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.

Red Sea 2025: 'Kwibuka, Remember' Review

Kwibuka, Remember tells the story of Lia (Sonia Rolland), an aging basketball star who is invited to play for her national team. However, this will require her to return to her homeland of Rwanda, where she hasn't been since she was a child. I reviewed this touching, underwhelming drama about the lingering scars of genocide for Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Ping-Pong, Movie Stars and Stand-Up Comics

This week's episode features three pretty-darn-good movies. You can hear us riff on Marty Supreme, Jay Kelly and Is This Thing On? down below.

'Ella McCay' Review

James L. Brooks has not made a film since How Do You Know. He's back with Ella McCay, which stars Emma Mackey as an idealistic young politician facing myriad personal and professional crises. My review is up at Screen International. 

How the Posters for 'No Other Choice,' 'Bugonia' and 'Sinners' Got Made

I am fascinated by movie posters. They are this special mixture of art and marketing that have to sell a film's essence in a single image. So, how do they do it? For the Los Angeles Times, I talked to the creative teams behind Bugonia, No Other Choice and Sinners to learn the behind-the-scenes secrets. It was very fun. 

(My thanks to Stephanie Jones for this great illustration.) 

'The Secret Agent' Review

For the Los Angeles Times, I reviewed one of the most acclaimed international films of the year. Here's my take on Brazil's The Secret Agent. 

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Debating 'The Chronology of Water,' Digging 'Fackham Hall'

Witney Seibold and I joined Madeleine to discuss the weekend's big movies. You can hear our thoughts on Five Nights at Freddy's 2, The Chronology of Water, The Secret Agent and Fackham Hall down below.

My Interview With Imran Hamdulay and Keenan Arrison, the Team Behind 'The Heart Is a Muscle'

For Screen International, I spoke to writer-director Imran Hamdulay and star Keenan Arrison about The Heart Is a Muscle, which is South Africa's submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar. We talked about masculinity, fatherhood and depicting Cape Flats in a more nuanced way than it's usually seen on screen. You can check out our conversation down below or read excerpts from it here.

Nick Jonas - "Jealous"

While hardly claiming to be any sort of expert on the Jonas Brothers, I feel confident declaring this the best song any of them have ever made.

'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' Review

I'll give Five Nights at Freddy's 2 this: It's slightly better than the absolutely atrocious original. Still ... well, just read my review.

'Scarlet' Review

In a down year for animation, Scarlet has been one of the few standouts. I reviewed Mamoru Hosoda's unconventional riff on Hamlet for Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: New Films From Chloe Zhao, Rian Johnson and Kleber Mendonca Filho

This week's podcast salutes three auteurs. You can check out our reviews of Hamnet, Wake Up Dead Man and The Secret Agent down below.

'La Grazia' Review

Toni Servillo is terrific in La Grazia, Paolo Sorrentino's salute to a fictional Italian president who's actually a morally upstanding individual. (We could use a couple politicians like that right about now.) I reviewed this quite touching drama for the A.V. Club. 

'Marty Supreme' Review

Josh Safdie's Marty Supreme continues his recent exploration of unabashedly self-centered people chasing their dreams, no matter who gets hurt along the way. And once again, it works. My review is live at Screen International. 

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': What 'Siskel & Ebert' Meant to Me

I was honored to be asked to join Press Play to talk about the legacy of Siskel & Ebert on the show's 50th anniversary. You can hear my segment at the 19:22 mark.

'Eternity' Review

A romantic triangle in the afterlife? That's the premise of Eternity, an A24 romantic comedy that I wish I liked better. You can read my review here.

Turnstile - "Never Enough"

Pretty soon, Spotify will release its annual "Here's what you listened to the most this year" charts. I would not be surprised if this is my most-played song of 2025.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The 'Wicked' Finale, 'Train Dreams,' 'Sirat'

I am just now realizing that all three movies on this week's episode have trains in them. We lamented Wicked: For Good but praised Train Dreams and Sirat. Check out our conversation down below.

'My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow' Review

I have been raving about Julia Loktev's epic documentary since I first saw it at the end of last year. I've seen it two times since. With My Undesirable Friends opening this weekend in Los Angeles, I'm very happy to say I reviewed the film for the Los Angeles Times.

'Zootopia 2' Review

Based on the family audience I saw Zootopia 2 with, I think the film will do very well over the holidays. My review is up at Screen International. 

Your Guide to the Must-See Awards Season Movies

I helped Screen International with its roundup of 50 essentials films of this Oscar season. Individual bylines aren't indicated, but I wrote about Bugonia, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, The Life of Chuck, Marty Surpreme, The Mastermind, The Smashing Machine, Sorry, Baby and Sound of Falling. (I also sung the praises of Dylan O’Brien in Twinless.) Check the whole list out here. 

'Rebuilding' Review

For the Los Angeles Times, I reviewed Rebuilding, the third of four films Josh O'Connor is in this year. (I've already written about the fourth.) Here, he plays Dusty, a Colorado cowboy who loses his ranch in a wildfire. You can read my thoughts here.

'Come See Me in the Good Light' Review

Beloved poet Andrea Gibson died this summer, but before they passed they were the subject of a documentary that premiered at Sundance. Now on Apple TV, Come See Me in the Good Light is a portrait of a cancer battle and a love affair. I wouldn't be surprised if this wins the Oscar. I reviewed the moving film for Screen International. 

Kangding Ray - "Amber Decay"

Happy Friday. Let's get trance-y.

My Interview With Odessa A'zion, Star of 'Marty Supreme'

I hung out at Paper or Plastik a few weeks ago with Odessa A'zion, who's about to have a moment. She's one of the stars of the buzzy HBO series I Love LA. And she's soon to appear in Josh Safdie's much-anticipated Marty Supreme. A'zion is a delight, as well as an enthusiastic hugger. You can read my profile over at the Los Angeles Times. 

(Photo by Christina House.) 

'Siskel & Ebert' at 50

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Siskel & Ebert, the folks over at RogerEbert.com asked a bunch of writers and critics to reflect on the show's legacy. You can read my thoughts, and everyone else's, here. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Joachim Trier, 'Nouvelle Vague' and 'The Running Man'

Three major directors have big movies on this week's episode. We were both fans of Joachim Trier's Sentimental Value and Richard Linklater's Nouvelle Vague. But, man oh man, did we dislike Edgar Wright's sci-fi flick. You can check out all our thoughts down below.

'Sisu: Road to Revenge' Review

Sisu was an absolute blast: super-violent, darkly funny, a real nasty piece of work. But I was less wowed by the sequel, which I reviewed for Screen International. 

'Wicked: For Good' Review

As a colleague put it, "The good news is we won't have to watch any more Wicked movies now." My review of For Good is available here. 

'Rental Family' Review

I find Brendan Fraser such a unique actor: Nobody brings exactly his quality of fragility and sweetness to the screen. But that doesn't mean his approach always works. For the A.V. Club, I reviewed the dreadful Rental Family. 

'Trifole' Review

Trifole pays tribute to a region of Italy long celebrated for its abundance of truffles. But when an aging truffle hunter needs his restless granddaughter's help, can these two generations see eye to eye? My review is up at the Los Angeles Times. 

'Keeper' Review

If you're keeping track, I loved Longlegs and disliked The Monkey. So I was curious going into Osgood Perkins' latest horror flick. For the Los Angeles Times, I reviewed Keeper. 

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Raving About 'Sirat' and 'Left-Handed Girl'

A diverse group of films are discussed on my latest visit to KCRW. Alison Willmore and I review The Running Man, disagree about Jay Kelly, praise Sirat and head to Taipan for Left-Handed Girl. You can hear the whole segment down below.

Labi Siffre - "Cannock Chase"

Everybody, have a good weekend. I hate how early it gets dark right now.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Bugonia,' Kelly Reichardt and 'Die My Love'

Four new movies this week, and I really like all four of them. In this episode, we talk about Die My Love, Predator: Badlands, Bugonia and The Mastermind. Give it a listen down below.

'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' Review

To be fair, I have come around to enjoying Jesse Eisenberg in these magician-thief movies. On the other hand ... this franchise is just so dumb. I reviewed Now You Don't for Screen International. 

'In Your Dreams' Review

Two young siblings fear their parents are getting divorced. Maybe the Sandman can help save the day? That's the plot of In Your Dreams, which I found to be a bit of a snooze. You can read my review here.

L7 - "Shitlist"

L7 was one of those bands that I thought was gonna be huge. That didn't happen but, lord, did they rock. I was thinking of Natural Born Killers the other day, and remembered this absolute scorcher.

American French Film Festival 2025: 'Guru' Review

First, real fast: The festival that was long known as COLCOA (for City of Lights, City of Angels) recently changed its name to the American French Film Festival. Which makes some sense.

Okay, with that out of the way, I reviewed this year's closing-night film, a drama about a popular self-help guru who finds his livelihood under attack by the French government. His response is pretty ill-advised. I reviewed Guru for Screen International.

'Predator: Badlands' Review

Is Predator: Badlands my favorite Predator movie? Honestly, I think so. I raved over at Screen International. 

Neil Diamond - "Dry Your Eyes" (from 'The Last Waltz')

Sadly, Song Sung Blue doesn't feature this Neil Diamond stomper.

2025 Gotham Awards Nominees

It's always a delight to be asked to be part of the Gotham nominating committees, but this year I took part in the deliberations for two brand-new categories: adapted and original screenplay. Just as fun was the fact that my fellow committee members were all friends: Carlos Aguilar, Monica Castillo, Jon Frosch and Esther Zuckerman. I'm pretty darn pleased with our picks, which included Eva Victor for her fine script for Sorry, Baby. You can see our nominations here, along with those for all the other categories.

'Song Sung Blue' Review

Song Sung Blue tells the true story of a Neil Diamond tribute band fronted by a married couple who would experience their share of trials and tribulations. The musical performances are really fun. As for the rest ... well, you can check out my Screen International review. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Checking Into 'A House of Dynamite'

Another larger-than-usual episode, in which we review four new movies. We disagree about Frankenstein, dive into Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, praise It Was Just an Accident and dissect A House of Dynamite. Really good stuff here, which you can hear down below.

'Breakfast All Day': Reviewing 'Bugonia'

Bugonia is the fourth film from Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone. I was tickled to be asked to join Christy on Breakfast All Day to talk about it. You can watch our conversation down below.

Ace Frehley - "New York Groove"

It's true: I've never been much of a Kiss guy. But if I had to pick a favorite song of theirs, I'd probably go with this Ace Frehley solo joint. Rest in peace, sir.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke, 'The Perfect Neighbor' and 'After the Hunt'

Two phenomenal performances lead this week's podcast. First up, we look at If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, starring Rose Byrne. Then we have Blue Moon, with Ethan Hawke. Later, we sing the praises of The Perfect Neighbor and debate After the Hunt. Really good episode, which you can listen to below.

'Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere' Review

How did Bruce Springsteen make his risky, groundbreaking 1982 album Nebraska? Deliver Me From Nowhere dives into this pivotal period in the songwriter's career. My review is up at Screen International. 

'Blue Moon' Review

Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke have made many wonderful films together. Their ninth, Blue Moon, is deeply lovely. I reviewed this melancholy portrait of lyricist Lorenz Hart for the Los Angeles Times. 

Diane Keaton - "Seems Like Old Times" (from 'Annie Hall')

This seemed the only choice for this week.

'It Was Just an Accident' Review

For the Los Angeles Times, I reviewed the winner of the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes. Here's my take on It Was Just an Accident. 

'Good Fortune' Review

Aziz Ansari has made his feature directorial debut. It's a modern-day twist on It's a Wonderful Life about a hapless, well-meaning angel (Keanu Reeves) who tries to improve the life of a struggling Angeleno (Ansari). For the A.V. Club, I reviewed Good Fortune.

Diane Keaton's Best Films

I pitched in over at Rolling Stone on a piece that celebrated the late, great Diane Keaton's 10 essential movies. I was happy to take on Reds. You can check that out here.