The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Emily Bronte, L.A. Crime and 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'

On our most recent episode, we review Wuthering Heights and Crime 101. Then, we go back to 2008 to reassess Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Does it still hold up? Those answers, and more, are available down below.

'Wuthering Heights' Review

Emerald Fennell's third film takes on Emily Bronte's beloved novel. Here's my take on her take on Wuthering Heights. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,' 'Him' and 'Predators'

Two not-good movies and one great movie are featured in this week's podcast. I stick up a little for Kogonada's latest, but the film to put on your radar is David Osit's superb documentary Predators. (As for Him, the less said the better.) Hear all our thoughts, and my reflections on the death of a friend, down below.

What Was the Funniest Film of 2023?

I have the answer over at Cracked.

'Dumb Money' and the Rise of the Crazy Fact-Based Comedy

Dumb Money is hardly the first recent comedy that explores a true story from an irreverent perspective. I examined what's behind this trend for Cracked.

The Best and Worst of the 2023 Summer Movie Season (Comedy Edition)

There were funny movies! There were movies that tried to be funny! I looked back at them all for Cracked.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Oppenheimer,' 'Barbie' and the New 'Mission: Impossible'

We were off last week, so there's a lot to discuss in our latest episode. Three big movies, and we tackle them all in depth. Have a listen.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Making Our Oscar Predictions (And Reviewing 'Creed III' and 'Babylon')

OK, let's do it. This week on the podcast, we guess what's going to win in the eight major Oscar categories. (Lots of disagreement, which means Sunday should be fairly unpredictable.) Elsewhere, we differ on Creed III. And, by popular demand, we go back and review Babylon, which came out too late for us to cover in December. Dig in down below.

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. 

'Babylon' Review

Babylon has inspired reviews that run the gamut. You can read mine over at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Blonde' and 'Bros'

We took a week off, so we're back with reviews of four new movies: Amsterdam, Blonde, Bros and The Greatest Beer Run Ever. Two we liked, two we didn't. Which were which? Find out below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': 'Tar,' 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' and 'Triangle of Sadness'

I was on KCRW yesterday with fellow critic Shawn Edwards to review this weekend's new movies. We disagreed about Tar, but other than that we're pretty simpatico on Amsterdam, Triangle of Sadness and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Hear our segment down below.

'Amsterdam' Review

When David O. Russell's latest wasn't featured at any of the fall film festivals, there was concern that it was a stinker. To be fair, 20th Century Studios is in such a weird limbo with its new parent company Disney that it's hard to know exactly what's going on with any of its movies. Still, I'm here to say that Amsterdam is a misfire.

I'm Already Dreading the 'Barbie'/'Oppenheimer' Showdown

On July 21, 2023, two highly anticipated films will be coming out. That should be exciting, but for MEL, I wrote about why the battle between Barbie and Oppenheimer fans is going to be the death of me. Hope you enjoy.

(Thanks for the artwork, Bryan Jones.)

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Suicide Squad,' 'Annette' and 'John and the Hole'

We reviewed three new movies on this week's episode. We disagreed about two of them. (And even the one we both gave thumbs-up to, only one of us is pretty ecstatic about it.) Hear the whole thing down below.

'The Suicide Squad' Review

What a delight The Suicide Squad is. And what a surprise, too. Here's my review for Screen International.

The State of the DC Extended Universe

With Birds of Prey out and Wonder Woman 1984 on the horizon, it seemed like a good time to check in on the so-called DCEU. These films can't compete with Marvel, not yet, but maybe there's hope on the horizon. We broke down the franchise's five best offerings for SyFy.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Parasite' Pulls Off the Upset

That screaming you may have heard last night? That was me when Parasite won Best Director and Best Picture at the Oscars. On this week's podcast, we recap the show, review Birds of Prey, debate The Lodge and look back at The 400 Blows. Hope you enjoy.

'Birds of Prey' and the Challenges of Extending Cinematic Universes

Birds of Prey is Warner Bros.' attempt to grow its DC Cinematic Universe. But are there limits to spinoffs and sequels? And how does that play into Hollywood's increased pressure for greater diversity in its casting? I wrestled with all that over at MEL.

'Birds of Prey' Review

I think Margot Robbie is very good in this movie. I don't think much else is. My review is up at Screen International.