Tyler Childers - "Oneida"

Every January, I create a playlist consisting of notable albums that come out that year. I like keeping my ears awake to new stuff, but it does require a lot of time and patience as I work my way through so many records. But I love the exercise. And I love the surprises that it yields. Like the day I stumbled onto the third track from Tyler Childers' Snipe Hunter. 

"Oneida" has been a fan favorite for a while. A live version came out nine years ago. For the rest of us, here's where we catch up.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The Best Films of 2025

The wait is over: It's time for our most popular podcast of the year. In this episode, Will and I both count down our 10 favorite films of 2025. Hope you enjoy.

'The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants' Review

SpongeBob SquarePants has been around for more than 25 years now. His new movie is a nice reminder of why he's such an enduring character. I reviewed Search for SquarePants for Screen International.  

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Six Movies, One Episode

It has become a fun tradition: On the year's penultimate episode, we do a lightning round of quick reviews of a bunch of different films that have just come out or are about to come out. So, if you'd like to hear our thoughts on The Testament of Ann Lee, Song Sung Blue, My Undesirable Friends: Part I - Last Air in Moscow, No Other Choice, Father Mother Sister Brother and Dead Man’s Wire, click the link below.

'Avatar: Fire and Ash' Review

I dunno, folks: The longer Avatar goes along, the more I dig it. Here's my review of Fire and Ash. 

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Rob Reiner's Impact on Movies and Politics

When someone in the film industry passes, Madeleine Brand will often ask me to come on the show to talk about that person's legacy. I was touched to go on Press Play to eulogize Rob Reiner, both as a filmmaker and as an activist. My segment was up first, if you'd like to listen below.

The Essential Rob Reiner Films

For Rolling Stone, I helped contribute to a list of the late, great Rob Reiner's best films. I tackled his two Aaron Sorkin collaborations: A Few Good Men and The American President. You can read the whole list here. 

Rob Reiner, 1947-2025

What a terrible way to end a terrible weekend of sad news. For Rolling Stone, Althea Legaspi and I wrote about Rob Reiner's legacy. 

'Resurrection' Review

Best movie this weekend? That would be Bi Gan's latest stunner. For the Los Angeles Times, I swooned about Resurrection.

'Breakfast All Day': Talking 'Ella McCay'

One last Breakfast All Day appearance before the end of the year. I was very happy to join Christy to discuss James L. Brooks' misfire, which has had me thinking about Megalopolis recently. I explain in this segment. 

Lily Allen - "Beg for Me"

West End Girl is such an intimate, candid breakup album that I suspect different listeners take up residence in different tracks, spending days burrowing inside them. Grateful not to be in the same situation as Lily Allen is right now relationship-wise, I have nonetheless been drawn to "Beg for Me," whose emotional neediness is a sentiment I can relate to. You never forget what that feeling is like.