Fall / Winter Movie 2025 Preview

by Brandon Norwood

Just as a note, these are the films, I am personally looking forward to. If you want Jeff’s picks, ask him.

Now that that has been stated, Summer movie season has come to an end. And before I post my thoughts on that, let’s get excited for what’s left for the remainder of the year. As always release dates subject to change.

THE LONG WALK - September 12th

Our review for this is live in Episode 178. This is has been a banner year for Stephen King, with one adaptation left to go.

Francis Lawrence absolutely delivered the goods here. Anchored by two stand-out performances from Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson, this thriller will leave you tense up while chocking back tears. An excellent sound mix makes this one a high recommendation for a trip to your local cinema for.

SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES - September 12

Look, comedy sequel rarely land. But, THE NAKED GUN just executed that perfectly. Fingers crossed.

HIM - September 19th

Justin Tipping’s second film concerning a football player and his training from a notable legend seems to be the horror film that might surprise us all. Jordan Peele is a producer and has attached his company, Monkeypaw Productions, as well as Peele’s producing partners. Very excited to see what the social commentary will be for this one!

A BIG BOLD BEATIFUL JOURNEY - September 19th

Kogonada return’s with his third feature. I love his first two films, but this one is a big question mark. The trailer is very saccharine which has me worried. Hope his first truly studio film pans out. If anything at least Colin Ferrell and Margot Robbie will provide great performances.

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - September 26th

I can’t say anything about this other than I’m excited to see this on the 8-story IMAX again and I’m itching to see a VistaVision print of this.

Paul Thomas Anderson returns in an unlikely form. Big-budget studio picture that is still all his own. Please make sure you get your ass to a theatre for this one!

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Chase Infiniti, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Wood Harris, Alana Haim, and Shayna McHayle (aka NYC rapper Junglepussy. Saw her open for Tame Impala and have been a fan since).

THE SMASHING MACHINE - October 3rd

This just premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Awards season (aka sad white people movies) is now in full swing. And word is Benn Safdie has delivered an unflinching, raw biopic with an Oscar worthy turn from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Nothing makes me happier knowing that Dwayne is moving away from the mass appeal blockbuster garbage to taking challenging roles.

TRON: ARES - October 10th

The third film in Disney’s TRON franchise finally arrives. Would’ve loved to see what TRON: ASCENSION would’ve been with the entire team from LEGACY returning both in front and behind the camera. The big elephant in the room is film’s star but I’m hoping this is fire. ‘Cause if not, then this is it for the franchise y’all. If anything we are finally getting a proper score from Nine Inch Nails following in the footsteps of Daft Punk and Wendy Carlos before them.

ROOFMAN - October 10th

Glad to see Derek Cianfrance cut loose and have fun for once. Based on the true story of Jeffery Allen Manchester know as the Rooftop Robber or Roofman, as he escaped prison and hides out in a local Toys “R” Us. Complications arise when falls for a local woman.

It’s on the festival circuit this year. Hopefully this turns into an awards player.

ANEMONE - October 10th

Daniel Day-Lewis comes out of retirement to star in his son’s directorial debut, which they co-wrote together. The parallels to THE LIGHTHOUSE are apparent from the trailer. I’m intrigued. Never not mad to see Sean Bean or Samantha Morton either.

IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU - October 10th

I’ve heard nothing but good things about this. The trailer sold me. Always down to watch Rose Byrne act her ass off. Add to that A$AP Rocky is turning out to be a charismatic actor.

AFTER THE HUNT - October 17th

Look, I know the first reviews are not kind, but it’s Luca Guadagnino doing a Me Too thriller with an all-star cast led by Julia Roberts & Ayo Edebiri. Not to mention Trent & Atticus are back doing the score again.

GOOD FORTUNE - October 17th

Aziz Ansari writes, produces, and directs this comedy about a down on his luck man who is granted a guardian angel to swap places with his boss. It looks funny. Hope it’s good.

BLACK PHONE 2 - October 17th

Let’s be real. THE BLACK PHONE absolutely did not need a sequel. I still have no idea what to make of this. My faith here is in Scott Derrickson.

HEDDA - October 22nd

I’ll always give Nia DaCosta the benefit of the doubt. I’m literally days away from seeing this one myself. So, before 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE drops, I hope Nia knocks this out of the park.

DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE - October 24th

The festivals already confirmed exactly what I expected. So, I’ll be here strictly for both Jeremys and the music. Scott Cooper strikes again.

BUGONIA - October 31st

Look. It’s Yorgos Lanthimos. You know what you’re getting with Yorgos. I laughed hard at the trailer, and I’m happy to see it’s doing well at the festivals.

PREADTOR: BADLANDS - November 7th

FUCK YEAH! Dan Tractenberg has delivered two great PREDATOR movies with PREY & KILLER OF KILLERS. The fact that the hero of the story is a Predator and has a Weyland-Yutani android sidekick played by Elle Fanning is wild. Slowly planting the seeds for another match-up of a xenomorph and a predator.

DIE, MY LOVE - November 7th

Yes, I’ve heard all the mixed reactions. I cannot pass on a Lynne Ramsey film. And it’ll be worth it if all the talk about Jennifer Lawerenc’s performance is to be believed.

THE RUNNING MAN - November 14th

2025 has been a good year for Stephen King adaptations. The last one of 2025. Edgar Wright is one of my favorite directors working today. The film looks to be a real crowd-pleaser. And one closer to King’s novel than the previous 1987 adaptation starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.  No offense to that one at all, because it’s still an entertaining movie in its own right. Glenn Powell leads an all-star cast as Ben Richards. Powell looks to continue his run as a charismatic leading man.

NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T - November 14th

Not gonna lie, it’s wild it took till the third movie to get that title. It’s been a long time, but I remember being very entertained (if not bewildered by some plot points) by the first. I also remember being extremely underwhelmed by the second one. I’m including this on the chance that I walk out entertained. Lionsgate REALLY believes in this, as a fourth has already been greenlit.

KEEPER - November 14th

Even though I haven’t liked an Osgood Perkins movie so far, he’s such an interesting voice that I’ll always be curious on what he does next.

WICKED: FOR GOOD - November 21st

I was pleasantly surprised by the first one. Was it Best Picture good? No, but it was solid. Like the first, I have no idea what the story or songs here are so here’s hoping this just as enjoyable as the first.

SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE - November 21st

This shouldn’t exist. SISU absolutely did not need a sequel. Wild that this happened. I can only hope the action delivers.

ZOOTOPIA 2 - November 26th

I love the first ZOOTOPIA. It’s basically CHINATOWN for kids. Hopefully this second is just as good as the first with another catchy Shakira song.

HAMNET - December 12th

Chloe Zhao is back with a adaptation of a well-regarded novel. This had people wowed on the festivals circuit with the final 20 minutes being said to be top-tier. Excited to see this!

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH - December 19th

My most anticipated film of the year. Big Jim promises narrative swerves in a franchise (thus far) light on plot. THE WAY OF WATER absolutely floored me with it’s visual feats (the Na’vi can emote now and have pores) as well as some the best action from Cameron yet. I’m excited for a giant spectacle. One thing Cameron does right is earnestness in today’s cynical world. Let’s see if the themes stay as relevant as the first two. And if the teaser is any indication, Cameron is pushing 3D forward yet again.

IS THIS THING ON? - December 19th

Bradley Cooper is skating closely to Tom “please give me another Oscar” Hooper with his work. This does look to be a great film. Will Arnett stars and co-wrote this comedy-drama. This is the closing night film of the 2025 New York Film Festival, so we’ll get word soon.

There’s certainly films I’m missing as the festivals keep rolling on. As always check release dates as things are always shifting. What are you excited for for the rest of 2025?

10 Powerful Films That Explore the Depth of Male Friendships

In anticipation for THE LONG WALK (review very soon), we teamed with Lionsgate to explore ten films that explore male friendship in powerful, unexpected ways

by Brandon Norwood

The Long Walk (2025)

Image courtesy of Lionsgate

This upcoming film follows a group of teenage boys forced to endure a brutal, government-mandated endurance contest – where only one can survive. As the miles stretch on and exhaustion sets in, unlikely friendships form among the competitors. In the face of inevitable loss, these bonds offer fleeting humanity in an inhumane world, highlighting the quiet yet resilient connection, even when hope feels like a lost dream. The film is a haunting reminder that even under the harshest conditions, the need for companionship – to be seen, understood, and not die alone, is what keeps them walking.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

At the center and heart of this prison drama is the evolving friendship between Andy Dufresne, a quiet banker wrongfully convicted of murder, and Red, a seasoned inmate who knows the way of prison life. Through shared moments of trust, conversation, and mutual respect, their bond grows into something life-affirming. In a place designed to dehumanize, their friendship becomes a lifeline – a flicker of hope and dignity that ultimately leads them towards freedom, each in his own way.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Will Hunting, a troubled genius from South Boston, hides behind sarcasm and self-sabotage, but it’s his best friend Chuckie who sees through his facade. While Will’s therapist helps him confront the deep emotional scars, Chuckie’s role is quieter but just as vital – a friend who pushes Will to rise above his circumstances, even if that meant leaving him behind. Their bond, rooted in honesty and sacrifice, captures the unique kind of love that exists in male friendship: tough, loyal, and often unspoken.

Stand by Me (1986)

A poignant coming-of-age story, four boys set off to find the body of a missing child, but ending up discovering something far more personal. As they navigate the woods and their own inner struggles, their camaraderie offers them a shelter from the dysfunctions of home and fears of growing up. Each boy deals with grief, abuse, or insecurity, yet their shared journey creates a safe space for vulnerability. Their bonds are both a shield and mirror – one that shapes them long after their summer ends.

Moonlight (2016)

This story is told in three acts across a boy’s life, Moonlight explores identity, masculinity, and intimacy through the lens of Chiron, a quiet, often-isolated young man. His relationship with Kevin – a friend, a confidant, and later something deeper — is a rare thread of tenderness in a life marked by neglect and silence.  The connection between them is complicated and undefined, which cuts through the societal expectations placed on Black masculinity. It’s a friendship that speaks in small moments, glances exchanged, and long absences – unforgettable.

Mystic River (2003)

When a tragedy reunites three childhood friends – now grown men haunted by the past – the ties between them become tangled in suspicion, grief, and guilt. What begins as a story about loyalty quickly darkens into one layered in betrayal, buried trauma, and the impossibility of returning to who they once were. This film explores how friendships forged in childhood and innocence can curdle under the weight of time and violence, how shared history can both bind and break them. 

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Amid World War II, a group of soldiers are sent on a mission to find and bring home one Private James Ryan. What starts as an order quickly turns into a profound journey of sacrifice and camaraderie. As Captain Miller and his men push deeper into enemy territory, their bond strengthens, not through sentiment but through shared purpose and grief. The friendships formed in battle – often fleeting, always forged in fire – reveal the quiet heroism of simply standing beside someone when it matters most.

Sound of Metal (2019)

When heavy metal drummer, Ruben, suddenly loses his hearing, the world he once knew is shattered. Sent to a rural community for the hearing impaired, he forms a deep, wordless friendship with Joe, a Vietnam vet who helps him confront his identity beyond music. Their bond is quiet yet transformative — one built on trust, discipline and mutual vulnerability. Through Joe, Ruben learns that stillness and self-acceptance are just as powerful as sound. Their relationship becomes a ground force in a story about loss, resilience, and redefining one’s purpose.

50/50 (2011)

Inspired by a true story, 50/50 follows Adam, a young man diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and his best friend Kyle, who awkwardly but earnestly tries to help him through it. What begins as a mismatched coping mechanism – Kyle cracking jokes while Adam is facing grim realities – evolves into something more intimate. Their friendship becomes a safe place for fear, anger, and hope. This film captures how male friendship often works: not always with emotional fluency but with presence, loyalty and humor. A rare film that allows two men to show vulnerability without losing their dignity or ability to make each other laugh in the darkest moments.

Sing Sing (2023)

Based on a true story, Sing Sing follows a group of incarcerated men who find purpose, connection, and emotional freedom through a prison theater program. At the center is Divine G (played by Colman Domingo), whose unlikely friendship with a new member of the group, a man named Clarence, becomes a transformative anchor in both of their lives. Inside one of the country’s most notorious prisons, these men – many of them played by formerly incarcerated actors – form a brotherhood that defies the walls around them. Their bond is forged through shared vulnerability, creativity, and the radical act of expression. A quietly powerful testament to how male friendships can not only endure hardship, but transcend it.