Sound

A Complete Unknown (2025.4, Off-the Record, Great Music)

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A Complete Unknown is a biopic about Bob Dylan’s early career, focusing on his relationships with women like Joan Baez and Sylvie Russo, and his musical influences like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Johnny Cash. The film takes creative liberties with historical accuracy, portraying Dylan as a complex and sometimes cruel character, prioritizing his musical creativity over his relationships. Ultimately, the movie is an artistic interpretation of Dylan’s life, not a documentary.

Emilia Perez (2025.2, Mixed , Bold )

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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.

Dune: Part Two (2025.1, Awesome , Big )

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Dune: Part Two, a science fiction film, explores the enduring human traits of power-seeking and religious fervor, highlighting their timelessness despite technological advancements. The movie’s themes of power, ideology, and environmental concerns resonate with contemporary issues, prompting reflection on the persistence of human nature.

2025 Oscar Movies: My Predictions

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For each category I present my best guess for which 2025 Oscar movie will win with an explanation of my reasoning.

2025 Oscar General Interest: Ratings and Rankings

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A look at the 2025 Oscar General Interest movies as rated and ranked by the viewing public and by critics.

The Creator (2024.31, Pale , Not Good )

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The Creator is a disappointing science fiction movie that could have had a great story but instead gets lost in the special effects. (2.5*)

Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning (2024.30, Thrilling , A Blast)

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Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning is an action-packed thriller with everything you’d expect from the IMF. It is also an endurance test of adrenaline production. (4*)

Oppenheimer (2024.11, Astonishing , Full )

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Oppenheimer is an epic film that rewards the hard work required of the viewer. A full exploration of a man, physics, politics, and movie making. (5*)

The Zone of Interest (2024.9, Disturbing , Truth )

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The Zone of Interest is more than just a story of evil. But the film’s best characteristics are damaged by extraneous scenes. (3.5*)

Maestro (2024.2, Powerful , Solid )

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Maestro is a well told story of a romance between two individuals over decades and how it developed in the shadow of fame. (4.5*)

The Batman – A Cut Above your Typical Super-Hero (4.5*)

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The Batman is one of this year’s best movies. While nominally an action film, it also is thrilling detective story, told at a human level.

Avatar: The Way of Water – (Superb Spirit & Beauty) (4*)

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Avatar: The Way of Water is a visual spectacle, a story setting up the next three sequels, and, yes, long.

Top Gun: Maverick – Well Structured and a Blast (4*)

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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*)

Elvis – The Price You Pay for Ignoring Your Roots (4.5*)

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Elvis (4.5*) In a dazzling production full of sights and sounds, Baz Luhrmann paints the tragic story of a man who struggled to get back to his cultural roots.

All Quiet on the Western Front – A Gut Punch Focus on War (4*)

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A German production, All Quiet on the Western Front re-adapts the 1928 novel of the same name, adding some distinctive scenes and commentary to the story of a young German man, and his friends, thrust onto the “Western Front” to fight the French in the final months of World War I. Accompanied by some stunning cinematography, dominating sound and music, and visceral visual effects, the film reaches new heights in presenting the horror of war. It also adds another, very important message about how events are felt differently depending on where you stand on the social ladder.