Venice 2025: 'Marc by Sofia' Review

Sofia Coppola has known fashion designer Marc Jacobs for more than 30 years. So, she decided to make a documentary about her friend. For Screen International, I reviewed Marc by Sofia. 

How Eleanor Coppola Helped 'Apocalypse Now'

For RogerEbert.com, I wrote about Eleanor Coppola, who died last week. My focus: her massive contribution to her husband's 1979 war epic, Apocalypse Now.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Reviewing 'Priscilla,' 'Nyad' and 'Fingernails'

We tackle three arthouse/indie/prestige films on this week's episode. I liked all three, Will liked only one. Give it a listen down below.

Phoenix (featuring Ezra Koenig) - "Tonight"

Does anyone else's brain work this way? This song, from Phoenix's 2022 album Alpha Zulu, features Ezra Koenig, and so I immediately try to figure out how that collaboration came about, how these people crossed paths. (It's sort of my own version of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.) 

Here's the easiest connection I could make: Phoenix's frontman is Thomas Mars, who is married to Sofia Coppola, who made On the Rocks, which starred Rashida Jones, who is married to Ezra Koenig. I'm sure there's another, easier answer, but I enjoy figuring out the connections between random famous people.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Our Big Fall Film Festival Preview and 'Dr. Strangelove'

On this week's episode, we select the films playing in Venice, Telluride and Toronto that we're most excited about. Then, we go back to 1964 to discuss Dr. Strangelove. Where does it rank among my favorites of Stanley Kubrick? Listen here:

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Talking About Bill Murray, Gloria Steinem and Kirsten Johnson

Several disagreements this week on the show. I like The Glorias more than Will does. He likes On the Rocks more than I do. But we're aligned on Dick Johnson Is Dead. You can hear the whole episode down below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': 'Forty-Year-Old Version,' Sofia Coppola, Dick Johnson and 'Save Yourselves!'

Lots of new movies to review: Katie Walsh and I spent a little time with Madeleine Brand on Friday to talk documentaries, sci-fi comedies and whatnot. Hear the episode down below. 

'On the Rocks' Review

Frothy comedies from major filmmakers are almost critic-proof. Complain that they're frothy and, the pushback will be, "Well, you see, it's supposed to be a light treat." Still, I found On the Rocks unsatisfying. 

For MEL, I wrote about the movie's most interesting dynamic: its study of infidelity, both in the past and the present, and how it challenges the bond between a daughter and her dad. Hope you enjoy.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Amy Schumer, Super Troopers and 'Lost in Translation'

On this week's episode, Will and I discuss I Feel Pretty. Then, we take turns soloing: He tells me about Kodachrome, and I tell him about Super Troopers 2. Finally, we look back at Lost in Translation. I have much to say about that film. You can hear the whole conversation down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Nobody Speak,' 'Inside Moves' and 'Baby Driver'

Will and I tackled six movies on the most recent podcast. I talked about The Big Sick and The Beguiled. We both reviewed Transformers: The Last Knight and Baby Driver. We sorted out our personal feelings to discuss Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press. And, in our Reboot section, we looked back at Inside Moves. An epic episode, and you can hear it all below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Transformers, 'The Bad Batch,' Romantic Comedies and 'The Beguiled'

Always fun to be on Press Play. This week, I guest alongside Alicia Malone, and we review Transformers: The Last Knight, The Bad Batch, The Beguiled, The Big Sick and Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press. We had fun, fun, fun ... you can hear the whole thing here.

Cannes 2017: 'The Beguiled' Review

Sofia Coppola is back with her first feature since the slightly disappointing The Bling Ring. The Beguiled is a huge step up -- and maybe her best film since Marie Antoinette. Colin Farrell plays a wounded Union soldier who's taken in by a girls' school in Virginia run by Nicole Kidman. Heavily atmospheric and very thought-provoking, it packs a punch in just over 90 minutes. My review is live at Screen International.

'A Very Murray Christmas' Review

A Very Murray Christmas, the quirky new Netflix holiday special starring Bill Murray, will be an interesting litmus test for how people feel about the Oscar-nominated actor. Personally, I've come to enjoy the idea of Bill Murray more than the actual performer, and the reasons why are pretty evident in this one-hour program. I get into that over at The Wrap.

Cannes 2013: 'The Bling Ring' Review

When The Bling Ring comes out later this year, it's going to be endlessly compared to Spring Breakers. For the record, I think Harmony Korine's film is far superior. Writer-director Sofia Coppola's dark drama hits the same intriguing note again and again and again until it loses its effectiveness. I go into more detail in my Paste review.