The Alliance Lately: Issue No. 89

The final weeks of 2023 offered a plethora of releases, from blockbusters to arthouse award contenders.

As usual, the MNFCA was there to cover these new films and many more. Several also published pieces about holiday movies and community filmmaking, as well as ranking the works of various actors and directors.

Before we get into what the Alliance has been up to lately, small side note. A separate post will be published featuring end of year recaps and top 10 of 2023 lists once all members have released theirs!

Joe Botten

At his site, Botten reviewed recent releases “Wonka,” “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” “The Color Purple,” “All of Us Strangers,” “The Boys in the Boat,” “The Iron Claw” and “A Cognac at the Indy 500.”

Eli Brau

At A Cinephile’s Corner, Brau reviewed new films “Wonka,” “The Creator,” “Maestro” and “The Iron Claw.” He also ranked all of the “Wonka” movies and the films by director Alex Garland.

He also ranked his top 10 films from the studio A24, and his picks for the 10 best horror films in 2023. Finally, he ranked the movies from director James Gray.

Brian Eggert

For Deep Focus Review, Eggert reviewed 2023 releases “American Fiction,” “The Boys in the Boat,” “All of Us Strangers,” “The Color Purple,” “Rebel Moon,” “The Iron Claw,” “Poor Things” and “The Zone of Interest.”

He also wrote about 1987’s “The Princess Bride” and 2006’s “The Fall.” He also appeared on Twin Cities NBC affiliate KARE 11 to talk movies.

Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl

On their podcast Horror Rewind, Florence and Hafdahl discussed recent releases “Saltburn” and “May December.”

Hunter Friesen

At The Cinema Dispatch, Friesen reviewed new films “The Boys in the Boat,” “Ferrari,” “The Iron Claw,” “The Color Purple,” “Rebel Moon” and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” He also wrote an update on the status of Award Season.

Jay Gabler

For The Duluth News Tribune, Gabler wrote about films made in the northern Minnesota city of Chisholm. He also did a story on an upcoming Nicolas Cage movie marathon coming up on Jan. 5 hosted by the St. Louis County Depot in Duluth.

Kyle Goethe and Nicholas Palodichuk

For their series Kyle & Nick on Film, Goethe and Palodichuk discussed 2023 films “Afire,” “All of Us Strangers,” “Ferrari” and “Saltburn.” Goethe also published a review for the 2023 film “My Last Best Friend” on his site as well.

Paul McGuire Grimes

For his series Paul’s Trip to the Movies, Grimes reviewed new films “American Fiction,” “Maestro,” “The Color Purple,” “The Marvels,” “The Iron Claw,” “Ferrari” and “The Boys in the Boat.” He also spoke with the cast of “The Color Purple” and appeared on ABC affiliate KSTP’s show Twin Cities Live on Dec. 15.

Matt Hambidge

At his site News From the Couch, Hambidge reviewed new films “Wonka” and “Anyone but You.”

Melinda Lavine

Lavine wrote about her top 11 favorite holiday movie villains for the Duluth News Tribune.

Matthew Liedke

On his site, Liedke reviewed 2023 releases “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Dream Scenario,” “Maestro,” “Wonka,” “The Boy and the Heron,” “All of Us Strangers,” “Nimona,” “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” “Poor Things” and “Rebel Moon.”

Ruth Maramis

For her site FlixChatter, Maramis reviewed new films including “Wonka,” “The Lesson,” “American Fiction” and “Ferrari.” She also wrote about the 1947 Christmas film “A Miracle on 34^th Street” and listed seven of her favorite scenes featuring the late Tom Wilkinson in another post.

Mark McPherson

At his site, McPherson reviewed recent releases “The Boy and the Heron” and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” He also reviewed animated features “Wish” and “Migration” for Film Inquiry.

Tyler Strandberg

For the site Loud and Clear, Strandberg ranked every movie by filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki.