'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.