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

NI film critic Hunter Friesen reviews comedy-drama Jojo Rabbit from writer and director Taika Waititi. Starring Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie and Scarlet Johansson, the film received a 79 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Jojo Rabbit’ comically attacks Nazis

HUNTER FRIESEN Nov 14, 2019

If you’re going to make a movie about the Nazis, you’d better make sure it’s going to be good. Multiply that rule by infinity if you’re going to make it a comedy.  Because of this strict rule,...

NI Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the sixth installment in the Terminator franchise, Tim Miller-directed Terminator: Dark Fate. The film was released on Nov. 1 and received a 66 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.

‘Dark Fate’ can’t revive tired franchise

HUNTER FRIESEN Nov 7, 2019

No matter what our differences may be when it comes to political and social issues, as humans, we can all agree that the “Terminator” franchise has been downright awful for nearly 30 years. Since the...

Benedict Cumberbatch (other attached picture) stars as Thomas Edison and Michael Shannon (right) as George Westinghouse in historical drama The Current War, directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon.

‘Current War’ electrifies history

HUNTER FRIESEN Oct 31, 2019

In the late 19th century, Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse were the two titans of American innovation. With the country modernizing at a rapid pace, both realized the need for a better way to power...

“Zombieland: Double Tap” was released on Oct. 18 and stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin. The film received a 68 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Zombieland’ returns without brains

HUNTER FRIESEN Oct 28, 2019

When the first “Zombieland” came out in 2009, it was a pleasant surprise. The zombie genre was in its initial rebirth stage and self-referential humor hadn’t reached its peak just yet. It became...

Will Smith plays the dual roles of Henry Brogan and his clone in Ang Lees Gemini Man. The film was released on Oct. 11 and received a 25 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.

2 Smiths can’t save ‘Gemini Man’

HUNTER FRIESEN Oct 17, 2019

Henry Brogan (Will Smith) is the most elite assassin the U.S. government has ever had. He has 72 confirmed kills and is even able to hit a target on a moving train from over two kilometers away. Disillusioned...

Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews Between Two Ferns: The Movie, a film adaptation of a popular online talk show series hosted by Zach Galifianakis.

‘Between Two Ferns’ thrives in limelight

HUNTER FRIESEN Oct 3, 2019

What started as a joke and over the years became an even bigger one, Zach Galifianakis’ long-running web series “Between Two Ferns” has been given the feature-length treatment via Netflix. Just...

Executive Editor Gabrielle Leitner reviews the 71st Emmy Awards held on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Emmys prove awards shows’ descent

GABRIELLE LEITNER, Art Director | [email protected] Sep 26, 2019

The best of the best in television were honored at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 22. One thing the Emmys proved this year was that awards...

Hunter Friesen reviews James Grays sci-fi film Ad Astra, which follows Roy MdBrides (Brad Pitt) journey into space to find his father and save the planet. Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an 83 percent rating.

‘Ad Astra’ tells human story on cosmic level

HUNTER FRIESEN Sep 23, 2019

You may not have noticed, but the 2010s have been a renaissance for space movies. It all started with “Gravity” in 2013, followed by “Interstellar,” “The Martian” and “First Man.” The one...

NI film critic Hunter Friesen reviews Hustlers, the newest film from director/writer Lorene Scafaria. Starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, the crime drama follows the story of former strip club employees during the 2008 financial crisis. The film received an 88 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Scafaria’s ‘Hustlers’ makes it rain

HUNTER FRIESEN Sep 16, 2019

We all know how the Great Recession of 2008 affected the American economy. There are countless stories of large financial and automotive firms going under, taking thousands of employees with them. But...

Based on the popular 1986 Stephen King novel, IT Chapter Two was released on Sept. 6 and received a 63 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘IT’ sequel is too long for too little

HUNTER FRIESEN Sep 12, 2019

In 1913, Henry Ford introduced the assembly line to the Ford Motor Company. He made a ton of money and was hailed as a leading innovator. Now just a hundred years later, director Andy Musciehtti brings...

Top 5 movies of Summer 2019

Top 5 movies of Summer 2019

HUNTER FRIESEN Sep 5, 2019

As the outdoor and political climate reached sweltering conditions during the never-ending summer, the movie theatres offered a cool and comfortable place to escape from reality. And while escapism is...

The culmination of 22 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Avengers: Endgame was released on April 22. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and boasting a long list of A-list actors, the film received a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ is one for the ages

HUNTER FRIESEN May 2, 2019

It’s taken 11 years and 22 films, but the “Avengers” saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has finally reached its long-awaited bittersweet conclusion. Thanos has snapped his fingers and half of...

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