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.

Diane Keaton, New Hollywood Heavyweight

It's a sad day: Diane Keaton has died. For Rolling Stone, I tried to sum up her brilliance. 

'Is This Thing On?' Review

There is a contingent of people I know who just can't stand Bradley Cooper's films. (Apparently, he's too much of a try-hard or something.) Well, maybe they'll be sated by Is This Thing On?, which is a more modest, melancholy affair than his previous two movies. I found it rather lovely. My review is up at Screen International. 

The Cleaners From Venus - "Corridor of Dreams"

It's not where you are
It's where you feel you should be 
And it's where your heart is

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Benny Safdie, Paul Greengrass and 'Steve'

We disagree on two of the three movies we reviewed this week. First up is the Dwayne Johnson real-life wrestling drama The Smashing Machine. Then comes The Lost Bus, which stars Matthew McConaughey. Finally, we dig into the Cillian Murphy school drama Steve. Check out our thoughts down below.

'Tron: Ares' Review

We have a new Tron film. It stars Jared Leto. Nine Inch Nails did the soundtrack. I saw it in 3D. I reviewed Ares for Screen International.

'Anemone' Review

Great news: Daniel Day-Lewis has ended his retirement from acting, at least for the moment. Not-so-great news: It's in the so-so Anemone, which was directed by his son Ronan. My review is live over at the Los Angeles Times. 

Malibu Ken - "Tuesday"

I know it's not Tuesday. But this song, which uses that much-maligned day of the week as a metaphor for the singer's general malaise, is too good not to play on a Friday.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The 'One Battle After Another' Episode

We devoted most of this week's show to one film, Paul Thomas Anderson's explosive political action-thriller. Lots to dig into there. Then, in our Reboot segment, we look back at 1999's The Limey in honor of the late Terence Stamp. Check it out below.