Your John Candy Guide

Everybody loves Planes, Trains & Automobiles. But what should you watch next from the late comic? I put together a list for MEL.

IDFA 2020: 'Socks on Fire' Review

Bo McGuire has made a film about his dysfunctional family and his own personal journey as a gay artist. For Screen International, I reviewed Socks on Fire.

What Should We Watch This Weekend?

Normally, Thanksgiving weekend gives you lots of new movie options. Not this year, so let me offer streaming recommendations for every audience. Hope you enjoy.

'Lovers Rock' Review

 

Welcome to the party. For MEL, I reviewed the one-big-night drama Lovers Rock.

Wynton Marsalis - "Where or When"

For reasons I can now no longer remember, the 1990 Wynton Marsalis album Standard Time, Vol. 3: The Resolution of Romance came into my possession freshman year of college. Ladies and gentlemen, I listened to that album so much. Played into my melancholy, romantic view of myself back then. Glad I outgrew that time in my life. But the songs are still pretty.

Great Chess Movies

 
The Queen's Gambit is all the rage on Netflix. For Vulture, we made a list of essential chess movies to get your rook on. (That is not an actual expression. I'm trying to make it a thing.) Check it out here.

'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' Review

"Chadwick Boseman didn’t intend for his performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom to be his last. But everyone who watches the film will be thinking about the fact that it is."

I wrote about the film (and him) for MEL.

My Interview With John Dower, Director of 'The Mystery of D.B. Cooper'

In 1971, a man calling himself D.B. Cooper boarded a plane and told a flight attendant he had a bomb. Not long after, he had $200,000 in ransom money and four parachutes -- and he jumped out the back of the plane. He's never been found. The Mystery of D.B. Cooper investigates four people who insist they know who Cooper was. Are any of them right?

Director John Dower has made a film about the allure of certainty. He's not trying to solve the case. He's wondering what makes these people tick. I really enjoyed the documentary, and I enjoyed our interview, which is up at MEL.

'The Croods: A New Age' Review

Did people want more Croods? Well, too bad, because they're getting more Croods!

(For Screen International, I reviewed The Croods: A New Age.)

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Mangrove,' 'Sound of Metal' and 'Collective'

And, just like that, it feels like awards season. On this week's episode, we dig into three great movies. Hope you enjoy.

The Banal Tragedy of John Belushi's Death

When you think of John Belushi, do you think about his death? I think most people do; we create a narrative around him based on the sadness of his overdose. With a new documentary out about the Saturday Night Live funnyman, I meditated on the narrative of the live-fast-die-young celebrity. Hope you enjoy.

'Fruitvale Station' and Black Lives Matter

For MEL, I wrote about Ryan Coogler's first film, which is now on Netflix.

'Happiest Season' Review

Happiest Season comes in deceptively cheesy packaging: It's your typically silly Christmas movie, except for the fact that it's about a lesbian couple going home to see one of the partner's parents (who don't know she's gay). I appreciated the subversiveness of that approach ... but I wish the movie was smarter on the whole. My review is up at Screen International.

Jimmy Cliff - "Many Rivers to Cross"

“I never get tired of singing 'Many Rivers to Cross,' and you know why? Cause I still have many rivers to cross. They’re just different rivers.” -- Jimmy Cliff, 2012.

'Mangrove' Review

For the next five Fridays, Amazon Prime Video will be unveiling Steve McQueen's Small Axe anthology of films. First up is Mangrove, which I think is pretty damn great.

My Interview With 'Collective' Director Alexander Nanau

I spoke with Alexander Nanau last month for IDA. He and I chatted again for MEL to talk about his remarkable documentary Collective. Hope you enjoy.

Let's Rank Kevin Costner Movies

In honor of Let Him Go, we put together for Vulture a big list of Kevin Costner performances. Here's our rundown of all 42.

'Sound of Metal' Review

I was part of this year's Gothams nominating committee, which gave Riz Ahmed a nod for Sound of Metal, a movie I've been raving about since last year's Toronto Film Festival. For MEL, I wrote about a remarkable film.

Mel Gibson Isn't Going Away

As Fatman demonstrates, Mel Gibson is determined to be a part of our lives. Plus, he knows that you're aware of his toxic public persona and, well, he doesn't care. I wrote about the actor/director for MEL.

Just How Bad Is 'Interview With the Vampire'?

Anne Rice didn't want Tom Cruise to play the lead. Brad Pitt wanted to quit during the shoot. For SyFy, I look back at this thoroughly dopey vampire flick.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Hillbillies, 'Ammonite,' Bromances and 'Freaky'

On this week's episode, we have four new movies. Two I quite liked, one I gave a halfhearted recommendation, and one is Hillbilly Elegy. Hear the whole thing down below.

'Run' Review

I enjoyed Aneesh Chaganty's debut film, Searching. But I'm a little less enamored with his follow-up. I reviewed Run for Screen International. 

'69: The Saga of Danny Hernandez' Review

Hulu surprise-released a documentary this morning about Tekashi69, one of hip-hop's most notorious (and embattled) figures. For Screen International, I dug into 69.

My Interview With Madison Hamburg, Director of 'Murder on Middle Beach'

“I feel like releasing this series is going to make me whole again,” Madison Hamburg told me. He was talking about Murder on Middle Beach, his four-part documentary about the murder of his mother 10 years ago. The crime has yet to be solved, and the series is his way of processing that grief. He and I spoke about addiction and family over at MEL.

'The Climb' Review

In the last 18 months, I've seen The Climb three times. Not because I love it, mind you. I wrestled with my mixed feelings about this film over at MEL.

YG (featuring Nipsey Hussle) - "FDT"

My dirty little secret is that, as music, I think "FDT" is just OK. But the sentiment behind this song was never in question.

Warren Beatty: His Love Stories

For MEL, I wrote about Warren Beatty's filmography through the prism of his onscreen romances. (Spoiler Alert: Not many of them end up happy.) Hope you enjoy.

Why Is "You Shook Me All Night Long" Played at Every Wedding I Attend?

AC/DC have a new album coming out tomorrow. In honor of that occasion, I wrote about one of their most beloved songs ... and its weird popularity at wedding receptions. My essay is over at MEL.

'Fatman' Review

Mel Gibson as Santa Claus? Yup. I reviewed Fatman for Screen International.

2020 Gotham Awards Nominees

I was very happy to be invited once again this year to serve on one of the Gotham Awards juries. I was part of the committee that picked the nominees for Best Actor and Best Actress, and I was joined by Mark Harris, Christy Lemire, Jessica Kiang and Robert Daniels. I was thrilled with our choices, and you can see them all here.

I Was on 'The Great American Pop Culture Quiz Show'

I had a very fun time matching wits with Will Leitch and Katie Walsh on this episode. Topics included Lee Chang-dong, "When Doves Cry," Wilco, Alfred Hitchcock and MEL's "Women of Action" series. You can see how I did down below.

Misleading Men: Albert Brooks

I love the guy. You love the guy. So do we think we're the only ones? I wrote about the perpetually underrated Albert Brooks for MEL.

'Starship Troopers' and Our Fascist Present

For a movie that came out 23 years ago, Starship Troopers still has a lot to say. I talked about that over at SyFy.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Let Him Go,' 'Proxima' and 'The Fly'

I raved and raved and raved about the 1986 remake of The Fly on this week's episode. I also had nice things to say about Let Him Go (pity about the ending) and Proxima. And, yes, we talked about the election, too. Hope you enjoy. 

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Stop-Motion Animation, Kevin Costner and Bad Netflix Christmas Movies

I joined William Bibbiani on Friday's show to tackle a whole range of films. (I especially enjoyed ripping on Operation Christmas Drop.) You can hear our KCRW segment down below.

'Hillbilly Elegy' Review

Glenn Close and Amy Adams play mother and daughter in this adaptation of the J.D. Vance memoir about his Appalachian upbringing. For MEL, I wrote about the difference between empathy and genuine curiosity.

'Mank' Review

It is strange to be lukewarm on a David Fincher film. His movies are so obsessively crafted that they elicit strong reactions. But after two viewings, I feel pretty darn mixed on Mank. I dove deep in my MEL review.

Ann Peebles - "I Can't Stand the Rain"

There's a chance of rain this weekend here in Los Angeles. Susan and I both get awfully excited at that prospect.

'Industry' Review

A group of graduates start working together at a cutthroat London bank. Will they survive? And just how many drugs can they do? For MEL, I reviewed Industry.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Talking 'Come Play,' 'Caddyshack' and 'Out of the Past'

We talked about the election. And movies. But also the election. Yeah, we're a little stressed.

DOK Leipzig 2020: 'Truth or Consequences' Review

Filmmaker Hannah Jayanti visits the small, quirky New Mexico community to make a documentary about people who live outside the margins. I reviewed the film for Screen International.

Wrestling With the Problematic Legacy of Sean Connery

Sean Connery died today at the age of 90. He was a titan, but he also had some pretty abhorrent attitudes about women. How do those views dovetail with his most iconic role, James Bond? I wrote about it over at MEL.

Mary J. Blige - "Real Love"

I hope I'm happy in a week. 

'The Life Ahead' Review

Sophia Loren hasn't been the star of a film in quite some time. She returns for her son Edoardo Ponti's sentimental coming-of-age drama The Life Ahead. Sadly, I don't think the movie is very good.

DOK Leipzig 2020: 'The Annotated Field Guide of Ulysses S. Grant' Review

Jim Finn has made an essay film about white supremacy and Confederate monuments. And did you know how many board games there are of Civil War battles? For Screen International, I reviewed The Annotated Field Guide.

Busan 2020: 'Harami' Review

A teen pickpocket feels sorry for his victims. Will that prove to be an occupational hazard on the mean streets of Mumbai? For Screen International, I reviewed Harami.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Robert Zemeckis and 'Bad Hair'

On this week's episode, we review films currently available on Amazon, HBO Max and Hulu. (How many people have all three services?) You can hear all our takes down below.

This Is the History of Rock the Vote

For MEL, I talked to several people involved with Rock the Vote, both those who started it and those who now steer the ship. This is the organization's 30th anniversary. Is it still relevant? Hope you enjoy.

Going Back to 'The Ring'

It's been 18 years since the American remake of the J-horror classic hit theaters. (We were all so much younger back then.) Has it held up? Here are my thoughts.

IDA: My Conversation With Alexander Nanau, Director of 'Collective'

I was beyond pleased to speak with Alexander Nanau about his terrific film, which I think is the best documentary of the year so far. Thanks for having me, IDA.

'Bad Hair' Review

Social commentary and silly scares weave together in Bad Hair, the follow-up film from Dear White People writer-director Justin Simien. My review is up at MEL.

How Is the 2020 Borat Different Than the 2006 One?

 

Has Borat changed? Or have we? I share my thoughts over at MEL.

Chuck Berry - "Roll Over Beethoven"

Robert Zemeckis has a new movie out this weekend. I hate that, to this day, I always think of him when I think of Chuck Berry.

'Roald Dahl's The Witches' Review

The remake of The Witches might be the most generic film that Robert Zemeckis has ever made. So impersonal, so lazy, such a waste. I reviewed the HBO Max movie for Screen International.

'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm' Review

Funny as the first film? No. Still pretty fun? Yes. (And Maria Bakalova is terrific in it.) My review of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is live over at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Aaron Sorkin, David Byrne and 'Shithouse'

I gushed about American Utopia on this week's podcast. And, hey, we both liked The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Shithouse. Hear the whole episode down below.

'Fight Club' and Male Bonding

I saw Fight Club on opening night October 15, 1999. Today, I look back at a movie that still packs a punch. My piece is up at SyFy.

My Weakness for Aaron Sorkin

Lots of people can't stand Aaron Sorkin. I can't help it: I have a perverse fondness for his showboating style. For MEL, I talked about how his approach makes sense for The Trial of the Chicago 7.

'Social Distance' and the Problem With Quarantine Entertainment

The new Netflix anthology series was all filmed during lockdown, attempting to make sense of our COVID reality. For MEL, I explained why the rise of such programs doesn't work.

"Macho Man" and Donald Trump

The Village People hit is back in the news thanks to Donald Trump ... and Anderson Cooper. I explain the backstory over at MEL.

Robert De Niro, Sans Martin Scorsese

Sure, he's a great actor, but when you're making a list of great Robert De Niro performances, you tend to focus on his work with Martin Scorsese. So, I gave myself the challenge of picking the two-time Oscar-winner's best roles from the rest of his oeuvre. No problem.

'Contagion' in the Time of COVID

Will and I appeared on Who Won the Week? recently to discuss Contagion, which has become a very popular movie this year for obvious reasons. Our thanks to Jackie Jennings and the whole SyFy team for having us on.