The Minnesota Movie Digest: Issue No. 120

The Minnesota Movie Digest, from the Minnesota Film Critics Association, showcases film reviews, essays, and interviews, highlighting latest releases and classic films. 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.

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:

Flow review

The Brutalist review

A Complete Unknown review

Babygirl review

Carry-On review

Small Things Like These review

Nightbitch review

The Seed of the Sacred Fig review

Brian recently reviewed The BrutalistNosferatuThe Room Next Door, and Babygirl.

For his Patreon subscribers, he launched his year-end “My Favorite Things of 2024” series with several lists, including the 25 Best Discs of 2024, the 5 Best Movie-Related Books of 2024, and The Best List—a look at his favorite performances, genre entries, and other categories from the year. Check out his Patreon for more.

At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter reviewed Mufasa: The Lion King and Nosferatu. He also updated his Oscar predictions.

This week, Zach brings you capsule reviews of nine new movies (including three hotly-anticipated Christmas Day releases): NOSFERATU, BABYGIRL, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, THE LAST SHOWGIRL, REBEL RIDGE, HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, THE PIANO LESSON, HARD TRUTHS, and MY OLD ASS.

In this week’s issue of the “Picturegoer” newsletter, reviews of Jesse Eisenberg’s quietly moving “A Real Pain”; the luminous Carol Kane in Joan Micklin Silver’s masterful “Hester Street”; Heath Ledger’s final role in “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus”; famous silent film cowboy William S. Hart’s final starring role in “Tumbleweeds”; and one of the perennial holiday favorites, “White Christmas” — PLUS! a bonus piece on the fourth collected volume of Charles Schultz’s “Peanuts” comic strip. 

Follow the link: https://picturegoer.substack.com/p/picturegoer-vol-2-issue-47-a-real

Documentary Review: Music By John Williams (2024) – a heartfelt and delightful tribute to the maestro who has composed the soundtrack of our lives

Trailer Spotlight: James Gunn’s SUPERMAN teaser trailer – a battered superhero, dapper Lex Luthor, Krypto the Superdog + more

FlixChatter Review: NICKEL BOYS (2024) – A unique approach to evocative storytelling that packs an emotional wallop

FlixChatter Review: THE BRUTALIST (2024) – Adrien Brody is intense and heartbreaking in Brady Corbet’s sobering cautionary tale of the elusive American Dream

There is no shortage of movies playing at your local movie theater! Paul has new reviews of the following:

Queer

The Brutalist

Babygirl

Mufasa: The Lion King

Nosferatu

Plus, Paul shared his review and interviews for A Complete Unknown on Twin Cities Live

And over on Fox9 Good, Paul shares his picks for Christmas movies on Hallmark, Netflix, and contemporary classic like The Holiday and The Family Stone

Film Reviews:

Film Reviews

Blu-ray & UHD Reviews

On his website Key Frame Reframe, Tyler offers an in-depth look at his December Oscar Predictions, with contenders for Best Picture hopefuls like Wicked and Conclave, and expert insights into the latest industry buzz.

Meanwhile, over at Cinefied, Tyler examines Maria, highlighting Angelina Jolie’s mesmerizing performance and Pablo Larraín’s intimate portrayal of Maria Callas’ final days.


Tyler also takes a closer look at Mufasa: The Lion King, celebrating its visual splendor and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical magic, while addressing its storytelling shortcomings.


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


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! 🎬🍿