The 101 Best Los Angeles Movies

This has been in the works for a little while, so I'm glad it's finally out there in the world. The Los Angeles Times has put together a list of the all-time best L.A. movies. I didn't have a say in the final rankings, although I contributed a ballot alongside my fellow critics and journalists, but I did write several of the capsules. I was very happy to heap praise on Barton Fink, Devil in a Blue Dress, Die Hard, Inherent Vice, Killer of Sheep, Safe and A Woman Under the Influence. Check the whole list out here. 

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.

Cannes 2025: 'Highest 2 Lowest' Review

Man, it is no fun to pan Spike Lee movies. Alas, I was pretty torn on Highest 2 Lowest, his ambitious, thought-provoking crime thriller that re-imagines Akira Kurosawa's High and Low. My review is here.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': The Most-Anticipated Movies at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival

This year's Cannes is now underway. Before the storm, I jumped on a call with Madeleine Brand to preview four films to keep an eye out for, including Lynne Ramsay's Die My Love. You can hear our conversation down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The New Avengers, 'Pavements' and My Preview of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival

Long episode this week, for obvious reasons. For one thing, we had a lot to say about both Thunderbolts* and Pavements. Also, I went long offering a list of the films I'm most excited to see at Cannes, including Mirrors No. 3 (pictured above). And then, hey, we're gonna be on a bit of a break while I'm in France, which tends to make it hard for us to wrap up a show in a succinct manner. Enjoy all of it down below.

Gene Hackman's Finest Films

I was flattered to be asked to help contribute to this Rolling Stone piece that provides a primer on Gene Hackman's best performances. These 20 films constitute a hall-of-fame career.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Previewing the 2025 Movie Year

It's a new year, which means it's time to start thinking about the films worth getting excited about in 2025. I was on Press Play alongside Shawn Edwards to discuss everything from Wicked: For Good to Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning to Sentimental Value. Listen below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Wicked' vs. 'Gladiator II'

On this week's podcast, we look at the two big movies that opened over last weekend. (Turns out, we disagree on both of them.) And then we spend a little time with The Piano Lesson. Check out the show down below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Oz, Rome and 'The Piano Lesson'

It's a big movie weekend. Should you see Wicked? Gladiator II? What about The Piano Lesson? Christy Lemire and I were on KCRW today to offer our thoughts. Check out the segment down below.

'Gladiator II' Review

Gladiator II doesn't have Russell Crowe, but it does have Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal. Is that an upgrade? My review is up at Screen International.

My Interview With Edward Zwick

Edward Zwick has won an Oscar, directed epic dramas and created indelible television. And now, he's written a memoir. For RogerEbert.com, I had a long talk with him about Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions.

Denzel Washington, Comic Actor

We don't think of the two-time Oscar-winner as a versatile comic star, partly because he's done so few out-and-out comedies. I looked into the lighter side of the actor on screen for Cracked.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Denzel Washington, 'Sherlock Jr.' and 'American Movie'

Greetings from Toronto. I'll be at the festival for the next week or so, but here's a podcast episode to tide you over. We review The Equalizer 3, and then we go back to evaluate Sherlock Jr. and American Movie. Lots of fun stuff to dig into down below.

'Breakfast All Day': Disagreeing on 'The Equalizer 3'

I liked the first installment in the Equalizer series and wasn't a big fan of the second. So where did I land on The Equalizer 3? Christy Lemire and I debated the new movie's merits.

Denzel Washington as the GOAT

On Tuesday, Denzel Washington could receive his 10th Oscar nomination. For MEL, I examined one heck of a career, one that's far from over.

John David Washington and Hollywood's Best Acting Sons

Now that Malcolm & Marie is out, I thought I'd do a quick survey of the best actors who are sons of famous actors. Where does John David Washington rank among them? The answers are over at MEL.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Little Things,' 'Saint Maud' and 'Supernova'

We've got three new movies to review this week, although only one of them is worth your time. Plus, we talk about the Super Bowl and the St. Louis Cardinals a little. Check it all out down below.

'The Little Things' Review

Denzel Washington and Rami Malek are on the hunt for a serial killer who just might be Jared Leto. I dug the L.A.-ness of The Little Things, but ultimately I think this whodunit runs out of gas. My review is up at Screen International.

Let's Rank Russell Crowe's Movies

Now that Unhinged is out, let's consider the career of Russell Crowe. For Vulture, we ranked his performances. I think our top pick isn't very controversial.

This Century's Finest African-American Genre Films

With it being February, and Black History Month, we decided to turn our attention to the best genre films from African-American directors. Check out the list over at SyFy.