Films about underdogs who eagerly aspire to be champions are among the biggest crowd-pleasers in today’s movie industry. There’s something about watching a story in which an indisputable hopeful does whatever it takes to come out on top (even if that sometimes calls for occasionally bending ‒ or even breaking ‒ the rules), prompting viewers to pull for the would-be victor in the face of such hardships. However,…

“Marty” (Timothée Chalamet) has dreams that he can dominate the sport of table tennis. Perhaps unsurprisingly, most folks he knows in New York think he’s a few bricks short of a full barrow. Anyway, after quite a fun altercation with a rival at work, he purloins seven hundred bucks then absconds to London for the world championships. That's where he meets not only his soon-to-be nemesis “Koto Endo” (Koto Kawaguchi)…

you ever watch a movie where everything is perfect and it’s hard to imagine they held casting calls because there’s no chance anyone else could play any of these roles? And it almost feels real like this is who these people are and we’re witnessing a moment, a window inside? A certain disbelief arises because genuinely Marty Supreme really is that bitch.

Uncut Gems anxiety multiplied by 100. Yeah the Oscar might actually go to Timothee. Don't get me wrong, Michael B. Jordan and Leonardo DiCaprio were amazing, but GAH DAMN Timothee did something special here. It's getting harder and harder for me to choose the best movie of 2025. I'll need to rewatch Sinners and OBAA to decide. (The Reze Arc is still my personal favorite of 2025.)