The Minnesota Movie Digest: Issue No. 115

The Minnesota Movie Digest: Going on a Blitz to see Gladiator II

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)

As The MN Movie Man eagerly anticipates the upcoming Glicked weekend (be sure to read his early review of Gladiator II!), he has several films to recommend.

On Netflix, get ready for holiday fun with Hot Frosty and the timely Joy, which explores the birth of IVF. For those missing summer road trips, check out For When You Get Lost – just be prepared for some unresolved daddy/sister/IPA issues along the way.

The true gem of the week is The World According to Allee Willis, a brilliantly crafted documentary that takes you into the life of a legendary songwriter. This one earns The MN Movie Man’s highest recommendation and rating.

Be sure to follow The MN Movie Man on Instagram and Facebook for his weekly hot takes and other updates between newsletters

Eli Brau

Eli has a few new pieces this week over on Cinephile Corner. In their movie reviews section, they have reviews for a few new releases, including The Order, Juror #2, Speak No Evil, and Sometimes I Think About Dying.

Brian Eggert (Deep Focus Review)

Brian reviewed Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II and Andrea Arnold’s latest, Bird.

For his Patreon subscribers, he reviewed Steve McQueen’s Blitz.

Finally, as part of his essay series, The Definitives, he moved his piece about Lars von Trier’s Melancholia (2011) from behind his Patreon paywall to Deep Focus Review. Happy reading!

Hunter Friesen (The Cinema Dispatch)

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter published reviews for Gladiator II and Red One.

Kyle Goethe

Over at GOAT Film Reviews, Kyle has his early reviews of Gladiator II, Emilia Pérez, and Red One. And on the GOAT Film Reviews YouTube Channel, you can find First Reactions to a number of new releases and a Video Review for Transformers One (2024).