As I look back at all the films I sat in on during 2025 I’ve come to realize that I’m set in my ways and don’t watch very many new releases. I blame that partly on the way viewing new movies has changed these past past few years. As far as I’m concerned movie theaters are pretty much a dead issue and I’m not into streaming so what I buy and own is what I watch. Primarily older films.

While I don’t post very much anymore I’m still very thankful to those that drop by and have a look at something I’ve wrote over the past 10 years. Surprisingly I had more visitors this year than ever before despite adding very little new material. That might change this year as I’m planning on retiring from my day job which “might” present me with more time to actually spotlight a movie or two over the next 12 months.

On to the breakdown.

The five links that saw the most traffic here at Mike’s Take in 2025 were … Paul Newman in the Movies From A to Z, Elizabeth Taylor in the Movies From A to Z, What the Peeper Saw (1972), The Falcon Series (1941-1946), and The Animals (1970).

I seemed to watch a number of movie series’ this year. The Rathbone/Holmes collection once again, the entire run of Carry On Films with Sidney James front and center and cast regulars Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques, Joan Sims, Charles Hawtrey and Barbara Windsor joining in the sexual hijinks. All 7 Road pics with Hope and Crosby, discovering the Lupe Velez run of Mexican Spitfire movies for the first time and a box set of a 12 films starring Ti Lung and David Chiang for Shaw Brothers that proved very entertaining. All 12 were directed by Chang Cheh who I’ve really come to appreciate since I began my Shaw Brothers journey 2 years ago.

“I never thought I’d ever see that movie” I’ve got 5 titles that fall under that comment this year. Mr. Topaze (1961) which is the only official film ever directed by Peter Sellers who also plays the title role and who costars? Herbert Lom of course.

Alan Ladd’s 1949 version of The Great Gatsby, the only Audie Murphy western that has eluded me all these years Column South (1953) and a pair of Veronica Lake films. One from her classic era, the other an embarrassing end to her career. Saigon (1948) which paired her with frequent costar Alan Ladd. A film I actually featured with a number of others that had me wondering if I’d ever live to see them. Second was the 1970 low budget horror pic, Flesh Feast. A sad ending for this screen beauty. I prefer to remember her this way.

When it comes to “old favorites” I can talk all day. Just hand me a microphone and give me an audience. Here’s a taste of some titles I revisited once again. White Heat (1949), The Gorgon (1964), Strange Brew (1983), Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957) in 4K, The Evil That Men Do (1984), Cutthroat Island (1995), Some Like It Hot (1959), Murder By Decree (1979), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), Mississippi Burning (1988), Chinatown (1974), City of the Dead (1960), Judgement at Nuremberg (1961), Double Indemnity (1944), Last Train From Gun Hill (1959), The Devil and Miss Jones (1941), High Noon (1952), First Men in the Moon (1964), Face / Off (1997), The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959) and Big Jake (1971). A film that I would easily recommend to a John Wayne newbie to give them a sense of his larger than life screen persona. I’d also be disappointed if they didn’t come away wanting to know more about the heavy, Richard Boone.

Rediscovering films is something I always enjoy. So many movies come and go and fade from my memory. I’ll often recall the stars and the year of their release but not necessarily just how good they are. Mainly due to the fact that I don’t catch up to them every few years. Most of these I hadn’t seen in at least 10 or more. So here are my rediscoveries for 2025 I want to recommend. Bogart in The Enforcer (1951), The Wrong Box (1966), Nevada Smith (1966), 7 Days In May (1964), Charley Varrick (1973), The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3 (1974), Notorious (1946), The Stranger (1946), Silent Running (1972), Odds Against Tomorrow (1959), Being There (1979), The Changeling (1979), Night and the City (1950), The Last of Sheila (1973), The Spiral Staircase (1946), Rider on the Rain (1969), Dial M For Murder (1954), Silver Streak (1976), The Blue Max (1966) and A New Leaf (1971) starring Elaine May and Walter Matthau.

“Guilty pleasures.” I never tire of watching these so called films that many respectable critics used to throw aside. How times have changed. Now film buffs and fanatics hunt these down with a passion. The Mad Bomber (1972), Cannibal Girls (1973), Craze (1974), Criminally Insane (1975), Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959), Body Double (1984), The Vampire’s Night Orgy (1973), Frankenhooker (1990), Death Race 2000 (1975), Carry On Dick (1974), The Adventures of Barry McKenzie (1972) and with the passing of cult fave, Udo Kier, I sat in on a double bill of what are probably his best known genre titles, Flesh For Frankenstein (1973) and Blood For Dracula (1974).

New to me titles I’d suggest if you haven’t yet caught up with them are The Hunger (1983), I’ve no idea how this one eluded me all these years. Barricade (1949), Mikey and Nicky (1976), The Dam Busters (1955) and What’s Up Doc? (1972).

Worst movie I watched this year? In a moment of weakness during the Halloween month of creature features I pressed play on 1999’s An American Werewolf In Paris (1997). Don’t make the same mistake I did.

As always a big shout out to the Boutique Labels like Indicator, Vinegar Syndrome, Severin, Kino Lorber Studio Classics, Arrow Video, Mondo Macabro and Scream/Shout Factory. They keep my pocket book empty but my blu ray player working overtime.

I’m still collecting posters and anything that comes my way if it’s movie related. Here’s a 1960 one sheet of Mario Bava’s classic horror thriller starring Barbara Steele that I had restored and linenbacked this year.

My best buddy Brando the Wiener Dog still rides shotgun with me for nearly every movie all year long. From us to you, may 2026 shine brightly in your world.