kjproulx

Train Dreams is a film I'd heard praised endlessly throughout the festival circuit, yet somehow I never managed to catch it, until now. With its arrival on Netflix, I finally dove in, and I'm happy to report that the acclaim is well-deserved. In my view, this is one of the standout films of 2025. The story itself is simple, but the level of craftsmanship behind the camera elevates it into something genuinely special.

The film follows Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), a man pulled away from his quiet life with his wife and child to help build a railroad. That's all I'll say plot-wise, because the beauty of Train Dreams lies in how its narrative unfolds with such natural rhythm that revealing any major developments would ruin the experience. Along the way, Grainier encounters a variety of characters, and among the supporting cast, William H. Macy is the clear standout-his presence injects warmth and liveliness into every scene he appears in. Still, the film ultimately rests on Edgerton's shoulders, and he delivers a performance that anchors every frame.

I've long admired Edgerton's work, and while I'm hesitant to declare this his single greatest performance, it certainly comes close. What he achieves here is powerful yet remarkably understated, and he is the primary reason the film moved me to tears. Every emotion he expresses feels finely tuned and lived-in, a testament to both his craft and Clint Bentley's restrained direction. Bentley's filmmaking style gives Edgerton the space to deliver something quietly fantastic.

Though I never saw Bentley's smaller directorial debut Jockey, I did enjoy Sing Sing, which he co-wrote. But Train Dreams feels like the purest expression of his artistic vision. The framing by cinematographer Adolpho Veloso and the beautiful score by Bryce Dessner give the film an unexpected richness and personality. I loved how deeply the film engages with questions of life without ever slipping into melodrama. For me, Train Dreams stands tall as one of the year's very best films-and the more I reflect on it, the more it feels like a strong contender for my number one spot. I absolutely loved it.

I've never read The Running Man novel, and I thought the 1987 Schwarzenegger film was a fun but forgettable piece of cheesy sci-fi. That's why I was genuinely excited for a new take-especially with Edgar Wright directing. I adore Baby Driver and Hot Fuzz, and I've never disliked anything he's made. While his 2025 version doesn't break that streak, it's easily my least favourite of his films, though still an enjoyable watch overall.

Glen Powell steps in as Ben Richards, a desperate father who agrees to compete on the deadly TV show The Running Man to save his seriously ill child. The month-long hunt for a billion-dollar prize sets up plenty of opportunities for standout supporting roles, and the cameos are a lot of fun. My favourite stretch involves Michael Cera, whose scenes with Powell have great energy and chemistry.

Where the film let me down was in its pacing and surprisingly heavy exposition. For a director known for sharp, kinetic action, Wright delivers a film that feels a bit low-energy and light on set-pieces, especially for a 2-hour-13-minute runtime. The action that is there works, but the storytelling feels too spread out, and the script over-explains things instead of trusting the audience. It also lacks the usual Edgar Wright stylistic punch, which made something feel slightly off.

Even so, Powell gives a committed performance, and the supporting cast-especially Coleman Domingo-brings a lot to the table. The action is fun when it arrives, and despite some characters needing more screen time, everyone makes their moments count. The 2025 Running Man is a great film delivered in an average way, but it's still entertaining and absolutely worth a look, even if it falls short of greatness.

Whether you're talking about the original fun '80s action film or the more recent Prey, there are only a few movies in the Predator franchise that I find genuinely great. This series has been all over the place throughout the years-Predator 2, both Alien vs. Predator films, and The Predator were all pretty disappointing to me. Prey in 2022 completely reignited my liking for this franchise, and Dan Trachtenberg has proven he knows exactly how to please an audience.

Trachtenberg didn't stop there, either. His animated feature Predator: Killer of Killers might actually be my favourite entry overall, as it showed how creative and versatile this universe can be. So naturally, when Predator: Badlands was announced, I was excited to see what he would do next. Now that I've seen it, I can confidently say it delivers on nearly every level.

The film follows a young Predator named Dek, who is cast out by his father for being the weakest of his clan. Determined to prove himself, Dek sets out to hunt a worthy creature but instead crosses paths with Thia (Elle Fanning), a synthetic human/robot with her own mission. Their evolving bond gives the film surprising emotional depth, and their witty banter adds just enough humour without undercutting the intensity. Fanning shines in the role-especially since, without spoiling anything, she's essentially playing two characters.

For a Predator movie, Badlands impressed me immensely. The score is excellent, the pacing never drags, and the action is some of the best this franchise has. It feels like the series has finally found the right balance between character, story, and spectacle. The original will always be a classic, but this new era of Predator filmmaking shows real care and craftsmanship. If you're a fan of the franchise and just want a thrilling time at the movies, I can't recommend Predator: Badlands enough.