We're joined by Becky D'Anna, co-host of Sony Pictures Official podcast, Director's Take, for a special jam packed year in review episode!

Together, we each share our personal Top 10 Best Films and Top 10 Worst Films of 2025. It's less a debate and more a celebration (and respectful roast) of the year in cinema—comparing notes on horror standouts, unexpected gems, and the films that missed the mark.

We dive deep into films like Zach Cregger's Weapons, Ryan Coogler's Sinners, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, Yorgos Lanthimos's Bugonia, Mike Flanagan's Life of Chuck, Alex Garland's 28 Years Later, Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, and Steven Soderbergh's Presence. Plus, we break down the disappointments, including the Snow White live-action remake, War of the Worlds, and Final Destination: Bloodlines.

👉 Listen to Director's Take: https://www.sonypictures.com/directorstake

📱 Follow Becky

Becky's Website: https://beckydanna.com/

Becky's Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3P5X

Becky's Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeckydanna

Becky's Twitter: https://x.com/hwoodminotaur

Becky's BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hwoodminotaur.bsky.social

CHAPTERS:

Introduction [00:00]
Welcome to Cinema Psycho Show [00:33]
Introducing Guest Becky Diana from Directors Take [01:53]
Episode Format and Honorable Mentions [02:59]
Number 10: Best Films of 2025 [15:40]
Number 9: Best Films Discussion [26:25]
Number 8: Best Films Revealed [38:42]
Number 7: Top Picks Continue [51:54]
Number 6: Moving Up the List [01:02:13]
Number 5: Halfway Through [01:12:24]
Number 4: Top Four Revealed [01:22:25]
Number 3: Bronze Medal Films [01:33:31]
Number 2: Silver Medal Picks [01:44:22]
Number 1: Best Film of 2025 [01:53:21]
Worst Films of 2025 [02:02:21]
About Directors Take Podcast [02:21:57]
Closing and Where to Find Us [02:35:45]

Follow The Cinema Psychos Show on Socials ❤️‍🔥:

• Discord: https://discord.gg/7GZ9uuTJ
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinemapsychosshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinemapsychospod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinemapsychospod
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cinemapsychospod

Listen to The Cinema Psychos Show on:

• Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/0v6eeno
• Apple: https://rebrand.ly/j5nrkp7
• Amazon: https://rebrand.ly/5x5hzng
• Goodpods: https://rebrand.ly/picstv6

OR LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP! https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow

MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"

AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier

PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI)

WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887

musicbakery.com

Join us for a wild 2025 year-in-review! We unpack the biggest entertainment stories: the high-stakes Netflix, Paramount, and Warner Bros. acquisition war, the shocking Diddy trial, the rise of the AI actress Tilly Norwood, and Taylor Swift's continued pop culture takeover.

We also break down the year in movies: DC vs. Marvel, streaming's threat to theaters, our top box office hits and bombs, and the legends we lost. Plus, we exclusively reveal the Pittsburgh Film Critics Association award winners, with Sinners dominating the field. What was the biggest story of 2025? Let us know!

Follow The Cinema Psychos Show on Socials ❤️‍🔥:

• Discord: https://discord.gg/7GZ9uuTJ
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinemapsychosshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinemapsychospod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinemapsychospod
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cinemapsychospod

Listen to The Cinema Psychos Show on:

• Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/0v6eeno
• Apple: https://rebrand.ly/j5nrkp7
• Amazon: https://rebrand.ly/5x5hzng
• Goodpods: https://rebrand.ly/picstv6

OR LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP! https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow

MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"

AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier

PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI)

WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887

musicbakery.com

'Tis the season to be slashing!

This week we are unwrapping our favorite Christmas slasher films—the perfect antidote to all that holiday cheer!

After surviving the stressful holiday season, the guys dive deep into why we love merging festive joy with horror, discussing everything from killer Santas to homicidal snowmen. They explore the controversy that nearly buried Silent Night, Deadly Night, the groundbreaking influence of Black Christmas, and some truly bizarre entries in the subgenre.

John's Top 5:

• Christmas Evil
• Krampus
• A Christmas Horror Story
• Silent Night, Deadly Night
• Black Christmas

Brian's Picks:

• Tales from the Crypt: "And All Through the House"
• Better Watch Out
• Jack Frost (yes, the killer snowman one)
• Santa Claws (Pittsburgh's own John Russo directs this... interesting choice)

Plus honorable mentions including Jack Frost, Santa's Slay featuring Bill Goldberg, the scam masterpiece Silent Night Deadly Night 2 (GARBAGE DAY!), and the Nazi-elf nightmare that is Elves.

Whether you're burned out on saccharine Christmas movies or just want something darker to balance out the holiday spirit, this episode has you covered. Perfect viewing for that weird week between Christmas and New Year's!

Follow The Cinema Psychos Show on Socials ❤️‍🔥:

• Discord: https://discord.gg/7GZ9uuTJ
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinemapsychosshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinemapsychospod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinemapsychospod
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cinemapsychospod

Listen to The Cinema Psychos Show on:

• Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/0v6eeno
• Apple: https://rebrand.ly/j5nrkp7
• Amazon: https://rebrand.ly/5x5hzng
• Goodpods: https://rebrand.ly/picstv6

OR LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP! https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow

MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"

AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier

PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI)

WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887

musicbakery.com

The legend is true. We watched the infamous 2003 bomb "Gigli" so you don't have to, and the reality is somehow worse than the reputation. Starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the peak of "Bennifer" mania, this Martin Brest-directed disaster is a baffling mix of mob thriller, offensive rom-com, and unintentional comedy.

In this episode, we break down:

• The cringeworthy plot of a hitman trying to "convert" a lesbian mob enforcer (J.Lo).

• The controversial and poorly handled portrayal of an intellectually disabled character by Justin Bartha.

• How studio interference ruined the director's vision, creating a tonally insane mess.

• Whether this movie truly killed J.Lo's film career and ended Martin Brest's.

• The random, inexplicable cameos from Al Pacino and Christopher Walken.

We answer the question: Is Gigli a so-bad-it's-good classic, or just a painful, offensive relic of 2003? The answer might surprise you (but probably not).

Follow The Cinema Psychos Show on Socials ❤️‍🔥:

• Discord: https://discord.gg/7GZ9uuTJ
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinemapsychosshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinemapsychospod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinemapsychospod
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cinemapsychospod

Listen to The Cinema Psychos Show on:

• Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/0v6eeno
• Apple: https://rebrand.ly/j5nrkp7
• Amazon: https://rebrand.ly/5x5hzng
• Goodpods: https://rebrand.ly/picstv6

OR LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP! https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow

MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"

AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier

PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI)

WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887

musicbakery.com

Dive into our spoiler-filled breakdown of the 2025 adaptation of The Running Man. We analyze Edgar Wright's fresh take, compare it to the Schwarzenegger classic and the original Stephen King story, and tackle the divisive The Running Man 2025 reviews. Was this movie unfairly maligned for being too real, or did it miss the mark? We explore its tone, social satire, and why it might be one of the most relevant films of the year.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How this 2025 adaptation compares to the original Schwarzenegger film and its faithfulness to the Stephen King novella.

• The film's potent social satire and why its dystopian themes of class warfare and media manipulation feel "way too fucking real."

• A deep dive into the divisive critical reception and audience reviews—and why we think they got it wrong.

Did you find the 2025 version of The Running Man to be a clever satire or a tonal mess? Let us know your thoughts!

Follow The Cinema Psychos Show on Socials ❤️‍🔥:

• Discord: https://discord.gg/7GZ9uuTJ
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinemapsychosshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinemapsychospod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinemapsychospod
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cinemapsychospod

Listen to The Cinema Psychos Show on:

• Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/0v6eeno
• Apple: https://rebrand.ly/j5nrkp7
• Amazon: https://rebrand.ly/5x5hzng
• Goodpods: https://rebrand.ly/picstv6

OR LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP! https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow

MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"

AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier

PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI)

WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887

musicbakery.com

This week on the Cinema Psychos Show we are diving into Guillermo del Toro's love letter to monsters in "Frankenstein" with monster lover extraordinaire, Jordan The Grey Witch.

Explore the film's gothic romance, generational trauma themes, and the stunning visual storytelling that del Toro is renowned for.

Discover how the film reimagines Mary Shelley's classic tale with a modern twist, featuring standout performances by Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth.

Don't miss our in-depth analysis of the film's wardrobe, set design, and the intriguing parallels between the creature and Christ.

Follow The Cinema Psychos Show on Socials ❤️‍🔥:

• Discord: https://discord.gg/7GZ9uuTJ
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinemapsychosshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinemapsychospod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinemapsychospod
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cinemapsychospod

Listen to The Cinema Psychos Show on:

• Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/0v6eeno
• Apple: https://rebrand.ly/j5nrkp7
• Amazon: https://rebrand.ly/5x5hzng
• Goodpods: https://rebrand.ly/picstv6

OR LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP! https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow

MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"

AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier

PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI)

WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887

musicbakery.com

Now that The Fantastic Four: First Steps has landed on Disney Plus, the Cinema Psychos investigate if Marvel has finally cracked the code on their first family.

Why has it been so difficult to successfully adapt Marvel's first family for the big screen, and does this new MCU installment—with its swinging 60s vibe, comic-accurate Galactus, and fresh cast including Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby—finally deliver a fantastic film? We break down the stylish alternate universe, the new takes on Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm, and how this movie compares to previous failed attempts and the plot of Ghostbusters II.

• A History of Failure: We explore the rocky cinematic past of the Fantastic Four, from the unreleased Roger Corman version to the 2000s films and the infamous 2015 reboot.
• Stylistic Choices & Missed Depth: Analyzing the film's unique 1960s aesthetic and how its commitment to style may have come at the cost of deeper character development, especially for The Thing.
• Final Verdict & MCU Future: Discussing the comic-accurate Galactus and Silver Surfer, the film's place in the larger Marvel universe, and whether this is a sign of an MCU comeback or a temporary blip.

What did you think of Fantastic Four: First Steps? Did you also spot the Ghostbusters II plot connection?

Follow The Cinema Psychos Show on Socials ❤️‍🔥:

• Discord: https://discord.gg/7GZ9uuTJ
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinemapsychosshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinemapsychospod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinemapsychospod
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cinemapsychospod

Listen to The Cinema Psychos Show on:

• Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/0v6eeno
• Apple: https://rebrand.ly/j5nrkp7
• Amazon: https://rebrand.ly/5x5hzng
• Goodpods: https://rebrand.ly/picstv6

OR LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP! https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow

MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"

AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier

PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI)

WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887

musicbakery.com

Silver-screen legend Adrienne Barbeau joins us for a Halloween-special deep dive into a career that moves from Maude to iconic horror: The Fog, Creepshow, and Escape From New York. Adrienne talks theatre roots, working with John Carpenter, and the voice work and TV roles that made her a household name.

Follow The Cinema Psychos Show on Socials ❤️‍🔥:

• Discord: https://discord.gg/7GZ9uuTJ
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinemapsychosshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinemapsychospod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinemapsychospod
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cinemapsychospod

Listen to The Cinema Psychos Show on:

• Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/0v6eeno
• Apple: https://rebrand.ly/j5nrkp7
• Amazon: https://rebrand.ly/5x5hzng
• Goodpods: https://rebrand.ly/picstv6

OR LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP! https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow

MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"

AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier

PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI)

WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887

musicbakery.com