Sentimental Value was my favorite film from 2025. I did not see every film from last year, but from what I saw, it was what resonated with me the most. The first time I saw it was in Brussels. It played in Norwegian with French subtitles, and emotionally it still got through to me, even though I only fully understood about 75% of the film. I enjoyed my time in Belgium, and this experience made it more memorable. When I popped out of the movie theater, I felt complete. I’d seen something extraordinary and unforgettable.
I had seen The Worst Person in the World (2021) with Mika and thought I should also watch it with her because what’s life if you can’t keep traditions. A couple of months later, in November, when it was released in the US, we went out to see the film one more time. It matched the same experience I had in Brussels, a sweeping tale about the melancholy that can only be created by the distance of a loved one. What we decide to value, what we can ask others for, and what we never feel right about asking some people for.
With friends, I saw Frankenstein 35mm at the Egyptian, Nouvelle Vague 35mm at the Vista with a surprise appearance by Linklater and Soey Deutch. I went to see Sinners in four different formats. One Battle After Another in Vista Vision was a fun experience. Roman Holiday with Mika at the Academy Museum. We could marvel over the beauty of Aubrey Hepburn on the big screen. Elsa and I went to see a new restoration of a Japanese movie called Linda Linda Linda about a group of high school girls who form a band to rock out at the yearly talent show, but it gets there in such an epic way. Blonde Venus with my friend Wade at the UCLA film archive. A little gem Andy and I found at the Laemmle Blue Sun Palace. We both looked at each other right after the film and held up a 5 to signify 5 stars. Pride & Prejudice re-release with my cousins. Marty Supreme with my cousins and a surprise appearance by Mike. Watching Halloween on Halloween night with Mike and Andy. Continuing our yearly tradition with Andy of watching Phantom Thread on 70mm at the American Cinematheque. We added Mike to the most exclusive gathering of the year ha
