The Minnesota Movie Digest: Issue No. 158

The Minnesota Movie Digest: Eleanor’s Big Bold Beautiful Journey

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.

Joe Botten – The MN Movie Man

Finally back in MN after a terrific TIFFTY (TIFF50), The MN Movie Man is publishing capsule reviews of the 40+ films he caught in Toronto on his Instagram, and has full reviews of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Ballad of a Small Player, and The Last Viking over at Loud and Clear Reviews. Also at Loud and Clear Reviews, check out his reviews of Eden and Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

Be sure to follow The MN Movie Man on Instagram, Letterboxd, TikTok, and Facebook for his weekly early looks at upcoming films and other updates between newsletters!

Brian Eggert – Deep Focus Review

On Deep Focus Review, Brian reviewed the following titles: A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, Him, and Swiped.

Brian also released an entry from his essay series, The Definitives, from behind the paywall. His piece about Cabaret (1972) is now available to the public for free.

Dallas Fisher – Dallas Goes To The Movies

Over on my website, I have an early review for Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, and my first crack at a TV review for Netflix’s Black Rabbit.

On my Instagram stories, I have started voting for the 2024 movie tournament. You can watch a breakdown of the bracket in this video.

Hunter Friesen – The Cinema Dispatch

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter reviewed A Big Bold Beautiful Journey and Him. He also recapped his time at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.

Jay Gabler – Duluth News Tribune

For The Tangential, Jay reviewed My Sunshine and Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past.

Kyle Goethe – Goat Film Reviews

We have reviews for three new releases this week over on the website, two now in theaters and one available on Hulu!

You can also find my review of Superman, which is now streaming on HBO Max!

Jakob Kolness – JakobTalksFilm

Over at JakobTalksFilm, Jakob didn’t talk much about film this week. Instead, he has reviews for Season 4 of “The Morning Show” and the upcoming Season 5 of “Slow Horses“, both on Apple+!

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

Erik Larson – Hamline Oracle

Erik published one review this week, covering “Spın̈al Tap II: The End Continues” (2025).

Ruth Maramis – FlixChatter

Ruth over FlixChatter reviewed two new releases:

SWIPED (2025) – Lily James convincingly portrays a tech visionary, but the movie feels more like a sizzle reel masquerading as a biopic
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025) – Margot Robbie + Colin Farrell’s tedious and schmaltzy fantasy romance lacks heart

Her site contributor Ted S. reviewed a couple more new releases:

The Long Walk (2025) – A solid adaptation of Stephen King’s work, but it should have stuck with the book’s original ending
HIM (2025) – A blood-soaked football horror film tackles the lengths a young athlete would go to achieve NFL stardom

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