Venice 2024: 'The Order' Review

In 1983, the FBI went after a white supremacist group causing havoc in the Pacific Northwest. In 2024, that story has been adapted for the big screen. For Screen International, I reviewed The Order.

Venice 2024: 'Babygirl' Review

Venice has its first critically-acclaimed sensation: Babygirl, the new film from the writer-director of Bodies Bodies Bodies. I have to admit: I was pretty mixed on it. My review is here.

Venice 2024: 'Homegrown' Review

Three far-right Americans are chronicled in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election in the documentary Homegrown. Among the things I really like about this upsetting film, there is zero attempt to "humanize" these people. My review is here.

Mannequin Pussy - "I Don't Know You"

Happy Labor Day Weekend. Turn this one up loud.

Venice 2024: 'Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass' Review

It's been nearly 20 years since the Quay Brothers made a film. They return with a movie that has a mouthful of a title. I reviewed Sanatorium for Screen International.

Venice 2024: 'September 5' Review

At the 1972 Summer Olympics, a tragedy occurred. You probably know what I'm referring to, but the new movie September 5 takes a unique perspective on the events, focusing on the team at ABC Sports who covered the crisis in real time. My review is here.

Venice 2024: 'Separated' Review

Errol Morris wanted to make a film about the Trump administration's zero-tolerance immigration policy, which cruelly ripped children away from their parents. The result is Separated, which I reviewed for Screen International.

Remembering Brandon Lee, Who Made 'The Crow' Fly

I was there opening weekend 30 years ago when The Crow debuted in theaters. Like most everyone, I was aware that the film's rising star, Brandon Lee, had died tragically during an accidental shooting in the midst of production. I haven't seen the film since, so now that there's a new version of the film out this weekend, it seemed like a good time to revisit the original, which still holds up. My appreciation of Lee is up at Rolling Stone.

'The Crow' Review

Back in 2011, when I was working at Yahoo, I must have written a thousand posts about a potential remake of The Crow. Seemed like, every other day, there was news that this actor or that director was "circling" the project, only for it to fall apart, again and again. I seriously assumed it would just never happen. Well, I was wrong: Today, a new Crow hits theaters. It's very bland, as I explain in my Screen International review.

The Marvelettes - "Too Many Fish in the Sea"

It's been almost exactly 60 years since this song was recorded. I haven't heard it in forever, and it jumped out of the speakers. Just 148 perfect seconds.

My Interview With Dave and John Chernin, Writer-Directors of 'Incoming'

Dave and John are brothers who grew up in Los Angeles around the film business. (Their dad is Peter Chernin.) The brothers are comedy writers who worked on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and created The Mick. And now they've made the sort of foul-mouthed, super-crass, R-rated comedy they grew up loving. But is there a world for those movies anymore? For Cracked, I talked to them about Incoming.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Alien: Romulus' and Your 2024 Fall Film Festival Preview

I'll be leaving shortly for Venice and Toronto. So, there's a lot to talk about on this week's episode. First, we review Alien: Romulus, which we differed on. Then, we list 10 movies we're excited about that will be premiering at festivals over the next couple weeks. Looking for an early awards-season preview? Here you go.

Edinburgh 2024: 'Smiles and Kisses You' Review

From the description, you might think Smiles and Kisses You will be a snide, punching-down portrait. Bryan Carberry's documentary focuses on a single man who decides to buy a sex doll, adding an A.I. component so that he can have "real" conversations with the doll. But this nonjudgmental film has some things to say about loneliness and the need for connection. Here's my review.

Edinburgh 2024: 'To Kill a Wolf' Review

I tend to be resistant to movies that are pitched as "What if this fairy tale was set in modern times?" But I was quite impressed by To Kill a Wolf, which re-imagines Little Red Riding Hood in a quiet community. My review is here.

Edinburgh 2024: 'Sunlight' Review

British comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti has made her feature directorial debut, Sunlight, in which she plays a woman who wears a full-sized monkey costume, insisting that she is the monkey. I reviewed this unusual romantic comedy for Screen International.

The Art of Noise (featuring Duane Eddy) - "Peter Gunn"

Hey there. Have a good weekend.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Crime Comedies, Sci-Fi Debacles and 'Cuckoo'

How can you tell we're reaching the end of summer? Because the movies that are coming out are pretty crummy. On this week's episode, we review The Instigators and Borderlands. Also, we differ on Cuckoo, a horror movie that might be too weird for its own good. Check out our chat down below.

'Alien: Romulus' Review

Those darn xenomorphs won't leave us alone. For Screen International, I reviewed Alien: Romulus.

My Interview With Carol Burnett

An honor and a thrill: For the Los Angeles Times, I spoke to Carol Burnett about Palm Royale, Better Caul Saul, her long career, and why she's not slowing down yet. Hope you enjoy. 

(Photo by Linus Johnson.)

Connie Converse - "Talkin' Like You (Two Tall Mountains)"

My thanks to Good One, which introduced me to this Connie Converse song. (And I had no idea about her story.)

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Reviewing 'Cuckoo,' 'Good One' and 'It Ends With Us'

Katie Walsh and I were on KCRW this morning discussing this weekend's releases. Did we make fun of Borderlands? You better believe it. We also reviewed a German horror film, a lovely American indie drama and It Ends With Us. Hope you enjoy our segment.

'Wilco the Podcast': Reviewing 'Hot Sun Cool Shroud'

Wilco released a new EP, Hot Sun Cool Shroud, which was a wonderful excuse to hang out with Lance Hill and Matt Morgan on their Wilco-centric podcast to talk about the record. Naturally, our conversation also encompassed the idea of the "summer song" and our general feelings about the warm-weather months. I always enjoy being on Wilco the Podcast. Check it out down below.

My Interview With John Wilson

How I miss How to With John Wilson. For the Los Angeles Times, I spoke to John himself about his show's legacy and why it's so hard for him to describe his brilliant series. Hope you enjoy.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Trap,' 'War Game' and 'Cutter's Way'

On this week's episode, we dig into two very different new movies: M. Night Shyamalan's latest and a documentary about the possibilities of another insurrection after this year's presidential election. Then, in our Reboot segment, we look back at 1981's superb Cutter's Way. Check it all out down below.

My Interview With India Donaldson, Writer-Director of 'Good One'

India Donaldson's first feature, Good One, is a low-key gem, so I was very happy to speak with her, and also her director father Roger, about her path to becoming a filmmaker. (Spoiler: It happened in a rather roundabout way.) You can read my profile over at the Los Angeles Times.

'Borderlands' Review

Not a big fan of Eli Roth, I did not have high expectations for Borderlands. But this movie truly stinks, despite Cate Blanchett having a little fun as an ass-kicking action hero. My review is live at Screen International.

'The Sixth Sense' at 25

There were twist endings before The Sixth Sense. But in the 25 years since that film hit theaters, no twist has been as monumental, discussed or debated. For the Los Angeles Times, I looked back at the twist, and even talked to a couple folks who were working in Hollywood when M. Night Shyamalan's spec script went out on the market. Really enjoyed writing this, and I hope you enjoy reading.

'The Instigators' Review

Opening in limited theaters today and hitting Apple TV+ next Friday, The Instigators stars Matt Damon and Casey Affleck as perfect strangers who sign up for the same high-stakes heist in Boston. Would you be surprised if I told you things go wrong? I reviewed this so-so crime caper for the Los Angeles Times.

'Trap' Review

In M. Night Shyamalan's latest, Josh Hartnett plays a dad who takes his daughter to a sold-out pop concert. What he doesn't know, though, is that the show is one elaborate trap to catch him. (You see, he's actually a serial killer.) My review of Trap is live over at Screen International.

Snoop Dogg (featuring Pharrell Williams) - "Drop It Like It's Hot"

My sister and her family are coming to town. She has long found Snoop Dogg adorable. (Thank Martha Stewart and the Olympics.) So this is for her.

Fantasia 2024: 'In Our Blood' Review

In the found-footage horror film In Our Blood, an L.A. filmmaker returns to her New Mexico hometown to shoot a documentary about our addicted mother. Then, people start disappearing. What's going on? I reviewed this intriguing but ultimately disappointing first feature here.

My Interview With Justin Baldoni

It's been a while since I've done a profile in which I hang out with my subject for an extended period of time. But a couple weeks ago, I spent a morning (and early afternoon) with Justin Baldoni, the director of the forthcoming It Ends With Us. His production company Wayfarer Studios, according to its website, is committed to "championing inspirational stories which unite as true agents for social change." What does that look like in real-world terms? Here's my story.