June 22, 2025 – In general, it’s been a weak year for new movies and TV shows so far. But here’s what’s stood out to me…
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Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, with Colin Firth, is probably the most intelligent new show of 2025. See trailer below. [Peacock] [IMDb]
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Another well-done drama that's based on true events is Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes. See trailer below. [Hulu] [IMDb]
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Along with The Empire Strikes Back, Andor is the best of Star Wars. So thankful they kept it non-cheesy. Season 2 starts slow, but episodes 8 and 9 are wow. [Disney+] [IMDb]
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Speaking of Stars Wars, the men who ruined the sequel trilogy are back. J.J. Abrams has Duster on Max. Rian Johnson has season 2 of Poker Face on Peacock.
I tried watching Duster, but gave up after a few episodes. Season 1 of Poker Face was decent. However, in Season 2, the show has devolved into a one-hour procedural, with each episode’s outcome being boringly predictable.
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I thought season 1 of The Last of Us was kinda boring. Its season 2 is getting mixed reviews. I started to watch it, then got bored and haven't finished the season. [Max]
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Guy Ritchie’s Mobland isn’t as good as I thought it would be, but it’s still better than almost every new show of 2025. I liked the show the more the season went on. See trailer below. [Paramount+] [IMDb]
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I wanted to like Your Friends & Neighbors, with Jon Hamm. But it seems like a Breaking Bad knock-off that lacks its style, and it didn’t have characters I cared about. [Apple TV+]
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I loved season 3 of Dark Winds. I thought it was the show’s best season. Zahn McClarnon deserves an Emmy. [AMC+]
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If you like British crime dramas, you might like Dept Q. Matthew Goode goes against type in this thriller. See trailer below. [Netflix] [IMDb]
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I didn't like the new Marvel movie, Thunderbolts*. [SPOILERISH…] It’s full of unfunny, playing-to-the-camera lines, and amounts to a psychotherapy session that ends with a group hug.
Speaking of Marvel under Disney, between Avengers: Endgame and Deadpool & Wolverine, they made a ton of films (and TV series) that disappointed fans. That’s an impressive failure.
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The trailers for the upcoming Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps don't look promising either.
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On a more positive note for Marvel, Daredevil: Born Again is worth a watch. However, don't expect much. Like The Force Awakens did, the show harkens back to older material and doesn't break much new ground. It feels safe. Yet, it's among the best of 2025 so far. See trailer below. [Disney+] [IMDb]
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From the World of John Wick: Ballerina — Ana de Armas was more believable in the close-up fighting than I thought she would be. And there are some clever fight scenes, but this movie definitely feels below the John Wick standard. Has a different director. But, if you’re a John Wick fan, you might like this. See trailer below. [In theaters, then Starz] [IMDb]