FlixChatter Review: BLUE EYED GIRL (2025) + Q&A with writer & star Marisa Coughlan on filming in Minnesota + working with Beau Bridges

Welcome to a special FlixChatter post highlighting a Minnesota-connected film, written by an MN-based actress, Marisa Coughlan. I had the privilege of speaking to Marisa about the film, so scroll down to read my interview below my review. FlixChatter Review When you think of a coming-of-age film, you probably picture a journey that teens or …

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FlixChatter Review: MARMALADE (2024) – a Minnesota-made, romantic heist flick brimming with manic energy

When I first saw the title, I immediately thought of Paddingtonโ€™s favorite orange jam, but no, this one has nothing to do with the movie about a talking bear. The movie is written and directed by Aussie-American, actor-turned-director Keir O'Donnell (who I remember from The Dry) in his debut feature, and itโ€™s based on his …

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TCFF 2023 Indie Film Review: ABROAD (2023)

This is one of the few films playing at the festival that was shot in Minnesota, specifically in the scenic northern part of the state. Whatโ€™s especially notable about Abroad is the international cast and crew. The writer/director and the co-writer are of Italian descent, while the two leads are Koreans, playing a South Korean …

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TCFF Indie Film Review: SOLD OUT (2021)

I love music-themed movies, so I was excited to see SOLD OUT. Somehow I did not realize the Minnesota-connection until I started watching this movie, which opens with a snowy Minneapolis skyline. Strangely-enough, I warmed up to this movie right away. It centers on a down-on-his-luck construction worker John (Sam Bardwell) who wants to pursue …

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TCFF 2019: ‘The Soviet Sleep Experiment’ – Review + Interview w/ director Barry Andersson + actor Chris Kattan

The Soviet Sleep Experiment In the late 1940s, Soviet researchers kept four patients awake for thirty days using an experimental gas-based stimulant. The researchers were cut off from the world and asked to do a series of tests on the subjects for the benefit of the Red Army. What started as a purely scientific research …

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TCFF 2019 MN Filmmaker Spotlight: Cynthia Uhrich on her short films ‘Oh My Stars’ย +ย ‘Everyone Goes In The Lake’

Hello friends! Ruth here. If you've been reading the blog for a while you know that here on the blog we care about diversity in filmmaking, both in front AND behind the camera. So I love highlighting female filmmakers, both locally and internationally, and today we've got a veteran MN artist Cynthia Uhrich, founder of …

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TCFF 2019 Film Spotlight: ‘Only Dance Can Save Us’ – Interview with writer/director John Kaiser

Hello FC readers. It's Ruth here. Today we've got another MN film and MN filmmaker whose film Only Dance Can Save Us is premiering tomorrow at 7:20pm. I got to see the film last week and I'm really impressed! Kudos to John Kaiser on his feature film debutโ€“it feels like a personal film which highlights …

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