mary" is anxiously awaiting March 20th opening, expectation as high as "The Martian".

As equally as Weir's previous film adaptation depicts Ryan Gosling's character must survive the space all alone.  And this year, 2026's large screens are full inside the spaceship, with Mandalorian, Supergirl...

Following Jan. 23rd release of "Mercy", there is a genre such as 'AI Thriller' now, set in dystopian future 2029 Los Angeles, the judicial system is powered by AI, and LAPD detective (Chris Pratt) is being targeted himself.  You too ?

98th Predictions

Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026, as each year's tally would go down to the last wire.  Though subdued, projected nomination number records may be broken by "Sinners" ?

Since the uniqueness of the film would cover genre, category, from script, cinematography to performance.  After the Golden Globes, as the Oscar race taking its shape, to the same strong front runners, "Hamnet" may surpass at this stage ?

The statuettes could fall on to anyone's hand this year ?  It will be more surprising, having omission of "Avatar", "F1" ?  The final, the Oscars telecast would be broadcast on Sunday, March 15, and (still) on air live on network 7:00 p.m. (ET).

Golden Competition

2026 begins with 83rd annual Golden Globes Awards, Jan. 11 (Sun.) , from Beverley Hills, Los Angeles, and your guess is as good as anyone's, or tough as any.  This year's nominees are contestants, no dominant candidate on the table.

Total nomination number 9 by "One Battle After Another" may have slight edge on the best picture, director, but no doubt "Frankenstein", "Hamnet" would score on equal terms, if it's down to best performers...

Those list of Hollywood top stars, could be so competitive, there are no odds, best actress may fall on to Cynthia Erivo, actor, Michael B. Jordan ?  For TV category, "The White Lotus" leads with 6 nominations.

God Created BB

The end of year 2025, ended with the news of an end, of a film legend, a French Cinema icon, Brigitte Bardot's passing, a tremendous loss, since her legacy pierced through a movie world to the animal rights activism.

It was 1956, her first film "And God Created Woman" debuted her to a stardom, a symbol status, from '50s to '60s.  When she stepped back from the silver screen, she was only 39 years of age, turned herself as an advocate of animal rights.

She pledged to claim, "Giving my wisdom and experience to animals.", she was described as 'A legend of a century', 'French existence and universal brilliance at the same time'.  Brigitte Badot was 91 years of age.

Year-End Box Office

The entire year, 2025, movie business, to be looked back, was a shuffle.  Who could have imagined, the titles such as "One Battle After Another, or "The Sinners" could remain as the best picture contenders.

And most of all the shocks of the box office, the top 10 grossing films are won by kids basically, no. 1 revenue maker must be "Nhe Zha 2", that's world-wide, and US domestically, "The Minecraft Movie".

These two have slight edge over, "Lilo & Stitch", beating out the heavy-set "Superman", "Jurassic World: Rebirth", isn't it surprising "How to Train Your Dragon" earned a lot more than "Captain America" !?

Tragic Ending

And of a shock, still movie fans are reeling off.  Of all the happy endings he provided us...  Rob Reiner was a son of Carl Reiner, a comedian, and a film director himself, Rob was once married to Penny Marshall, equally a successful director.

Much like himself.  Rob Reiner's most popular, if it's not his best, "When Harry Met Sally (1989)", and most dramtic, perhaps, "Stand By Me(1986)", "A Few Good Men(1992)", all nominated for Oscar's Best Pictures.

And the most memorable, could well be "The Princess Bride(1987)", recently of "The Bucket List (2007)", as Rob Reiner started out as a sit-com actor, "All in the Family(1971-1979)", he delighted us both on-screen and off, the entertainment world would utterly miss him.

Teasing Trailers

Even before the new year, the Holiday season movies, and the trailers are much more hyped, for the coming year new release date setting.  Exactly before one year to open, November 20, 2026, there was a record breaker.

That is "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" trailer debut, the record number of hits were made on Nov. 20 trailer debut, which made the news, and broke out the headline; Jennifer Lawrence & Josh Hutcherson both reprise the characters to appear.

And as much anticipated, for "Supergirl" July 26th, 2026 premiere teaser first look at Milly Alcock's Kara Zor-El, following the ending of James Gunn's "Superman".  The sneak peak reveals her big-bad side... ?

Streaming Studio

As the news broke this year-end '25, a streaming service is purchasing a major studio's one distribution side, though still in the same production business.  The question/the answer, remain; streaming must be more profitable ?

For the future of movie business, or is it already proven, the streamers have contributed for the best of motion pictures well enough ?  As the early front-runner for the nomination leader, or mostly dominant each year.

For the 2026 awards selection, appropriately "Jay Kelly" depicts coming to terms with the reality of film business, "Frankenstein" is poised to collect many criteria statuettes, also "A House of Dynamite" seems to have claimed the contention.

Thanksgiving For Good

2025 Thanksgiving Box Office, or could be said these days 'Black Friday' movie week-end, could be won, by children !  As was the case last year's "Moana 2", on top spot, "Zootopia 2", animated sequel.

With the opulent climax on "Wicked: For Good", and joyous review, coming in second in close, collectively  grossing the festive season cinemas as expected.  As for No. 1 "Zootopia" is doing better than the estimate, in near record territory.

And that's world-wide release, overwhelming the domestic, both family entertainment sequel are doing outstanding business, and audiences alike, critics are giving glowing, steller satisfaction, even before nomination season.

Oscar Finally/Already

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences rewarded lifetime achievement honorary Oscar to Tom Cruise at 16th annual Governors' Awards, celebrating his 45 years career contribution.

That ignited the Oscar talk of the year, 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien again, would take place on March 15 (Sun.), 2026, though no dominant contestant on prediction list yet.

And indeed not, after Awards circuit season 2025 commenced, current standing with "Frankenstein" surging over "Hamnet" ?  And strong candidacy in directing and performance category from "One Battle After Another", "Sinners" ?

Live On Screen

Slated to summer 2026 opening, June to be exact, Antoine Fuqua's biopic "Michael" may split into parts, due to lengthy run time, is the news.  It could follow the footstep of musical life stories of music icons.

If it's not exactly live concerts, but on largest of screen release, could overwhelm, with success of Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl",  which is a cross-over for music followers and movie followers, and the revenues from both.

And this holiday season, from December 10th,  the largest of screens is showcasing the 1st ever feature length concert film, "Rolling Stones - At the Max", reviving its 1991 issue into enhanced cinema sound.  Now into theater crowd.

A For Anniversary

And for the review grade.  These two 'A' list classic titles are set to come back over large screen re-release for anniversary run.  "V For Vendetta(2006)"'s nation wide theatrical  return begins Nov. 1, 2026.

The mask 'V' with Natalie Portman' Evey, fight through political action thriller is still iconic, since it's against dystopian, futuristic, totalitarian world.  Within this year 2025, another icon of horror masterpiece is remastered with laser version.

Come celebrate the 45th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining(1980)", considered to be the ultimate, of a magisterial chiller, over this horror genre cinema history.  From December 12, new remaster on largest of screen is a must-see.

Reality Bites

Fictional, but realistic, therefore thrilling, gripping, even cautionary, Kathryn Bigelow's long  anticipated come-back work, "A House of Dynamite" opening in selected theaters, is about nuclear missile threat.

A likely nuclear object against situation room duty officer (Rebecca Ferguson), Bigelow brings back her point of view direction, we feel 'trilogy' following "Hurt Locker", "Zero Dark Thirty" of behind war time.

As much as Paul Thomas Anderson brought the action back into "One Battle After Another", as Leonardo DiCaprio's revolutionary character fights against authoritarian nationalistic view of the society.  Are these the world we're living now ?

Don't go alone

So we are told this Halloween film season 2025, therefore, we won't.  We can't, if the box office seems to have this much chilling tension.  As "Shelby Oaks" debuting October 24, may bring a fresh streak into the horror genre.

It's a simple mystery, a group of online investigators onto a missing person, searching through clues left on paranormal activity video footage.  Fitting, for this season of YouTube generation movie-goers.

A caricature of this year's Halloween films, "Black Phone 2" let us dive into Freddie Kruger territory, a masked serial killer, 'The Grabber' is coming back, four years after his death, in intense super-natural effects & action.  Happy Halloween.

London Derby

To describe the least, how competitive annual 69th London Film Festival, from Oct. 6 to 19, 2025, from the world premieres, to the most anticipated of the year, the line-up seems more like the best pictures voted already.

Each gala presentations could re-examine which titles could go all the way down to the wire, throughout the award season.  '25 Cannes Grand-Prix winner, Joachim Trier's Bergmanesque family drama "Sentimental Value" would gather crowd as the "A" title.

Equally Chloe Zhao's "Hamnet" has a showcase as the London Mayors' gala, an imagined story about how Shakespeare wrote "Hamlet", could move on top of the year, through Tokyo International Film Festival also, from Oct. 27.

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.