by Nathaniel R

The following list is dedicated to the unnamed squirrel Kal-el (David Corenswet) saves in Superman, a good-hearted hit that made for a respectable relaunch of the DCU under director/producer James Gunn. The squirrel's scant seconds of screentime proved a perfect blockbuster moment: broad but suprisingly non-generic, funny but heartwarming, and above all else memorable.

While cats (led by Flow) were ruling the movies a year ago, their eternal rivals for human affection came roaring back dominant in 2025 cinema. We've included three canines in the following "Best" list but there wasn't room for everyone so our apologies to funny showdogs Honey & Sterling (Fixed), sadly rehomed dogs Si-Two & Ri-Two (No Other Choice), and other creatures great and small. Leash on. Door open. Here we go...

Click to read more ...

by Nathaniel R

CHALLENGERS took the Best Kiss gold medal for its threesome turned twosome. Who will win for 2025 cinema?

As we gear up for both the 98th Oscars and the 26th (!) annual Film Bitch Awards, it surprised me (though it shouldn't have given my track record) that I had never posted the final page of 2024 (the "Scene" categories) which I had definitely completed a year ago. Since those awards are about to be supplanted by a current  "Best of the Year" party (beginning tonight with a bit of silliness!), I invite you, if you're so inclined, to think back on last year's cinema for however many minutes you so desire to check out the gold, silver, and bronze medal honors in several categories as well as the heretofore unseen choices for  the final scene categories like "best opening scene", "best musical sequence" and many more... Among the 42 categories in our annual awards jamboree, 64 films were honored with at least one citation. As I've said many times, it's pretty rare that even the best films of the year are THE BEST AT LITERALLY EVERYTHING the way the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences would have you believe.

A few notes about the awards follow...

Click to read more ...

by Nathaniel R

A very happy ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER team. Photo: AP PHOTO

The 83rd Golden Globe awards have come and gone. Did you have a good night? You probably did if you are a fan of One Battle After Another (and who isn't?). It cleaned up with four Globe awards: Picture (Comedy), Director, Screenplay, and Supporting Actress. My boyfriend hadn't yet seen it so sat down to finally do that about eight hours before the show. I said to myself "just watch with him until Teyana's exit since it's been awhile since you've seen it". Alas, no such luck for the long task list on the fridge. I couldn't tear myself away. I literally kept saying "okay just one more scene" and then the credits were rolling. It is just as riveting and spontaneous-feeling on repeat viewings (despite the absurdly high levels of obviously planned craftsmanship on display) even though you know every thing that's going to happen. The Globes party was a bit more subdued than general given the ubiquity of black gowns, non-aggressive political asides, and 'just grateful to be doing this job' kind of weary-artist acceptance speeches. But the best thing about the night was that everyone felt a bit like winners: Sinners, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, and The Secret Agent, for example, certainly can't complain (or shouldn't) about the results given their key wins and the enthusiasm in the room for those films. More to come once we have more time  but for this quickie post, brief comments on some (most) of the wins...

Click to read more ...