Nick Rogers
@nickrogers.bsky.social
He/him/his. Editor/writer, Midwest Film Journal. Quoted by Geena Davis in her memoir. What happens next may astonish you. Or perhaps you’re too easily astonished.
And although it's sure to suffer a quick commercial demise, DIE MY LOVE is proof of life for fans of big-swinging, esoteric-but-empathetic character studies as dramatically revealing as they are raucously funny.
My Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) review in the reply.
My Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) review in the reply.
November 6, 2025 at 3:49 PM
And although it's sure to suffer a quick commercial demise, DIE MY LOVE is proof of life for fans of big-swinging, esoteric-but-empathetic character studies as dramatically revealing as they are raucously funny.
My Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) review in the reply.
My Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) review in the reply.
Movie review time. Sydney Sweeney delivers a solid but unsurprising turn as boxer Christy Salters in CHRISTY, the sort of by-the-numbers biopic you've gone 12 rounds with before.
In the reply, my Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) review of the film, in theatres Friday.
In the reply, my Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) review of the film, in theatres Friday.
November 6, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Movie review time. Sydney Sweeney delivers a solid but unsurprising turn as boxer Christy Salters in CHRISTY, the sort of by-the-numbers biopic you've gone 12 rounds with before.
In the reply, my Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) review of the film, in theatres Friday.
In the reply, my Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) review of the film, in theatres Friday.
My friend & colleague Evan Dossey (edossmfj.bsky.social) was kind enough to give the closing slot of Midwest Film Journal's (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) 2025 No Sleep October to a piece that may take you the better part of an hour:
My comprehensive ranking of all 15 PUPPET MASTER films!
🧵1/2
My comprehensive ranking of all 15 PUPPET MASTER films!
🧵1/2
October 31, 2025 at 4:09 PM
My friend & colleague Evan Dossey (edossmfj.bsky.social) was kind enough to give the closing slot of Midwest Film Journal's (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) 2025 No Sleep October to a piece that may take you the better part of an hour:
My comprehensive ranking of all 15 PUPPET MASTER films!
🧵1/2
My comprehensive ranking of all 15 PUPPET MASTER films!
🧵1/2
My friend & colleague Evan Dossey (edossmfj.bsky.social) had a great conversation w/ ANOTHER friend & colleague, Richard Propes (richardpropes.bsky.social), and director / producer Andie Redwine, on THE TENDERNESS TOUR, a documentary w/ a world premiere Saturday at the 34th Heartland Film Festival.
October 8, 2025 at 2:14 PM
My friend & colleague Evan Dossey (edossmfj.bsky.social) had a great conversation w/ ANOTHER friend & colleague, Richard Propes (richardpropes.bsky.social), and director / producer Andie Redwine, on THE TENDERNESS TOUR, a documentary w/ a world premiere Saturday at the 34th Heartland Film Festival.
Kathryn Bigelow brings her inimitably intense visual urgency to A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE. But screenwriter Noah Oppenheim's trick play w/ the nuclear football & atypically stiff performances drain all the tension.
Find my review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) in the reply.
Find my review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) in the reply.
October 7, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Kathryn Bigelow brings her inimitably intense visual urgency to A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE. But screenwriter Noah Oppenheim's trick play w/ the nuclear football & atypically stiff performances drain all the tension.
Find my review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) in the reply.
Find my review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) in the reply.
Streaming on Apple TV+ tomorrow, THE LOST BUS is a solid-enough tale of real-life rescue — elevated more by its elite visual effects than eh-so-so interpersonal dramas with Matthew McConaughey or America Ferrera.
Find my review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) in the reply.
Find my review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) in the reply.
October 2, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Streaming on Apple TV+ tomorrow, THE LOST BUS is a solid-enough tale of real-life rescue — elevated more by its elite visual effects than eh-so-so interpersonal dramas with Matthew McConaughey or America Ferrera.
Find my review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) in the reply.
Find my review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) in the reply.
Excited to share coverage of a film opening nationwide with roots in my old stomping grounds of Springfield, Illinois.
CODE 3 is a paramedic dramedy w/ Rainn Wilson & Lil Rel Howery in theatres tomorrow. It's co-written by Patrick Pianezza (patrickpianezza.bsky.social), who drew from years of
🧵1/4
CODE 3 is a paramedic dramedy w/ Rainn Wilson & Lil Rel Howery in theatres tomorrow. It's co-written by Patrick Pianezza (patrickpianezza.bsky.social), who drew from years of
🧵1/4
September 10, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Excited to share coverage of a film opening nationwide with roots in my old stomping grounds of Springfield, Illinois.
CODE 3 is a paramedic dramedy w/ Rainn Wilson & Lil Rel Howery in theatres tomorrow. It's co-written by Patrick Pianezza (patrickpianezza.bsky.social), who drew from years of
🧵1/4
CODE 3 is a paramedic dramedy w/ Rainn Wilson & Lil Rel Howery in theatres tomorrow. It's co-written by Patrick Pianezza (patrickpianezza.bsky.social), who drew from years of
🧵1/4
Good morning! Rarely capitalizing on the considerable gifts of its can't-miss cast, THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB is both a middling mystery & prototypically half-watchable Netflix fare.
My review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) is in the reply. Read, comment, share, enjoy!
My review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) is in the reply. Read, comment, share, enjoy!
August 28, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Good morning! Rarely capitalizing on the considerable gifts of its can't-miss cast, THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB is both a middling mystery & prototypically half-watchable Netflix fare.
My review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) is in the reply. Read, comment, share, enjoy!
My review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) is in the reply. Read, comment, share, enjoy!
In this month's "Class of ... " essay at Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social), focusing on films celebrating 20th, 30th or 40th anniversaries — I wind it back to 1995's DESPERADO, Robert Rodriguez's exceedingly goofy, eminently enjoyable action film.
Find my essay in the reply!
Find my essay in the reply!
August 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
In this month's "Class of ... " essay at Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social), focusing on films celebrating 20th, 30th or 40th anniversaries — I wind it back to 1995's DESPERADO, Robert Rodriguez's exceedingly goofy, eminently enjoyable action film.
Find my essay in the reply!
Find my essay in the reply!
While FIXED is fitfully funny & demonstrates respect for classic animation styles, it rarely reaches beyond obvious punchlines in its tale of a dog about to be neutered.
My review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) of the film, on Netflix tomorrow, is in the reply.
My review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) of the film, on Netflix tomorrow, is in the reply.
August 12, 2025 at 3:03 PM
While FIXED is fitfully funny & demonstrates respect for classic animation styles, it rarely reaches beyond obvious punchlines in its tale of a dog about to be neutered.
My review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) of the film, on Netflix tomorrow, is in the reply.
My review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) of the film, on Netflix tomorrow, is in the reply.
When Andy Carr asks to manipulate an image of me for an Odd Trilogies graphic, my answer is always yes. (It's tasteful, after all.)
My answer when Andy and Logan Sowash (@SowashYourself) ask me to join them for an episode is ALSO yes! 🧵 1/2
My answer when Andy and Logan Sowash (@SowashYourself) ask me to join them for an episode is ALSO yes! 🧵 1/2
August 10, 2025 at 5:03 PM
When Andy Carr asks to manipulate an image of me for an Odd Trilogies graphic, my answer is always yes. (It's tasteful, after all.)
My answer when Andy and Logan Sowash (@SowashYourself) ask me to join them for an episode is ALSO yes! 🧵 1/2
My answer when Andy and Logan Sowash (@SowashYourself) ask me to join them for an episode is ALSO yes! 🧵 1/2
CLOUD is a solid thriller about internet resellers that sometimes feels like Kiyoshi Kurosawa knocking off his own typically patient dread. Still, it's a deal you shouldn't pass up.
My review of the film, opening Friday at the Kan-Kan Cinema & Bar (kankanindy.bsky.social), is in the reply.
My review of the film, opening Friday at the Kan-Kan Cinema & Bar (kankanindy.bsky.social), is in the reply.
August 7, 2025 at 2:38 PM
CLOUD is a solid thriller about internet resellers that sometimes feels like Kiyoshi Kurosawa knocking off his own typically patient dread. Still, it's a deal you shouldn't pass up.
My review of the film, opening Friday at the Kan-Kan Cinema & Bar (kankanindy.bsky.social), is in the reply.
My review of the film, opening Friday at the Kan-Kan Cinema & Bar (kankanindy.bsky.social), is in the reply.
I don't share many individual Blu-ray reviews at Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social). But I wanted to share my take on Kino Lorber Studio Classics' new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray of CONVOY — Sam Peckinpah's 1978 action-comedy based on the hit song. 🧵 1/2
August 5, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I don't share many individual Blu-ray reviews at Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social). But I wanted to share my take on Kino Lorber Studio Classics' new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray of CONVOY — Sam Peckinpah's 1978 action-comedy based on the hit song. 🧵 1/2
Favorite first-time watches of July:
BARRY LYNDON
EDDINGTON
GET CARTER (1971)
GRAND PRIX
THE HANGING TREE
LAST BULLET
MAGIC CRYSTAL
THE PUBLIC ENEMY (1931)
WHITE HEAT
WINCHESTER '73
BARRY LYNDON
EDDINGTON
GET CARTER (1971)
GRAND PRIX
THE HANGING TREE
LAST BULLET
MAGIC CRYSTAL
THE PUBLIC ENEMY (1931)
WHITE HEAT
WINCHESTER '73
August 1, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Favorite first-time watches of July:
BARRY LYNDON
EDDINGTON
GET CARTER (1971)
GRAND PRIX
THE HANGING TREE
LAST BULLET
MAGIC CRYSTAL
THE PUBLIC ENEMY (1931)
WHITE HEAT
WINCHESTER '73
BARRY LYNDON
EDDINGTON
GET CARTER (1971)
GRAND PRIX
THE HANGING TREE
LAST BULLET
MAGIC CRYSTAL
THE PUBLIC ENEMY (1931)
WHITE HEAT
WINCHESTER '73
And for the year's halfway point, my 10 favorite first-time watches so far (non-2025 films and limiting to 3 Kurosawas):
High and Low
High Plains Drifter
Orca
Righting Wrongs
Sketches of Frank Gehry
Stray Dog
The Swimmer
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Three the Hard Way
Yojimbo
High and Low
High Plains Drifter
Orca
Righting Wrongs
Sketches of Frank Gehry
Stray Dog
The Swimmer
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Three the Hard Way
Yojimbo
July 2, 2025 at 2:54 AM
And for the year's halfway point, my 10 favorite first-time watches so far (non-2025 films and limiting to 3 Kurosawas):
High and Low
High Plains Drifter
Orca
Righting Wrongs
Sketches of Frank Gehry
Stray Dog
The Swimmer
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Three the Hard Way
Yojimbo
High and Low
High Plains Drifter
Orca
Righting Wrongs
Sketches of Frank Gehry
Stray Dog
The Swimmer
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Three the Hard Way
Yojimbo
Favorite first-time watches of June:
Amazing Grace (2019)
High Plains Drifter
The Phoenician Scheme
Righting Wrongs
Thunderbolts*
Amazing Grace (2019)
High Plains Drifter
The Phoenician Scheme
Righting Wrongs
Thunderbolts*
July 2, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Favorite first-time watches of June:
Amazing Grace (2019)
High Plains Drifter
The Phoenician Scheme
Righting Wrongs
Thunderbolts*
Amazing Grace (2019)
High Plains Drifter
The Phoenician Scheme
Righting Wrongs
Thunderbolts*
Good morning!
JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH didn't make me hate movies as a concept like its two immediate predecessors, so I guess that counts as evolution. It's still not that good.
My review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) is in the reply. Read, comment, share, enjoy!
JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH didn't make me hate movies as a concept like its two immediate predecessors, so I guess that counts as evolution. It's still not that good.
My review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) is in the reply. Read, comment, share, enjoy!
July 1, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Good morning!
JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH didn't make me hate movies as a concept like its two immediate predecessors, so I guess that counts as evolution. It's still not that good.
My review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) is in the reply. Read, comment, share, enjoy!
JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH didn't make me hate movies as a concept like its two immediate predecessors, so I guess that counts as evolution. It's still not that good.
My review for Midwest Film Journal (midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) is in the reply. Read, comment, share, enjoy!
Clint Eastwood's PALE RIDER hit theatres 40 years ago & it's my annual "I'd-not-seen-this-before" entry for my "Class of ... " series — which looks at films celebrating 20th, 30th or 40th anniversaries at Midwest Film Journal (@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social).
Find my essay in the reply!
Find my essay in the reply!
June 26, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Clint Eastwood's PALE RIDER hit theatres 40 years ago & it's my annual "I'd-not-seen-this-before" entry for my "Class of ... " series — which looks at films celebrating 20th, 30th or 40th anniversaries at Midwest Film Journal (@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social).
Find my essay in the reply!
Find my essay in the reply!
Favorite first watches of May:
Clean and Sober
Friendship
Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning
Sketches of Frank Gehry
Three the Hard Way
Clean and Sober
Friendship
Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning
Sketches of Frank Gehry
Three the Hard Way
June 1, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Favorite first watches of May:
Clean and Sober
Friendship
Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning
Sketches of Frank Gehry
Three the Hard Way
Clean and Sober
Friendship
Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning
Sketches of Frank Gehry
Three the Hard Way
Favorite first-time watches of April:
Orca
Sinners (2025)
The Swimmer
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
Orca
Sinners (2025)
The Swimmer
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
May 2, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Favorite first-time watches of April:
Orca
Sinners (2025)
The Swimmer
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
Orca
Sinners (2025)
The Swimmer
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
Hello! Over at Midwest Film Journal (@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social), we've been celebrating Robert Downey, Jr.'s 60th birthday all month long with an essay series called Deep Downey.
In the reply is my entry, which looks at RDJ's work in the pair of contemporary Sherlock Holmes films.
In the reply is my entry, which looks at RDJ's work in the pair of contemporary Sherlock Holmes films.
April 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Hello! Over at Midwest Film Journal (@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social), we've been celebrating Robert Downey, Jr.'s 60th birthday all month long with an essay series called Deep Downey.
In the reply is my entry, which looks at RDJ's work in the pair of contemporary Sherlock Holmes films.
In the reply is my entry, which looks at RDJ's work in the pair of contemporary Sherlock Holmes films.
Acknowledging a high bar for the director of what arguably remains the century's best action film, Gareth Evans' long-awaited HAVOC (debuting Friday on Netflix) feels like people punching the last thing you expect — a clock.
My Midwest Film Journal (@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) in the reply.
My Midwest Film Journal (@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) in the reply.
April 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Acknowledging a high bar for the director of what arguably remains the century's best action film, Gareth Evans' long-awaited HAVOC (debuting Friday on Netflix) feels like people punching the last thing you expect — a clock.
My Midwest Film Journal (@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) in the reply.
My Midwest Film Journal (@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) in the reply.
For Midwest Film Journal's (@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) monthlong celebration of director Paul W.S. Anderson, I wrote about what I would call his masterpiece: 2008's DEATH RACE — an epically loaded triple-cheeseburger good time.
Find my essay in the reply. Read, comment, share and enjoy!
Find my essay in the reply. Read, comment, share and enjoy!
March 25, 2025 at 10:02 PM
For Midwest Film Journal's (@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) monthlong celebration of director Paul W.S. Anderson, I wrote about what I would call his masterpiece: 2008's DEATH RACE — an epically loaded triple-cheeseburger good time.
Find my essay in the reply. Read, comment, share and enjoy!
Find my essay in the reply. Read, comment, share and enjoy!
Good morning! My first of two contributions to Midwest Film Journal's (@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) Libera te Tutemet, a weekly celebration of director Paul W.S. Anderson's 60th birthday this month, is the film from which our series takes its title, EVENT HORIZON.
Find my essay in the reply!
Find my essay in the reply!
March 17, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Good morning! My first of two contributions to Midwest Film Journal's (@midwestfilmjournal.bsky.social) Libera te Tutemet, a weekly celebration of director Paul W.S. Anderson's 60th birthday this month, is the film from which our series takes its title, EVENT HORIZON.
Find my essay in the reply!
Find my essay in the reply!