The Minnesota Movie Digest: Issue No. 145

The Minnesota Movie Digest: How to Train Your Materialist Dragon

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.

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 reviewed the following movies for their classic reviews section:

Fantastic Mr. Fox movie review

Brian Eggert – Deep Focus Review

On Deep Focus Review, Brian reviewed The Life of Chuck and Materialists.

He also re-posted his 2019 essay in The Definitives about 28 Days Later (2002), in anticipation of the sequel, 28 Years Later, opening on June 20.

Lastly, Brian appeared on a new episode of the KARE 11+ show, The CineFiles, where he talked with host Chris Hrapsky and film journalist Jamie Rogers about The Life of Chuck, The Phoenician Scheme, and A Silent Voice (2016).

Dallas Fisher – Dallas Goes To The Movies

Materialists Review on Dallas Goes to the Movies

Bing Interview – Interview with The Friend star, Bing the Great Dane. Bing and his owner, Bev, are from my hometown of Newton, Iowa. I saw the movie before I knew this information, and had to make this happen as soon as I found out.

Hunter Friesen – The Cinema Dispatch

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter reviewed Materialists and Echo Valley. He also (foolishly) published his first Oscar predictions of the season, which will surely all be wrong by the end of the year.

Jason Hemming – Cinema Recall

Ashley and The Vern give their review of the latest from Oscar nominee, Celine Song, with The Materialists. Plus, Vern praises Sally Hawkins’ performance in Bring Her Back in this short video review of Cinema Recall.

Catherine Krummey – Veg Out Recipes

Catherine has two new posts on The Feed: a full review of “Materialists” and a compilation of spring 2025 capsule reviews that includes “How to Train Your Dragon,” “The Buccaneers” (Season 2), “Echo Valley,” “Stick” (Season 1), “Tornado,” “The Amateur,” “The Luckiest Man in America” and “Freaky Tales.” She also published a Pride Month post celebrating the 2018 underrated gem “Hearts Beat Loud.”

Erik Larson – Hamline Oracle

Erik wrote one review this week, for Wes Anderson’s newest film: “The Phoenician Scheme.”

Ruth Maramis – FlixChatter

FlixChatter Review: How To Train Your Dragon (2025) – This live-action adaptation delivers a fun ride but can’t quite capture the magic of the animated original

FlixChatter Review: MATERIALISTS (2025) – Celine Song’s witty dialogue is music to my ears in this dreamy and stimulating romantic drama

I also want to share my review of the animated original of HTTYD, which I think is still far superior: FlixChatter Review: How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Paul McGuire Grimes – Paul’s Trip to the Movies

Paul is here with some new reviews and interviews!

You can follow Paul on social media @PAULSMOVIETRIP and on Letterboxd

Mark McPherson – Movies With Mark

Film Reviews:

Brian Orndorf – Blu-Ray.Com

Film Reviews:

Blu-ray/UHD Reviews

Keep your eyes peeled for the latest film critiques, reviews, and news from the Minnesota Film Critics Association! 🎬🍿

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