The Best Films of 2025 - Documentaries, Australian Films, Comedies and Honourable Mentions

Once again we’re celebrating some of the best films, movies and cinema of 2025 with Melbourne International Film Festival programmer and film critic Kate Jinx. This time we’re diving into the best documentaries, Australian films, comedies and honourable mentions. Pick up tickets to Alexei’s comedy festival tour of his new show VHS in 2026 Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram for all of our guests picks.

Celebrating some of the best films, movies and cinema of 2025 with Melbourne International Film Festival programmer and film critic Kate Jinx. Join us again next week for another bonus episode discussing the best documentaries, Australian films, comedies and honourable mentions. Pick up tickets to Alexei’s comedy festival tour of his new show VHS in 2026 Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram for all of our guests picks. PICKS: Sinners, One Battle After Another, The Mastermind, Sorry Baby, Peter Hujar’s Day, Harvest, The Secret Agent, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Marty Supreme, It Was Just an Accident Thanks to Dan Murphy’s for making this episode happen! Nobody Beats Dan Murphy’s. Lowest Liquor Price Guarantee. Found it cheaper? We’ll beat it. T&Cs apply. Shop in-store or online at danmurphys.com.au. Choose to DrinkWise.

One of Australia’s most gifted singer songwriters, Meg Mac stops by The Last Video Store to chat to Alexei in the middle of a tour intimate pop up gigs. With songs like Roll Up Your Sleeves and Low Blows, Meg has been able to tap into lyrical feelings that resonate so deeply. Her next album ITS MY PARTY is another display of immense talent for musical storytelling. What we didn’t expect from this chat was for Meg to make Alexei laugh harder than possibly any other guest. Pick up tickets to Alexei’s comedy festival tour of his new show VHS in 2026 Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram for all of our guests picks. PICKS MEG: Better Man, Toy Story, Good Morning Vietnam STAFF PICK: Popeye (1980)

Salute a true soldier of cinema with today’s guest JOHN POLSON. He starred opposite Tom Cruise in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2, directed DeNiro and Dakota Fanning in HIDE AND SEEK, and helped launch the careers of many with the behemoth short film fest TROPFEST. Good news is, TROPFEST is back! If you’re a filmmaker, submissions are open now until January 8th, 2026. For more info, hit up Tropfest.com Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram for all of our guests picks. PICKS (only because a few people have asked very nicely) JOHN: Weapons (2025), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Kramer vs Kramer (1979) STAFF PICK: Nobody’s Fool (1994)

A breakthrough artist collaborating with the likes of Troye Sivan, Nick Ward has recently actualised his film obsessed dreams… composing the score for the upcoming John Lithgow & Olivia Coleman film JIMPA. Nick also has the rare distinction of supplying the Last Video Store with some great film donations from his private collection. A true blessing! Listen to Nick Ward’s stunning album THE HOUSE WITH THE BLUE DOOR Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram for all of our guests picks. PICKS (only because a few people have asked very nicely) NICK: The Beast (2024), Morvern Callar (2002), Risky Business (1983), Magnolia (1999), The Color of Money (1986) STAFF PICK: The Hourglass Sanatorium (1973) 00:03:04 INTRO 00:09:23 NEW RELEASE - THE BEAST 00:16:39 WEEKYL - morvern callar 00:25:44 Risky business 00:30:31 MAGNOLIA 00:35:39 Color of money 00:41:07 STAFF PICK - the hour glass sanatorium 00:46:32 OUTRO

Double Greek boy cinephilia on the Last Video Store today as we’re joined by award winning director behind AUNTY DONNA’S BIG OL’ HOUSE OF FUN, COFFEE CAFE and FINDING YEEZUS, Max Miller. One of Alexei’s very favourite people to talk movies/films/cinema with so you know this is a going to be a belter episode. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram for all of our guests picks.

Mary Bronstein’s new film IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU, is a feature length surrealist panic attack surrounding the performance of a lifetime from Rose Byrne. For Alexei, this is one of the most exciting discoveries of the year and with the rare dramatic turn from Conan O’Brien, it’s a must see off kilter experience. Mary Bronstein takes us through her favourite films and learns about an Aussie Rose Byrne classic. IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU is in Australian cinemas NOW Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram for all of our guests picks.

Two of the funniest comedians in Australia and hosts of the cult podcast BIG NATURAL TALENTS, Lauren Bonner & Concetta Caristo, slide into the Last Video Store to talk about their favourite films with Alexei. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram for all of our guests picks.

At just 22, REUL has already scored over 3 billion global streams, earned platinum and gold singles, and sold out tours worldwide. Now, the hitmaker is finding new inspiration in the darkened glow of the cinema. In a truly great chat Ruel and Alexei genuinely reawaken the inspired nostalgia of falling in love with film for the first time. Alexei and Maria’s screening at the Sydney Opera House - Saturday Film Club: Bram Stoker’s Dracula Nov 1 Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram for all of our guests picks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Something for Kate and Fanning Dempsey National Park frontman triumphantly returns to the Last Video Store. Paul Dempsey takes us deeper into his love of cinema as he dusts off a Kubrick classic, the iconic work of a Russian master and gets into the new release of the moment ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - all while Alexei finds out if DREAM SCENARIO was a good staff pick when he was last here… Paul Dempsey's Shotgun Karaoke Vol. II is out NOW! And it rocks. Pick up the album and see it live! Alexei and Maria’s screening at the Sydney Opera House - Saturday Film Club: Bram Stoker’s Dracula Nov 1 Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram for all of our guests picks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.