The Minnesota Movie Digest: What Ever Happened to that Babygirl in The Room Next Door?
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, they have reviews for the following new releases:
Small Things Like These review
The Seed of the Sacred Fig review
Brian Eggert – Deep Focus Review
Brian recently reviewed The Brutalist, Nosferatu, The 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.
Hunter Friesen – The Cinema Dispatch
At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter reviewed Mufasa: The Lion King and Nosferatu. He also updated his Oscar predictions.
Zach Hammill – Movie Friend
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.
C.B. Jacobson – Picturegoer
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
Ruth Maramis – FlixChatter
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
Paul McGuire Grimes – Paul’s Trip to the Movies
There is no shortage of movies playing at your local movie theater! Paul has new reviews of the following:
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
Mark McPherson – Movies With Mark
Film Reviews:
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – Video Review
- Mufasa: The Lion King – Video Review
- The Brutalist
- Red One
- The Six Triple Eight
- A Complete Unknown
- Queer
- Nosferatu
Brian Orndorf – Blu-Ray.Com
Film Reviews
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3
- Mufasa: The Lion King
- Brewster’s Millions: Christmas
- The Six Triple Eight
- A Complete Unknown
- 2073
- Babygirl
- The Brutalist
- The Count of Monte Cristo
Blu-ray & UHD Reviews
Tyler Strandberg – Cinefied
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! 🎬🍿
