Midwest Film Journal
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Midwest Film Journal
@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
130 followers 75 following 1.1K posts
Our goal is to provide thoughtful critical essays on new & classic films. If you're interested in contributing to our group projects, reach out to us at [email protected]
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midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
Fritz on Fridays — Joshua Polanski's (@joshuapolanski.bsky.social) monthly reflection on the works of filmmaker Fritz Lang — continues with a look at how 1947's SECRET BEYOND THE DOOR started the foreplay a few decades early for erotic thrillers to come.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/12/05/f...
Fritz on Fridays: Secret Beyond the Door
Fritz on Fridays — Joshua Polanski’s monthly reflection on the works of Austrian “Master of Darkness” Fritz Lang — continues with a look at how 1947’s “Secret Beyond the Door” started the foreplay a…
midwestfilmjournal.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
Look up "good time" in the dictionary. Know what you'll find?

Picture of Robert Downey, Jr. & Val Kilmer in KISS KISS BANG BANG?

No! The definition of "good time!" Which you'll have at Alamo Drafthouse Indianapolis (alamodrafthouse.bsky.social) at 7p Friday & Saturday or 7:15p Tuesday.

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December 3, 2025 at 3:22 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
As lacerating in its wit as its insights about the lives of emergency medicine technicians, CODE 3 is now available on Blu-ray from MovieZyng and other retailers.

Nick Rogers (nickrogers.bsky.social) reviews the recent release.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/12/02/c...
Code 3
As lacerating in its wit as its insights about the lives of emergency medicine technicians, “Code 3” is now available on Blu-ray from MovieZyng.
midwestfilmjournal.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:53 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
My Guy — a series rooted in Evan Dossey's (edossmfj.bsky.social) appreciation for and analysis of the works of Guy Pearce — continues with a look back at Pearce's work in the contemplative drama FIRST SNOW.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/12/02/m...
My Guy #56: First Snow
My Guy — a series rooted in Evan Dossey’s appreciation for and analysis of the works of Guy Pearce — continues with a look back at Pearce’s work in the contemplative drama “First Snow.”…
midwestfilmjournal.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:53 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
The underseen comic-thriller PANIC opened in theatres 25 years ago today.

Nick Rogers' (nickrogers.bsky.social) essay on the film featuring William H. Macy, Neve Campbell and Donald Sutherland is below.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2010/08/16/h...
Heroes of the Zeroes: Panic (2000)
Heroes of the Zeroes continues with 2000’s “Panic.”…
midwestfilmjournal.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:47 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
Evan Dossey (edossmfj.bsky.social) runs down his cinematic journeys for November 2025.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/12/01/e...
December 1, 2025 at 2:44 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
Ed Harris turns 75 today! So we're closing out Higher Ed — our monthlong celebration of the actor's birthday — with Brent Leuthold's (awakeinthedark.bsky.social) reflection on his work in THE TRUMAN SHOW.

Check out Brent's essay in the reply as well as all the other essays in our Higher Ed series!
November 28, 2025 at 5:41 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
Higher Ed — Midwest Film Journal's monthlong celebration of the 75th birthday of Ed Harris — continues with Richard Propes' (richardpropes.bsky.social) look back at Harris's turn as E. Howard Hunt in NIXON.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/11/27/h...
Higher Ed: Nixon (1995)
Higher Ed — Midwest Film Journal’s monthlong celebration of the 75th birthday of Ed Harris — continues with Richard Propes’ look back at Harris’s turn as E. Howard Hunt in “Nixon.”…
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:06 AM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
The popular cult classic HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL gets a newly updated Blu-ray release from Film Masters.

Coming in December, the disc is available for preorder from MovieZyng & other retailers.

Evan Dossey (edossmfj.bsky.social) reviews the upcoming release.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/11/26/f...
Film Masters: House on Haunted Hill
The popular Halloween cult classic “House on Haunted Hill” gets a newly updated Blu-ray release from Film Masters. Coming in December, the disc is available for preorder from MovieZyng and other…
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:35 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
The best "Knives Out" mystery yet thoughtfully takes aim at the meaning of mysteries themselves at levels personal and cosmic.

In the reply, Evan Dossey (edossmfj.bsky.social) reviews WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY — in limited theatrical release ahead of a December 12 premiere on Netflix.
November 26, 2025 at 4:25 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
Midwest Film Journal runs down some prime holiday gift opportunities for the film fans and collectors in your life. It's the 2025 Holiday Gift Guide!

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/11/26/m...
Midwest Film Journal 2025 Holiday Gift Guide
Midwest Film Journal runs down some prime holiday gift opportunities for the film fans and collectors in your life.
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:04 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
Arrow (arrowvideo.bsky.social) continues its gold-standard run through the Shaw Brothers Studio catalog with its fourth box set, featuring on 16 films from studio's horror output.

Evan Dossey (edossmfj.bsky.social) reviews SHAWSCOPE, VOLUME FOUR.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/11/26/a...
Arrow: Shawscope, Volume Four
Arrow continues its gold-standard run through the Shaw Brothers Studio catalog with its fourth box set, featuring on 16 films from studio’s horror output.
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:01 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
Higher Ed — Midwest Film Journal's monthlong celebration of Ed Harris's 75th birthday — continues with George Dibble's look at Harris's arrival in the final car of SNOWPIERCER.

Find George's essay in the reply and check out all the other great Higher Ed essays.
November 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
ANEMONE marks a disappointing emergence from retirement for Daniel Day-Lewis. But it at least looks and sounds strong on 4K UHD Blu-ray.

Nick Rogers (nickrogers.bsky.social) reviews the recent release.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/11/26/a...
Anemone 4K
“Anemone” marks a disappointing emergence from retirement for Daniel Day-Lewis. But it at least looks and sounds strong on 4K UHD Blu-ray.
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
My Guy — a series rooted in Evan Dossey's (edossmfj.bsky.social) appreciation for and analysis of the works of Guy Pearce — continues with a look back at Pearce's turn in director Lee Tamahori's final film, THE CONVERT.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/11/25/m...
My Guy #55: The Convert
My Guy — a series rooted in Evan Dossey’s appreciation for and analysis of the works of Guy Pearce — continues with a look back at Pearce’s turn in director Lee Tamahori’s final film, “The Convert.”…
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:14 PM
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Higher Ed — Midwest Film Journal's monthlong celebration of Ed Harris's 75th birthday — continues with Joe Shearer's essay on Harris's pivotal part in the ensemble drama GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/11/24/h...
Higher Ed: Glengarry Glen Ross
Higher Ed — Midwest Film Journal’s monthlong celebration of Ed Harris’s 75th birthday — continues with Joe Shearer’s essay on Harris’s pivotal part in the ensemble drama “Glengarry Glen Ross.”…
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:38 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
The lead trio of actors are giving it their all, but there's simply not much to rejoicify about in WICKED: FOR GOOD.

Nick Rogers (nickrogers.bsky.social) reviews the film.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/11/23/w...
Wicked: For Good
The lead trio of actors are giving it their all, but there’s simply not much to rejoicify about in “Wicked: For Good.”…
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 AM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
Not currently available to stream on a subscription service, TWO AND A HALF MEN comes to Blu-ray in a complete-series set that fills a terrific need for fans & collectors.

Evan Dossey reviews the set, available from MovieZyng and other retailers.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/11/23/t...
Two and a Half Men: The Complete Series Blu-Ray
Not presently available to stream on any subscription service, “Two and a Half Men” comes to a complete-series Blu-ray set that’s perfect for fans and collectors.
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:08 AM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
Although ELEVEN DAYS, ELEVEN NIGHTS 2 is one of Joe D'Amato's lesser works, it's been lovingly restored on Blu-ray by 88 Films (@88films.bsky.social).

Evan Dossey (edossmfj.bsky.social) reviews the recent release.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/11/23/8...
88 Films: Eleven Days, Eleven Nights 2
Although “Eleven Days, Eleven Nights 2” is one of Joe D’Amato’s lesser works, it’s been lovingly restored on Blu-ray by 88 Films.
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:58 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
Although these four film constitute both men and monsters running on films, there's fun to be had as Abbott and Costello meet Universal Monsters in these 4K restorations from Kino Lorber.

Evan Dossey (edossmfj.bsky.social) reviews the recent releases.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/11/23/k...
Kino Lorber: “Abbott and Costello Meet…” 4K UHD Releases
Although these four film constitute both men and monsters running on films, there’s fun to be had as Abbott and Costello meet Universal Monsters in these 4K restorations from Kino Lorber.
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:44 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
Cult Epics continues its excellent run of Blu-ray restorations of Nobuhiko Ôbayashi's films with the wonderful drama THE ISLAND CLOSEST TO HEAVEN.

Evan Dossey (edossmfj.bsky.social) reviews the recent Blu-ray.
November 23, 2025 at 11:27 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
On this day in the year 2000, David Dunn learned just how special he was to Elijah Price.

Find Matt Hurt's (obsessiveviewer.bsky.social) essay on UNBREAKABLE below in honor of its 25th anniversary.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2023/12/22/h...
Hold On To Your Butts: Unbreakable (2000)
Samuel L. Jackson. You know him. You love him. What more introduction or explanation does he require? In honor of Jackson’s 75th birthday this month, Midwest Film Journal staffers and contributors…
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:08 AM
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"Class of ... " — Nick Rogers' (nickrogers.bsky.social) monthly look back at films celebrating 20th, 30th or 40th anniversaries — continues with a reflection on 1985's TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2025/11/21/c...
Class of 1985: To Live and Die in L.A.
“Class of … ” — Nick Rogers’ monthly look back at films celebrating 20th, 30th or 40th anniversaries — continues with a reflection on 1985’s “To Live and Die in L.A.”…
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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Higher Ed — our monthlong celebration of Ed Harris's 75th birthday — continues with Nick Rogers' (nickrogers.bsky.social) reflection on how Harris's show of force makes THE ROCK such a great show of farce.

Find Nick's essay in the reply and find more great Higher Ed essays on the site!
November 20, 2025 at 9:04 PM
midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social
The elegantly composed, impeccably acted and beautifully rendered romance CAROL hit theatres 10 years ago today.

Nick Rogers' (nickrogers.bsky.social) original review of the film from 2015 is below.

midwestfilmjournal.com/2015/12/23/c...
Carol
Elegantly composed, impeccably acted, beautifully rendered.
midwestfilmjournal.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:01 PM