The Best of 2025...So Far.
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Let’s look at the best movies, music, TV and books of 2025…so far.
[movies]
The Gorge is beautifully simple. It’s a love story/action movie hybrid with less than 10 human actors with speaking lines. It takes two uber-talented leads, Miles Teller (Whiplash, Top Gun: Maverick) and Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit, The Northmen), to spin a believable, and fun, tale as a pair of snipers on opposite sides of a pit…guarding something sinister from getting out.
The script is on point, with surprisingly great dialogue, considering the genre. Horror director Scott Derickson branches out here, tapping the cinematographer from all four John Wick movies, providing distinct visuals. Plot is a bit thin, but still fun…this one is the rare crowd pleaser that appeals to pre-teens and octogenarians alike, and everyone in between.
Black Bag: A Thrilling Exploration of Trust in Marriage Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag is not just a gripping spy thriller; it’s a deeply personal exploration of trust within a marriage pushed to its breaking point. Starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett as George and Kathryn Woodhouse, intelligence agents whose relationship becomes the centerpiece of a high-stakes conspiracy, the film masterfully intertwines espionage with the emotional complexities of love, betrayal, and doubt.
The story begins when George is tasked with uncovering a mole in his agency who leaked a cyber-weapon capable of catastrophic destruction. To his horror, evidence points to his wife, Kathryn. As George investigates, their marriage becomes a battlefield of suspicion and secrecy. The tension is palpable as George secretly includes Kathryn in a dinner party designed to expose the mole, forcing him to confront his deepest fears about her loyalty.
At its core, Black Bag delves into how trust can survive—or crumble—under extreme circumstances. George’s professional skills as an expert in deception are rendered useless when applied to his wife, as his emotions cloud his judgment. Meanwhile, Kathryn’s ambiguous actions—meeting with foreign operatives and withholding information—keep both George and the audience questioning her motives. Is she guilty or protecting him from a larger threat?
This ambiguity drives the film’s emotional and narrative tension. Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett deliver exceptional performances that anchor the film’s emotional weight. Fassbender portrays George as a man torn between love and duty, while Blanchett’s Kathryn is enigmatic yet deeply human, walking the fine line between vulnerability and strength. Their chemistry elevates every scene, particularly in moments of confrontation where love and suspicion collide. Ultimately, Black Bag isn’t just about espionage; it’s about the fragility and resilience of trust in relationships. By placing this theme at its core, Soderbergh crafts not only one of 2025’s most thrilling films but also one of its most emotionally resonant, reminding us that even in the face of betrayal, love can endure—though not without consequences.
Sean Palmer is the author of Speaking by the Numbers: Enneagram Wisdom for Teachers, Pastors, and Communicators (IVP 2022); 40 Days on Being a Three (Enneagram Daily Reflections), and Unarmed Empire (Cascade 2017). He is also the Teaching Pastor at Ecclesia Houston, one of America’s most innovative and vibrant multi-site churches, serving a predominance of Millennials and young adults.
A Complete Unknown is direted by James Mangold, who was also behind the massive Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line.
But this Bob Dylan story wasn’t as big of a hit at the box office. That’s not due to a lack of quality, but the fact that Johnny Cash is more likeable to a general audience than Dylan.
It’s true that the artist born Robert Zimmerman changed the world. It’s also true that Dylan was a chronic liar, both professionally (he completely made up his backstory—including time working in a carnival) and personally (he’s cheating on one love interest or the other for most of the movie).
This makes him a more difficult protagonist to root for, which means less people will see this movie. But as a time capsule to understand a major cultural shift, A Complete Unknown is essential. And the performances from Timothee Chalomet (Dylan), Monica Barbaro (Joan Baez), Boyd Hollbrook (Johnny Cash), Edward Norton (Pete Seeger) and Scoot McNairy (Woody Guthrie), are iconic…not just for the acting. Each performer slips into the vocal range of the singer they’re portraying…an impressive feat indeed.
The best possible war film is made with precision and realism, something that Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland's new film offers in spades. Based on the Battle of Ramadi, the deadliest combat sequence in the Iraq War, this 95-minute bullet gets moving quickly, showcasing the bravery and teamwork of a group of Navy Seals who come under enemy fire while maintaining sniper positions for US Marines. Charles Melton, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael Gandolfini, and D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai are standouts in an ensemble cast that is stellar from top to bottom. The action is visceral, the emotion isn't forced, and the pacing is relentless. Deep breaths before the shooting starts. Once it does, Mendoza and Garland's film doesn't let up.
Dan Buffa is a St. Louis based film critic and sportswriter. Check out his Substack below!
Movies with dogs as the centerpiece of the pie can often be too cliched and melodramatic, even when the animal doesn't have a speaking part. This Naomi Watts-led drama offers a quality script and genuine performances to go with the best Great Dane ever shown on camera. Watts is a writer struggling to pen her latest novel when her best friend and mentor (Bill Murray) dies suddenly, leaving her his dog as a companion. The human and dog slowly but surely thaw each other's icy exteriors, becoming closer than either could have expected. Keep the tissues and the ice cream close, because this one will warm the heart with ease and cause some tears to be shed. It's further proof that dogs should live forever, because they always give more than they take.
-Dan Buffa
[shows]
Technically, Landman was on this publication’s Best of 2024 list AND on a Best of 2025…so far because the show started last year, ended season one in Q1 2025. It’s a better show than creator Taylor Sheridan’s first outing—Yellowstone (I realize that’s a bit polarizing), but Sheridan has learned a thing or two about plot and pacing since his freshman outing.
Yellowstone stuck the setting and characters, but struggled with plot and pacing, and left a lot of storyline elements unfinished. Landman is much more focused, and the acting is just incredible.This is Billy Bob Thorton’s role of a lifetime, and Jon Hamm (Mad Men, The Town) and Demi Moore (G.I. Jane, The Substance) bring emotional gravitas to the supporting cast. But it’s Ali Larter (Varsity Blues, Final Destination) who steals the show here as complicated Matriarch Angela Norris.
10/10. Don’t miss this one.
American Primeval may use the rebirth of Westerns to get you to watch, but it’s not like any Western I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen a lot).
The typical Western format is good vs. bad guys, ending in some kind of spectacular shootout. Based on true events, AP shows the brutality of a private Mormon army, warring native tribes (including the Utes and Shoshone), US Calvary all clashing in various combinations, and tells the true tale of the innocent settlers who were slaughtered in the chaos.
Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights, The Terminal List) and Betty Gilpin (The Tomorrow War, GLOW) turn int eh best performances of their respective careers, and Sons of Anarchy alum Kim Coates brings a chilling interpretation to Mormon leader Brigham Young.
Shifting Gears—most network sitcoms never get beyond stereotypes. Tim Allen, who played a stereotype on the 90’s ratings juggernaut Home Improvement, is doing the best work of his career here as the owner of a classic car restoration shop who's grieving the death of his wife, while his adult daughter (Kat Dennings) and grandchildren move back in with him. It’s also great to see Sean William Scott (American Pie, Final Destination)
This stands out because it’s a show about being a family despite political and philosophical differences. And it’s nice to see an old school network comedy play it smart—there are regular jokes mocking Allen’s past roles, like The Santa Clause, thrown in. And Dennings holds her own against a comedic legend—this is just as good as her last sitcom, Two Broke Girls, which is sadly only available on Roku.
Shifting Gears just barely got renewed for a second season…hopefully it finds it’s audience.
A decade after Netflix canceled their hit Daredevil series to spite Disney (who owns the character) for launching a streaming service, the story of a blind vigilante continues with Daredevil: Born Again (a nod to the lead character’s Catholic faith, which heavily influences the show).
Despite the looong break, the story picks up well, with higher stakes than almost any Comic based entertainment, and a mix of brutal violence (this is not for kids) and characters working through heavy questions of philosophy and morality (which is what makes the show work).
Unless you hate all things comic book/sci-fi, I would give this one a shot. Having seen the original show isn’t necessary. You’ll pick up the story just fine. This is also proof that Marvel can actually make something good again…as this the first MCU project I’ve actually enjoyed since Endgame.
I’m not sure what Kate Hudson was doing between the legendary Almost Famous in 2000, and turning up as the lead in Running Point, a comedy based on the life of LA Lakers President Jeannie Buss. (My wife said she made yoga pants or something?)
If Hudson does nothing else after Running Point, she’s had a brilliant career with just two roles. The dysfunctional family comedy plotline has been followed by many other projects (Arrested Development, Modern Family), but the pro basketball element gives this Netflix original a fresh spin.
[music]
THE BEST ALBUM (SO FAR) Jason Isbell is one of the most talented, if complicated, artists in the Americana world. Complicated, because he joined the pioneering Americana/Rock outfit Drive-By Truckers as a teenager, and later left the band amidst accusations of alcoholism and possibly spousal abuse (Isbell married, then divorced DBT bassist Shauna Tucker).
I actually hung out with Jason, his then-girlfriend Amanda Shires and his friends for about two hours one time (one of the most memorable nights of my life after a show in Nashville during his “fame dip.”
Jason and Amanda divorced last year, and he has a new girlfriend, who became a famous painter buy dating an octogenarian art dealer at the age of 30 (gross) rather than relying on talent, and he also had a pretty big falling out with bassist Jimbo Hart, a beloved band member who had been with Jason since day one was was central to Jason’s sound. (Jason shared these grizzly details via an interview with MSN).
Despite all the reasons to find Jason’s personal life to be disturbing (and the reasons are legion), there’s no denying that very few people can sit down and record and entire album on acoustic guitar, with no backing instruments, and make something this compelling.
THE SECOND BEST ALBUM (SO FAR) Scottish Folk singer Nina Nesbitt hasn’t made many waves in the U.S., but thanks to being discovered (and heavily promoted) by Ed Sheeran, she has a solid following in the U.K.
Nesbitt’s latest shares a songwriting ethos with Taylor Swift’s RED album, as well as 90’s Lilith Fair vibes with Alanis Morrisette and Jewel, and the morose lens of Patty Griffin and Lori McKenna. Bonus points for this album being available on cassette for $12 (yes, that’s a thing again).
I’d never listened to a Selena Gomez song in my life before this album. But fiancee and collaborator Benny Blanco (who’s songwriting credits are too long to list) brings an ethereal soundscape to Lana Del Rey. The Gracie Abrams feature is solid, and Gomez, who I had only known from the periphery of the internet as a teenybopper, writes and sings with real depth on this one.
Charley Crockett (a real life descendent of Davey) was raised in the Rio Grand Valley, near the Texas/Mexico border, and pulls from a very distinct regional sound. Blues guitar isn’t often found in country music, but Crockett leans into distorted riffs in spades.
The characters in these songs are bank robbers, rodeo riders, gamblers and broken hearted country singers…that’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. But if it’s yours, drink deeply.
It’s damn near sinful how easy it is these days for you to watch someone completely crush a song on YouTube, raise the goosebumps, give you chills, and just as swiftly you toss it aside. After all it’s only a cover, and there’s a million good covers on YouTube, (I’m reminded of how, after seeing a rather brilliant cover of Jason Isbell’s Dress Blues, I just as quickly forgot about it, and the young kid, who later turned out to be Zach Bryan). But sometimes, sometimes you're hooked.
Such is the case with Stephen Wilson Jr’s staggering rendition of Ben E King’s staple, “Stand by Me,” the opener of the newly released expanded edition of his 2023 album, Son of Dad. Sure it’s good, and unique, powerful, and clean, but so what, so are a thousand covers. Then you listen to an album full of original songs, and they’re good, really good, they’re better. From anger, hopefulness, thoughtfulness, to straight up bangers, and tearjerkers, all strummed to you on nylon strings with a beat up Takamine.
I’m reminded with every trip to Nashville, of how many country clones there are. Clones upon clones, which is why original singers like Stapleton and Childers stick out, and here we have another original voice, with an original sound. This freshness might partially be due to the fact that he’s playing these songs on an old classical guitar tuned down two whole steps. Relying more on his sense of dynamics and the percussion of the instrument rather than traditional country techniques and melodies. Wilson blends in layered effects that might make Tom Morello proud, but lacking the writing, these would just be flashing lures, with no hook, all frosting and no cake. Here though, Stephen bakes a cake.
He creates a hook.
And he reels a monster.
John Cole Born is a fine artist and singer/songwriter living in Iowa. Connect with him on Instagram.
Special Category—Best EP.
These days, EP’s and live albums are often released because artists are trying to stay towards the top of the algorithms in streaming apps…not because they’re anything worth hearing (pointing the finger squarely at Zach Bryan’s year-end live album, which pales in comparison to his Live at Red Rocks project).
The fact that these are the “leftover” songs from Charles Wesley Godwin, not good enough to be on his next album…is insane. There’s a co-write from up-and-comer Wyatt Flores here, along with guest features from Scott Avett of The Avett Brothers and ERNEST.
If he can keep up this quality and output schedule, Godwin is going to be one of the biggest names in country music within the next year or two.
[songs]
I’ve never considered Jessica Simpson particularly good at anything, and figured she was only famous for connecting with low-IQ reality TV watchers in the 2000’s.
But, fresh off her second divorce, Simpson taps into the sounds of Jack White, Joss Stone and Duffy, mixing early rock and soul influences for a painfully angry track about infidelity.
The lyrics are blush-worthy (not profane, just…very descriptive of a difficult situation), so maybe not one to play in the car with the kiddos.
Kat Hasty comes out of the same Texas Red Dirt/Oklaholma Folk scene as Zach Bryan, John Moreland and Turnpike Troubadours.
The first single off her next album is an earworm, but sounds nothing like the Nashville sheen on the radio.
Julien Baker is best known as 1/3 of boygenius, the supergroup of Gen Zer’s mixing early 2000’s emo and indie rock soundscapes with classic rock elements.
Baker’s latest solo single feels like vintage Fleetwood Mac, mixed with 90’s Lilith Fair.
Punk influenced post-hardcore isn’t particularly popular these days, but Canadian lads Arm’s Length are doing their dangest to provide something fresh for those of us with a deep love of Fugazi, Thrice and Restorations.
John Mark McMillan is one of the rare worship artists a non-religious person might throw on a playlist…and his latest single belongs on a lot of them.
Inspired heavily by McMillan caring for his father-in-law during a brutal cancer battle, “All My Life” throws out a stadium worthy chorus, and finds the singer looking up to heaven in devotion and faith, in the middle of unanswered questions.
[books]
If you’ve ever been on YouTube with time to kill, you’ve come across at least one or two unexplainable videos that stick in your craw. I’m talking about the “What the heck?” unexplainable ones of amazing or scary phenomena that seem almost magical. Some of these videos, of course, are just elaborate tricks made by folks who love special effects and have access to too many easy-to-use digital tools to replicate them. But an increasing number of clips seem genuine and almost miraculous in content, as if the person who was filming pressed “record” while standing along some thin, porous, invisible line dividing the natural and supernatural worlds.
Standing along this line is where Rod Dreher meets us in Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery & Meaning in a Secular Age, and enchantment—or more accurately, re-enchantment—with God is what he’s after. But this is also where things get weird, not because Dreher makes them so, but because, well, they are so, at least to those of us post-17th century types (which is all of us) who have grown up on this side of the Enlightenment. Thus, our modernist disenchantment—what Dreher defines as “the evaporation of a sense of the supernatural within the world, and its replacement with a belief, sometimes unacknowledged, that this world is all there is”—turns us into mere materialists, tempting us with false enchantments and the dangers thereof.
Craig Dunham grew up a Midwesterner in the shadows of Mark Twain and Abraham Lincoln. He now lives, moves, and has his being in Springfield, IL, home of the pseudo-famous horseshoe sandwich.
I’m not sure Jordan B. Peterson needs an introduction…he’s become more divisive as of late, being somewhat associated with politics (joining The Daily Wire probably didn’t help with that).
Peterson’s detractors want you to think he’s nothing more than a right wing mouthpiece, who’s alleged intellect is overblown. Uhhh…the dude taught at Harvard.
The Canadian Psychologist’s take on the Old Testament is a really tough read. And I disagree with a lot of it. But, it’s still a great read from the most famous public intellectual in the world.
If you hate the cold, read this. That’s it.
Former M.D. Casey Means argues that most chronic diseases, from anxiety and depression to infertility and fatigue, are caused by metabolic function fixed by eating whole foods (ditch the seed oils, processed crap), sleep 7-9 hours a night (apparently she doesn’t know the ages of my children?!) and exercise.
Oh, and morning and evening sunlight. manage stress, and intermittent fast.
Read the book. Or, just do that stuff.
Hate your job? Go buy a boomer’s business, so they can retire.
Until the next…quarter.
-sth