The Best Picture of 2025

Train Dreams Review — 5 out of 5 stars

Train Dreams starring Joel Edgerton (The Gift, The Great Gatsby) was directed by Clint Bentley (Sing Sing, Jockey), based on the novel of the same name written by Denis Johnson. The film tells the story of Robert Grainier and his life as a tree logger after the turn of the century.

This isn’t usually the kind of movie I fall in love with but I was amazed at how this movie constantly found little moments of wonder inside a world full of tragedy.

I think the reason why this story moved me so much was because we get to see Robert live his version of the American Dream. I think that’s extra salient now because more and more people think that dream is slipping away.

So it feels good to watch his life play out despite all the tragedies, because it feels good to imagine a time where the American Dream felt real, and when it was easier to feel optimistic about advancements in technology.

My other Oscar picks:

• Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) for Best Actor

  • WINNER: Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)

    
    

• Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) for Best Actress—WINNER

  
  

• Ryan Coogler (Sinners) for Best Director

  • WINNER: Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)

    
    

• Adolpho Veloso (Train Dreams) for Best Cinematography

  • WINNER: Autumn Durald Arkapaw (Sinners)

    
    

• Stephen Mirrione (F1) for Best Editing

  • WINNER: Andy Jurgensen (One Battle After Another)

This was a great year for movies and anyone who says otherwise is wrong. The truth is there are more movies being made than ever before that are more accessible than ever before. The fact that I can watch a Norwegian festival film I'd never heard of on my couch instantly for $9.99 is a modern miracle.

So if you don’t like the movies that came out last year keep looking. Because I promise there’s something for you out there.