Author: Hunter Friesen

A sharp, character-driven ‘Thunderbolts*’ injects fresh life into the MCU with grit, emotion, and surprising thematic resonance.

Ben Affleck returns as the math-savvy vigilante in a bloated sequel that swaps nuance for noise – and loses impact.

Eden Prairie critic Hunter Friesen explores standout films, premieres, and highlights from the 2025 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival.

‘The Amateur’ follows a grieving CIA codebreaker who takes justice into his own hands in a moody, mid-stakes spy thriller.

“A Minecraft Movie” delivers visuals true to the game, but struggles to translate its open-world charm into a compelling story.

“Death of a Unicorn” mixes dark humor and social critique, but its familiar plot and flat characters fail to resonate.

Disney’s live-action “Snow White” features Rachel Zegler’s standout performance but struggles with animation, casting, and direction in a mixed adaptation.

Steven Soderbergh’s “Black Bag” redefines the spy thriller, exploring deception, loyalty, and Michael Fassbender’s tense pursuit of a traitor within British intelligence.

Bong Joon-ho revisits corporate satire in “Mickey 17,” but its broad strokes and familiar themes lack the sharpness of “Okja.”

“The Gorge” on Apple TV+ delivers a suspenseful thriller with strong performances, though its storyline feels familiar and predictable.