By Noki Lam
Editor-In-Chief
Sinners:
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT:
Made history as the most nominated film ever at the Oscars with 16 total nominations. An exciting thriller that also tackles social commentary on the AfricanAmerican experience in the Jim Crow South and the fight against cultural appropriation.
WHAT STOOD OUT IN THE FILM: Brilliant VFX and some of the best use of music in a film in recent history. Towards the end, the movie includes a surreal montage sequence that shows how the lasting impact of music can transcend time, which was one of the standout cinematic moments of 2025 and arguably was the best scene of the year.
Hamnet:
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT: Won Best Drama Motion Picture at the 2026 Golden Globes. A Shakespeare movie without Shakespeare himself as the main character sounds like a hard sell, but this film is incredibly moving. The exploration of how a response to grief can come in different forms elevates the movie far past being a simple period piece into being a contender for the top film of 2025.
WHAT STOOD OUT IN THE FILM: Jessie Buckley’s Oscar nominated performance as Agnes Shakespeare was one of the strongest of the year. The authenticity in her depiction of a parent’s suffering after the loss of a child is incredibly powerful.
Sentimental Value:
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT: Won the Grand Prix at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Note that this film is in Norwegian. Extremely technically sound with deliberate pacing that fit the themes of the story. It’s a deep study on forgiveness and the question of if love is owed to your blood relatives even if a relationship is broken.
WHAT STOOD OUT IN THE FILM: The use of a family house and other symbolism to represent memories and relationships create an impactful story that explores intricate family dynamics deeply. These themes were amplified by the cinematography’s technical skill as well as stellar dialogue by the writers.
One Battle After Another:
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT: Won Best Musical or Comedy Motion Picture at the 2026 Golden Globes. Incredibly entertaining and strongly confrontational in its portrayal of current world issues without directly naming the people and groups it vilified: A government sanctioned anti-immigration task force and a powerful white supremacist organization.
WHAT STOOD OUT IN THE FILM: Expertly balanced its comedic tone and action packed plot with its commentary on current themes. Includes strong 70’s influence in its cinematography and a memorable highway chase scene towards the end of the movie.
Leave a Reply