Film Critic

Displaying 51 - 100 of 115 in reverse chronological order
# Title Date Summary
51 'Borat 2' is a funny retread
Northern Iowan 117:23, p.5 		Friesen reviews Sacha Baron Cohen's new movie "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm;" 3.5/5; photo.
52 'The Witches' casts weak spells
Northern Iowan 117:21, p.4 		Friesen reviews "The Witches," 2.5/5; photo.
53 "Chicago 7" is a timely court drama
Northern Iowan 117:20, p.4 		Friesen reviews "The Trial of the Chicago 7," 4/5; photo.
54 Sandler's 'Hubie Halloween' could be worse
Northern Iowan 117:17, p.5 		Hunter Friesen gives his opinion on Adam Sandler's newest movie, "Hubie Halloween."
55 Film review: stars shine in "Boys in the Band"
Northern Iowan 117:14, p.5 		"Boys in the Band" is a film staged in New York featuring seven gay friends getting ready for a birthday party. Friesen believes this is an astounding stage-to-screen adaptation that is relevant in today's society and scores a 4 out of 5; photo.
56 Netflix movie 'Enola Holmes' is clever fun.
Northern Iowan 117:13, p.4 		The author gives their review of the Netflix film "Enola Holmes," a 3.5/5 rating; photo.
57 Sin and sweat in 'The Devil All the Time'
Northern Iowan 117:11, p.5 		Friesen reviews the Antonio Campos film "The Devil All the Time," giving it a 3/5 rating; photo.
58 'Mulan' review: more realistic, less fun
Northern Iowan 117:8, p.4 		Hunter Friesen reviews the Disney live action version of the story "Mulan." Friesen informs readers of the price point of the film and gives it 3/5; photo.
59 "Tenet": an incomprehensible spectacle
Northern Iowan 117:5, p.5 		Hunter Friesen writes a film review about the movie "Tenet," 3.5/5; photo.
60 "New Mutants" offers nothing new
Northern Iowan 117:4, p.5 		Hunter Friesen delivers a review of the movie "New Mutants," 2/5; photo.
61 Top 5 movies released during quarantine
Northern Iowan 116:1, p.9 		Film critic Hunter Friesen lists five films to come out since March 17 (the day all cinemas shutdown) that he thinks deserve praise and recognition.
62 Pixar's 'Onward' is heartwarming
Northern Iowan 116:43, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Onward," 3.5/5; photo.
63 Friesen: 'The invisible Man' is one to see
Northern Iowan 116:41, p.4 		Friesen reviews the movie "The Invisible Man," 3.5/5; photo.
64 'Last Thing' is a confusing mess
Northern Iowan 116:39, p.4 		Friesen reviews the Netflix film "The Last Thing He Wanted," 1.5/5; photo.
65 'Sonic' can't outrun its problems
Northern Iowan 116:37, p.5 		Friesen reviews "Sonic the Hedgehog," 2/5; photo.
66 Academy Awards predictions
Northern Iowan 116:33, p.4 		Friesen makes predictions for the 2020 92nd Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor - Brad Bitt; Best Supporting Actress - Laura Dern; Best Leading Actor - Joaquin Phoenix; Best Leading Actress - Renee Zellweger; Best Original Screenplay - Parasite; Best Adapted Screenplay - Little Women; Best Director - Sam Mendes; Best Motion Picture - "1917"; photo.
67 Ritchie returns home home with stylish 'Gentlemen'
Northern Iowan 116:31, p.5 		Friesen reviews "The Gentlemen," 3/5; photo.
68 Friesen's top films of 2019
Northern Iowan 116:29, p.4 		Friesen ranks the best films of 2019. Honorable mentions include "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood," Ford v Ferrari," "The Farewell," The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part," and "The Lighthouse." Number ten to number one, the best films are "1917," "Uncut Gems," "Marriage Story," "Parasite," Ad Astra," "Climax," "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood," "The Irishman," "The King," and "Little Women"; photos.
69 Winter break film review roundup
Northern Iowan 116:28, p.4 		Friesen reviews and rates films released over winter break. Films reviewed include "Cats," 2.5/5; "Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker," 3/5; "Bombshell," 3.5/5; "1917," 4/5; and "Little Women," 5/5. Films rated include "A Hidden Life," 3.5/5; "Just Mercy," 3.5/5; "The Aeronauts," 3.5/5; "The Two Popes," 3.5/5; and "Uncut Gems," 4/5; photos.
70 'Marriage Story' hits home with laughter and tears
Northern Iowan 116:27, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Marriage Story," 4/5; photo.
71 McKellen vs Mirren in 'Good Liar'
Northern Iowan 116:24, p.4 		Friesen reviews "The Good Liar," 3.5/5; photo.
72 'Dark Fate' can't revive tired franchise
Northern Iowan 116:20, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Terminator: Dark Fate," 2.5/5; photo.
73 'Current War' electrifies history
Northern Iowan 116:18, p.5 		Friesen reviews "Current War," 3.5/5; photo.
74 'Zombieland' returns without brains
Northern Iowan 116:17, p.5 		Friesen reviews "Zombieland: Double Tap," 2.5/5; photo.
75 2 Smiths can't save 'Gemini Man'
Northern Iowan 116:14, p.4 		Friesen reviews the "Gemini Man" (2019), 2.5/5; photo.
76 'Joker' clowns around with message
Northern Iowan 116:12, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Joker," 3.5/5; photo.
77 'Between Two Ferns' thrives in limelight
Northern Iowan 116:10, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Between Two Ferns: The Movie," a film adaption of a popular online talk show series hosted by Zach Galifianakis, and gives it 3.5/5; photo.
78 'Ad Astra' tells human story on cosmic level
Northern Iowan 116:7, p.5 		Friesen reviews "Ad Astra," 4.5/5; photo.
79 Scafaria's 'Hustlers' makes it rain
Northern Iowan 116:5, p.5 		Hunter Friesen reviews "Hustlers," 4/5; photo.
80 "It" sequel is too long for too little
Northern Iowan 116:4, p.4 		Friesen reviews IT: Chapter 2, based on Stephen King's novel "It," and gives it 3/5; photo.
81 Top 5 movies of Summer 2019
Northern Iowan 116:2, p.4 		Friesen names "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum," "Midsommar," "The Farewell," "Toy Story 4," and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" as the top movies of the summer; photos.
82 'Missing Link' tells wholesome tale
Northern Iowan 115:51, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Missing Link," 3.5/5; photo.
83 'Pet Sematary' is uneven horror experience
Northern Iowan 115:48, p.5 		Friesen reviews "Pet Sematary," 3.5/5; photo.
84 New DC film 'Shazam!' fizzles out
Northern Iowan 115:46, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Shazam," 2.5/5; photo.
85 'The Room' is greatest film ever
Northern Iowan 115:45, p.7 		A satire piece for April Fool's Day providing a pretend review of the movie "The Room," 5/5; photo.
86 'Us' provokes through terror
Northern Iowan 115:44, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Us," 3.5/5; photo.
87 'Captain Marvel' sluggishly underwhelms
Northern Iowan 115:43, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Captain Marvel," 2.5/5; photo.
88 'Greta' is aimlessly dumb and dull
Northern Iowan 115:41, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Greta," 2/5; photo.
89 'Hidden World' beautifully caps off trilogy
Northern Iowan 115:40, p.5 		Friesen reviews "How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World," 3/5; photo.
90 Film critic predicts Oscar wins
Northern Iowan 115:37, p.4 		Friesen predicts the 91st Academy Awards winners: Best Supporting Actor - Mahershala Ali; Best Supporting Actress - Regina King; Best Leading Actor - Rami Malek; Best Leading Actress - Glenn Close; Best Original Screenplay - The Favourite; Best Adapted Screenplay - BlackKkKlansman; Best Director - Alfonso Cuaron; Best Motion Picture - Roma; photos.
91 'Alita: Battle Angel' malfunctions where it matters
Northern Iowan 115:36, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Alita: Battle Angel," 1.5/5; photo.
92 'LEGO Movie 2' is awesome on all levels
Northern Iowan 115:34, p.5 		Friesen reviews "The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part," 4/5; photo.
93 'Velvet Buzzsaw' is a joyously absurd slasher
Northern Iowan 115:33, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Velvet Buzzsaw," 3/5; photos.
94 Hart, Cranston can't save unoriginal schlock
Northern Iowan 115:31, p.5 		Friesen reviews "The Upside," 2.5/5; photo.
95 Friensen's top 10 films of 2018
Northern Iowan 115:29, p.4 		Friesen ranks the best films of 2018. Honorable mentions include "They Shall Not Grow Old," "The Sisters Brothers," "Mission: Impossible - Fallout," "Thoroughbreds," and "Wildlife." The top ten, last to first, are "Private Life," "Vox Lux," "First Man," "Roma," "First Reformed," "BlacKkKlansman," "Leave No Trace," "Avengers: Infinity War," "A Star Is Born," and "The Favourite."
96 Coen film inconsistently explores Wild West
Northern Iowan 115:27, p.4 		Friesen reviews "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs," 3/5; photo.
97 Caple Jr.'s 'Creed II' packs a punch
Northern Iowan 115:26, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Creed II," 3.5/5; photo.
98 'Spider's Web' is as lifeless as its setting
Northern Iowan 115:24, p.4 		Friesen reviews "The Girl in the Spider's Web," 2/5; photo.
99 Queen biopic is an entertaining mess
Northern Iowan 115:23, p.4 		Friesen reviews "Bohemian Rhapsody," 3/5; photo.
100 Redford shines in "The Old Man and the Gun"
Northern Iowan 115:20, p.5 		Friesen reviews "The Old Man and the Gun," 3.5/5; photo.