John’s top 10 movies of 2025
Movie list: Genres blended but franchises ruled on the big screen in 2025.
Horror Movies
‘Terror Train’ (1980) keeps Curtis’ golden age on track
Frightening Friday (Movie review): This Canadian slasher might be shlock, but it’s atmospheric shlock that chugs along with all engines firing.
Self-cannibalizing ‘The Monkey’ is more dark than comedic
Movie review: Osgood Perkins’ idiosyncratic brand of horror won’t connect with everyone, and I doubt he intends that it will.
‘Christmas Evil’s’ (1980) reels should’ve been slashed up
Frightening Friday (Movie review): This film originally titled “You Better Watch Out” bungles its character study of a psycho Santa.
This time, the ‘Final Girl’ (2015) is fully prepared
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Abigail Breslin won’t be confused with Sylvester Stallone, but Shields constructs a sturdily stylized world.
‘Final Girls’ (2015) makes fun of old tropes, unfortunately shepherds new one
Frightening Friday (Movie review): This slasher satire ostensibly goes to 1986, but it can’t escape the 21st century’s flattened effect.
‘The Fly’ (1986) is a classic fairy tale … in reverse and inside out
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Just because Cronenberg’s film is many people’s introduction to body horror doesn’t mean he eases you into the subgenre.
‘Conjuring’ saga applies wallpaper as fast as it peels in ‘Last Rites’
Movie review: The saga’s emphasis on the investigators rather than the documented case is starting to become a bit much in the fourth entry.
I’m not scared of clowns. Can I still enjoy ‘It: Chapter Two’ (2019)?
Stephen King flashback (Movie review): Although the sequel has strong enough acting and direction to not be labeled a Loser, something is missing.
‘House of Wax’ (2005) doesn’t melt under pressure to be a good romp
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Though the events are far from plausible, this remake serves up effective chills in the “weird small town” vein.