The Minnesota Movie Digest: Issue No. 116

The Minnesota Movie Digest, from the Minnesota Film Critics Association, showcases film reviews, essays, and interviews, highlighting latest releases and classic films. Contributions from members offer diverse insights, covering films like Wicked, Gladiator II, and The Piano Lesson. Stay updated with film critiques through their social media channels.

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.

The MN Movie Man hopes you all had a happy Glicked weekend!  This past week, he featured reviews of Wicked and new Netflix films The Merry Gentlemen and Spellbound.  For action fans, Sylvester Stallone’s action flick Armor is in theaters and on demand.  Finally, it’s not out until January 2025, but an early review of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is available!

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

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

In their classic reviews section, they also have a new review of Inside Llewyn Davis (2013).

Over on the GOAT Film Reviews Website, you can find a new review for The Piano Lesson, now streaming on Netflix!

[Early Review] The Piano Lesson (2024)

On the GOAT Film Reviews YouTube Channel, you can find video reviews for the following 2024 films:

My Old Ass (2024): Video Review 

Megalopolis (2024): Video Review 

Monster Summer (2024): Video Review 

New episode for Gladiator II

Zach catches up and shares his thoughts on new and new-ish releases: THE WILD ROBOT, EMILIA PEREZ, CONCLAVE, SATURDAY NIGHT, HERETIC, ANORA, and WICKED.

Review of Wicked: People who are familiar with and love the staged musical will absolutely love this filmed adaptation.  Those unfamiliar with the source material will find it to be just ok to good.

Reservoir Dogs: The Audio Drama: Adapting Quentin Tarantino’s debut film to audio format but with a twist.  All of the iconic male characters( Mr. Pink, Mr. Blonde, Mr White, ect) will be performed by women.

Interview with director and writers of the new “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead”: Wade Allain-Marcus and Chuck Hayward

Catherine paired the 2022 “Predator” prequel “Prey” with basil mint mushroom jerky on Veg Out. Plus, she has four new reviews on The Feed: “The World According to Allee Willis,” “Blitz,” “Wicked” and “Maria.” She was also added to the roster of female film and TV critics on The Cherry Picks, and she continued her FYC Friday series with quick thoughts on “Love Lies Bleeding,” “The Wild Robot” and more.

Time reviewed Gladiator II and Wicked on WCCO-AM’s “Paul & Jordana” show and The Tom Barnard Show. He also interviewed Danny DeVito about his cameo on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. He also interviewed the film’s Visual Effects Supervisor Angus Bickerton and Stop-Motion Supervisor Ian Mackinnon. Finally, he spoke to Danny Elfman about the 25th anniversary of the release of Sleepy Hallow and 35th anniversary of Batman.

Small Things Like These (2024) – Cillian Murphy brings a subtle intensity to this slow yet absorbing historical drama

WICKED (2024) – Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande are wicked good in Jon M. Chu’s vivid, dazzling, and surprisingly heartfelt movie musical

And in honor of the star of Small Things Like These, Ruth also wanted to share this oldie-but-goodie tribute post she made for Cillian Murphy – 35 reasons I’m a fan of the Irish actor

It’s a BIG week at the movies whether you’re headed to the theaters or want something that’s streaming:

Paul has reviews of five new movies:

Wicked

Gladiator II

The Piano Lesson

Blitz

Anora

Paul sits down with Michelle Yeoh to talk about all “Wicked”

Plus, here’s his latest segment on “Twin Cities Live” with reviews of “Gladiator II” “Emilia Perez” and “Heretic”

Follow him on TikTok/Instagram/Threads @PAULSMOVIETRIP

Movies

Blu-ray/UHD


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


The Alliance Lately: Issue No. 113

Welcome to The Alliance Lately, the official newsletter from the Minnesota Film Critics Alliance (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 Alliance Lately 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 Alliance Lately.

With the book of Halloween 2024 closed, The MN Movie Man‘s 31 Days to Scare is also complete.  Check out all of the fright-delights here!

On the new release front, two films Joe first saw at the Toronto Film Festival arrived in theaters, and both will factor into the end-of-year awards talk! Get ready to meet two fascinating women: Emilia Pérez and Anora. The other new release for the week is a YA horror for Netflix, Time Cut.

Reviews of Bob Trevino Likes It, winner of the MNFCA Prize at the Twin Cities Film Fest, and more are also on The MN Movie Man’s Instagram and Facebook for weekly hot takes and other updates between newsletters!

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 AnoraThe SubstanceBlink TwiceMemoir of a SnailMadSBetween the Temple, and Woman of the Hour. They also have classic reviews for Onibaba (1965)Ring (1998), and Pulse (2001).

And then in their rankings section, they have lists for the best horror movies of all timethe best horror movies of the 2020s so far, and the best Stephen King movie adaptations.

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter reviewed Blitz and Here.

Catherine paired the hit TV show “Wednesday” with fudge on Veg Out. Plus, she has three new reviews on The Feed: “Shrinking” (Season Two), “Before” (Season One) and “Emilia Perez.” She also asked a question in the “My Old Ass” virtual press conference, published an appreciation post for the 1983 vampire film “The Hunger” and started her FYC Friday series with microreviews of “Ghostlight,” “Late Night with the Devil” and more. Additionally, the “Demons & Monsters & Creatures, OH MY!” series she co-hosted wrapped up with more scary season films and shows, on top of being featured in other Halloween-themed community posts on Instagram.

Over at Forbes, Tim published the following pieces:

At his site, Liedke reviewed Conclave and Saturday Night. He also published his annual Adventures in B-Movie Horror article.

Paul has some new reviews and interviews to share this week! Follow him on social media @PAULSMOVIETRIP to share your new hot takes

Paul interviews Rosie Perez and Jacobi Jupe for the new AppleTV+ series “Before”

Paul sits down with the cast of “A Real Pain” with Jesse Eisenberg, Jennifer Grey, and Will Sharpe

Plus reviews of:

“A Real Pain”

“Addams Family Values” on 4K

And check out my recent segment on “Twin Cities Live” with reviews and interviews for “Disclaimer” and “Before”

Movies

Blu-ray/UHD


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


The Alliance Lately: Issue No. 108

Minnesota Film Critics Alliance Newsletter

Welcome to The Alliance Lately, the official newsletter from the Minnesota Film Critics Alliance (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 Alliance Lately 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 Alliance Lately.

Check out the new releases from The MN Movie Man this week! Just as the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival wraps up, two films from the 2023 festival are getting a wide release, and both are worth your time! Sleep and Lee are in theaters now. Over on Max, the long-awaited update of Salem’s Lot has risen from the grave. Reviews of Amber Alert, Azrael, and My Old Ass are also up!

Make sure to look over Joe’s Instagram for even more coverage of TIFF24 and the recently concluded Fantastic Fest 2024! October’s 31 Days to Scare is right around the corner!

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  MegalopolisThe Wild RobotWolfsApartment 7A, and Snack Shack.

They also concluded their deep dive of David Lynch movies, including Fire Walk with MeThe Straight Story, and Inland Empire. And then in their rankings section, they have a ranking of David Lynch movies.

On Deep Focus Review, Brian reviewed AzraelWolfs, and Megalopolis.

For his essay series The Definitives, he wrote about David Cronenberg’s eXistenZ (1999) exclusively for his Patreon subscribers.

Finally, James Cameron fans will want to check out several new pieces Brian released from his Patreon paywall recently, including essays about The Terminator (1984) and The Abyss (1989), and reviews about Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) and True Lies (1994).

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter posted a full recap of his time at the Toronto International Film Festival. He also posted a review for the new Apple TV+ film Wolfs.

Catherine pairs the underseen 2002 coming-of-age gem Real Women Have Curves with caramel ice cream dessert nachos on Veg Out. Plus, she has two new reviews on The FeedMegalopolis and Wolfs.

Catherine also participated in a Horror Movie Double Features collab and will be hosting the Secret Movie Night at Emagine Willow Creek on October 9: get tickets here!

Paul had a busy week of interviews and reviews! Check out his exclusive content:

Movies: Megalopolis, The Wild Robot, Salem’s Lot, Wolfs, Amber Alert, Lee, Killer Heat, Azrael, Empire Waist, Paradox Effect

Blu-ray/UHD: Woman in Love: A Story of Madame Bovary, Late Night with the Devil

Before its premiere, Tyler reviewed the autumnal-themed Disney+ series Agatha All Along.

Tyler also reviewed The Wild Robot, one of his favorite films of the year thus far.


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


The Alliance Lately: Issue No. 107

Minnesota Film Critics Alliance Newsletter

Welcome to The Alliance Lately, the official newsletter from the Minnesota Film Critics Alliance (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 Alliance Lately 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 Alliance Lately.

Now that Joe is back from his Canadian adventure, he’s back into the swing of reviews. Check out his thoughts on The Substance, Transformers One, Omni Loop, Subservience, and Last Straw.

Brief reviews of the 61 films Joe saw throughout the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival are up over on his Instagram – full details will be up on his website shortly. He’s also begun coverage of Fantastic Fest 2024!

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 Kinds of KindnessMaXXXineRobot DreamsRebel RidgeCuckoo, and I Saw the TV Glow.

They have also been deep diving David Lynch movies, including Blue VelvetLost Highway, and more.

Lastly, in their rankings section, they have new lists for the best alien movies of all time and the best movies of 1999.

On Deep Focus Review, Brian Eggert reviewed Speak No Evil (2024), The SubstanceA Different ManBookworm, and Apartment 7A.

Exclusively for his Patreon subscribers, he reviewed The Front Room.

Brian also appeared on KARE 11 Saturday to recommend three 2024 titles for your next movie night at home.

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter finalized his coverage for the Toronto International Film Festival, posting full reviews for  NightbitchConclaveQueerHereticBabygirland The End. He also posted two  dispatches with mini reviews for several other films he saw at the festival.

On the TV front, Matt is back to cover the 47th season of Survivor. He’ll have weekly written recaps on Fandomwire, while also returning for another season of the Talking Llama podcast.

Bad Movie Bros Eric and Chad are back with a look at another bad movie.  This time, Corey Haim and a super smart dog match wits with Michael Ironside in Watchers!

Catherine pairs the drama-heavy The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City with a breakfast crunchwrap as part of her continuing Breakfast with Bravo series on Veg Out. Plus, she has five new reviews on The Feed: Speak No Evil, Transformers One, The Substance, My Old Ass and A Different Man.

Catherine also participated in a What Kind of Cinephile Are You? collab and will be hosting the Secret Movie Night at Emagine Willow Creek on October 9: get tickets here!

Movies: Transformers One, Apartment 7A, His Three Daughters, Never Let Go, The Substance, Omni Loop, Clawfoot, Subservience, Uglies, Hounds of War, My Old Ass

Blu-ray/UHD: Bloodbath at the House of Death, Bad Company, Hell’s Trap, The Stepfather, The Fabulous Four


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


The Alliance Lately: Issue No. 100

Minnesota Film Critics Alliance Newsletter

Welcome to The Alliance Lately, the official newsletter from the Minnesota Film Critics Alliance (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 Alliance Lately 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 Alliance Lately.

It was a week full of new releases, and The MN Movie Man had a lot of ground to cover!

On Deep Focus Review, Brian Eggert reviewed the new releases Deadpool & Wolverine and Starve Acre.

Brian also reviewed this year’s La chimera for his Patreon community, after members selected the film in a Reader’s Choice poll.

Read more of Brian’s work at Deep Focus Review.

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter published a review for Deadpool & Wolverine and did a deep dive into what the fall festival lineups mean for this year’s Oscar race. He also appeared on the Reel Chronicles Podcast to discuss the 60th anniversary of Mary Poppins.

Kyle & Nick on Film:

GOAT Film Reviews:

Catherine paired the underrated 2022 romcom Fire Island with limoncello gelato as part of her continuing Summer of Scoops series on Veg Out. She also published four new reviews on The Feed: Deadpool & Wolverine, Time Bandits, Sleep No More and Mapantsula.

Additionally, Catherine was the featured guest on last week’s episode of the St. Paul Filmcast, and she highlighted movies with Vegan Vibes as part of a collaborative post.


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


The Alliance Lately: Issue No. 97

Minnesota Film Critics Alliance Newsletter

Welcome to The Alliance Lately, the official newsletter from the Minnesota Film Critics Alliance (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 Alliance Lately 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 Alliance Lately.

On Deep Focus Review, Brian Eggert wrote reviews of the new releases Mother, Couch and MaXXXine.

Brian also posted an essay that explores the brief history of the mumblegore sub-subgenre, called The Scrappy Independents of Mumblegore. He accompanied this with new and expanded reviews of several mumblegore titles, including:

Finally, Brian posted a new entry in his essay series, The Definitives, about Akira Kurosawa’s Kagemusha (1980), exclusively for his Patreon audience.

Read more of Brian’s work at Deep Focus Review.

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter published his rankings for the best movies of the year so far; as well as reviews for Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F and Mother, Couch. He also appeared on the Reel Chronicles Podcast to discuss the 35th anniversary of Back to the Future Part II.

GOAT Film Reviews:

Kyle & Nick on Film:

Podcast Appearance:

To continue the Veg Out Summer of Scoops, Catherine paired the iconic 1996 film “Independence Day” with a vanilla milkshake.

Movies: Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, Boneyard, Space Cadet, Mother, Couch, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Despicable Me 4

Blu-ray: Who’s That Girl, Mars Express, Strangers Kiss, Tramps!, David “The Rock” Nelson Collection: Volume 1, The Plot Against Harry


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


The Alliance Lately: Issue No. 95

Minnesota Film Critics Alliance Newsletter

Welcome to The Alliance Lately, the official newsletter from the Minnesota Film Critics Alliance (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 Alliance Lately 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 Alliance Lately.

Joe had two new reviews this week (and continued to encourage his readers to see Ghostlight (2024))

This week, Brian Eggert reviewed two new releases, Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders and Québécoise director Ariane Louis-Seize’s debut Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person.

He also wrote about 2023’s Marry My Dead Body, a Reader’s Choice selection for a member of his Patreon community.

Read more of Brian’s work at Deep Focus Review.

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter published a review for The Bikeriders and readjusted his early Oscar predictions.

Making his Alliance Lately debut, here are the links Kyle was working with this week (both for his GOAT reviews and his collaboration with fellow MNFCA critic Nick Palodichuk for Kyle & Nick on film)

GOAT Film Reviews:
The Bikeriders (2023)
Spoiler Discussion for Star Wars: The Acolyte – Episode 4

Kyle & Nick on Film:
Tuesday (2023)
Ex Machina (2015)
90s w/Nick: The Fantastic Four (1994)

The Screen Mash makes its first appearance in The Alliance Lately, with Barrett submitting two of their recent Instgram posts/reels that have generated buzz. Give them a look/follow!

La La Land – Alternate Casting

Catch Up on Last Week’s Blockbuster News

Continuing her Pride celebrations and Summer of Scoops, Catherine spotlights the underseen 2018 gem “Hearts Beat Loud,” pairing it with homemade strawberry beet ice cream. Read her film essay at vegoutrecipes.com/hearts-beet-loud.

She also added a new hub for her film content and more to her website called “The Feed.” Check it out at vegoutrecipes.com/the-feed.

Here are the latest flicks Ruth has been talking about!

And for THELMA opening this past weekend:

Check out the latest from Paul’s Trip to the Movies:

South Park and Team America Get the Ultra HD Treatment
BRATS
Twin Cities Live – 6/14 – Presumed Innocent & Inside Out

Here’s the latest batch from Mark!

Brian has been busy reviewing a variety of Blu-rays and UHD releases. Here are some of his latest reviews:

Movie Reviews

Blu-ray & UHD Reviews Brian also reviewed a variety of Blu-rays and UHD releases. Here are some of his recent reviews:

Tyler reviewed the first episode of HBO’s popular series House of the Dragon’s sophomore season. Check out his review at Cinefied here.


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