Author: Mythos

Mythos is host of The Black Lodge on WKNC and an avid movie fan.

Ten Great Movies from the First Half of 2025

Post author By Mythos
Post date November 19, 2025

Characters from "Black Bag", "Sinners", "Sorry, Baby", "The Phoenician Scheme", and "Friendship," promotional images used.

It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of 2025. In the world of movies, the second half of the year is always chock full of holiday releases, bound to deliver dozens of fall festival hits primed for double digit Oscar nominations. Oft forgotten, though, are the smaller, quieter films released in the first half of the year. I want to reflect on these early bloomers and give them a spotlight they deserve. In alphabetical order, here are ten of my favorite films released before July 1, 2025.

Tags Baby Invasion, Black Bag, Bring Her Back, Drop, Final Destination: Bloodlines, Friendship, Movie Review, Sinners, Sorry Baby, The Phoenician Scheme, Universal Language, WKNC, WKNC 88.1

Movie Review

“A Complete Unknown” Review: Beside Llewyn Davis

Post author By Mythos
Post date March 18, 2025

Poster for "A Complete Unknown"

*Some spoilers ahead, read with caution*

How does it feel to be getting another music biopic? A little tiring, to be honest. The genre is a sturdy, tried-and-true staple in awards conversations every year.

Even the less successful ones are likely a box office draw and conversation starter for older filmgoers. In 2024 alone, we had films dedicated to the lives of Bob Marley, Amy Winehouse and Robbie Williams.

Easily the most well-regarded attempt at spotlighting an artist’s life from 2024 is James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown.”

Helmed by the eager Timothée Chalamet, the story is a snippet of the enigmatic Bob Dylan’s life–specifically his transition to electric.

Tags A Complete Unknown, Bob Dylan, Movie Review, Timothée Chalamet, WKNC, WKNC 88.1

Movie Review

“The Brutalist” Review: Blueprints for the American Dream

Post author By Mythos
Post date March 4, 2025

Poster for "The Brutalist"

Welcome to America.

In the world of filmgoing, a phrase tinged with nostalgia tends to pop up frequently in conversation: “they don’t make them like they used to”. Like it or not, movies have changed.

Gone are the days where a sentimental, middlebrow-but-still-touchingly-original drama like “Dead Poets Society” could gross over $200 million, as these standalone stories have largely been replaced with multiverses, franchises, spin-offs, etc.

Tags Adrien Brody, Brady Corbet, Movie Review, The Brutalist, WKNC, WKNC 88.1

Movie Review

“Anora” Review: The Rise and Fall of a Brooklyn Stripper

Post author By Mythos
Post date February 24, 2025

Poster for "Anora"

When I was a teenager, every year my mom and I would embark on a fun challenge–seeing every Best Picture nominee at the Academy Awards. Although we were not always successful in completing these lists, the films I did get to see opened my eyes to what cinema had to offer.

Up until that point, my favorite movies consisted of whatever Pixar had released, and “Forrest Gump.”

Exposure to works from auteurs like Tarantino or Scorsese really opened my eyes to what movies could offer.

Since then, I have endeavored to keep this challenge going. My taste in movies has obviously developed since I was a young teen, so I don’t necessarily agree with the Academy’s yearly lineup. Nevertheless, the challenge always leads to me finding new favorites I wouldn’t have otherwise sought out.

Tags anora, Movie Review