A Year in Film: 2024 Highlights and Upcoming 2025 Releases with Brandon Cole

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What shaped the cinematic landscape of 2024? Join us as we welcome back our esteemed guest, Brandon Cole, for another round of insightful movie reflections. Amidst the challenges posed by the writer’s strike and lingering post-COVID effects, we navigate through a year filled with mixed emotions. Despite these hurdles, we set our sights on the promising horizon of 2025, with a special spotlight on the upcoming "Mickey 17." With our trusted friend Letterboxd, we compare our film-watching adventures—boasting 238 viewings on my side to Brandon's impressive 117—and revel in Zendaya's stellar performances in "Dune" and "Challengers," showcasing her dynamic range.

Expect a lively discussion as we dissect the highs and lows of recent films. Glenn Powell’s commendable roles in "Twisters" and "Hitman" catch our praise, while the pre-release sequel of "Wolves" piques our curiosity. From comedies like "The Book of Clarence" and "Let's Start a Cult" to the action-packed "Monkey Man" and "Bad Boys for Life," our conversation spans multiple genres. We’re not shy about debating the strengths and weaknesses of films like "Roadhouse" and "Rebel Ridge." As our conversation unfolds, we can't help but express excitement for future projects like the continuation of the "Dune" series, even as we acknowledge some concerns about the source material.

Looking ahead, the anticipation for upcoming releases fuels our discussion with a particular emphasis on "Avatar 3" and an unexpected "Happy Gilmore 2." We also celebrate the rising stars like Tom Holland and Glenn Powell, and explore the potential of animated sequels such as "Mario 2" and "Toy Story 5." We’re thrilled about the possibilities these new projects bring, while a bit skeptical about some like the delayed "Mission Impossible." Our podcast reflects on a successful year and charts an even more thrilling course for 2025, with next week's episode promising an exciting dive into the official Bob Dylan story with a fresh perspective from our recurring guest.