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Best Films of 2025 (Final list) 🎬

This is it. My Top 30 films list of 2025, based on American release dates.
I finally got there. Blame the late U.S. release dates in Australia (we still haven't got The Testament of Ann Lee).

Final tally of films watched in 2025 (cinema and streaming, not festival debut) was 161.

Full 2025 rankings 👉 link in story.
What were your favourites? Let me know 👇

#BestFilmsOf2025
#Top10Films
#FilmRanking
#filmcommunity
#Letterboxd by @blake_explores_hype

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5 months ago

Account update 🎬

Over the past couple of years I’ve really enjoyed building this account and sharing a mix of the things I’m into.

As much as I enjoy that variety, film has always been the constant — and the thing I care most about engaging with properly.

Moving into 2026, I want to give this account a much clearer focus and direction, not just in terms of subject matter, but also in the type of content I’m putting out — more considered reviews, more consistency, and a bit more intention behind it all.

The aim is to treat film watching and reviewing more seriously, and hopefully open the door over time to things like screenings and premieres.

From 2026, this account will be focusing primarily on film and film reviewing.

All the other things I’ve posted about over the years — books, games, sport, random moments, and personal stuff — will be moving to a separate account. I’ll share more details on that over the coming weeks.

Thanks to everyone who’s been here so far — more movies incoming 🎬

#blakeexploreshype #film #filmreview #cinema #movies by @blake_explores_hype

65

1

7 months ago

I really dug this psychological thriller starring Robert De Niro and Wesley Snipes, which explores the dangerously obsessive relationship between fans and the athletes they idolise.

The film isn't without its problems. It's often too on the nose, repeatedly hammering home its themes and making sure you understand exactly what's going on in the lead character's mind (usually accompanied by some very angry industrial music). It can be undeniably cheesy at times, but there's more than enough here to outweigh the bad.

Both De Niro and Snipes are excellent, with De Niro in particular bringing an unsettling intensity to his role that keeps the tension simmering throughout. Director Tony Scott injects the film with plenty of energy, and despite its flaws, I was never bored.

I had a surprisingly good time with this one. Maybe I'm just a sucker for sports-themed films, but The Fan ended up being far more entertaining than I expected.

#blakeexplores #thefanmovie #movieoftheweek #movie #moviereview by @blake_explores_hype

8

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6 days ago

🎬 Ranking Every Christopher Nolan Film – Part 1

Christopher Nolan has one of the strongest filmographies of any modern director... but not every film can be number one.

This is Part 1 of my complete ranking, working from the bottom of the list upwards. Some of these placements might be controversial (my number 12 will break you) and there's a few here that definitely need a rewatch.

Do you agree with my picks so far, or have I already lost you?

👇 Let me know your ranking in the comments.

#BlakeExploresFilm #christophernolan #FilmCommunity #movieranking #movies by @blake_explores_hype

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4

7 days ago

The Odyssey (2026)
Directed by Christopher Nolan

Caught this in cinemas this week.
20th cinema watch of 2026

Full review on Letterboxd
Link in bio.

#blakeexploresfilm #theodyssey #movienight #InCinemas #FilmCommunity by @blake_explores_hype

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8 days ago

My immediate thoughts on The Odyssey, Nolan's take on Homer's classic literature, starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, and a lot more.

More thoughts to come later.

@universalpictures @imax

#theodyssey #christophernolan #cinema #movies #moviereviews by @blake_explores_hype

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9 days ago

Sam Neill has passed away, aged 78.

An amazing innings from an amazing performer. He was always captivating on screen whether making you believe in dinosaurs or recently as a foul-mouthed fox.

Just wanted to say thank you. Rest in peace.

#blakeexploreshype #samneill #filmcommunity #restinpeace by @blake_explores_hype

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12 days ago

Edited for Instagram. Full review on Letterboxd — link in bio.

I first watched Her around the time it was released and enjoyed it, but I couldn't shake the feeling I'd missed something. It felt like a film that would reveal more with age and a second viewing. More than a decade later, I finally came back to it, and it resonated with me in a way it simply hadn't the first time.

On paper, Her sounds like a film that shouldn't work. A lonely man falls in love with his operating system? It could've been cheesy or full of sci-fi clichés. Instead, Spike Jonze plays every moment completely straight, delivering one of the most heartfelt, mature and emotionally honest films I've seen in a long time.

Joaquin Phoenix is phenomenal as Theodore, portraying loneliness without ever asking for pity. Scarlett Johansson is equally remarkable despite never appearing on screen. The film never asks you to believe someone could fall in love with an operating system—only with someone who truly understands them.

Jonze's direction is exceptional, with the cinematography, colour palette and score creating a warm, melancholic atmosphere. What impressed me most is its restraint. It never reaches for cheap drama or familiar sci-fi twists, instead trusting its characters and letting every emotional moment feel earned.

More than a decade later, Her feels even more relevant than when it was first released.

#blakeexplores #hermovie #movieoftheweek #movie #moviereview by @blake_explores_hype

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14 days ago

June 2026 - Top 5 first watches

48 watches in June (features and shorts), 46 of them first time watches.

Full thoughts logged on Letterboxd (link in bio and story).

5. The Christophers
4. The Sheep Detectives
3. Mr. Church
2. Pressure
1. The Invite

#blakeexploresfilm #film #letterboxd #moviereviews #movie by @blake_explores_hype

10

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19 days ago

Father of the Bride (1991)
Directed by: Charles Shyer
Length: 105 Minutes

Review first posted on letterboxd. Link in bio.

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As a kid, I'd always known about Father of the Bride, but for whatever reason I'd convinced myself it looked a bit silly. Thankfully, maturity has done me some favours because I finally gave it a chance, and what I found was one of the easiest, purest and most enjoyable watches I've had in quite some time.

Yes, it's incredibly straightforward, but that's never a problem when the writing is this strong and the cast are this good. Everything feels natural, every emotional beat lands, and nothing is ever more complicated than it needs to be. Steve Martin is terrific as George Banks, a father desperately trying to come to terms with the fact that his little girl isn't so little anymore. It's a performance that's funny, frustrating and surprisingly emotional all at once. Diane Keaton is just as good, delivering one of my favourite performances of hers as the family matriarch who somehow always knows exactly what George is thinking. She guides him, reassures him, but never loses her own warmth, cheekiness or strength. Martin Short bursts onto the screen and immediately reminds you why he's one of the greatest comedic performers of his generation. Even Eugene Levy pops up for a brief appearance, which was a fun surprise.

The funny thing is, despite having Steve Martin and Martin Short sharing the screen, I don't know if I laughed out loud all that often. Instead, I spent most of the film with a smile on my face. It's warm, heartfelt and refreshingly grounded. There's no forced melodrama or unnecessary conflict, just a father trying to navigate one of the biggest changes of his life. Sometimes that's more than enough.

A genuinely lovely film from start to finish. My only lingering question is... where on earth did they park 200 cars?

#blakeexplores #fatherofthebride #movieoftheweek #movie #moviereview by @blake_explores_hype

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20 days ago

June 2026 - film wrap 🎬

The best and the worst first watches of June. Both 2026 and pre-2026 releases.

Full diary breakdown on letterboxd.

#blakeexploresfilm #filmwrap #LetterboxdDiary #movies #films by @blake_explores_hype

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24 days ago

Featured Movie of the Week -- 1

The Sheep Detectives (2026)
Directed by: Kyle Balda
Length: 115 Minutes

Review first posted on letterboxd. Link in bio

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When I first saw the trailer for The Sheep Detectives, I thought it looked seriously corny. I blew it off like a nothing film and even wondered, what someone with as much talent as Hugh Jackman was doing with his career? But then the reviews started coming through and to say they were extremely positive is a massive understatement.

I can confirm, the hype is real. Man this is just a bloody damn good movie. Well acted, well cast (the sheep casting is phenomenal), well scripted - everything here works really well. Nothing groundbreaking but it's a damn good film. The way the themes circle back around in phases was expertly done. It's crazy this director doesn't have anything other than a lot of Despicable Me/Minions stuff to his name.

Not quite enough to get to 4 stars (though that could change on a rewatch) but I'll highly recommend this to anyone and everyone, even if they're not asking. Really good stuff here, more films like this.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5

#blakeexplores #thesheepdetectives #movieoftheweek #movie #moviereview by @blake_explores_hype

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a month ago