A History of the Joker Being Funny (or Not)

In honor of Joker: Folie à Deux, I wrote a little something for Cracked about the Clown Prince of Crime. Specifically, I tried to answer this question: Is the Joker actually a funny supervillain? Hope you enjoy.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,' 'Rebel Ridge' and My Fall Film Festival Report

We're back! It's been several weeks, but on this week's episode, we reunite to discuss Tim Burton's smash sequel and Jeremy Saulnier's quietly great Netflix thriller. Also, I talk a bit about Venice and Toronto. Check it all out below.
 

Let's Talk About 'Mars Attacks!'

It's been 24 years since Tim Burton's oddball sci-fi/comedy/alien-invasion flick attacked multiplexes. For SyFy, I look back at the legacy of Mars Attacks!

Misleading Men: Michael Keaton

I don't think people properly appreciate Michael Keaton's career in the 1980s, when he was primarily focused on being a comedic actor. I took a look back for MEL, including talking about his stand-up a little.

Let's Talk About 'Batdance'

The summer of 1989 was all about Batman. It was also about Prince's soundtrack to the smash film. For MEL, I wrote a lot about the legacy of one weird No. 1 hit, "Batdance."

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Diane' Is Good, 'Dumbo' and 'The Beach Bum' Are Not

On this week's podcast, we review Dumbo, The Highwaymen and The Beach Bum. I also spend a little time talking about an actual good movie, Diane. Hear the whole thing down below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Elephants, Stoners, Lawmen, 'Diane' and Agnes Varda

I was very happy to be with TCM's Alicia Malone on Press Play yesterday, especially because we talked a little about the passing of Agnes Varda. (Actually, Alicia took the lead, for obvious reasons.) Then we reviewed Dumbo, The Highwaymen, Diane and The Beach Bum. You can hear the whole thing here.

What's Tim Burton's Best Movie?

That's the question we wrestle with over at Vulture.

'Dumbo' Review

Like plenty of other Tim Burton protagonists, Dumbo is an outsider in a cruel world in Dumbo. There are a lot of fascinating components to this live-action film -- specifically, how it echoes themes from his earlier work -- but it's still a thumbs-down for me. My review is up at Screen International.

The Most Romantic Sci-Fi/Fantasy Moments

Happy Valentine's Day. For Debate Club, we highlight the genre movies that have the most romantic scenes. Gotta love a list that features both Upstream Color and Wall-E. Read it all over at SyFy.

The Worst Sci-Fi Remakes

Egads, these are bad .... and they're over at SyFy.

The Best Scary Movies for Kids

For this week's Debate Club, we highlight movies that will help acclimate your little ones to scary movies. Think Beetlejuice, not Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Hope you enjoy.

Superheroes and Their Codpieces

For MEL, I wrote at length, heh, about our fascination with superheroes' genitalia. It's actually pretty fascinating: We as a society are both obsessed with costumed characters and kinda terrified by their packages. Check it out.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Talking 'Deepwater Horizon' and 'American Honey'

I was on KCRW's Press Play on Friday alongside Amy Nicholson to discuss this weekend's releases. This allowed me another chance to tell the world how dumb Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is. Amy reviews Masterminds, and the two of us weigh in on Deepwater Horizon and American Honey. You can listen to the whole thing here.

'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children' Review

I'm not sure it's possible for me to ever enjoy another of Tim Burton's super-Burton-esque films. With his latest, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, he again indulges his favorite themes and visual tics. It's so exhausting. I reviewed the movie for Screen International.

My Interview With Christoph Waltz

For Rolling Stone, I spoke with Christoph Waltz, who is a highlight of the forthcoming Big Eyes. I like a subject who's thoughtful with his answers, who doesn't just give me the same rehearsed spiel he'd delivered to everyone else. That didn't feel like the case when he and I talked: He seemed genuinely mystified by journalists' fascination with the acting process, and he wanted to have a conversation about it. You can read my profile of Mr. Waltz here.

2014 in Review: The Year's Biggest Comebacks

Before we salute 2014's best (and worst), let's take a moment to salute the people and things that came in from the cold this year, becoming relevant again for the first time in forever. That includes Beck, the Kansas City Royals and (sigh) the Republican Party. I picked 20 of the year's biggest comebacks for Rolling Stone.

My Interview With Krysten Ritter

For Backstage, I sat down with Krysten Ritter, one of the stars of Big Eyes. We talked about the movie, being a longtime Tim Burton fan, and why auditions and talk shows make her nervous. You can read the whole interview here.

'Big Eyes' Review

With the exception of Ed Wood and Mars Attacks!, the last two decades haven't been very kind to Tim Burton. So what a relief it is to say that his new movie is a kick. Based on the life of painter Margaret Keane, Big Eyes features very good performances from Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz. Plus, it's a fun little treatise on artistic expression. My review is up at Screen International.

'Frankenweenie' Review

It is a backhanded compliment to say that Frankenweenie is Tim Burton's best films in years. (Yes, even better than Alice in Wonderland!) I've long since tired of the man's visual shtick, but his latest film contains some of his most affecting work in quite a while. Still, it's a bit of a mess. My review is up at Screen International. (And, seriously, the dog's pretty darn adorable.)