Berlin 2025: 'Mickey 17' Review

I'm not in Berlin, but for Screen International I reviewed one of the festival's high-profile premieres. Here are my thoughts on Bong Joon Ho's latest.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Raving About 'Poor Things' and 'The Zone of Interest'

We're back from a week off, and we've got reviews of two major releases, Poor Things and The Zone of Interest. We then have an epic disagreement about Leave the World Behind. Check it out down below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': 'Lucy and Desi' and 'Gold'

Christy Lemire and I dug into four new releases on KCRW last week, including Turning Red and The Adam Project. But let me direct you to the two films that are a little more under-the-radar: Zac Efron plays a guy trying to stay alive in the desert in Gold, while Amy Poehler makes a documentary about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. You can hear our segment down below. 

When the MCU Actors Weren't in the MCU

There's a whole crop of world-class actors starring in the Avengers films. But for MEL, I decided to spotlight their best non-MCU work. Take a look.

'I Know This Much Is True' Review

Mark Ruffalo is very sad in this TV adaptation of the Wally Lamb novel. And his character -- actually, both of his characters -- has much to be sad about. But unceasing misery does not necessarily guarantee great drama. For MEL, I reviewed I Know This Much Is True.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Crip Camp,' 'Margaret' and Looking Back at 1989

On this week's podcast, we review one new movie, the Sundance opener Crip Camp, and then discuss the extended cut of Kenneth Lonergan's divisive Margaret.

But first, as part of our new series, we do a deep dive on one movie year. Welcome to 1989, a time of Do the Right Thing, Roger & Me and Driving Miss Daisy. Hear the whole thing down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The Marvel Cinematic Universe and 'Goldfinger'

We went long on Avengers: Endgame -- tons of spoilers, folks -- and then, in our Reboot segment, we talk Goldfinger on its 55th anniversary. Check it out.

'Avengers: Endgame' Review

Avengers: Endgame < Avengers: Infinity War. The new film is pretty entertaining, but it's not quite the home run you might be hoping for. My review is up at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Cameron Post,' Pooh and 'Zodiac'

On this week's episode, we talk briefly about The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Christopher Robin, even Better Call Saul. But we spend most of our time on our Reboot segment, where we dissect Zodiac. Check out the whole show down below.

Actors Who Took Over Iconic Roles

Alden Ehrenreich plays Han Solo in the new Star Wars standalone movie. That's a tough task; everybody thinks of Harrison Ford in that role. With that in mind, for this week's Debate Club, we highlight five actors who faced similar challenges. You can read it here.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The Latest Marvel Blockbuster and 'True Romance'

What would the impetuous lovers in True Romance think of Avengers: Infinity War? My guess is Christian Slater's character would be sick of the Marvel machine, but maybe Patricia Arquette would get a kick out of it? Regardless, those are the two movies we tackle on this week's podcast. You can hear it all below.

'Avengers: Infinity War' Review

Yeah, I think Avengers: Infinity War is terrific. My review is up at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Thor, 'Lady Bird' and 'Punch-Drunk Love'

On this week's episode, we cover a lot of movies -- well, I do. Will and I review Thor: Ragnarok, while I go solo to discuss Last Flag Flying, Lady Bird and LBJ. Then, we take a little time raving about Punch-Drunk Love, which isn't getting any less wonderful over time. You can hear the whole thing here.

'Thor: Ragnarok' Review

You know, I just like the Thor movies. I like that they're goofy, and I like how Chris Hemsworth plays the guy. So I liked Thor: Ragnarok, which is very self-mockingly silly but also kinda sweet. I reviewed the film for Screen International.

'Now You See Me 2' Review

Folks, I thought the original Now You See Me was dumb, dumb, dumb and smug, smug, smug. The sequel is a bit better, but I still find its maniacal self-confidence and giddy pleasure at fooling us pretty annoying. I reviewed it for Screen International.

Oscars 2016: Predicting the Nominees

Tomorrow morning, the Oscar nominations are unveiled. Over at The New Republic, Will and I make our guesses about the eight major categories. I feel relatively good about them at the moment. We'll see how I feel in less than 24 hours.

In Praise of 'Shutter Island'

My thanks to Decider, who asked me to contribute to their Scorsese Week. Today, I wrote about my undying love for Shutter Island ... and why the movie has been misjudged in the spoiler-alert era. (Hint: Guessing the twist isn't the point.) Hope you enjoy.

On the Simplicity of 'Spotlight'

I was curious to watch Spotlight a second time after reviewing it back in late August. Seeing it with fresh eyes, I'm less bothered by this movie's limitations: It's clearly a strong, smart, simple piece of storytelling. And I don't mean "simple" as an insult, as I explain in my new Deadspin article.

Venice 2015: 'Spotlight' Review

Spotlight is the best film director Tom McCarthy has made since The Station Agent. (This is not as high praise as it should be considering a few clunkers he's made in the interim.) It tells the true story of the Boston Globe reporters who investigated cover-ups in the Catholic Church in the early 2000s. Smart ensemble, brisk pacing, intelligently made: Spotlight might not be scintillating, but it's a job well done. I reviewed the film for Screen International.

Debating 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'

This weekend, I went on Mousterpiece Cinema to speak with Josh Spiegel and Gabe Bucsko about Avengers: Age of Ultron. And, boy, did we talk: We chatted for 90 minutes about the film, the franchise, Joss Whedon, Marvel, feminism, comic-book movies, and why Ant-Man could be the studio's Cars 2. (I think I scared Josh with that last point.) You can hear the whole thing here.