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I wasn’t surprised at all after watching this film that it won three Academy Awards. The acting, storyline, and underlying messages were all exceptional. While it’s undeniably a sad story, the ending feels fulfilling in its own unique way. The film is entirely in Italian and, given its 1997 release, the style may feel a bit dated but that doesn’t take away from its impact. " A gentle Jewish-Italian waiter, Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni), meets Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a pretty schoolteacher, and wins her over with his charm and humor. Eventually they marry and have a son, Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini). Their happiness is abruptly halted, however, when Guido and Giosue are separated from Dora and taken to a concentration camp. Determined to shelter his son from the horrors of his surroundings, Guido convinces Giosue that their time in the camp is merely a game."

I was genuinely shocked by how much I liked this film. It ended up being my plane movie, the kind I usually get unusually locked into, and this one really delivered. The performances across the board were excellent, and the story, paired with its ending, was incredibly powerful and satisfying. It ’s definitely a slower-paced drama, so that’s something to be aware of going in, but I was fully engaged the entire time. What stood out most to me was the love–hate dynamic between many of the characters. Their complexity runs deeper than it initially appears, and watching those layers unfold made the experience even more rewarding. "This sweeping English drama, based on the book by Ian McEwan, follows the lives of young lovers Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) and Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). When the couple are torn apart by a lie constructed by Cecilia's jealous younger sister, Briony (Saoirse Ronan), all three of them must deal with the consequences. Robbie is the hardest hit, since Briony's deception results in his imprisonment, but hope for Cecilia and her beau increases when their paths cross during World War II."

I really liked this movie, just not quite as much as it seems most people did but an 8.9 for me is pretty standout. I’d still easily call it one of the better films of the year, even if it doesn’t rank among my all-time favorite performances from Leonardo DiCaprio. He was excellent here, as was the rest of the cast, and I stayed fully engaged with the story throughout. My biggest issue comes down to the runtime. Because the film is so long, there were moments where I felt a bit burned out, even during scenes that were well acted and thematically important. Tightening things up just slightly could have made the experience feel sharper and more impactful. That said, it’s still one of the standout movies of 2025, and it’s nice to see the high praise it’s getting on Letterboxd. Even if it didn’t fully click with me the way it did for others, it’s a strong, memorable film that’s absolutely worth watching. "Bob is a washed-up revolutionary who lives in a state of stoned paranoia, surviving off-grid with his spirited and self-reliant daughter, Willa. When his evil nemesis resurfaces and Willa goes missing, the former radical scrambles to find her as both father and daughter battle the consequences of their pasts."

This one is tough to rate. As a standalone film, Avatar: The Way of Water is still impressive, and the visual effects are absolutely unmatched. From a technical standpoint, it’s hard to deny how stunning the world of Pandora continues to be. However, when comparing it to the first two films, the plot felt a bit lazy and overly familiar. The story follows beats we’ve already seen before, to the point where it almost feels like a remake of the second film rather than a true evolution of the series. While the action and spectacle are engaging, the narrative doesn’t take many risks or push the franchise forward in a meaningful way. That said, I’m still looking forward to the fourth and fifth installments slated for 2029 and beyond. Hopefully James Cameron shakes things up and brings a fresh direction to the story. " The conflict on Pandora escalates as Jake and Neytiri's family encounter a new, aggressive Na'vi tribe."

Yikes, I was excited after my last review and now I don't whether I should continue this series. I might give the third film a shot but it doesnt look promising. "A year after his heroics in L.A., detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) is mixed up in another terrorist plot, this time at Washington Dulles International Airport, where he is waiting for his wife (Bonnie Bedelia). That same night, South American politico and drug profiteer Ramon Esperanza (Franco Nero) is arriving in U.S. custody. McClane takes action when a treasonous ex-colonel (William Sadler) seizes control of the airport, threatening to crash every inbound flight unless Esperanza is freed."

Watching Die Hard for the first time—and on Christmas, no less—was a fun experience, but I still don’t consider it a Christmas movie. The story simply takes place on Christmas Eve; the holiday itself isn’t central to the plot. That said, I really enjoyed it and can see why it kicked off such a popular series. John McClane is a solid, entertaining lead, and the movie balances action and humor well. It’s definitely a bit cheesy at times, but in a way that adds to its charm rather than taking away from it. Overall, it’s a fun, classic action film and a strong start to the franchise—even if I’m not fully sold on its holiday status initially. "New York City policeman John McClane is visiting his estranged wife and two daughters on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Very soon McClane realizes that there's no one to save the hostages -- but him."

While Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery boasts a great cast and a strong ending, I think it’s been somewhat overhyped, especially after how engaging the previous two films were. I found myself guessing the culprit almost immediately, and the mystery never felt particularly challenging or clever. That said, the final reveal was genuinely enjoyable to watch and easily the highlight of the film. Unfortunately, much of what led up to it felt a bit bland. This may be because the earlier installments benefited from more interesting locations, sharper plots, and more memorable characters. In comparison, this film’s setting and ensemble felt muted, and several characters lacked the distinct personalities that usually make these stories so compelling. " A baffling death inside a quiet church draws Benoit Blanc into a tense investigation where faith secrets and suspicion blur as a close community turns against itself."

I found the new The Running Man, starring Glen Powell, entertaining overall, but a bit too commercialized and overly dramatic for my taste. Still is an easy watch that was somewhat worthwhile for fun action scenes. With a stronger storyline and characters that relied less on inflated egos, it could have served as an interesting parallel to The Hunger Games . Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite get there, so I wouldn’t recommend going into it expecting that kind of comparison. I also don't know if Glen Powell was the right fit for this film, it made it seem tacky. "In the near future, "The Running Man" is the top-rated show on television, a deadly competition where contestants must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins. Desperate for money to save his sick daughter, Ben Richards is convinced by the show's ruthless producer to enter the game as a last resort. Ratings soon skyrocket as Ben's defiance, instincts and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite, as well as a threat to the entire system."

This horror film told from a dog’s perspective is getting high reviews, but I don’t really get the hype. It wasn’t for me, though I can appreciate that the concept was more creative than most. " A man moves into a new home that has supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As dark entities start to threaten him, his brave dog comes to the rescue."

I had high expectations for this movie, but it ultimately felt like something was missing. Dwayne Johnson delivers a solid performance, though nothing particularly memorable. Emily Blunt stands out as the strongest presence in the film and gives the most compelling performance. Overall, it’s an enjoyable watch, but not essential viewing. "The film tells the true story of mixed martial arts and UFC fighter Mark Kerr, whose obsession with greatness made him a legend—and nearly cost him everything."

I’d been hearing glowing reviews about Train Dreams , and it more than lived up to expectations. That said, this isn’t a film for everyone; if you’re not a fan of slow-paced, melancholic dramas, it may not be for you. The film’s strength lies in its quiet restraint. Its ending and central themes are a perfect 10/10, inviting reflection on life, loss, and sadness through multiple lenses, while still leaving room for hope. Train Dreams lingers on atmosphere, memory, and the passage of time. " Robert Grainier lives all of his years in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, working on the land, helping to create a new world at the turn of the 20th century."

Phantom Thread has been praised a lot in articles, and after hearing so many recommendations, my expectations were high. While I appreciated it, I didn’t quite love it. The acting is great, (Daniel Day-Lewis), and the cinematography is elegant. That said, the film’s deliberate pacing didn’t fully work for me. The slow, lingering scenes made the experience feel exhausting rather than immersive, and some of the dialogue felt dull enough that it was hard to stay fully engaged. I admire the craftsmanship and can see why it resonates so strongly with others, but its restrained tempo ultimately kept me at a distance. "Renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock and his sister Cyril are at the center of British fashion in 1950s London -- dressing royalty, movie stars, heiresses, socialites and debutantes. Women come and go in Woodcock's life, providing the confirmed bachelor with inspiration and companionship. His carefully tailored existence soon gets disrupted by Alma, a young and strong-willed woman who becomes his muse and lover."