For One Night Only, the Groundlings Performed 'A Chorus Line'

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Last Thursday, the Groundlings hosted an event called One Night Only. Here was the premise: A cast of alums, friends and current cast members were given about 24 hours to prepare to stage a classic musical for a paying audience. The night was for charity, and those who attended (like me) had no idea what the musical would be until we got there. Turns out, it was A Chorus Line, and it was a magical, emotional, very funny evening. I wrote about it in detail for Cracked.

Telling Melissa McCarthy's Story in Only Five Movies

If you only had five films to encapsulate The Little Mermaid star Melissa McCarthy's career, which would you choose? Here are the ones I picked.

I Miss the Jason Sudeikis of "Two A-Holes"

This may have been the last season of Ted Lasso. I only saw the first season, which I didn't love, but I have a suggestion for what he should do next. My tribute to his underrated Saturday Night Live recurring character is over at Cracked.

When 'Saturday Night Live' Stars Get Serious

For Cracked, I picked the finest dramatic work from several high-profile SNL cast members. I imagine some will disagree with my choices, but that's part of the fun, right? Hope you enjoy.

My 2023 Comedy Preview

What funny TV shows, movies and live events are worth getting excited about this year? Over at Cracked, I highlighted 10 intriguing possibilities. 

What Paul Feig Pulled Off With 'Bridesmaids'

In light of the release of The School for Good and Evil, I wanted to look back at a much better Paul Feig film, one that helped changed Hollywood. For Cracked, I wrote about the groundbreaking Bridesmaids.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Daniel Kaluuya, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Yeun and 'Barb & Star'

I was on KCRW alongside Carlos Aguilar to review Judas and the Black Messiah, French Exit, Minari and Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar. A fun time was had by all. Hope you enjoy.

'Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar' Review

There is a lot of stuff that's funny in Barb & Star. There is a lot of stuff that drags. I wrestled with my conflicted feelings about this proudly absurdist comedy over at MEL.

The 2020 Movies That Aren't Based on Anything

No reboots. No sequels. No adaptations. For MEL, I previewed this year's most intriguing original films. Enjoy!

When Funny Actors Get Serious

Over at SyFy, we pick five great genre performances in which normally comedic actors had to do drama. No. 1 was very, very easy. You can read the whole thing here.

'Downsizing' Review

Alexander Payne's latest is his weakest. But it's not without its rewards; it's a flawed but still affecting work. Matt Damon plays a man who decides to get miniaturized, and let's just say it doesn't work out how he imagined. I reviewed the film, warts and all, for Paste.

'Despicable Me 3' Review

Let me start by mentioning this:

You're not gonna get a better pull quote than @TimGrierson's tonight: "that movie makes you want to put your junk in a microwave."

— Todd Gilchrist (@mtgilchrist) June 27, 2017

Yup, I said it, and I was referring to Despicable Me 3, which I also told Todd was like an advertisement for birth control. I'm not opposed to kids' films, but when they're this witless, they're a pox. My review is up at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Woody Allen and the Lady Ghostbusters

For the latest episode of the Grierson & Leitch podcast, Will and I review Ghostbusters and Cafe Society. (On one of those two movies, we disagree.) And then, for our Reboot segment, we tackle Gattaca. You can check out the whole thing here.

'What the Flick?!': Debating 'Ghostbusters,' 'Cafe Society' and 'The Night Of'

It's entirely a coincidence, but I returned to What the Flick?! on the same week that Woody Allen has a new movie. (One of the last times I was on the show was to talk about Irrational Man.) I'm back to defend Cafe Society, and I also joined in on the discussions of Ghostbusters and The Infiltrator. Plus, since I've seen all but the last episode of The Night Of, I was happy to talk about the show's fantastic first episode.

'Ghostbusters' and the Don't-Screw-It-Up Franchise Culture

For The New Republic, I looked at the new Ghostbusters through the perspective of a Hollywood mentality that takes as few risks as possible with remakes/reboots of beloved properties. In such a climate, the closest a filmmaker can get to being daring is, well, switching the genders of the main characters. You can read my piece right here.

'Ghostbusters' Review

It took me about 20 minutes into Ghostbusters until I could finally relax and think, "OK, this is actually good." After months of so-so trailers and sexist online diatribes, this remake is pretty darn delightful -- and surprisingly emotional, to boot. But also just funny. My review is up at Screen International.

Toronto 2014: 'Welcome to Me' Review

I need to stop seeing Kristen Wiig movies in Toronto. At three separate festivals, I've sat through clunkers from the very talented former Saturday Night Live star. First was Imogene (later titled Girl Most Likely). Then came Hateship Loveship. This year, I tried Welcome to Me, a dark, dark comedy about a woman with mental issues who wins the lottery. It's another misfire, lamentably. Here's my review for Paste.

Toronto 2013: 'Hateship Loveship' Review

I may need to stop seeing Kristen Wiig movies at Toronto. Last year I reviewed the unfortunate Imogene. This year, I caught Hateship Loveship, which is better, but not better enough. Ms. Wiig goes into Serious Actor Mode for this new movie, which is not without its charms but isn't interesting enough to recommend. My review is up at Paste.

Toronto 2012: 'Imogene' Review

Man, Kristen Wiig doesn't look too happy in that photo, huh? This is a still from Imogene, a comedy starring the ex-Saturday Night Live comedienne as a flailing New York writer. It's a rather drab film, as I explain over at Screen International.