The Minnesota Movie Digest: Issue No. 143

The Minnesota Movie Digest: The Fountain of Karate

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

June is busting out all over at The MN Movie Man, and as preparations for a busy month get underway, check out the new review this week for Karate Kid: Legends.

At Loud and Clear Reviews, Joe looked back at the stormy history of Wes Craven’s werewolf film Cursed and laid out the 12 can’t-miss movies for June.

Another reminder about The MN Movie Man hosting Secret Movie Night at Emagine Willow Creek on Wednesday, June 11 at 7 pm. Theater 1 has two seats remaining, and Theater 2, the “Movie Only” theater (for overflow), is filling up quickly! Hope to see you there!

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!

Eli Brau – Cinephile Corner

Eli has a few new pieces from these past few weeks over on Cinephile Corner. In their movie reviews section, he has reviews for the following new releases:

He also reviewed the following Wes Anderson movies in anticipation of The Phoenician Scheme:

Brian Eggert – Deep Focus Review

On Deep Focus Review, Brian reviewed Tornado.

For his Patreon subscribers, he reviewed William A. Wellman’s 1943 comic whodunit, Lady of Burlesque (1943), starring Barbara Stanwyck.

Finally, Brian appeared on the second episode of his new movie-themed show on the KARE 11+ app, The CineFiles, alongside host and anchor Chris Hrapsky and film journalist Jamie Rogers. They discuss Deaf President Now and Fountain of Youth, both on Apple TV+, and Jane Austen Wrecked My Life. They also rank the Mission: Impossible franchise and discuss last week’s “CineGift,” North by Northwest (1959).

Hunter Friesen – The Cinema Dispatch

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter reviewed The Phoenician Scheme.

Jason Hemming – Cinema Recall

The Vern reviews Wes Anderson’s latest, The Phoenician Scheme.

C.B. Jacobson – Picturegoer

In this week’s issue of the “Picturegoer” newsletter, Neal McDonough in “The Last Rodeo”; Sylvester Stallone in “Cliffhanger”; Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan on “The Green Mile”; Clark Gable and Charles Laughton in “Mutiny on the Bounty”; Rachel Zegler in Disney’s new version of “Snow White”; and another episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”. Follow the link.

Catherine Krummey – Veg Out Recipes

Catherine shared an appreciation post for Werner Herzog’s 1979 film “Nosferatu the Vampyre” as part of Revamped, a series spotlighting underrated horror remakes and sequels. She also published a new list on Letterboxd: Wax On, Wax Off (a ranking of the “Karate Kid” movies).

Erik Larson – Hamline Oracle

Erik wrote one review this week, for the first season of the 2025 Apple TV+ show “The Studio.”

Matthew Liedke – Liedke on Film

At his site, Liedke reviewed multiple major film releases from the last several weeks, including “Sinners,” “Thunderbolts,” “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” and “Karate Kid Legends.”