Friday, May 28, 2021

Let's Rank Zack Snyder Films


Now that Army of the Dead is out, we have to ask: Where does it rank among Zack Snyder's movies? We have the answer over at Vulture.

Jungle Brothers - "Beyond This World"

First you crawl before you walk
First you think before you talk
I found in life that you wear a hard hat
Protect your mind and bad things will stay back

(Happy Memorial Day weekend, folks.)

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

'Cruella' Review


Cruella looks great. And Emma Stone is fun in it. Otherwise? It just feels like another needless prequel/reboot. My review is up at Screen International.

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Why I Love Bob Dylan's Singing Voice


Bob Dylan turned 80 yesterday. Over at InsideHook, they're spending all week running pieces about the man and his music. My contribution was writing about Dylan's singing voice, which is an underrated weapon in his arsenal. This was a lot of fun.

Monday, May 24, 2021

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Fighting About 'New Order'


It was one of my favorite films I saw in 2020. This year, New Order finally had its official release in the U.S. We talked about it on this week's podcast, as well as reviewed Army of the Dead and The Killing of Two Lovers. Hear the whole thing down below.

Friday, May 21, 2021

'In the Heights' Review


I went into In the Heights not knowing a ton about the musical. In terms of movies, it's not as great as Hamilton, but it's still pretty darn strong. My review is here.

Jorja Smith (featuring Shaybo) - "Bussdown"

Have a laid-back weekend, everybody.

Thursday, May 20, 2021

'Revenge of the Sith' and the End of George Lucas' Reign


When I was doing research for my piece on the anniversary of Revenge of the Sith's release, I found this quote from an anonymous studio executive back when the prequels were first announced: "Somebody else doing Star Wars means nothing; George Lucas doing it means everything." And then I knew I had my in to talk about Lucas' legacy. My piece is up at SyFy.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

'A Quiet Place Part II' Review


Looking at the early reviews of A Quiet Place Part II, I'm apparently on the high side in terms of reactions. I think it's better than the original. You can read my review here.

'F9' Review


F9 is so big and so dumb and so silly and I enjoyed a lot of it. But I'm sorry, it's just so dumb. My review is up at Screen International.

Hot Docs 2021: 'The Sparks Brothers' Review


I can't say I'm the biggest Sparks fan. I know their music, but I'm far from a devotee. But several days of intense listening followed up with Edgar Wright's new documentary about the band helped turn me around. Here's my review of The Sparks Brothers.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Woman in the Window' and Other Stinkers


Three new movies on this week's podcast, and I think they're all bad. First, we differ on Those Who Wish Me Dead. Then, we lament Amy Adams' decision to be in The Woman in the Window. Finally, we try to figure out why Chris Rock is so bad in Spiral: From the Book of Saw. Hear the whole bloody thing down below. 

Friday, May 14, 2021

Thursday, May 13, 2021

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': 'The Killing of Two Lovers' Is the Highlight of This Weekend's Movies


I was on KCRW today to discuss Spiral, Those Who Wish Me Dead and Oxygen. But my colleague Shawn Edwards and I most enjoyed Robert Machoian's minimalist drama. You can hear our segment down below.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

'Those Who Wish Me Dead' Review


Hitmen, firefighters, kids in peril, Angelina Jolie: Those Who Wish Me Dead has some interesting elements going for it, but I found the film wanting. My review is up at Screen International.

'The Mummy' Has Held Up Really Well

More than 20 years after it came out, 1999's The Mummy is still silly, goofy, scary fun. How did that happen? I wrote about it over at SyFy.

'Spiral: From The Book Of Saw' Review


Chris Rock came up with an idea for a Saw movie. And so we now have Spiral. The idea isn't bad but Rock, surprisingly, is. You can read my review here.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Let's Rank Guy Ritchie's Movies


Now that Wrath of Man is out, we have a list over at Vulture evaulating all the director's films. Verdict: Many of them are just OK. You can check out the rankings here.

'Army of the Dead' Review


Zack Snyder's Justice League was sprawling, ambitious, fascinating ... and it still didn't entirely work. I found myself less forgiving of Army of the Dead, which feels less inspired and impassioned. My review is up at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Jason Statham, Billy Crystal and 'Bamboozled'


I wasn't a fan of either of the new movies we reviewed on this week's episode. You can hear us discuss Wrath of Man and Here Today, but the best part of the show is our long talk about Spike Lee's divisive satire from 2000. You can hear the whole thing down below.