The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Crime Comedies, Sci-Fi Debacles and 'Cuckoo'

How can you tell we're reaching the end of summer? Because the movies that are coming out are pretty crummy. On this week's episode, we review The Instigators and Borderlands. Also, we differ on Cuckoo, a horror movie that might be too weird for its own good. Check out our chat down below.

'The Instigators' Review

Opening in limited theaters today and hitting Apple TV+ next Friday, The Instigators stars Matt Damon and Casey Affleck as perfect strangers who sign up for the same high-stakes heist in Boston. Would you be surprised if I told you things go wrong? I reviewed this so-so crime caper for the Los Angeles Times.

Vladimir Spivakov & Sergej Bezrodny - "Spiegel im Spiegel"

I haven't watched Gerry in a while. I forgot how beautiful the opening is with the use of Arvo Pärt's music.

'I'm Still Here' Remains the Ultimate Meta Movie

In honor of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, I considered a far more notorious satirical self-portrait of an eccentric actor. Here's my appreciation of Joaquin Phoenix's gutsy, fascinating, deeply flawed I'm Still Here.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Spider-Man, 'A Ghost Story' and 'Magnolia'

We had three big movies to discuss on this week's podcast. First, we dive into Spider-Man: Homecoming. (One of us likes it far more than the other.) Then, we both go gaga for A Ghost Story. Finally, it's time for our Reboot segment: Has Mangolia held up? That turned into a conversation about Paul Thomas Anderson in general -- someone I always enjoy discussing. You can hear the whole thing here.

In Praise of 'A Ghost Story'

I flipped for A Ghost Story earlier this year. Now that it opens Friday, I sing its praises again over at MEL, where I talk about how the movie makes the afterlife seem like the most horrifying thing imaginable. You can read my piece here.

Sundance 2017: 'A Ghost Story' Review

A haunted-house love story told with stripped-down realism, A Ghost Story is really something. The new film from writer-director David Lowery is his strongest work yet, chronicling what happens when a husband (Case Affleck) dies but can't let go of his wife (Rooney Mara). I'm still thinking about the pie scene. You can read my review over at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Beasts, Animals and 'Children of Men'

Episode 44 of the Grierson & Leitch podcast gets you caught up on last weekend's big releases. That means reviews of Fantastic Beasts, Nocturnal Animals and Manchester by the Sea. And for our Reboot segment, well, what better time to revisit Children of Men? You can hear the whole thing here.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Let's Chat About 'Fantastic Beasts' and 'Manchester by the Sea'

I was back on KCRW today with fellow critic Miri Jedeikin to discuss Fantastic Beasts, Manchester by the Sea and The Edge of Seventeen. I like two of the three movies. You can hear the whole thing here.

'Manchester by the Sea' and Grief's Bumpy Road

For The New Republic, I turned my attention to Manchester by the Sea, focusing on the way Kenneth Lonergan's new movie portrays the messiness of grief. Really happy with how this one turned out -- you can read it here.

Sundance 2016: 'Manchester by the Sea' Review

I loved You Can Count on Me. I remain baffled by the acclaim around Margaret. So what did I think of writer-director Kenneth Lonergan's latest? My review of Manchester by the Sea is up at Paste.