The Minnesota Movie Digest: Issue No. 126

The Minnesota Movie Digest: That Dog Man is giving me Heart Eyes

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

Last week, The MN Movie Man mentioned that January was a quieter month…well, the seven reviews published this week would beg to differ. Check out his early look at the new Valentine’s Day slasher Heart Eyes as well as Companion, You’re Cordially Invited, Dark Match, Rose, Green and Gold, and Time Passages.

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

Eli Brau – Cinephile Corner

Eli has a few new pieces this week over on Cinephile Corner. In their movie reviews section, he has reviews for the following new releases:

He also has reviews for the following classic movies:

Lastly, in their movie rankings section, he has updated the following lists:

The Best Movies of 2021

Every Marvel MCU Movie Ranked

The Best Movies of 2018

The Best Movies of 2019

The Best Movies of 2020

Brian Eggert – Deep Focus Review

Brian reviewed the new releases Presence, Companion, and You’re Cordially Invited.

For his Patreon subscribers, he began a “Filmmaker in Focus” series about Jia Zhangke, starting with an essay in The Definitives about Xiao Wu (1997).

Also, Brian appeared on KARE 11 Saturday to recommend Presence, All We Imagine as Light, and A Different Man.

Hunter Friesen – The Cinema Dispatch

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter previewed his 25 Most Anticipated Films of 2025.

Kyle Goethe – Goat Film Reviews

Over on the GOAT Film Reviews site, you can find a few of my end-of-year lists:

Kyle’s Top Ten Films of 2024!

Kyle’s Most Anticipated Movies of 2025!

You can also find early reviews of several new releases!

[Early Review] You’re Cordially Invited (2025)

[Early Review] Dog Man (2025)

[Early Review] Heart Eyes (2025)

Dog Man is now in theaters, while You’re Cordially Invited is streaming on Prime Video. Heart Eyes hits theaters this Friday!

New Episode of Kyle & Nick on Film: The Girl with the Needle (2024)

C.B. Jacobson – Picturegoer

The third year of the “Picturegoer” newsletter kicks off with reviews of the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown”; Michael Caine as the womanizing “Alfie”; the stop motion adventure “Coraline”; Michael York and Jenny Agutter in a dystopian in “Logan’s Run”; Will Forte as “Macgruber”; and the pilot episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”. Follow the link.

Chaz Kangas – Bring Me the News

Hot off the presses, here’s my interview with Severin’s David Gregory on the restoration and recent re-release of Russ Meyer’s ‘Vixen’ trilogy!

Ruth Maramis – FlixChatter

Ruth over at FlixChatter posted a classic review of The Elephant Man (1980) – An appreciation for David Lynch’s heartbreaking and hauntingly beautiful biographical drama.

She also reviewed an Indian drama currently playing in select theaters, All We Imagine as Light (2024) – Payal Kapadia’s understated tribute to the working-class women of Mumbai.

Ruth also posted FlixChatter’s JANUARY 2025 Viewing Recap + Movie of the Month, including mini-reviews of: