The Minnesota Movie Digest: Tony and the Magic Faraway Tree
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, he has reviews for the following new films:
Matt Clark – Kino Ventura
Matt takes a stab at Statham’s latest
Brian Eggert – Deep Focus Review
On Deep Focus Review, Brian reviewed:
Brian returned to KQRS recently to talk about a few new releases (Coyote vs. Acme, The End of Oak Street, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, and Tony) with the Gorman in the Morning crew.
Returning to the Cineversary podcast, Brian and host Erik J. Martin chatted about David Lynch’s Blue Velvet (1986) for its 40th Anniversary.
Brian also appeared on two episodes of the Reel Mental podcast with Dr. Marcia Sirota to discuss Disclosure Day and Project Hail Mary.
For his Patreon subscribers, he reviewed Insidious: Out of the Further.
Check out more of Brian’s work by joining his Patreon community.
Dallas Fisher – Dallas Goes To The Movies
Two movies went from limited to wide this weekend, and Dallas has his thoughts on them: Tony and Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.
Hunter Friesen – The Cinema Dispatch
At The Cinema Dispatch, Hunter reviewed Tony. His review can also be read at the Eden Prairie Local News and Woodbury News Net.
Zach Hammill – Movie Friend
Here’s my glowing review for IT FOLLOWS director David Robert Mitchell’s spectacular summer blockbuster with back-to-school vibes, THE END OF OAK STREET
Jason Hemming – Cinema Recall
Over on Cinema Recall, The Vern explains why The End of Oak Street (2026) is what a Summer Blockbuster Should Be.
On The Rotten Truth podcast, Donnie and The Vern review the first 20 features of the so-called 50 Worst Movies Ever Made for their 2nd Season closing episode.
C.B. Jacobson – Picturegoer
In this week’s “Picturegoer” newsletter, thoughts on David Cronenberg’s “The Shrouds”; a “Maltese Falcon” reunion in “Across the Pacific”; Gary Cooper in “Beau Geste”; Peckinpah’s poisonous “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”; part two of Fritz Lang’s “Spiders”; and a low point for “Star Trek”. Follow the link!
Jakob Kolness – JakobTalksFilm
Over on Best Animated Podcast, Jakob (and guest host Ryan Stacy) discuss Disney’s space epic Treasure Planet!
Be sure to follow him on Twitter, BluSky, and Letterboxd!
Be sure to follow Best Animated Podcast on Twitter, Blusky, and Instagram
Erik Larson – Hamline Oracle
Erik appeared as a guest on the most recent episode of the Best Animated Podcast with fellow MNFCA member Jakob Kolness, covering Hayao Miyazaki’s film “Spirited Away.” You can listen to it on all podcast platforms.
Ruth Maramis – FlixChatter
Over at FlixChatter, Ruth has posted a few new release reviews:
- TONY (2026)–A24’s unflinchingly honest portrait of culinary legend Anthony Bourdain as a brash, brilliant young lout
- The Brink of War (2026)—Daniels and Harris elevate this historical drama about defusing the Cold War nuclear crisis
- The Magic Faraway Tree (2026)–Too much tech satire and tomato sauce, not enough fairy-tale whimsy
- She’s also posted about which actor will play James Bond in Bond26 and her top 3 picks
Connect with FlixChatter on Letterboxd and social media » X | Bluesky
Paul McGuire Grimes – Paul’s Trip to the Movies
Check out the latest from Paul McGuire Grimes!
- Melanie Lynskey Interview – Don’t Say Good Luck
- Don’t Say Good Luck – review
- Mars Attacks! – 4K review
- Paul’s Weekly Newsletter – Watch, Read, Listen – August 21, 2026
Follow me across social media @paulsmovietrip, Patreon, Letterboxd, and YouTube
Mark McPherson – Movies With Mark
Film Reviews:
Brian Orndorf – Blu-Ray.Com
Film Reviews:
Blu-ray/UHD Reviews:
- The Evil That Men Do
- Anything That Moves
- Human Lanterns
- The Mortuary Assistant
- Rise of the Super Tromettes
Nicholas Palodichuk – St. Paul Filmcast
Reviews for Insidious: Out of the Further and Hot Spot
Interview with film producer Emily Erhart
Keep your eyes peeled for the latest film critiques, reviews, and news from the Minnesota Film Critics Association! 🎬🍿
Minnesota Film Critics Association 