The student news site of the University of Northern Iowa

Northern Iowan

The student news site of the University of Northern Iowa

Northern Iowan

The student news site of the University of Northern Iowa

Northern Iowan

Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new drama The Father starring Anthony Hopkins.

‘The Father’ teaches through tears

HUNTER FRIESEN Apr 1, 2021

Move over “Suspiria,” “The Conjuring” and “Hereditary” – there’s a new film that has claimed the title as the scariest movie of the past decade. It’s not demons, witches or serial killers...

Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the latest superhero blockbuster Zack Snyders Justice League.

Finally, ‘Justice League’ is enjoyable

HUNTER FRIESEN Mar 25, 2021

What was once an internet pipedream has become a reality. “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” is finally here in all its bombastic glory. This specific version of “Justice League” was never meant...

Film Critic Hunter Friesen discusses the 2021 Academy Award nominations.

2021 Oscar nominations recap

HUNTER FRIESEN Mar 18, 2021

After being delayed by nearly two months due to the pandemic, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences finally revealed their nominations this Monday for what they thought was the best of cinema...

Film critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new dystopian fantasy film Chaos Walking starring Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley.

‘Chaos Walking’ is just white noise

HUNTER FRIESEN Mar 11, 2021

Like “The Hunger Games,” “Harry Potter” and “Percy Jackson,” “Chaos Walking” is the newest attempt to establish a lucrative franchise based on a series of popular teenage-audience books....

Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the upcoming film The United States Vs. Billie Holiday.

Billie Holiday biopic exploits singer’s pain

HUNTER FRIESEN Mar 4, 2021

Another awards season, another tortured celebrity biopic. Last year was “Judy” and the year before that was “Bohemian Rhapsody.” A few years earlier was “La Vie En Rose.” Before that was “Walk...

Film critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new film I Care a Lot starring Rosamund Pike, Eliza Gonzalez and Dianne Wiest.

‘I Care a Lot’ is devilishly fun

HUNTER FRIESEN Feb 25, 2021

Have you ever stopped to think about how we treat our elderly in America? Once they reach a certain age and things start to get more difficult, we ship them off to a glorified daycare that they never return...

Film critic Hunter Friesen gives us his top 10 favorite films released in 2020.

Top 10 best films of 2020

HUNTER FRIESEN Feb 18, 2021

For the past two years, I’ve led this article by saying how crummy the year had been. Well, 2020 doesn’t even deserve to be joked about. It was such a terrible year that I’m glad has passed, even...

From Michael Moore to Steven Spielberg, many filmmakers have tackled presidential terms and controversial throughout the decades.

A brief history of presidents in film

HUNTER FRIESEN Feb 15, 2021

Feb. 15 marks President’s Day in the United States. Originally a holiday to celebrate George Washington’s birthday, the day was eventually changed to honor the service of all our nation’s leaders. In...

Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the upcoming film Judas and the Black Messiah.

“Judas” invigorates Fred Hampton’s Legacy

HUNTER FRIESEN Feb 8, 2021

Fred Hampton was only 21 years old when he was murdered by Cook County police in an illegal home raid in 1969. He was drugged with a sedative to prevent him from fighting back and shot twice in the head...

Film critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new crime drama The Little Things.

“The Little Things” brings little to the table

HUNTER FRIESEN Feb 4, 2021

The serial killer genre once was the biggest attraction at the cinema. “The Silence of the Lambs” (winner of Best Picture), “Se7en” and “American Psycho” ruled the box office and were made...

Film Critic Hunter Friesen gives. his thoughts on the films released over the winter break.

The winter break movie roundup

HUNTER FRIESEN Jan 28, 2021

Besides the middle of summer, the holiday season is the biggest time of the year in terms of movie releases. Dozens of films enter the scene looking to secure their position for award season and rake in...

Film Critic Hunter Friesen previews multiple films releasing during the winter break.

The films to come during winter break

HUNTER FRIESEN Nov 12, 2020

While there hasn’t been much to look forward to within 2020, we can at least count ourselves lucky that we live in an age where escapism is easy to come by. The winter months of November through January...

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