The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Sean Baker, Steve McQueen and Hugh Grant

Two auteurs and a horror movie make up this week's reviews. But, first, we had to talk about the election. Hear the whole episode down below.

Toronto 2024: 'Heretic' Review

In recent years, Hugh Grant has gravitated toward playing heels. But in the horror-thriller Heretic, he really embraces his inner creep in the story of a seemingly kindly homeowner who may talk two female missionaries to death. I reviewed this salute to cinema's evilest mansplainer over at Screen International.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': 'The Zone of Interest,' 'American Fiction' and 'Wonka'

Back at the Toronto Film Festival in September, Alison Willmore and I walked out of the world premiere of American Fiction, discussing its strengths and weaknesses. We continued that conversation this week on KCRW, where we reviewed that film, The Zone of Interest, Wonka and Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. You can hear the conversation down below.

'Wonka' Review

A probable holiday hit? I think so. My review of Wonka is here.

Celebrating 20 Years of People Making Fun of That One Scene from 'Love Actually'

You know the scene. I wrote about the backlash to Love Actually's big romantic gesture over at Cracked.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Air Jordans, 'Dungeons & Dragons' and Mario's Big-Screen Return

A little behind on posting this podcast episode, which was filled with big movies after taking a week off. We both liked Air, one of us liked Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and we both loathed The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Hear the whole thing down below.

Tom Hanks Just Really Loves 'Cloud Atlas'

This past week, the Oscar-winner reconfirmed his love for the sci-fi film that was a commercial disaster (and not all that beloved by critics). For MEL, I wrote about why Hanks is still fond of the movie, which I'm fond of, too.

Misleading Men: Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant has starred in many beloved romantic comedies. And yet, his 1995 scandal in which he received oral sex from a prostitute remains one of his most indelible public performances. His appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno suggested another side of her persona -- and in a small but meaningful way, it's informed our relationship with his films ever since. My piece is up at MEL.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The Movie Review Lightning Round

In this week's episode of the Grierson & Leitch podcast, Will and I go through a ton of movies in a short time. So, if you'd like reviews of Pete's Dragon, Sausage Party, Florence Foster Jenkins, Hell or High Water, Blood Father and Spaceman, you've come to the right place. And in our Reboot section, we go back to 1954 and Rear Window. Check it all out here.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Meryl, Dragons, Animated Food and 'Hell or High Water'

The lovely Barbara Bogaev filled in for Madeleine yesterday on Press Play, and Grae Drake and I had a fine time discussing Sausage Party, Florence Foster Jenkins, Pete's Dragon and Hell or High Water. You can hear our segment here.

'Florence Foster Jenkins' Review

Meryl Streep returns with Florence Foster Jenkins, based on the true story of a 1940s New York socialite who was famous for her terrible singing voice. So why was she such a sensation? This very enjoyable film doesn't dig deeply enough into that question. My review is up at The New Republic.