The Alliance Lately: Issue No. 104

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.

With the new release offerings slim this past weekend, The MN Movie Man focused on smaller gems that often slip through the cracks when blockbusters rule the multiplex.  Throughout the past week, he published reviews for Hostile DimensionsStrange DarlingHell HoleBetween the TemplesThe Secret Art of Human Flight, and Black Dog.

And remember to browse the archive! You can try a random letter and see what reviews pop out at you.  This week, Joe suggests the letter “V”


Over on the movie reviews section of the Cinephile Corner we have articles for a few new releases, including The People’s JokerFirebrandChimeJanet PlanetEvil Does Not Exist, and The Watchers, and a classic review of Magnolia.

We also have two lists in our rankings section, including Luca Guadagnino’s movies ranked and Paul Thomas Anderson’s movies ranked

Here’s my latest piece on Bronson in Europe that I’m planning to continue in a couple more installments:
Le Sacre Monstre: Charles Bronson in Europe

On Deep Focus Review, Brian Eggert reviewed the new releases Blink Twice and Good One.

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter published a review for The Deliverance

Here’s a link to capsule reviews of the last several films I’ve seen, including this week’s new release Between the Temples:
The Last Few Things I Watched and My Brief Thoughts on Them

Two Purple Rain related projects for its 40th anniversary:

Catherine pairs the iconically awful 1997 movie Batman & Robin with matcha pandan frozen custard for the penultimate entry in the Summer of Scoops series on Veg Out.

Find her latest reviews and Letterboxd lists on The Feed.

Movies
The Crow, Between the Temples, The Killer, Incoming, The Deliverance, Greedy People, The Clean Up Crew, Catching Dust, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, Hell Hole

Blu-ray/UHD
Death to Smoochy, The Instructor, Observe and Report


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


The Alliance Lately: Issue No. 103

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.

This week, The MN Movie Man had seven reviews for his readers.  Not all of them were magnificent but you’d be lucky to catch a few of them in theaters!  Check out the reviews for Alien: Romulus, The Deliverance, Daughters, Skincare, Consumed, My Penguin Friend, and Close to You.

On Deep Focus Review, Brian reviewed the new releases Skincare and Alien: Romulus.

Brian also wrapped up his “Filmmaker in Focus” series about Bertrand Bonello with an essay about 2016’s Nocturama for his Patreon community.

Finally, Brian appeared on KARE 11 Saturday on August 17 to talk briefly about a few hidden gems of summer.  

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

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter published reviews for Alien: Romulus and Blink Twice.

Alien: Romulus (2024)

Blood Simple (1984) | Alien: Romulus (2024) | Saturday Scares w/Kyle: Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched (2021)

Jackpot! | The Union

Catherine pairs fan-favorite TV show The White Lotus with banana gelato as part of her continuing Summer of Scoops series on Veg Out.

She also published four new reviews on The Feed: Blink Twice, Alien: Romulus, Pachinko (Season 2) and In the Rearview.

Additionally, Catherine wrote a tribute to iconic actress Gena Rowlands and organized a community film post for Animation August.

Paul has a mix of new reviews and interviews this week

Bad Monkey | Interviews with Vince Vaughn and Bill Lawrence – Bad Monkey Interviews

Jackpot! | Interviews with Awkwafina, Paul Feig, and John Cena – Jackpot! Interviews

4K review – Furiosa | 4K review – The Bikeriders

Alien: Romulus Review | The Beast (2023) | Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie Review

Movies
Jackpot | My Penguin Friend | The Good Half | Skincare | Blink Twice | Alien: Romulus | Crescent City | The Union

Blu-ray/UHD
Reptilicus | Ali G Indahouse | Babes | You Can Call Me Bill


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