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.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Megalopolis,' 'A Different Man' and Differing on 'Wolfs'

A supersized episode of the podcast this week, featuring reviews of four new movies. Neither of us liked Francis Ford Coppola's film, but there was much to discuss. Elsewhere, I rave about A Different Man, we debate whether The Wild Robot ends at the right time, and we split on the George Clooney/Brad Pitt action-comedy. Check out this two-hour episode down below.

Cannes 2024: 'Megalopolis' Review

I was so rooting for Francis Ford Coppola's first film in 13 years. But I think Megalopolis is a failure. My review is up at Screen International.

Your 2024 Sundance Comedy Preview

Sundance starts Thursday. Dramas usually dominate the festival, but could we be in store for some laughs as well? Here's hoping.

My Interview With Aubrey Plaza, Star of 'The White Lotus'

I have interviewed Aubrey Plaza twice in the last six months for the Los Angeles Times. Back in December, I talked to her (and Theo Rossi) about Emily the Criminal. Now, she and I chat about The White Lotus. I was especially touched by her discussing being lonely as a permanent state. Hope you enjoy.

My Interview With Will Sharpe, Star of 'The White Lotus'

Will Sharpe is one-half of my favorite couple on the second season of The White Lotus. I talked to him for the Los Angeles Times.

My Interview With Aubrey Plaza and Theo Rossi, the Stars of 'Emily the Criminal'

It's been nearly a year since I first saw Emily the Criminal at virtual Sundance. It was one of 2022's indie surprises, it's now on Netflix, and for the Los Angeles Times, I spoke with Aubrey Plaza and Theo Rossi, whose combustible chemistry goes a long way to selling this film's exploration of race, class and the American dream. Hope you enjoy.

2022 Gotham Awards Nominees

I never stop being thrilled to be asked to serve on the Gotham Awards nominating juries. This year, I was once again part of the Acting committee, selecting the finalists for Outstanding Lead Performance, Outstanding Supporting Performance, and Breakthrough Performer. I was joined by Robert Daniels, Jon Frosch, Tomris Laffly and Brian Tallerico, and we had a fine time meeting and debating. You can see our picks here, as well as those in the other film and television categories. 

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Raving About 'The Territory,' Lamenting 'Spin Me Round'

Madeleine had the day off, so Michell Eloy took over hosting duties for this week's segment. She, Katie Walsh and I talked about the weekend's new releases, although there's only one worth seeking out, The Territory. You can hear our segment down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Emily the Criminal,' 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' and 'Day Shift'

One real good movie, two not-so-good movies: That's the story of this week's episode. I'll let you guess which is which, or you can just listen down below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Talking Sundance, 'Sundown' and 'Cyrano'

I was on KCRW this week, alongside Shawn Edwards, to review new movies. But I also gave Madeleine a preview of some Sundance films worth keeping an eye on. You can hear our whole chat down below.

Sundance 2022: 'Emily the Criminal' Review

I've tended to like Aubrey Plaza's film choices more than the actual films. But that's not the case with her latest, a smart, small-scale crime thriller. For Screen International, I reviewed Emily the Criminal.

'Happiest Season' Review

Happiest Season comes in deceptively cheesy packaging: It's your typically silly Christmas movie, except for the fact that it's about a lesbian couple going home to see one of the partner's parents (who don't know she's gay). I appreciated the subversiveness of that approach ... but I wish the movie was smarter on the whole. My review is up at Screen International.

Some Thoughts on 'Child's Play'

Why is the new Chucky so needy?

Are drone propellers really dangerous?

And what would have happened if Lucille Bluth had provided the voice in the original Child's Play?

I answer those questions, and more, over at MEL.

Back Stage: You Should See 'Safety Not Guaranteed'

Lots to recommend in this week's Screen Grab column at Back Stage. Prometheus and Madagascar 3 are both worthwhile -- although it's hard to imagine the person who wants to see both movies -- and there are two good indies as well, Safety Not Guaranteed and Dark Horse. The latter is the latest from director Todd Solondz; the former stars Mark Duplass and Aubrey Plaza. Oh, and seriously, avoid Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding. You may remember that I saw it back in Toronto. Yeah, it's not so good. Here's this week's complete column, which has reviews of those movies and others.

Father John Misty - "Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings"

This week's Friday Video presents an interesting dilemma: What do you do when you really like a song but really don't like its video?

Father John Misty is the recording name for Josh Tillman, who used to be the drummer for Fleet Foxes. "Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings" isn't very Fleet Foxes-y, though, which I consider a good thing. Not that there's anything inherently wrong with them, but as Tillman explained, "I don’t even like wound-licking music, I want to listen to someone rip their arm off and beat themselves with it."

"Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings" shouldn't be confused with death metal, but it's powerfully moody and insistent in a way that Fleet Foxes isn't. Anyway, I dig it. As for the video, well, it violates a few rules I have about the medium. First, its plot is way too complicated; it gets in the way of listening to the song, which has something of a plot itself. Then there's the problem of hiring the hip indie actress (in this case, Aubrey Plaza) to be your video's star. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it just seems like some sort of attempt on the artist's part to get an endorsement from a particular audience niche. So even if you hate the video, you might like the song. I hope you do, anyway.

And thanks to the invaluable KEXP for introducing me to "Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings" in the first place.

'Jeff, Who Lives at Home,' the Duplass Brothers, and That Whole Mumblecore Thing

For Gawker, I shared my enthusiasm for Jeff, Who Lives at Home, which really impressed me. I'd heard such mediocre things from friends who'd seen the film at Toronto and Sundance, but I think this is the best film the Duplass brothers have made since their debut, The Puffy Chair. My article touches on what makes Jay and Mark's career so special -- and also why I've never liked that term "mumblecore."

'cyrus' review

The Puffy Chair remains the Duplass brothers' best film, but Cyrus is a fun (and funny) mixture of mumblecore and mainstream sensibilities. Plus, it boasts a great performance from Marisa Tomei.