The Minnesota Movie Digest: Another Simple Favor for The Surfer
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
It may have been quiet at The MN Movie Man these past few weeks, but the movie-watching and reviewing hadn’t stopped. This week, the first half of a bundle of new reviews arrived, something for every taste. Check out reviews for: Thunderbolts*, Another Simple Favor, Sinners, Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer, A Nice Indian Boy, the remake of The Wedding Banquet, and Death of a Unicorn.
Over at Loud and Clear Reviews, Joe had reviews of The Legend of Ochi and the indie feature The Univited published.
Finally, if you are a planner, keep Wednesday, June 11 on your calendar. The MN Movie Man will be hosting Secret Movie Night at Emagine Willow Creek! More details (but not the movie title!) soon!
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!
Brian Eggert – Deep Focus Review
On Deep Focus Review, Brian reviewed:
For his Patreon subscribers, Brian wrote a new entry in his essay series, The Definitives, about Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker (1979). Check out his Patreon page.
Hunter Friesen – The Cinema Dispatch
At The Cinema Dispatch and Eden Prairie Local News, Hunter reviewed Thunderbolts* and Another Simple Favor.
Kyle Goethe – Goat Film Reviews
Over on the GOAT Film Reviews YouTube Channel, you can find video reviews of a bunch of 2025 releases, now available, including:
There’s also a new Unboxing Video for the recent Criterion Collection release of The Ranown Westerns, the first Criterion Collection 4k exclusive box set!
New episode of Kyle & Nick on Film: The Shrouds
Eric Houston – North Metro TV
Movie Man Eric Houston watched the notorious flop Bonfire of the Vanities… and he loved it!
Catherine Krummey – Veg Out Recipes
Catherine has five new reviews on The Feed: “Another Simple Favor,” “Government Cheese,” “Your Friends & Neighbors,” “The Wedding Banquet” and “Drop.”
She also published a new director list on Letterboxd: The Films of Paul Feig.
Erik Larson – Hamline Oracle
Erik has two new film reviews for this week:
- The Wedding Banquet (2025) at MSPIFF44: A modern queer love story – The Oracle
- Sinners (2025): A bloody good time – The Oracle
Matthew Liedke – Liedke on Film
At his site, Liedke reviewed several April releases, including “Drop,” “Warfare,” and “The Amateur.” He also wrote a column about the first weekend of May 2015, which featured an interesting cross-section of movies and sports for a major collection of entertainment.
Paul McGuire Grimes – Paul’s Trip to the Movies
Paul has a few new reviews this week!
THUNDERBOLTS* (catch this in theaters!)
THREE CLINT CLASSICS on 4K – New 4K releases of “Dirty Harry,” “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” and “Pale Rider”
And follow Paul across 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! 🎬🍿
Minnesota Film Critics Association 