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

The stop-motion animated film Missing Link is directed by Chris Butler and stars Zach Galifanakis, Hugh Jackman and Zoe Saldana. The film received a 90 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Missing Link’ tells wholesome tale

HUNTER FRIESEN Apr 22, 2019

Priding themselves on craftsmanship and hard work, Laika Studios has carved out a special spot in the modern animation industry. Their preference for stop-motion over computer effects has led to some dazzlingly...

Based on the 1963 horror novel by Stephen King, the second film adaption of Pet Semetary was released on April 5. Directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, it received a 58 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Pet Semetary’ is uneven horror experience

HUNTER FRIESEN Apr 11, 2019

What if you had the option to bring someone back from the dead? Would you seize the opportunity to get a second chance or would you turn away and leave the dead as they were? Author Stephen King posed...

The newest film in the DC Extended Universe follows the origin story of the superhero Shazam. The film stars Zachary Levi (pictured left), Asher Angel (pictured right), Mark Strong and Djimon Hounsou. It received a 93 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

New DC film ‘Shazam!’ fizzles out

HUNTER FRIESEN Apr 4, 2019

If you had told me that we would get both a “Captain Marvel” and “Shazam” film in the same year, I would have called you crazy. But stranger things have happened, which is something we’ve had...

Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker star in the new horror-thriller “Us,” written and directed by “Get Out” creator Jordan Peele. The film received a 95 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Us’ provokes through terror

HUNTER FRIESEN Mar 28, 2019

When you hear the name Jordan Peele these days, you instinctively think of his 2017 breakout hit “Get Out.” Through impeccable directing and writing, Peele created a pop culture moment around a film...

Brie Larson stars as ‘Captain Marvel” in the 21st installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by filmmaking duo Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the film received a 79 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.

‘Captain Marvel’ sluggishly underwhelms

HUNTER FRIESEN Mar 14, 2019

Marking the 21st chapter in the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), “Captain Marvel” has finally bowed out in theatres after a mountain of hype had been built up for close to a year. Much...

Isabelle Huppert and Chloe Grace Moretz star in Greta, a drama thriller directed by Neil Jordan. The film received a 54-percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.

‘Greta’ is aimlessly dumb and dull

HUNTER FRIESEN Mar 7, 2019

Frances McCullen is a recent graduate trying to make ends meet in New York City. She shares an apartment with her best friend Erica and works as a waitress at an upscale restaurant. One day while riding...

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is the third and final installment of the How to Train Your Dragon series, based on a 12-book childrens series by British author Cressedia Cowell.

‘Hidden World’ beautifully caps off trilogy

HUNTER FRIESEN Mar 4, 2019

Without many people noticing, the “How to Train Your Dragon” series has become one of the most highly regarded modern film trilogies. The first two installments struck a chord with audiences and critics...

Best Adapted Screenplay nominee BlacKkKlansman.

Film critic predicts Oscar wins

HUNTER FRIESEN Feb 21, 2019

This Sunday, Feb. 24, will mark the 91st edition of the Academy Awards, as it honors what it deems the best films of 2018. As the ceremony draws near and the ballot process closes, here are my predictions...

Released on Feb. 14, Alita: Battle Angel stars Rosa Salazar and is directed by Robert Rodriguez. The action film is based on Gunnm, a cyberpunk manga series by Yukito Kishiro.

‘Alita: Battle Angel’ malfunctions where it matters

HUNTER FRIESEN Feb 18, 2019

In the 23rd century, a colossal war known as “The Fall” took place and wiped out a majority of the people and resources on Earth. The only two places that remain are the poverty-stricken wasteland...

Directed by Mike Mitchell and written by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second part was released on Feb. 8. The much-anticipated sequel received an 82 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.

‘LEGO Movie 2’ is awesome on all levels

HUNTER FRIESEN Feb 11, 2019

Back in 2014, “The LEGO Movie” had to overcome the enormous challenge of adapting a storyless toy brand into a compelling blockbuster. Through expert use of wit and charm, the film became a rightful...

Jake Gyllenhall and Rene Russo star in Velvet Buzzsaw, a Netflix satirical thriller written and directed by Dan Gilroy.

‘Velvet Buzzsaw’ is a joyously absurd slasher

HUNTER FRIESEN Feb 7, 2019

The art world can be a cutthroat business, or in the case of the film “Velvet Buzzsaw,” the art world is a business that can literally cut your throat. After a reclusive old man suddenly dies in...

Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston star in The Upside, a remake of the 2011 French film The Intouchables. The film received a 39 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Hart, Cranston can’t save unoriginal schlock

HUNTER FRIESEN Jan 31, 2019

January is usually the time of year when the film industry releases movies they’ve lost confidence in. Most of these films come and go without anyone even noticing they exist. One of the biggest films...

Load More Stories

Comments (0)

All Northern Iowan Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest