My Interview With Lynne Littman and Jane Alexander, the Team Behind 'Testament'

You may remember that, a couple years ago, I wrote a piece about some of the major nuclear-war films of the early 1980s. One of those was Testament, which has meant a lot to me since seeing it as a child. 

Well, that film is now part of the Criterion Collection, a development that thrilled me. To celebrate, I interviewed director Lynne Littman and star Jane Alexander over Zoom, hearing their stories about the film's making. We discussed motherhood, death, bad dreams, Oscar season, and why we're still living on the edge of destruction. You can read my piece over at Film Comment.

Fantasia 2026: 'Rubberhead: The Life & Monsters of Steve Johnson' Review

Anyone who came of age loving practical effects will probably dig Rubberhead, a documentary about makeup effects artist Steve Johnson who was the mastermind behind films like Ghostbusters during his heyday in the 1980s and early 1990s. Eventually, though, the industry changed and he faced some personal issues. The movie goes into all of that. My review is here. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Toy Story 5,' 'The Death of Robin Hood' and 'The Last Temptation of Christ'

Animation and death run rampant on this week's episode. Will and I compare notes on Toy Story 5 while wondering what went wrong with Hugh Jackman's dark take on Robin Hood. Then, in our Reboot segment, we go back to 1988 to discuss Martin Scorsese's controversial The Last Temptation of Christ. Lots of good stuff here, which you can hear down below.

'Masters of the Universe' Review

I wouldn't go so far as to say that I liked Masters of the Universe. But I do think it's trying to do some interesting things, and I appreciated the effort. My review is up at Screen International. 

Everything but the Girl - "Each and Every One"

I'm delighted that, after all this time, I still discover songs and albums Susan loved before we were dating. Everything but the Girl's first record, 1984's Eden, was a big one for her at a certain time in her life. The opening track, and fairly big single, "Each and Every One" sounds like a breakup song. But Tracey Thorn revealed in 2023 that it was about something else:

I’d been in the Marine Girls. We were three naive school girls making indie music, and we got a bit more attention than we might have expected. We got written about in the music press, but often in a patronizing tone of voice. When I got a year or so older, I looked at it and thought, “I used to think that was a compliment, but actually it’s quite patronizing.” I expressed those feelings in a slightly coded way in “Each and Every One,” so people have always interpreted it as a love song. It sounds like I’m singing to an annoying boyfriend or something. And it doesn’t matter, in a way—what comes through is a sentiment of, “I don’t like being told what to do. I don’t like to be put in my place.” 

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Michael Jackson, 'Blue Heron' and 'I Swear'

I was back on Press Play, this time alongside Christy Lemire, to discuss a variety of new movies. We've got biopics: Michael and I Swear. We've got violent dark comedies: Over Your Dead Body. And we've got the critically acclaimed indie Blue Heron. You can hear our thoughts down below.

'Michael' Review

Sight unseen, there were reasons to dread Michael. And, indeed, the movie is a stinker, both in terms of what it shows and what it leaves out about Michael Jackson's life. My review is up at Screen International. 

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Rob Reiner's Impact on Movies and Politics

When someone in the film industry passes, Madeleine Brand will often ask me to come on the show to talk about that person's legacy. I was touched to go on Press Play to eulogize Rob Reiner, both as a filmmaker and as an activist. My segment was up first, if you'd like to listen below.

'Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere' Review

How did Bruce Springsteen make his risky, groundbreaking 1982 album Nebraska? Deliver Me From Nowhere dives into this pivotal period in the songwriter's career. My review is up at Screen International. 

'Peak Movies: 1985': Let's Revisit 'Agnes of God' and 'Ran'

I was very flattered to be asked to join my buddies Eric Normington and Scott Rognlien on their podcast Peak Movies: 1985, which looks back at the major films released each weekend during that year. And I was especially thrilled to talk about Ran, which might be my favorite Kurosawa. We also discussed Agnes of God, which I had never seen. Both films came out September 27, 1985. You can hear our thoughts down below:

Robert Redford's Essential Films

I teamed up with other Rolling Stone colleagues to list 20 must-see Robert Redford movies. You can read me on The Natural, Indecent Proposal and All Is Lost here. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Previewing Fall Festival Season and 'Paris, Texas'

Greetings from Venice. Before I left for the festival, Will and I recorded an episode looking at the movies we're most intrigued by that will be premiering here, Telluride or Toronto. Lots of good stuff there. Then, we go back to 1984's Paris, Texas, which I now really need to see on the big screen. Check out our conversation down below. 

My Interview With Spinal Tap

They're back, and they're louder and dumber than ever. For the Los Angeles Times, I sat down with Spinal Tap to talk about politics, doves and their new movie, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. Check it out. 

(Photo by Jason Armond.) 

'Devo' Review

I saw Devo at Sundance in 2024. At long last, the film is now available to watch for everybody else. My review is up at the A.V. Club.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Marvel's First Family, 'Happy Gilmore 2' and 'Tampopo'

Great episode, but not necessarily because of the new movies we reviewed. We start by discussing The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Happy Gilmore 2. But the real fun comes during our Reboot segment, when we look back at 1985's Tampopo, which is a wonderful film. Check it out down below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Lamenting 'Smurfs,' Debating 'Eddington'

Katie Walsh and I were at the KCRW studios yesterday to talk about this weekend's major movie releases. My big takeaway? Lots of stinkers! 

You can hear our reviews of Eddington, Smurfs and I Know What You Did Last Summer down below. (We also discuss an upcoming 70mm screening of 1984's Streets of Fire.)

What's the Funniest Moment in 'This Is Spinal Tap'?

This Is Spinal Tap returns to theaters this weekend in a remastered, restored version. For Cracked, I ranked this all-time comedy's 50 best moments. Enjoy! 

My Interview With Jonathan Gould, Author of 'Burning Down the House'

Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock is an exhaustive biography of the seminal band and the city that shaped them. For Paste, I talked to author Jonathan Gould (himself a musician) to discuss many things: David Byrne's autism, Stop Making Sense's greatness, and why the band is never ever getting back together. You can read my Q&A here.

'Deaf President Now!' Review

I missed Deaf President Now! at Sundance, but I'd heard good things about this documentary that looks back at a 1988 student protest at the only all-Deaf university. (The gist: The students wanted a Deaf president. The board of trustees had other ideas.) My review is here.

'The Next Picture Show': Let's Talk About 'Bull Durham'

So, this was fun: The gang over at The Next Picture Show asked me on as a guest. For those unfamiliar with that podcast, the hosts pair a current movie with an older, thematically-linked film. (The first episode is about the older film. The second episode focuses on the new film.) My episodes' theme was baseball movies, which makes sense since we're in the midst of spring training. This week: We talked about 1988's Bull Durham. Next week: To be continued. (But if you're paying attention to the indie release calendar, you can probably guess.)