Tuesday, September 09, 2025

Toronto 2025: 'Roofman' Review


Roofman
 tells the true story of Jeffrey Manchester, a thief who would break into fast-food restaurants by entering the building through the roof. Now, Channing Tatum plays the man in a comedy-drama I wish was sharper and smarter. You can read my review here.  

Toronto 2025: 'Nuremberg' Review


Nuremberg
 takes us back to 1945 as Nazi leader Hermann Goring is put on trial for his crimes. This earnest, old-fashioned courtroom drama ended up being too dry for my taste. Here's my Screen International review

Toronto 2025: 'The Ugly' Review


Train to Busan
 director Yeon Sang-ho returns with a smaller, somber drama about a 40-year-old murder that may, at last, be solved. For Screen International, I reviewed The Ugly.

Toronto 2025: 'Ballad of a Small Player' Review


I figured I'd dig Ballad of a Small Player. A neo-noir set in Macau starring Colin Farrell as a mysterious gambler, the movie checks off lots of boxes for me. So what went wrong? I try to answer that over at Screen International.

Toronto 2025: 'Sacrifice' Review


I was pretty lukewarm on Romain Gavras' last film, Athena, but I was hoping to like his new political satire. Unfortunately, I had some of the same issues with Sacrifice. You can read my review here

Toronto 2025: 'Hamnet' Review


The consensus best film out of fall festival season? That would be Hamnet, Chloe Zhao's delicate love story. I reviewed the movie for Screen International.

Sunday, September 07, 2025

Toronto 2025: 'Bad Apples' Review


Saoirse Ronan is such an excellent actor, it seems like she can do just about anything. But, sadly, after watching Bad Apples, I am forced to concede even she can't make this potentially provocative dark comedy fly. You can read my review here

Toronto 2025: 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' Review


Rian Johnson returns to TIFF with the third installment in his Knives Out series. And he's bringing along Josh O'Connor, who's superb in Wake Up Dead Man. My review is up at Screen International.  

Saturday, September 06, 2025

Toronto 2025: 'Fuze' Review


Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a bomb detonator. Theo James is a crook about to pull off a bank heist. They'll collide in the jacked-up action-thriller Fuze. My review is live here

Friday, September 05, 2025

Venice 2025: 'The Sun Rises on Us All' Review


In The Sun Rises on Us All, Chinese filmmaker Cai Shangjun reunites two former lovers who haven't seen each other in years. The reason: He went to prison for a crime she committed. (He didn't want her to get punished, so he took the rap.) Now what do they mean to one another? My review is live at Screen International

Toronto 2025: 'Hamlet' Review


When Riz Ahmed's modern-day take on Hamlet premiered in Telluride, the reviews were mixed, even dismissive. I caught up with the film here in Toronto, and I actually quite dug it. I explain why over at Screen International

Nico - "These Days"

One of these days, I'll remember Jackson Browne wrote this song.

Toronto 2025: 'John Candy: I Like Me' Review


The 50th edition of the Toronto Film Festival opened with a documentary about a native son. For Screen International, I reviewed John Candy: I Like Me

Thursday, September 04, 2025

Venice 2025: 'Notes of a True Criminal' Review


Ukrainian producer and filmmaker Alexander Rodnyansky has crafted a documentary about his country's long, hard road to independence. Combining footage he shot about 30 years ago with materials from others, as well as scenes of modern-day Ukraine in the midst of the Russian invasion, Notes of a True Criminal is a different sort of war movie. My review is here.

Tuesday, September 02, 2025

Venice 2025: 'Marc by Sofia' Review


Sofia Coppola has known fashion designer Marc Jacobs for more than 30 years. So, she decided to make a documentary about her friend. For Screen International, I reviewed Marc by Sofia

Monday, September 01, 2025

Venice 2025: 'The Smashing Machine' Review


For now anyway, the Safdie brothers aren't making movies together anymore. Both of them will have their own films out this year. First up is Benny, who just premiered the real-life sports drama The Smashing Machine at Venice. My review is here

Sunday, August 31, 2025

The Film Comment Podcast: Debating 'After the Hunt,' 'No Other Choice' and 'Cover-Up'


A pleasure to be back on Film Comment's podcast. There wasn't a lot of consensus, however, when Devika Girish, Katie McCabe and I got together to discuss some of the bigger movies that have played thus far in Venice. You can hear me defend After the Hunt, admit my reservations about Park Chan-wook's latest, and then go long on the Sy Hersh documentary. Check out the conversation down below.

Saturday, August 30, 2025

Venice 2025: 'Frankenstein' Review


Guillermo del Toro was made to adapt Frankenstein, a story all about misunderstood monsters. My review is live at Screen International

Venice 2025: 'At Work' Review


In At Work, a successful photographer decides he wants to pursue his true passion: writing. But when he struggles as an author, he discovers the challenges of eking out a living. I reviewed this tale of poverty for Screen International.

Telluride 2025: 'Highway 99: A Double Album' Review


Ethan Hawke has directed several films about artists. His latest, Highway 99, is a three-hour-plus documentary on the life and legacy of Merle Haggard. It's partly a tribute album of sorts, with different musicians covering his songs. My review is here.

Friday, August 29, 2025

Venice 2025: 'Sangre del Toro' Review


Later today (Saturday), Guillermo del Toro will unveil his new film here in Venice, Frankenstein. But for now, let's talk about a documentary about the filmmaker that's already premiered. For Screen International, here's my review of Sangre del Toro.

Chappell Roan - "Pink Pony Club" (Live at the Grammys)

Sometimes, you hear a song a bunch of times but it never fully connects. You know it's good, but it always feels like someone else's favorite, never yours. Then you hear it in the right context, and it finally clicks. Anyway, here's my go-to version of "Pink Pony Club." 

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Venice 2025: 'Jay Kelly' Review


With Jay Kelly, Noah Baumbach suggests that movie stars are people, too. That's a potentially banal observation, but when you have George Clooney playing the movie star, things get interesting. My review is live over at Screen International.  

Venice 2025: 'Megadoc' Review


My feelings about Megalopolis are out there for the world to see. So take it from me when I say that Megadoc, which is Mike Figgis' documentary about the making of Francis Ford Coppola's film, is pretty great. Sympathetic but not uncritical, it looks at the act of creation in all its messy, hopeful glory, without snark or judgment. Here's my review.

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Venice 2025: 'Mother' Review


Mother
 looks at one crucial week in the life of Mother Teresa in 1948. In a sense, the film is something of an origin story for the future saint, as played by Noomi Rapace. As such, it's an intriguing attempt to humanize a mythic inspirational figure. So why doesn't it work? From Venice, here's my first review from this year's festival.  

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Previewing Fall Festival Season and 'Paris, Texas'


Greetings from Venice. Before I left for the festival, Will and I recorded an episode looking at the movies we're most intrigued by that will be premiering here, Telluride or Toronto. Lots of good stuff there. Then, we go back to 1984's Paris, Texas, which I now really need to see on the big screen. Check out our conversation down below. 

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

'Vice Is Broke' Review


Eddie Huang used to have a show on Vice, called Huang's World, but his relationship with the company soured, leaving him contending that he'd been owed money. Now that Vice is in bankruptcy, Huang has decided to make a documentary about how everything went wrong. For the A.V. Club, I reviewed Vice Is Broke

Monday, August 25, 2025

'The Roses' Review


There's a new version of The War of the Roses out this weekend. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman and is not as good as the 1989 film. I explain why over at Screen International.  

Friday, August 22, 2025

Das Racist - "You Oughta Know"

In honor of that new Billy Joel documentary, which I haven't seen yet, let's enjoy one of the best uses of a Joel sample in a hip-hop song. 

Thursday, August 21, 2025

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Highest 2 Lowest' and 'Wonder Boys'


On this week's episode, we go long on Spike Lee's latest. We have less to say about the fairly forgettable Nobody 2, and then we travel back to 2000 to revisit Wonder Boys. Lots of good stuff in here, which you can check out down below.

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

My Interview With Spinal Tap


They're back, and they're louder and dumber than ever. For the Los Angeles Times, I sat down with Spinal Tap to talk about politics, doves and their new movie, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. Check it out

(Photo by Jason Armond.) 

Monday, August 18, 2025

'Devo' Review


I saw Devo at Sundance in 2024. At long last, the film is now available to watch for everybody else. My review is up at the A.V. Club.

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Edinburgh 2025: 'Concessions' Review


Concessions
 is a mix of Clerks and Eephus, looking at an independent movie theater on its final day of operation. I dug its elegiac tone, but I wish the story had more to say. My review is here

Friday, August 15, 2025

A Tribe Called Red (featuring Northern Voice) - "Sisters"

Last week, as part of Susan's days-long birthday celebration, we and some friends went to Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me, which was a treat. As part of the exhibit, there was a video installation featuring this song. I've been listening to it for days.

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

My Interview With Julia Loktev, Director of 'My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow'


At the end of last year, I caught My Undesirable Friends: Part I, which premiered at the New York Film Festival. Spanning five-and-a-half hours, the documentary chronicles about four months in Moscow, from October 2021 to February 2022, as director Julia Loktev follows a group of independent Russian journalists facing the threat of imprisonment by Putin. The movie was shattering, gripping and stunning, and this Friday, it opens in New York. My Undesirable Friends feels like an alarm bell for Americans in the midst of Trump's authoritarian takeover. For Rolling Stone, I spoke to Loktev about her essential film and the lessons we should take from it. Hope you enjoy.

'Fixed' Review


What if dogs were secretly horny and foul-mouthed? That's the not-very-clever idea behind Fixed, Genndy Tartakovsky's R-rated animated comedy. Here's my review.

'Nobody 2' Review


I liked Nobody fine. But, man, I think this new one really stretches the thin premise beyond its breaking point. My Nobody 2 review is right here

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Loving 'Weapons,' Debating 'The Naked Gun' and 'Together'


On this week's episode, we're in agreement about Zach Cregger's superb new horror movie. But we don't see eye to eye on the other two films we discuss on the podcast. Check out our thoughts and witty banter down below.

Monday, August 11, 2025

'Americana' Review


In 2023, Americana premiered at SXSW to rave reviews. At long last, the movie finally comes to theaters this Friday. I caught up with it last week. I was underwhelmed. My review is live at Screen International

Friday, August 08, 2025

George Harrison - "Beware of Darkness"

I first became aware of this song thanks to Concert for George, the 2003 concert film in tribute to George Harrison. His old pal Eric Clapton did a lovely version of "Beware of Darkness," which was one of the movie's highlights. The original is integral to a film coming out this weekend. I may have swooned.

Wednesday, August 06, 2025

Martin Scorsese, Actor


This year, for the first time, Martin Scorsese received a major nomination for acting. In honor of his guest stint on the Emmy favorite The Studio, I looked at the great director's finest performances, exploring how persona and performance intertwine. Hope you enjoy.

Tuesday, August 05, 2025

'Freakier Friday' Review


I have a fond memory of seeing the 2003 Freaky Friday at a drive-in, which was kind of the perfect way to experience that film. I will always remember coming away from the movie convinced Lindsay Lohan was going to be a huge star. Things happened after that, of course, but it's nice to see her back for the sequel. And, hey, she's the best part of Freakier Friday. But I have issues elsewhere with the movie. My review is up at Screen International

'Weapons' Review


I really liked Barbarian. But I absolutely flipped for writer-director Zach Cregger's follow-up. Here's my review of Weapons

Friday, August 01, 2025

'Breakfast All Day': Talking About 'Together'

Christy Lemire invited me back on Breakfast All Day so we could discuss the horror movie/love story Together, starring Alison Brie and Dave Franco. I had lots of thoughts.

supermodel* - "I used to live in england"

Geography's not that hard
Just look at a map
Sometimes Americans are dumb

Thursday, July 31, 2025

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Marvel's First Family, 'Happy Gilmore 2' and 'Tampopo'


Great episode, but not necessarily because of the new movies we reviewed. We start by discussing The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Happy Gilmore 2. But the real fun comes during our Reboot segment, when we look back at 1985's Tampopo, which is a wonderful film. Check it out down below.

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

'The Naked Gun' Review


Liam Neeson is no Leslie Nielsen. But I found the new Naked Gun to be pretty darn enjoyable. My review is up at Screen International

Monday, July 28, 2025

What's Adam Sandler's Best Film?


The gang at Rolling Stone asked me to write some of the capsules for its big ranking of every Adam Sandler movie. As always, here's this caveat: I had no say over how the list played out. But if you want to read me on Uncut GemsPunch-Drunk Love and others, check it out here

A Salute to the Sports Comedy


In honor of Happy Gilmore 2Vulture asked us to pick 25 great sports comedies, which was a pleasure. You can check out our list here

Friday, July 25, 2025

Ozzy Osbourne - "No More Tears"

Growing up in the Midwest at the time I did, it was impossible not to be aware of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne. I can't pretend Ozzy's work with his iconic band or as a solo artist was foundational for me. (Wasn't the whole point of Nirvana that it was an antidote to that sort of theatricality in hard rock?) But the orchestral bombast, killer riffs and suite-like sweep of "No More Tears" remains as cheesy/silly good as ever. Rest in peace to an artist who impacted so many lives. Also, this is worth remembering: 

If you’re looking for hope in the world, just remember that Jimmy Swaggart died a disgrace while Ozzy Osbourne died universally beloved.

— Ponsonby Britt (@hockeenight.bsky.social) Jul 23, 2025 at 6:35 PM

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

'Oh, Hi!' Review


In Oh, Hi!, Molly Gordon plays a woman who really digs her new boyfriend (Logan Lerman), until he shocks her during a weekend getaway by admitting he doesn't want a serious relationship. She does not take the news too well, resulting in this dark romantic comedy. There are great ideas in here, but I don't think the movie entirely works. My review is up at the A.V. Club

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Ari Aster, Eva Victor and 'The Muppet Movie'


Will was in town but we did not record this episode in person. We talked about that, as well as reviewed two A24 films: Eddington and Sorry, Baby. Then, in our Reboot segment, we looked back at 1979's The Muppet Movie. Check it out down below.

'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Review


First Steps
 starts off so promisingly. So what happened? My review is up at Screen International

Monday, July 21, 2025

Fantasia 2025: 'Terrestrial' Review


In Terrestrial, a struggling screenwriter (Jermaine Fowler) is visited by his college buddies, who discover that he's now a hotshot Hollywood mover-and-shaker. What's he hiding? My review of this dark comedy is here

Friday, July 18, 2025

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Lamenting 'Smurfs,' Debating 'Eddington'


Katie Walsh and I were at the KCRW studios yesterday to talk about this weekend's major movie releases. My big takeaway? Lots of stinkers! 

You can hear our reviews of Eddington, Smurfs and I Know What You Did Last Summer down below. (We also discuss an upcoming 70mm screening of 1984's Streets of Fire.)

Lord Huron (featuring Kristen Stewart) - "Who Laughs Last"

After not loving Kristen Stewart's directorial debut or Love Lies Bleeding, it's very nice to report that she absolutely slays in this Lord Huron song. Video's cool, too.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Review


The 1997 movie is not good. Is the 2025 sequel any better? My review is up at Screen International

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: James Gunn's 'Superman' and Mailbag Questions


On this week's episode, we go long on Superman. Then, we dive into our listeners' questions, which covered theater etiquette, unlikely trilogies, seeing movies twice in the span of 24 hours, Woody Allen and more. Give it a listen.

Monday, July 14, 2025

My Review of Paul Simon's 'A Quiet Celebration' Tour


The first concert I ever attended was for Paul Simon. On Saturday, I saw him for the fourth time, and perhaps the last time. Over at InsideHook, I wrote about an emotional evening filled with thoughts about death, God and the afterlife. (It also gave me a chance to muse on his 2023 album Seven Psalms.) Hope you enjoy