The Minnesota Movie Digest: Issue No. 160

The Minnesota Movie Digest: The Smashing Anemone

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 following titles:

• After the Hunt
  • Anemone
  • Coyotes
  • Good Boy
  • The Smashing Machine
  • V/H/S/Halloween

Brian also appeared on the latest episode of The CineFiles on KARE 11+, where he discusses One Battle After Another, Eleanor the Great, and A Big Bold Beautiful Journey.

Additionally, for Spooky Season, Brian began a month-long look at postmodern vampire films, exclusively for his Patreon subscribers. The first entry is Daughters of Darkness (1971).

Dallas Fisher – Dallas Goes To The Movies

Head to my website to find new reviews for:

• The Smashing Machine
• The Lost Bus
• Roofman 

I will have reviews up for After the Hunt, A House of Dynamite, Tron: Ares, and John Candy: I Like Me next week. I’m looking forward to attending TCFF later this month!

Hunter Friesen – The Cinema Dispatch

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter published reviews for The Smashing Machine and The Lost Bus.

Kyle Goethe – Goat Film Reviews

This week over at GOAT Film Reviews, you can find reviews on new releases, The Smashing Machine, and Anemone!

• [Early Review] The Smashing Machine (2025)
• [Early Review] Anemone (2025)

This week also marks the start of this year’s 31 Days of Horror!

• [31 Days of Horror XII] Day 1 – [Early Review] Good Boy (2025)
• [31 Days of Horror XII] Day 2 – Innocent Blood (1992)
• [31 Days of Horror XII] Day 3 – M3GAN (2022)
• [31 Days of Horror XII] Day 4 – Trick ‘r Treat (2007)

Eric Houston – North Metro TV

Movie Man Eric likes movies.  And he liked I Like Movies.  How do you like that?

C.B. Jacobson – Picturegoer

In this week’s “Picturegoer” newsletter, thoughts on “One Battle After Another”; Lee Van Cleef in the evocatively titled “Death Rides a Horse”; Stan and Ollie meet for the first time in “The Lucky Dog”; Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra go “On the Town”; horror-comedy “Y2K”; and the latest episode of “Taxi”.  Follow the link.

Jakob Kolness – JakobTalksFilm

Over at JakobTalksFilm, Jakob reviews Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt!

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

Erik Larson – Hamline Oracle

Erik published one review this week, covering the latest film from Paul Thomas Anderson: “One Battle After Another” (2025).

Ruth Maramis – FlixChatter

Connect with FlixChatter on Letterboxd and social media » Instagram | Twitter | Bluesky

Paul McGuire Grimes – Paul’s Trip to the Movies

Paul McGuire Grimes is back with some new reviews, interviews, and appearances

ROOFMAN interviews with Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst

ROOFMAN review

THE LOST BUS review

THE LIFE OF CHUCK Blu-Ray review

Twin Cities Live 10/3 – Roofman, The Lost Bus

My Talk 107.1 – The Lost Bus, Roofman

Big news, Paul is now on PATREON. If you like his work and want more, show some support by subscribing to one of the three tiers! And don’t forget to follow him across social media @PAULSMOVIETRIP and on Letterboxd.

Mark McPherson – Movies With Mark

Film Reviews:

• The Smashing Machine
• Eleanor the Great
• Him (Video Review)

Brian Orndorf – Blu-Ray.Com

Film Reviews:

• Bone Lake
• The Smashing Machine
• Good Boy
• V/H/S Halloween
• Are We Good?
• Scared Shitless
• Coyotes
• Steve
• Killing Faith
• Shell
• Anemone
• Play Dirty

Blu-ray/UHD Reviews:

• Deathstalker
• Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans
• The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover
• Special Effects
• Wicked Stepmother

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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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