Every year, Dan Merl reviews his favorite and least favorite films, awarding unique honors in what is informally known as the "Screenies." Despite dealing with personal matters, Dan did not compromise on his evaluations of 2025’s cinematic landscape.
One special award category singled out the year's oddest trend: actors portraying dual roles. From twins in "Mickey 17" to androids in "Predator Badlands," the trend was peculiarly rampant. The award for best first act went to "A House of Dynamite," which delivered a stellar opening but faltered as the storyline progressed.
Dan recognized "Lurker" as the best film you might have missed—a must-watch for its gripping narrative and strong performances. Noteworthy mentions include Pedro Pascal's prolific yet overwhelming schedule, and Justin Tipping's overshadowed role as director of "Him," attributed mostly to producer Jordan Peele.
Dan’s top ten list celebrated diverse titles such as "The Secret Agent" and "Train Dreams," while the best picture nod went to "One Battle After Another" by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Dan concludes with a focus on 2025’s cinematic disappointments, highlighting dreadful reboots and sequels such as "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Megan 2.0," concluding with the year’s worst: "War of the Worlds."
The webcast ends with a mention of upcoming content and a personal note on balancing professional and family life.