Emilia Perez, a controversial film, received Oscar nominations for its unique story, music, and performances. However, its portrayal of Mexican culture, including the use of non-Mexican Spanish and insensitive themes, sparked outrage and led to its downfall. The film’s director, Jacques Audiard, is criticized for his lack of cultural understanding and respect.
For each category I present my best guess for which 2025 Oscar movie will win with an explanation of my reasoning.
A look at the 2025 Oscar General Interest movies as rated and ranked by the viewing public and by critics.
Flamin Hot is tear-jerking, feel good movie that loses its luster when you learn it contains a lot of falsehoods.
American Symphony is a surprisingly good documentary giving an intimate picture of musician Jon Batiste, his love of music and his wife, and amazing resilience in the face of life’s pressures.
So far, at least, this is my favorite picture of the year. Full of sensory and storytelling delight. (5*)
Killers of the Flower Moon is an exceptional and powerful movie about the Osage Native American murders of the 1920s, but it’s just too long! (4*)
Tell It Like a Woman is a compendium of seven shorts, all written and directed by women and featuring women as the main characters. It is not a typical “movie” but has important messages. (3.5*)
RRR is an over-the-top action movie in the Bollywood tradition. With CGI, action, humor, song, dance, and history, it is just three hours of fun. (4*)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever starts with the death of the former Black Panther and moves through nearly three hours of sometimes beautiful, sometimes action packed, scenes but with so many obligations to fulfill that it is ultimately unsatisfying.
Top Gun: Maverick is this year’s most popular movie. It tells a relatively simple story well, bursting with visual and aural excitement. First of this year’s “popcorn movies” and worth every kernel. (4*)
Everything Everywhere All at Once is an insane look at one woman’s romp through the multiverse as she learns what is really important about life. (4.5*)
Four Good Days (2*) is a good start, but it doesn’t go far enough in understanding the grief of a parent.
(3.5*) No Time to Die is exactly what you expect from a Bond film. Sixty years after Dr. No, the franchise has changed, but lives on.
Encanto (3.5*) Good family entertainment, but Disney and Miranda might be showing fatigue!
(3.5 *) Another good take on family. Terrific setup in the first 10 minutes.
(3 *) A fun movie until you understand that it isn’t completely truthful.
(1.5 *) Some good music, but Will Farrell spoils the movie
(4 Stars) A captivating evening with four icons of history.
A powerful drama with terrific acting from Kaluuya, but needs some work on the story. (4 Stars)
(4 Stars) A good telling of an important moment in history that is relevant today.
(2 Stars) Be aware of what you are getting yourself into – this isn’t for everyone!
(2.5 Stars) As to be expected, terrific visuals. But the story is a little weak and the songs aren’t memorable.
(3.5 Stars) Elton John’s life presented as a musical – great entertainment.
(3 Stars) Good music, camera work, and Erivo’s performance. But stumbles on story-telling.
(5 Stars) Visually stunning movie and a story for anyone who has ever been part of a family. One of this year’s Must-Sees!
(2 Stars) Might be good for families, but most adults are going to ask ‘Who asked her to return?’
(2 Stars) Interesting, and fairly standard documentary, but a bit overly sympathetic to the subject. Everyone has a few flaws.
(4.5 Stars) A Coen Brothers film and a collection of six stories, each of which will puzzle and amuse.
(3.5 Stars) In yet another remake, Lady Gaga shows she can act better than Bradley Cooper can sing. Its OK if you’re into sappy romances.
(4 Stars) A visually and aurally stunning action movie with a tightly constructed plot line that you can actually follow.
Questa del Rio News: Questa, New Mexico.
Gringo Gazette: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Sierra County Sun: Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.