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.

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.

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." 

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.

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. 

'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. 

'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.  

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. 

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.

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.) 

'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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

'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. 

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.

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.

'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. 

'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