The Minnesota Movie Digest: Issue No. 157

The Minnesota Movie Digest: The Long Walk to The Baltimorons

Welcome to The Minnesota Movie Digest, the official newsletter from the Minnesota Film Critics Association (MNFCA)!

The MNFCA is a collective of individuals dedicated to celebrating and critically examining the art of film. In this recurring publication, we’ll share a selection of insightful film reviews, absorbing essays, and interviews with film professionals.

Each issue of The Minnesota Movie Digest features a diverse array of perspectives and content. Our members have shared their most recent work with us, covering the latest releases and revisiting classic films that dissect the craft of filmmaking. Explore the links below and get a front-row seat to critically examine the art of film.

Check out the MNFCA Members page to meet our all-star lineup.

And now… The Minnesota Movie Digest.

Brian Eggert – Deep Focus Review

On Deep Focus Review, Brian reviewed:

• The Baltimorons
  • The History of Sound
  • The Long Walk
  • Lurker
  • Rabbit Trap
  • Spinal Tap II: The End Continues
  • Traumatika

Brian also appeared on the latest episode of The CineFiles on the KARE 11+ app. The crew discussed The Long Walk and The History of Sound, and also looked back at the Safdie brothers’ Good Time (2017). Watch the episode.

And Brian returned to KARE 11 Saturday to recommend Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, The Long Walk, and The Baltimorons.

Finally, on Brian’s Patreon, he wrote exclusive reviews of The Toxic Avenger and The Conjuring: Last Rites.

Hunter Friesen – The Cinema Dispatch

Hunter has returned from the Toronto International Film Festival. He saw a whopping 38 films over the 10 days, an improvement over last year’s total of 37! Here are the full reviews he’s written so far, with many more to come closer to each film’s theatrical release:

• The Wizard of the Kremlin
• No Other Choice
• The Testament of Ann Lee
• Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
• Rental Family
• Hamnet
• Frankenstein
• Ballad of a Small Player

You can also check out his Letterboxd list to see his full rankings.

Jay Gabler – Duluth News Tribune

For The Tangential, Jay reviewed The Luckiest Man in America, Swiped, and Twinless.

Kyle Goethe – Goat Film Reviews

This week, you can find reviews for two new releases of very different genres. One of them is my favorite movie of the year so far!

[Early Review] The Long Walk (2025)

[Early Review] Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025)

Jakob Kolness – JakobTalksFilm

Over at JakobTalksFilm, Jakob has a review for Spike Lee’s newest, Highest 2 Lowest, as well as the new June Squibb-starring dramedy Eleanor the Great.

On the awards side of things, there are September Oscar Nomination Predictions and  2022 Yearly Restrospective Awards!

Be sure to follow him on Twitter, BluSky, and Letterboxd!

Erik Larson – Hamline Oracle

Erik has published two reviews for this week:

“KPop Demon Hunters” (2025): An Original Sensation – The Oracle

“Highest 2 Lowest” (2025): A fresh joint rolled from an old classic – The Oracle

Matthew Liedke – Liedke on Film

At his site, Liedke reviewed recent releases “Caught Stealing” and “The Long Walk.” He also released his annual Summer Movie Awards, with “The Phoenician Scheme” winning seven categories.

Ruth Maramis – FlixChatter

Mark McPherson – Movies With Mark

Film Reviews:

• Highest 2 Lowest
• The Long Walk
• The Long Walk (Video Review)
• Vice is Broke

Brian Orndorf – Blu-Ray.Com

Film Reviews:

• Spinal Tap II: The End Continues
• Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
• Code 3
• Tin Soldier
• Looking Through Water
• The Man in My Basement
• The Conjuring: Last Rites
• The Long Walk
• Twinless
• The Cut
• The Threesome
• Splitsville
• The Baltimorons
• Caught Stealing

Blu-ray/UHD Review:

• Teenage Gang Debs
• Yongary, Monster from the Deep
• The Card Player
• Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
• A New Leaf
• A Girl’s Best Friend

Nicholas Palodichuk – St. Paul Filmcast

• Interview with director/actress/artist Alex Rumsey
• Review: The Long Walk

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Keep your eyes peeled for the latest film critiques, reviews, and news from the Minnesota Film Critics Association! 🎬🍿

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