Tonight's Movie in 2025: The Year in Review

Happy New Year!!

It's time for my annual look back at the movie viewing year that was! I'm sure I say this every year, but it's true: 2025 was yet another terrific year of movies, filled with a wide variety of films, including a significant number of "big screen" experiences.

I saw 179 films in 2025.

For comparison, I saw 151 films in 2024 (plus 27 movie-length COLUMBO episodes, which if included raises my 2024 level to 178), 194 movies in 2023, 179 films in 2022, 190 films in 2021, 198 films in 2020, 238 films in 2019, 282 films in 2018, 284 films in 2017, 275 in 2016, 310 movies in 2015 (my record to date!), 286 movies in 2014, 277 films in 2013, 220 in both 2012 and 2009, 226 in 2011, and 211 movies in 2010.

I saw 70 movies in a theater this year. This is a nice jump from the last few years, when I saw 51 theatrical films in 2024, 56 theatrical films in 2023, 42 in 2022, 28 big screen films in 2021, 9 big screen films in 2020, 91 big screen films in 2019, 116 theatrical films in 2018, 102 in 2017, 75 in 2016, 115 in 2015, 78 in 2014, 50 in 2013, and 55 in 2012.

Only eight of my theatrical viewings were brand-new films. Review links for those new titles are below.

77 of this year's 179 films were repeat watches, with 34 of those repeat viewings coming on a big screen. Oftentimes my repeat watches occur at film festivals or in the many great series which run at UCLA, which this year included a pair of nitrate screenings.

For comparison, in 2024 there were 75 repeat watches. In 2023 there were 74 repeat watches, and in 2022 there were 60 repeats. In 2021 there were 74 repeat watches, in 2020 there were 64 repeats, and in 2019 there were 81 repeat watches. In 2018 there were a whopping 92 repeat watches, while in 2017 there were 68 repeat films, 62 in 2016, 76 in 2015, 68 in 2014, 41 in 2013, 36 in 2012 and 2009, 15 in 2011, and only 13 in 2010.

As always, each hyperlinked title throughout this post links to a past review. While it's not possible to list every single movie seen last year or go into extensive detail in this post, it's my hope that the linked reviews will provide resources for further exploration and inspiration for future viewing.

Each linked review includes information on options available for watching each title.

The next section of this post will look at some additional stats, including films seen at festivals and lists of most-seen actors. The final section of the post is a month-by-month review of some additional notable titles not already mentioned.

Here's a look back at the great movie viewing year which was 2025!

...I attended five film festivals this year, beginning with the Noir City Film Festival at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. I'd previously seen 10 of the 12 films watched at Noir City: ROAD HOUSE (1948), which was my lone 2025 screening in nitrate, and OUT OF THE PAST (1947), THE KILLING (1956), TENSION (1949), ALIAS NICK BEAL (1949), PHANTOM LADY (1944), THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW (1944), MURDER, MY SWEET (1944), CRY DANGER (1951), and HELL'S HALF ACRE (1954). First-time viewings at Noir City: DETOUR (1945) and MY TRUE STORY (1951).

...At this year's TCM Classic Film Festival I saw 16 films, four of which were new to me: MOONLIGHT AND PRETZELS (1933), SERVANTS' ENTRANCE (1934), DIAMOND JIM (1935), and GUNMAN'S WALK (1956). I especially enjoyed SERVANTS' ENTRANCE and wish it were available for home viewing.

...Previously seen films at the TCM Classic Film Festival were THE FRESHMAN (1925), THE DIVORCEE (1930), THE PREVIEW MURDER MYSTERY (1936), CAREFREE (1939), THE MARK OF ZORRO (1940), ALL THIS, AND HEAVEN TOO (1940), TO BE OR NOT TO BE (1942), A GUY NAMED JOE (1943), BLITHE SPIRIT (1945), THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE (1945), TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME (1949), and LILI (1953).

...At the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival, held in May in Palm Springs, I saw 10 films, six of those for the first time. New to me were: SWELL GUY (1946), LUST FOR GOLD (1949), PAID IN FULL (1950), UNMASKED (1950), THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE (1973), and KISS TOMORROW GOODBYE (1950).

...Previously reviewed movies seen at the Arthur Lyons Fest were CRY WOLF (1947) (also here), JOHNNY O'CLOCK (1947), ANGEL FACE (1952), and THE UNSEEN (1945).

...On Labor Day weekend I returned to the Cinecon Classic Film Festival, held this year at the Writers Guild Theatre, where I saw eight feature films and three shorts. The feature films were THE SCARLET LADY (1928), GANGS OF CHICAGO (1940), THE PLEASURE SEEKERS (1964), SHARPSHOOTERS (1938), CITY GIRL (1938), LITTLE MISS ROUGHNECK (1938), INSIDE STORY (1939), and THAT'S THE SPIRIT (1945).

...As I have for over a decade now, I traveled to Lone Pine in October for the Lone Pine Film Festival, where I saw eight films. New to me at the festival were SILENT CONFLICT (1948), THE LOVES OF CARMEN (1948), TYCOON (1947), THE FIDDLIN' BUCKAROO (1933), HANDS ACROSS THE BORDER (1944), BULLETS DON'T ARGUE (1964), and RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE (1925). I also enjoyed revisiting FLAME OF ARABY (1951).

...This year I also enjoyed BOMBSHELL (1933) and DARK WATERS (1944) in conjunction with book signings at UCLA's Billy Wilder Theater, and I saw THE PREVIEW MURDER MYSTERY (1936) at the Los Feliz 3 in January, ahead of a repeat viewing at the TCM Classic Film Festival. I loved seeing a restored print of Kurosawa's great HIGH AND LOW (1962) at the Egyptian Theatre. I also saw PONYO (2008) theatrically as part of the annual Studio Ghibli Fest hosted by Fathom events.

...New movies seen in theaters in 2025 were: FLIGHT RISK (2025), THUNDERBOLTS* (2025), MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING (2025), F1: THE MOVIE (2025), THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS (2025) (seen twice), DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE (2026), and ZOOTOPIA 2 (2026).

...Feature-length documentaries viewed last year: MERCHANT IVORY: THE DOCUMENTARY (2024), MY NAME IS ALFRED HITCHCOCK (2022), and MARCELLA (2024).

...Hallmark films reviewed in 2025: A MERRY SCOTTISH CHRISTMAS (2023), which was my first film of the year, A BILTMORE CHRISTMAS (2023), and HEAVEN DOWN HERE (2025).

...The worst picture I saw in 2025 was probably YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM IT (1956), seen the first week of the year, but even it had some compensations; it was a strong movie year. Past "winners" in this category: HULLABALOO (1940) from my 2009 list, FORT BOWIE (1958) in 2011, INHERIT THE WIND (1960) in 2012, a tie between DAVY CROCKETT, INDIAN SCOUT (1950) and FLYING BLIND (1941) in 2013, FORT YUMA (1955) in 2014, THE ROBIN HOOD OF EL DORADO (1936) in 2015, MAKE MINE LAUGHS (1949) in 2016, DEJA VU (1985) in 2017, GOLDIE GETS ALONG (1933) in 2018, MADAME X (1966) in 2019, THE MOONLIGHTER (1953) in 2020, THE ART OF LOVE (1965) in 2021, AMERICAN FLYERS (1985) in 2022, THE ANDERSON TAPES (1971) in 2023, and CAIRO STATION (1958) in 2024. Fortunately it's quite rare when I don't find at least some things in a film to enjoy!

...This year I was happy to continue my monthly Westerns column for the terrific Classic Movie Hub site. The index for all of my Western RoundUp columns may be found here. In addition to articles on a variety of topics, including the Pioneertown Western movie location and a preview of the Lone Pine Film Festival, last year I wrote longer reviews of the Westerns THE LONELY MAN (1957), APACHE RIFLES (1964), SHANE (1953), and BULLETS DON'T ARGUE (1964).

...For Classic Movie Hub I also wrote what's become an annual survey of a handful of "B" Westerns. This year I wrote about the "B" films THE BRAND OF HATE (1934) with Bob Steele; FRONTIER HORIZON (1939), also known as NEW FRONTIER, starring John Wayne; BOSS OF BULLION CITY (1940) with Johnny Mack Brown; and ACROSS THE SIERRAS (1941) with "Wild Bill" Elliott.

...Robert Mitchum was my most-seen actor in 2025, with half a dozen films. Also seen regularly in 2025, with five films each, the unusual trio of Audie Murphy, Edward Arnold, and Elisha Cook Jr.

...Seen in four films last year were Louis Calhern, Bing Crosby, Thomas Gomez, George Kennedy, Franchot Tone, and John Wayne. Actors seen in three films apiece were Dana Andrews, Charles Bickford, Gary Cooper, Joseph Cotten, Richard Denning, William Holden, Bob Hope, Herbert Marshall, Ray Milland, Dick Powell, Gene Raymond, and Raymond Stack.

...Ida Lupino was my most-seen actress of 2025, with five movies.  Dorothy Lamour and Barbara Stanwyck followed with four films each.

...Actresses also seen regularly in 2025, with three films apiece: Myrna Loy, Michelle Dockery, Hillary Brooke, Ellen Drew, Rhonda Fleming, Lizabeth Scott, Marie Windsor, and Shelley Winters.

...Below is a month-by-month look at some additional titles not already listed above which I found especially memorable viewing in 2025.

...In January I revisited Ray Milland and Barbara Stanwyck in the colorful if imperfect CALIFORNIA (1947)...MR. LUCKY (1943) with Cary Grant and Laraine Day was a favorite watch of the year, I really enjoyed it...I revisited the crime/noir titles THE KILLER IS LOOSE (1956) with Joseph Cotten, Rhonda Fleming, and Wendell Corey, and NORA PRENTISS (1947) with Ann Sheridan and Kent Smith...CATTLE DRIVE (1951) with Joel McCrea is a longtime favorite...I hadn't seen THE PRINCE & ME (2004) in nearly two decades and very much enjoyed my rewatch...I rounded out the month with John Ford's masterpiece THE SEARCHERS (1956) and George Stevens' very fine I REMEMBER MAMA (1948).

...In February I continued rewatching the "Road" movies with ROAD TO ZANZIBAR (1941) and ROAD TO MOROCCO (1942)...I revisited BEWARE, MY LOVELY (1952), in which Ida Lupino is excellent as a widow dealing with a troubled man (Robert Ryan) in her home...THE SPANISH MAIN (1945) starring Maureen O'Hara and Paul Henreid was a top watch of the year, absolutely delightful...I revisited PURSUED (1947), an old favorite "noir Western" starring Robert Mitchum and Teresa Wright...I wasn't especially impressed with Clint Eastwood's JUROR #2 (2024), which had a number of plotting issues...HOUSEBOAT (1958) is an old favorite with Cary Grant and Sophia Loren I enjoyed rewatching...another great favorite is TEACHER'S PET (1958) with Clark Gable and Doris Day...I thought the heist film PLUNDER ROAD (1957) was really terrific, with an unexpectedly tough performance from Gene Raymond...and I checked out I LOVE TROUBLE (1994) with Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte.

...As usual, home viewing in March and April was slow due to seeing many films theatrically at festivals. My home viewing started off well with my first-ever viewing of CRIMSON TIDE (1995) starring Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington...HATARI! (1962) is a terrific "hangout" movie with John Wayne heading the cast...I really enjoyed revisiting the crime films THE SCARLET HOUR (1956) and THE ENFORCER (1951); THE ENFORCER has become a favorite Humphrey Bogart film...THE GLASS WEB (1953) with Edward G. Robinson was another interesting crime film which I saw for the first time...Joan Crawford was great as SADIE MCKEE (1934)...I rewatched the film LIGHTHOUSE (1947), a minor "B" (or maybe "C"!) film I love which was released on Blu-ray...It was great to see the Johnny Mack Brown film WESTERN RENEGADES (1949) have a Blu-ray release...Sandra Dee was cute as a button in THAT FUNNY FEELING (1965).

...In May I really enjoyed Jean Gabin in HI-JACK HIGHWAY (1955), aka GAS-OIL, one of several interesting new-to-me crime films put out by Kino Lorber Studio Classics this year...I've seen CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS (1953) several times and always enjoy it...The "spooky house" film JENNIFER (1953) with Ida Lupino and Howard Duff was a first-time watch...THE FLAME (1947) with Vera Ralston and John Carroll was one of my favorite new-to-me films in 2025...DONOVAN'S REEF (1963), like HATARI!, is a great John Wayne "hangout" film in an exotic locale...and I enjoyed a favorite procedural with Ricardo Montalban, MYSTERY STREET (1950), after it was released on Blu-ray.

...There wasn't a lot of viewing at home in June due to significant travel that month, including a road trip to Northern California and a flight to see family in Michigan. I always love revisiting William Holden and Nancy Olson in UNION STATION (1950)...The restored RHAPSODY IN BLUE (1945) impressed me, including the sheer volume of Gershwin music in contained...I enjoy the sci-fi CRACK IN THE WORLD (1965) although the plot doesn't treat favorite Dana Andrews well...I really enjoyed discovering ROCK, PRETTY BABY (1958). A fun cast and good music...and I saw Audie Murphy in THE CIMARRON KID (1952) for the first time.

...I hadn't seen EXECUTIVE SUITE (1954) in many years and enjoyed seeing it again in early July...The month continued with a revisit of Audie Murphy in DRUMS ACROSS THE RIVER (1954) and a first-time watch of his film THE KID FROM TEXAS (1950)...I saw another Road movie with ROAD TO UTOPIA (1945)...HIS KIND OF WOMAN (1951) is a wild film with a great cast, worth seeing despite (or because of?) it's nuttier moments...THE CRUEL SEA (1953) with Jack Hawkins probably ranks in my Top 10 favorite discoveries this year...I also enjoyed seeing HI DE HO (1947) and BOARDING HOUSE BLUES (1948) for the first time...and I loved seeing the MGM musical HIGH SOCIETY (1956) on a beautiful Blu-ray.

...The Jane Powell musicals A DATE WITH JUDY (1948) and TWO WEEKS WITH LOVE (1950) were perfect summery fare to watch in August...I appreciate the early sound Western LAW AND ORDER (1932) more on each viewing...BRAINSTORM (1965) was an interesting discovery starring Dana Andrews, Anne Francis, and Jeffrey Hunter...I love SMOOTH AS SILK (1946), with Virginia Grey leading a wonderful cast, and really enjoyed revisiting it...THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER (1940) with Martha Raye was a fun little discovery, running only an hour...I also quite enjoyed the new-to-me FATHER BROWN, DETECTIVE (1934) with Walter Connolly in the title role...I love the Technicolor version of THE PRISONER OF ZENDA (1952) with Stewart Granger.

...September and October were also relatively light on home viewing due to travel and two film festivals. I loved seeing DR. BROADWAY (1942) for the first time in over a decade...I enjoyed my first watches of a couple of Sylvia Sidney pre-Codes, LADIES OF THE BIG HOUSE (1931) and CONFESSIONS OF A CO-ED (1931)...INVASION, U.S.A. (1952) was a fascinating wild ride of a cautionary Cold War tale...I began a rewatch of all the AIRPORT films with the original AIRPORT (1970)...FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS (1940) was an unusual comedy with Ray Milland and Ellen Drew...BULLET FOR A BADMAN (1964) was a very good Audie Murphy film I enjoyed seeing for the first time...THE HARD WAY (1943) is another great Ida Lupino film...and I thoroughly enjoyed Hedy Lamarr in THE STRANGE WOMAN (1946).

...November brought me Mario Lanza and Kathryn Grayson in THAT MIDNIGHT KISS (1949)...my favorite Airport movie, AIRPORT 1975 (1974), and the fun AIRPORT '77 (1977)...I love Alan Ladd as THE GREAT GATSBY (1949)...I hadn't seen THE RACKET (1951) with Robert Mitchum and Robert Ryan for many years and enjoyed seeing it again...the romantic comedy DEAR RUTH (1947) is a charmer, and I'm thrilled it's available for home viewing at long last...I enjoyed my first-ever watch of Hitchcock's THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY (1955)...SPEAKING OF MURDER (1957) was a good French crime film starring Jean Gabin...LOVELY TO LOOK AT (1952) is a lesser-known MGM musical but a longtime favorite...I thought I DIED A THOUSAND TIMES (1955) was a solid remake of HIGH SIERRA (1941).

...I wrapped up watching my way through all the Airport movies in December with THE CONCORDE...AIRPORT '79 (1979)...I really liked the Christmas "B" movie MIRACLE ON MAIN STREET (1939) and plan to watch it in future Christmas seasons...Christmas week I had a yen to revisit one of my favorite "comfort films," GREEN FOR DANGER (1945), which is a funny way to describe a movie with murder in an operating room as bombs fall...Barbara Stanwyck is lots of fun in the giddy THE MAD MISS MANTON (1938)...Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and William Powell exude star power in the excellent MANHATTAN MELODRAMA (1934)...BLIND SPOT (1947) was an interesting little ""B noir starring Chester Morris and Constance Dowling...I loved seeing KANSAS CITY CONFIDENTIAL (1952) for the first time; what a cast!...I enjoyed the comedies I LOVE YOU AGAIN (1940) with William Powell and Myrna Loy and IT'S LOVE I'M AFTER (1937) with Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, and Olivia de Havilland...I closed out the viewing year with my first-ever viewing of FARGO (1996), with its marvelous performance by Frances McDormand as a pregnant cop working the case of a triple murder.

I'd once again like to thank everyone who visits this blog, both occasional visitors and "regulars." Your readership, friendship, and support are always deeply appreciated.

I wish everyone health, happiness, and many wonderful movies in 2026!

Previously: Tonight's Movie in 2009: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2010: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2011: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2012: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2013: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2014: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2015: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2016: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2017: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2018: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2019: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2020: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2021: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2022: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2023: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2024: The Year in Review.

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TCM in January: Highlights

Happy New Year to all my readers!

It's now time for a detailed look at the January schedule on Turner Classic Movies.

The January Star of the Month will be Jean Arthur. 22 of Arthur's films will be shown on Thursday evenings over the course of the month.

For much more about the Star of the Month series, including the complete schedule and numerous review links, please visit my post TCM Star of the Month: Jean Arthur.

January's Noir Alley films will start with the TCM premiere of THE SECOND WOMAN (1950) on January 3rd and 4th. Later in the month Noir Alley will feature CRIME OF PASSION (1957) on the 10th and 11th, DIABOLIQUE (1955) on January 17th-18th, SHIELD FOR MURDER (1954) on the 24th and 25th, and TALK ABOUT A STRANGER (1952) on January 31st and February 2nd.

The TCM Spotlight on Friday nights features films with flashback sequences.

Also of note: TCM premiered the first episode of the serial HOLT OF THE SECRET SERVICE (1941), starring Jack Holt, on December 27th. Look for more episodes of this serial every Saturday morning in January. This is the first time this serial has ever been shown on TCM.

Here's a look at just a few of the interesting things ahead in January. Please click any hyperlinked title to read a complete review.

...New Year's Day will feature eight films starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, including half a dozen thin man films. Also on the schedule is I LOVE YOU AGAIN (1941), which I just reviewed earlier this week.

..."Flashback Fridays" begin on January 2nd with a prime time lineup including CITIZEN KANE (1941) and THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (1952).

...There's some great '50s sci-fi airing January 3rd: WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE (12951) and EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (1956).

...HOMECOMING (1948) is a little-known, very good WWII film starring Clark Gable, Lana Turner, and Anne Baxter. It's on January 4th.

...TCM pays tribute to songwriter Sammy Cahn on January 5th and 12th. The lineup on January 5th includes THE TENDER TRAP (1955), which has a couple wonderful presentations of the title song. Frank Sinatra and Debbie Reynolds star along with Celeste Holm and David Wayne.

...TCM pays tribute to Louis Hayward on January 7th with a six-film prime time lineup including the TCM premiere of THE BLACK ARROW (1948), costarring Janet Blair.

...The January 9th schedule is one of the many reasons I love TCM: The lineup is devoted to Johnny Mack Brown, and five of the day's 11 movies will be TCM premieres!

...I really enjoy NO MORE LADIES (1935), airing on January 12th. It stars Joan Crawford, Robert Montgomery, and Franchot Tone. Marvelous MGM glamour!

...January 13th features a day of film noir, including the rather creatively named FLAXY MARTIN (1949), starring Virginia Mayo, Zachary Scott, and Dorothy Malone.

...Director Lloyd Bacon is honored on January 14th with an eight-film lineup including EVER SINCE EVE (1937). EVER SINCE EVE stars Marion Davies and Robert Montgomery; I found it quite enjoyable.

...January 15th is the 89th birthday of Margaret O'Brien! TCM celebrates with seven films and a short. I have a special fondness for LOST ANGEL (1943), which was on TV often when I was young. James Craig and Marsha Hunt costar.

...The charming THE AFFAIRS OF MARTHA (1942), showing on January 18th, was one of the favorite films of star Marsha Hunt; I spoke about it with her at the Egyptian Theatre in 2011. She costars with Richard Carlson and a marvelous cast of character actors.

...I really enjoyed Walter Matthau in THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE (1974) a few years ago. It's on January 21st as part of an evening of films set in 1970s New York.

...Favorite Robert Taylor is the focus on January 23rd. I've enjoyed all of the seven Taylor films being shown that day and especially recommend the film noir HIGH WALL (1947). Audrey Totter costars.

...Diane Keaton will receive a memorial tribute on January 25th, with the lineup including one of my personal favorites, BABY BOOM (1987).

...January 28th will be a tribute to the late Rob Reiner, including the TCM premiere of THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987).

...Another good Robert Taylor film is PARTY GIRL (1958), costarring Cyd Charisse and directed by Nicholas Ray. It will be shown January 29th.

...The "flashback" movies on January 30th include Preston Sturges' THE GREAT MCGINTY (1940), starring Brian Donlevy.

...The month ends with a January 31st showing of John Wayne in John Ford's THE SEARCHERS (1956), which many of us consider one of the greatest movies ever made.

For more on TCM in January 2026, please visit Quick Preview of TCM in January, TCM Star of the Month: Jean Arthur, and TCM's online schedule.

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Tonight's Movie: Fargo (1996)

The weather today is as "wintry" as it gets in California, with lots of rain, which made it the perfect afternoon to try the snowy FARGO (1996) for the first time.

Although I've heard many positive things, I've been a bit leery of this film due to its R rating. At the same time, I've been intrigued by the fact that so many people I respect have enjoyed it, and the nice things I've heard about Frances McDormand's character made me especially curious.

It was indeed a very "R" film, but I quite enjoyed it, thanks to both McDormand and the evocative snowy scenery. (In that regard, this film would make a great double bill with WIND RIVER.) It was violent yet not overly graphic, and its 98 minutes move briskly.

As the movie begins, car salesman Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) is contracting with two scary types, Carl and Gaear (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare), to kidnap his wife (Kristin Rudrud - who IMDb says was born in Fargo!).

Jerry has gotten himself into a bad financial bind and has a scheme in mind in which his wife's wealthy father (Harve Presnell) will pay a ransom for her, which he'll split with the bad guys. (You see, the father-in-law doesn't like Jerry and won't just lend him money...) Jerry stipulates no violence...but absolutely nothing goes as planned.

Before we know it, not one, not two, but three bodies are found in the snow next to a highway thanks to Carl and Gaear. A (very pregnant) police chief from Brainerd, Minnesota, is soon on the case. More bodies pile up as the calm, intelligent Marge works her way through the clues...

Marge is a truly wonderful character, marvelously played by McDormand (MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY), who won a Best Actress Oscar for her performance. She's clearly good at her job and also has a warm relationship with her supportive husband (John Carroll Lynch). I loved Marge's unfazed positivity.

Marge is also very funny in a quiet sort of way. Her reactions when she interviews two hookers (Larissa Kokernot and Melissa Peterman) are hilarious. (I just realized writing this that Peterman is also one of the key comedic characters in Hallmark's HAUL OUT THE... movie series.) Marge really makes the movie.

Marge's lifestyle, skill, and overall wholesome character provide a needed contrast from the film's many absolutely deranged -- or at least angry -- characters. She quickly sizes up situations and handles crime scenes matter-of-factly.

A scene with Marge having an awkward meeting with an old friend (Steve Park) initially puzzled me, until I realized it might have been the linchpin for Marge realizing bad happens in unexpected places, causing her to revisit Jerry at his work to ask more questions.

The only time Marge seems truly sad and understandably troubled is near the end, contemplating the pointless loss of life over money.

I think my only criticism of Marge is that she should have called for backup near the end, but the scene certainly shows her bravery!

I don't typically enjoy Macy but that works out here, as he's very good indeed in an Oscar-nominated performance as a desperate man.

Like Marge in the film, I found myself contemplating how someone could sink so low, as Jerry's stupidity ultimately leaves his young son (Tony Denman) without a family. Macy is pitch perfect in his desperation, especially in a scene where he struggles to avoid providing information to someone on the phone.

FARGO was written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, although Ethan did not receive any onscreen directing credit. Some of the dialogue is quite great, including the lines "Blood has been shed" and Marge saying she's "investigating some malfeasance."

The movie was filmed by Roger Deakins. Many of the film's visuals are quite memorable, including shots of a giant statue of Paul Bunyan outside Brainerd.

Little details also resonate, whether it's the wall phone and Smiley the Pig cookie jar in Jerry's kitchen or Marge and Norm wearing a sweater and a sweatshirt to bed, underlining how cold it is. The set and wardrobe designers deserve applause.

Parental Advisory: This film is rated R for violence, language, and a couple brief raunchy moments; it deserves the rating. In terms of the violence, for the most part the film isn't overly graphic; indeed, the scenes which bothered me most were disturbing but not bloody, focused on the kidnapped wife's terror.

The trailer is on YouTube.

I watched FARGO on a remastered Blu-ray. It's available in several different formats.

As an aside, FARGO inspired the much later crime anthology series FARGO (2014-24).

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all!

Here's lovely Peggy Dow celebrating the New Year over 75 years ago.

Dow's film career was relatively short, as she made the decision to retire for marriage and motherhood, but it's packed with gems. She and her husband raised five sons, and she is now 97 years old.

Best wishes for a very happy, healthy 2026!

Previous classic film New Year's photos: Joan Leslie, Anita Louise, Dorothy Patrick, Mona Freeman, Joan Caulfield, Esther Williams, Ann Blyth, Doris Day, Ann Miller, Loretta Young, Dorothy Lamour, Janis Paige, and Debra Paget.

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TCM Star of the Month: Jean Arthur

Happy New Year!

Turner Classic Movies will be kicking off New Year's Day by spending the evening celebrating the January Star of the Month, Jean Arthur.

Arthur was previously the Star of the Month in January 1997 and January 2007.  Arthur is a favorite of many of us, and she's certainly a great actress to help break up the winter doldrums!

22 of Arthur's films will be shown spread across Thursday evenings in January.

Below is the complete Star of the Month schedule.  Please click on any hyperlinked title to read a complete review.

January 1st

MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN (1936)

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939)

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU (1938)

THE EX-MRS. BRADFORD (1936)

January 8th

EASY LIVING (1937) (more here)

HISTORY IS MADE AT NIGHT (1937)

THE WHOLE TOWN'S TALKING (1935)

TOO MANY HUSBANDS (1940)

PUBLIC HERO NO. 1 (1935)

January 15th

THE TALK OF THE TOWN (1942)

ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS (1939)

IF YOU COULD ONLY COOK (1935)

MORE THAN A SECRETARY (1936)

January 22nd

THE DEVIL AND MISS JONES (1941) (A very short entry from my first month blogging - I plan to update it soon)

THE MORE THE MERRIER (1943)

A FOREIGN AFFAIR (1948) (more here)

THE IMPATIENT YEARS (1944)

January 29th

SHANE (1953) (more here)

THE PLAINSMAN (1936)

ARIZONA (1940)

THE SILVER HORDE (1930)

DANGER LIGHTS (1931)

For more on TCM in January 2026, please visit TCM in January: Highlights, Quick Preview of TCM in January, along with TCM's online schedule.

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Tonight's Movie: It's Love I'm After (1937) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

IT'S LOVE I'M AFTER (1937) is one of several romantic comedies recently released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection. They've been perfect lighthearted viewing for this season of the year.

IT'S LOVE I'M AFTER was a new film for me, and while it took a little bit for it to get rolling and for me to get into the rhythm, I ultimately found it an enjoyable watch.

Leslie Howard plays Basil Underwood, a somewhat hammy Shakespearean actor who has a combative romantic relationship with his actress girlfriend, Joyce Arden (Bette Davis).

Into the picture comes Marcia West (Olivia de Havilland), a wealthy young theater fan who's more than a bit obsessed with Basil, to the dismay of her handsome fiancee Henry (Patrick Knowles).

Henry's father once saved Basil from financial calamity, so Basil owes Henry a favor, and he agrees to pay a visit to Marcia's home and act like a total cad so that she'll get over her infatuation.

Things don't work out quite as planned...and meanwhile Joyce is fuming that Basil has put off their wedding once again in order to take part in Henry's scheme.

The movie starts off a bit slowly, with Basil and Joyce battling amidst enacting a scene from ROMEO AND JULIET, followed by a juvenile-acting de Havilland being a bit tiresome as she fawns over Basil in his dressing room.

Gradually the movie picks up steam as the viewer is sucked into its giddy style. The movie has a number of plus factors, with a hilarious performance by Eric Blore, who leads a top-notch supporting cast.  There's also a witty script with a few laugh-out-loud funny lines.

The screenplay was written by Casey Robinson, based on a story by Maurice Hanline. The film could have stood to be slightly shorter than its 90 minutes but on the whole it was fun, particularly when Blore is onscreen.

I enjoyed watching a cast who had worked or would work together on other, better-known projects. This was a reunion for Howard and Davis following OF HUMAN BONDAGE (1934) and THE PETRIFIED FOREST (1936), while de Havilland would of course work with Howard in GONE WITH THE WIND (1939) a couple of years later.

de Havilland would also soon work again with her leading man, Patric Knowles, who played Will Scarlett to her Maid Marian in THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938). They also appeared together in FOUR'S A CROWD (1938).

It's hard not to enjoy a comedy with Spring Byington and Bonita Granville heading the supporting players. Also in the cast are George Barbier, E.E. Clive, Veda Ann Borg, and Irving Bacon.

Archie L. Mayo directed, with black and white photography by James Van Trees and uncredited Tony Gaudio. The mansion seen in the film is the Jewett estate in Pasadena.

As an aside, there's a subtle holiday background which makes this film especially timely to watch right now.  It begins on New Year's Eve, and de Havilland's family home is decorated with wreaths and a Christmas tree. 

The Blu-ray is a typically outstanding Warner Archive Blu-ray, free of scratches and other issues. Sound quality isn't quite perfect but is solid.

The minimal extras on this release consist of the trailer and two Porky the Pig cartoons from the same year this film was released, PORKY'S BUILDING (1937) and PORKY'S BADTIME STORY (1937).

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.

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