Best and Worst Films of the Year

Dec 22, 2025

Mark ranks his best and worst films of 2025, highlighting both cinematic triumphs and flops. He passionately discusses standout performances in "Song Sung Blue" and the gritty realism of "Peter Hujar's Day." The hosts celebrate the year's best television, with their top picks including "Narrow Road to the Deep North" and "Adolescence." They also pay heartfelt tributes to industry legends lost this year, reflecting on their immense contributions and sharing anecdotes that keep their legacies alive.

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INSIGHT

Conversational Tone Shapes The Show

The hosts open with playful banter that sets a relaxed, conversational tone for the episode.
That rapport frames reviews as friendly recommendations rather than formal criticism.

ADVICE

Prioritise Performance Over Packaging

Focus reviews on performances and emotional truth rather than marketing labels.
Kermode notes his own expectation confusion (Neil Diamond vs Neil Young) but stresses substance over poster promises.

INSIGHT

Tribute Act Drama Wins Through Performance

Craig Brewer's Song Sung Blue charms by foregrounding performers over flashy direction.
Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson deliver career-high warmth that anchors the film's emotional core.

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It’s that time of year on the Take when Mark runs down his best and worst films of the year—so get ready for a reminder of 2025’s biggest raves and rants from I’m Still Here to Tron: Ares. It’s all new content as he ranks the big-screen bangers and clangers of the last 12 months and picks the Take’s best picture. We’ll also look at the year’s best small screen releases, revisiting stunning series like the gruelling Narrow Road to the Deep North and the gripping Pluribus (00:43:00 https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/pluribus/umc.cmc.37axgovs2yozlyh3c2cmwzlza).

For Vanguardistas listening ad-free, Pluribus is at 00:39:31.

Brand new reviews too of two new cinema releases. First up, Song Sung Blue—a feelgood musical drama biopic about a real-life couple who form a Neil Diamond tribute band and follow their long-held musical dreams, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. There’s Peter Hujar’s Day too—which follows the everyday life on the 70s Downtown New York arts scene of the titular photographer, played by Ben Whishaw.

Plus we remember the greats we lost in 2025. We’ve said goodbye to some true cinema legends this year, including Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, David Lynch—and of course tragically and most recently Rob Reiner. Mark and Simon celebrate their exceptional contributions to cinema.

Timecodes (for Vanguardistas listening ad-free):

00:00:00 Start of Discussion

00:02:51 Song Sung Blue review

00:17:15 Best films of 2025:

00:30:20 Peter Hujar’s Day review

00:36:12 Best TV of 2025

00:45:39 Worst films of 2025

00:56:45 They Lived Their Dash (obits)

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