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Companions “Power of the Dog” reinvents the western genre

December 6, 2021

UNI wrestlers go winless against Mizzou, Va. Tech

December 6, 2021
Film critic Hunter Friesen reflects on what he is thankful for within films.

We are thankful for films

December 2, 2021

Panthers lose late on the road to Creighton, 79-72

December 2, 2021
UNI picked up their first win of the season with a 95-58 route of the Dubuque Spartans. Their next home game will be Dec. 5 against Richmond.

Panthers dominate Dubuque 95-58, notch first win

November 18, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen calls the French Dispatch a visual masterpiece.

‘The French Dispatch,’ Wes Anderson’s masterpiece

November 15, 2021
Film critic Hunter Friesen says the new Marvel movie Eternals is different in a refreshing way.

‘Eternals’ just another cog in the Marvel machine

November 8, 2021
Following two big wins against FCS top-10 teams, the Panthers fell short on the road in overtime to Illinois State by the score of 17-10.

Panthers upset by Redbirds in overtime, 17-10

November 8, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen says that Last Night in Soho is anything different than a mild disappointment.

Dreams turn to disappointment

November 1, 2021
The UNI womens soccer team ended their season to in-state rivals Drake, falling by a score of 2-0 on Oct. 28. They then turned right around and faced off against Drake again on Oct. 31 in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, losing in heartbreaking fashion in overtime by the score of 3-2. The Panthers end their season with a 6-10-1 record overall and 3-41 in MVC play.

UNI falls to Drake in regular season finale, MVC tournament

November 1, 2021
The Tennessee Titans defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27-3 last Sunday, dropping the Chiefs to a paltry 3-4 start on the year.

NFL Week 7 recap: What happened to the Chiefs?

October 28, 2021
As Dune hits theaters this past weekend, there are questions of there being a second Dune soon to start production; Dune is set to break pandemic box office records during opening weekend.

“Dune” is a grand disappointment

October 25, 2021

NFL Week 6 recap: It’s now time to overreact

October 21, 2021
Margueite de Carrouges played by Jodie Comer is seen in recent movie The Last Duel.

“The Last Duel”: A modern medieval epic

October 18, 2021
The Panthers fall to the Purple Aces in Evansville on Friday but bounced back to defeat Indiana State on Saturday night.

Panthers split weekend matches vs Aces, Sycamores

October 18, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen gives 4/5 for the last James Bond movie that Craig will do. This is Craigs fifth Bond movie.

A farewell to Bond in “No Time to Die”

October 11, 2021

Tiger Woods and the modern superstar golfer

October 11, 2021
Panther soccer knocked off their conference rivals Illinois State with a 2-1 overtime victory this past Saturday.

Panther women beat RedBirds in overtime, 2-1

October 7, 2021
The UNI Panthers won their third straight game against Youngstown State for homecoming, 34-7.

Panthers freeze Penguins 34-7 in homecoming game

October 4, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen roasts Venom: Let There Be Carnage in a scathing review.

Venom: A Carnage of Quality

October 4, 2021

MLB playoff picture: What to watch for as postseason nears

September 27, 2021
Film critic Hunter Friesen says Dear Evan Hansen is misguided but not without its merits.

“Dear Evan Hansen” can not recapture stage magic

September 23, 2021
The UNI volleyball team defeated Texas-San Antonio but fall to Wright State and Marquette over the weekend at the Marquette tournament.

Panthers place third in Marquette tournament

September 23, 2021
Panther quarterback Theo Day looks for a receiver down field at UNIs game against St. Thomas. The Panthers clenched their victory 44-3 in the home opener.

Panthers route St. Thomas 44-3 in home opener

September 20, 2021
The Power of the Dog earned the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

Fall film festival ushers Oscar season

September 16, 2021
UNI mens & womens golf hits the road for separate tournaments.

Men’s & women’s golf hits road for tournaments

September 16, 2021
The film Malignant is available in theaters and on HBO MAX until Oct. 10.

“Malignant” is a matter over mind

September 13, 2021
The Panther football team picked up their firs win of the season in Sacramento, Calif. with a 34-16 victory over the Hornets of Sacramento State. Their next game will be a home opener against St. Thomas on Sept. 18.

Day leads Panthers to 34-16 win over Sac State

September 13, 2021
Starring Simu Lui, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the first Marvel film with an Asian protagonist and predominantly Asian cast.

“Shang-Chi” brings balance to the MCU

September 9, 2021
The UNI womens soccer team fell to Western Illinois in overtime on Sunday by a score of 4-3. UNI moves to 1-2-1 on the season and will play their next two matches at home.

Panthers fall to Western Illinois in overtime

September 2, 2021
Hunter Friesen, Northern Iowan film critic, at the Cannes Film Festival.

UNI student offers review of Cannes Film Festival

August 30, 2021
UNI opened the 2021 volleyball season in Green Bay, Wis. for the UW-Green Bay tournament. The Panthers won two of the three games they played in over the weekend.

UNI wins 2 of 3 in UW-Green Bay tournament

August 30, 2021

Summer 2021 Blockbuster Film Reviews

August 26, 2021

College football storylines to watch for in 2021

August 26, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen gives his thoughts on the. 2021 Academy Awards.

An Oscars to remember for the wrong reasons

April 29, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen predicts who will win big at the upcoming Academy Awards.

2021 Academy Award predictions

April 22, 2021
Film critic Hunter Friesen previews the biggest films set to release this summer.

2021 Summer movie preview

April 15, 2021
Film critic Hunter Friesen reviews the latest blockbuster Godzilla vs. Kong.

‘Godzilla vs Kong’ is exactly what it needs to be

April 5, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new drama The Father starring Anthony Hopkins.

‘The Father’ teaches through tears

April 1, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the latest superhero blockbuster Zack Snyders Justice League.

Finally, ‘Justice League’ is enjoyable

March 25, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen discusses the 2021 Academy Award nominations.

2021 Oscar nominations recap

March 18, 2021
Film critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new dystopian fantasy film Chaos Walking starring Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley.

‘Chaos Walking’ is just white noise

March 11, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the upcoming film The United States Vs. Billie Holiday.

Billie Holiday biopic exploits singer’s pain

March 4, 2021
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

February 25, 2021
Film critic Hunter Friesen gives us his top 10 favorite films released in 2020.

Top 10 best films of 2020

February 18, 2021
From Michael Moore to Steven Spielberg, many filmmakers have tackled presidential terms and controversial throughout the decades.

A brief history of presidents in film

February 15, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the upcoming film Judas and the Black Messiah.

“Judas” invigorates Fred Hampton’s Legacy

February 8, 2021
Film critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new crime drama The Little Things.

“The Little Things” brings little to the table

February 4, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen gives. his thoughts on the films released over the winter break.

The winter break movie roundup

January 28, 2021
Film Critic Hunter Friesen previews multiple films releasing during the winter break.

The films to come during winter break

November 12, 2020
Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new film Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.

‘Borat 2’ is a funny retread

November 5, 2020
Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new film adaptations of the classic Roald Dahl novel The Witches.

‘The Witches’ casts weak spells

October 29, 2020
Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new Netflix film The Trial of Chicago 7.

“Chicago 7” is a timely court drama

October 26, 2020
Film critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new Adam Sandler film Hubie Halloween.

Sandler’s ‘Hubie Halloween’ could be worse

October 15, 2020
Film critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new Netflix film, Boys in the Band.

Film Review: stars shine in “Boys in the Band”

October 5, 2020
Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new Netflix film, Enola Holmes,

Netflix movie ‘Enola Holmes’ is clever fun

October 1, 2020
Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new Netflix film, The Devil All The Time

Sin and sweat in ‘The Devil All The Time’

September 24, 2020
Mulan review: more realistic, less fun

‘Mulan’ review: more realistic, less fun

September 14, 2020
Film critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new film, Tenet

“Tenet”: an incomprehensible spectacle

September 3, 2020
Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews the new film, New Mutants

“New Mutants” offers nothing new

August 31, 2020
Top 5 movies released during quarantine

Top 5 movies released during quarantine

August 20, 2020

Film critic gives top five films to watch while social distancing

March 25, 2020
NI Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews “Onward,” the animated film from Pixar.

Pixar’s ‘Onward’ is heartwarming

March 12, 2020
NI film critic Hunter Friesen reviews “The Invisible Man,” the newest film from horror director/writer Leigh Whannell.

Friesen: ‘The Invisible Man’ is one to see

March 5, 2020
NI Film Critic Hunter Friesen reviews “The Last Thing He Wanted,” now streaming on Netflix.

‘Last Thing’ is a confusing mess

February 27, 2020
Sonic, voiced by Ben Schwartz, in "Sonic the Hedgehog ." [Paramount Pictures/Sega of America]

‘Sonic’ can’t outrun its problems

February 20, 2020
NI film critic Hunter Friesen recaps the 92nd Academy Awards, which took place on Sunday, Feb. 9.

Friesen: Oscars were predictable

February 13, 2020
Film Critic Hunter Friesen makes his predictions for this Sunday’s 92nd Academy Awards in the categories of Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Leading Actor, Best Leading Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director and Best Motion Picture.

Academy Awards predictions

February 6, 2020
NI film critic Hunter Friesen reviews “The Gentlemen,” directed, written and produced by Guy Ritchie. The film was released in the United States on Jan. 24 and received a 72 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Ritchie returns home with stylish ‘Gentlemen’

January 30, 2020
NI Film Critic Hunter Friesen summarizes his top ten films of 2019, including “Uncut Gems” and “The King.

Friesen’s top films of 2019

January 23, 2020
NI film critic Hunter Friesen reviews several films released over winter break, including Little Women and Cats.

Winter break film review roundup

January 16, 2020
Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson star in “Marriage Story,” directed by Noah Baumbach and released on Netflix on Nov. 6. The film received a 96 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.

‘Marriage Story’ hits home with laughter and tears

December 12, 2019
Martin Scorsese directs “The Irishman” starring Jo Pesci (left), Robert De Niro (right) and Al Pacino (not pictured). The film was released on Nov. 1 and received a 97 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Scorsese crafts crime epic ‘Irishman’

December 9, 2019
Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen star in the Bill Condon-directed thriller The Good Liar, released on Nov. 15. The film received a 65 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.

McKellen vs Mirren in ‘Good Liar’

November 21, 2019
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

November 14, 2019
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

November 7, 2019
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

October 31, 2019
“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

October 28, 2019
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’

October 17, 2019
An infamous movie villain is given a terrifyingly realistic origin in Todd Phillips Joker, released on Oct. 4. Starring Joaquin Phoenix with supporting actors Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz and Frances Conroy, the film received a 69 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Joker’ clowns around with message

October 10, 2019
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

October 3, 2019
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

September 23, 2019
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

September 16, 2019
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

September 12, 2019
Top 5 movies of Summer 2019

Top 5 movies of Summer 2019

September 5, 2019
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

May 2, 2019
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

April 22, 2019
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

April 11, 2019
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

April 4, 2019
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

March 28, 2019
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

March 14, 2019
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

March 7, 2019
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

March 4, 2019
Best Adapted Screenplay nominee BlacKkKlansman.

Film critic predicts Oscar wins

February 21, 2019
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

February 18, 2019
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

February 11, 2019
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

February 7, 2019
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

January 31, 2019
Friesens top 10 films of 2018

Friesen’s top 10 films of 2018

January 24, 2019
The newest film by the Coen brothers, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, is available on Netflix. The six-part Western film received a 93 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Coen film inconsistently explores Wild West

December 6, 2018
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