The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Tim Talks About Cannes, Will Talks About 'Is God Is' and 'Obsession'

I'm still in Cannes, but I sent in a voice note from the festival for this week's episode of the podcast in which I discussed some early highlights, including Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Meanwhile, Will soloed on two of the weekend's big releases. Hear our separate chats below.

Cannes 2026: 'Paper Tiger' Review

James Gray's sixth film to screen in competition at Cannes stars Adam Driver and Miles Teller as brothers in New Jersey in the 1980s who get involved with mobsters. Things do not go well. Here's my review of Paper Tiger.  

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Michael,' 'Mother Mary' and 'Over Your Dead Body'

Two very different musicians are featured in new movies in this week's episode. And we also look at Jorma Taccone's Over Your Dead Body. Which film did we disagree on? You'll have to listen to find out.

'Eternity' Review

A romantic triangle in the afterlife? That's the premise of Eternity, an A24 romantic comedy that I wish I liked better. You can read my review here.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Lightyear,' 'Spiderhead,' 'Leo Grande' and 'Cha Cha Real Smooth'

So many movies to go through on this week's episode! We've got animated blockbusters, quirky thrillers, a thoughtful character drama about sex, and Cooper Raiff's followup to Shithouse. Hear the whole thing down below.

'Spiderhead' Review

Spiderhead has an appealing just-messing-around quality that I think ends up working for this slight but funky thriller in which Chris Hemsworth conducts a series of experiments on prisoner Miles Teller. My review is up at Screen International.

Talking About Film Festivals and Scouting (and 'The Godfather') With Keith Law

Recently, I was thinking about how Keith Law's job isn't that different than mine when I go to a film festival. Weirdly enough, completely independently he was thinking the same thing. So we had a talk about it. (Plus, he and his wife just watched all three Godfather movies for the first time, and he wanted to discuss that trilogy and Al Pacino's role in it.) Very happy to be back on The Keith Law Show. You can hear my episode below.

'Top Gun: Maverick' Review

The long-awaited Tom Cruise sequel has gotten stellar notices. I'm a little more mixed on it: You can read my Screen International review here.

Weighing 'The Offer'

I probably enjoyed this silly, shallow Paramount+ series more than most. But this dramatized look at the making of The Godfather isn't without serious flaws. My piece is up at MEL.

Five Replacements for 'Top Gun: Maverick'

The long-awaited Top Gun sequel was supposed to come out today. Well, now you have to wait until Christmas. For Vulture, here are five streamable alternatives to tide you over, including a forgotten 1980s Clint Eastwood thriller.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Thank You for Your Suburbicon, Manchurian Candidate

On this week's episode, we lament Suburbicon while sticking up for the underrated Thank You for Your Service. Then, in the Reboot section, we look back at 1962's The Manchurian Candidate. You can listen to the whole thing down below.

'Thank You for Your Service' Review

Miles Teller is having a very good October. I liked him quite a bit in Only the Brave, and now he's in Thank You for Your Service, a look at Iraq War veterans who come home, unable to cope with civilian life. I reviewed the film for Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Sacred Deer,' 'Wonderstruck' and 'The Fugitive'

This week's episode is jam-packed with films. First, Will and I dig into The Killing of a Sacred Deer. Then, I go solo on Wonderstruck and Only the Brave, two movies I liked for very different reasons. After that, I ask Will some questions about The Snowman, a film that seems too ridiculous to be believed. Finally, we revisit The Fugitive in our Reboot segment. I'll admit it: I've never loved that movie. You can hear the whole thing here.

'Only the Brave' Review

I have to admit that I was skeptical about Only the Brave, a true-life drama about wilderness firefighters battling a horrific blaze. But what intrigued me was that the film was directed by Joseph Kosinski, who's best known for Tron: Legacy, a visually spectacular sci-fi flick. His latest movie doesn't lead with its visuals: It's a modest but resonant ensemble piece starring Josh Brolin, Miles Teller and Jennifer Connelly. Only the Brave may be conventional, but it's smart and it's thoughtful and it works. My review is up at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Debating 'War Dogs,' 'Lo and Behold' and 'Breaking Away'

This week's installment of the Grierson & Leitch podcast finds me and my buddy disagreeing on two films: the Iraq War satire War Dogs and Werner Herzog's latest documentary, Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World. Then, in our Reboot section, we discuss the 1979 coming-of-age drama Breaking Away. Hope you enjoy.

'War Dogs' Review

I wanted to like War Dogs. Miles Teller and Jonah Hill play Miami bros who make a bundle during the Iraq War selling guns. It's based on a true story. So what went wrong? That's where I come in. My review is up at The New Republic.

'Fantastic Four' Review

For the first 30 minutes, I was down with Fantastic Four. But soon after, the movie starts going off the rails -- and it never recovers. A fine group of young actors are thoroughly wasted in this misbegotten superhero movie, which I reviewed for Screen International.

'Two Night Stand' Review

Sometimes, I'll sit through a romantic comedy and think, "Thank heavens I'm married and don't have to deal with this nonsense anymore." Such a sensation occurred during the perfectly pleasant, utterly disposable Two Night Stand, which stars the likable Miles Teller and Analeigh Tipton. Alas, the movie fades from memory even while you're watching it. I reviewed Two Night Stand for Screen International.

Sundance 2014: 'Whiplash' Review

Whiplash, the opening night film at Sundance, features great performances from Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons. And it's about an intriguing subject, following an ambitious aspiring drummer as he goes mano-a-mano with a maniacal instructor. What's the cost of genius? The movie explores that question with appropriate thoughtfulness, even if its resolution isn't as satisfying as I might have liked. My review is up at Paste.

'Project X' Review

When I first saw the trailer for Project X back in November, I seriously thought for a second that it was a horror movie. (With all the hand-held found-footage shots, it just seemed obvious.) But, no, Project X is a teen comedy that incorporates the what-you're-seeing-is-real gimmick to tell the story of some nerds who throw an epic party. Apparently, being a high school kid in Pasadena in the 21st century is way more awesome than it was being a high school kid in a small town in Illinois back in the day. My Project X review is up at Deadspin. (And, for what it's worth, I'm kicking myself I didn't mention in my review the awesomely huh? cameo from Miles Teller in the movie.)