'Thirteen Lives' Review

It's been 27 years since Ron Howard made Apollo 13. He's back with a very different true-life rescue story in Thirteen Lives, about the 2018 Thai soccer team that was trapped in a cave. My review is up at Screen International.

Fantasia 2022: 'Shin Ultraman' Review

It's already a huge hit in Japan, but now Shin Ultraman has made its way to North America. You can read my Screen International review here.

My Interview With Jono McLeod, Director of 'My Old School'

In 1993, a new student arrived at Bearsden Academy in Scotland. He said his name was Brandon Lee. None of his classmates, including Jono McLeod, thought he looked like a teenager. What followed was one of the country's greatest hoaxes. 

Decades later, McLeod has made a movie about that incident, My Old School. For MEL, I had a chat with the documentarian about con men, reverting to your high school self, and why he feels somewhat guilty about telling Brandon's story. Hope you enjoy.

Jerry Garcia - "Sugaree"

For whatever reason, this has become one of this year's summer jams.

'Nope' Review

As Robert Christgau once wrote about the Clash when they unveiled the bold, sprawling London Calling, "Here's where they start showing off." For Screen International, I reviewed Jordan Peele's most ambitious film yet, Nope.

Ryan Gosling, Action Hero?

It wasn't until I watched The Gray Man that I realized the La La Land star had never done a proper action movie before. For MEL, I explain why it works against his strengths.

"Fell In Love With a Girl" and the Era When We Thought Jack and Meg White Were Siblings

I feel like we as a society have forgotten that, for a little while, we believed that the members of the White Stripes were brother and sister. That was a lie concocted by Jack White, and it helped inspire my look back at the song that brought them to the world's attention. For MEL, I wrote about "Fell In Love With a Girl."

The Surprising Longevity of "I'd Buy That for a Dollar!"

Today is the 35th anniversary of RoboCop. To mark the occasion, I wrote about its most famous line of dialogue.

'The Gray Man' Review

Ryan Gosling gets his Jason Bourne on with his new Netflix action-thriller. I thought it was pretty so-so. For Screen International, here's my review of The Gray Man.

Mark Lindsay - "Silver Bird"

Have a good weekend. Don't watch The Gray Man.

The Endless Cringe of "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)"

Those keyboards! That voice! That truly terrible video! Bolstered by its appearance on Stranger Things, the Journey hit "Separate Ways" is back in the culture, whether you like it or not. I wrote about the band and their era for MEL.

"James Bond Theme" Remains Undefeated

This week, Monty Norman died. You may not recognize the name, but you know his most famous song. For MEL, I wrote about the legacy of "James Bond Theme."

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Thor, 'Both Sides of the Blade' and 'The Sea Beast'

Lots of disagreement this week: We differ on the latest from both Marvel and Claire Denis. But we're aligned on Netflix's latest animated film. Hear the whole episode down below.

'Where the Crawdads Sing' Review

I have not read the book that Where the Crawdads Sing is based on, but it's something of a literary phenomenon. No one will be saying anything similar about the film. My review is up at Screen International.

The James Caan Films You Need to See (After You Watch 'The Godfather')

Vulture asked Will and me to come up with a list of essential James Caan performances, the assumption being that The Godfather was an obvious choice and therefore not worth including. You can see all our picks here.

'Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris' Review

Every summer, there are a few modest arthouse charmers that serve as counterprogramming to the big tentpoles. This summer, one of those films is Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, which I reviewed for Screen International.

My Interview With Sara Dosa, Director of 'Fire of Love'

Sara Dosa never met Katia and Maurice Krafft, but with her new movie, she tries to understand this volcanologist couple whose marriage was as much about lava as it was love. Hope you enjoy our conversation.

James Caan, Funny Guy

James Caan will be best remembered for his dramatic work. But for MEL, I made the case for his comedic side.

Sticking Up for Chris Hemsworth

Thor: Love and Thunder has gotten very mixed reviews. But I think Chris Hemsworth has really grown into the role, so much so that I actually think he's really fun as the God of Thunder. I defend the guy over at MEL.

What Exactly Was "Deepest Bluest (Shark's Fin)"?

In 1999, LL Cool J was in a horror-thriller called Deep Blue Sea. It was about ravenous super-sharks attacking folks at an underwater research facility. Cool J recorded a song for the end credits. In that song, he imagined himself as a shark. For MEL, I wrote about the ridiculous, riveting "Deepest Bluest."

Julie Andrews and Richard Burton - "What Do the Simple Folk Do?"

It was very fun to have my parents here last week. Camelot 4eva.

What James Caan Brought to 'The Godfather'

In honor of James Caan's passing, Rolling Stone asked me to write about his impact on The Godfather, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It was my honor to do so.

How Did Beach Balls Become a Thing at Baseball Games?

I put on my investigative-reporter hat for this very fun piece I wrote for MEL.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The Best Films of the First Half of 2022

There are several movies I wasn't able to catch in time for this week's episode, which I'm not happy about, but nonetheless: Will and I both list our six favorites of 2022 so far. Hope you enjoy.

Russell Crowe's Furious Peak

At the height of his stardom, Russell Crowe brought a manly intensity to his best roles. Do we still want that from our leading men? My latest for MEL is here.

The Best Films About America

Rolling Stone put together a list of movies that have encapsulated America over the last 50 years. I didn't have a say in the rankings, but I was asked to write the capsules for Selma, Moonlight, O.J.: Made in America, Safe, Taxi Driver and Wendy and Lucy. A pleasure to write about such mighty films. The whole list is here.

Chris Pratt Was Perfect in 'Moneyball'

I've heard nothing but bad things about Chris Pratt's new series The Terminal List. So I'd rather spend time reminiscing about how good he was in Moneyball, which suggested he had a great career ahead of him. (I'm still waiting.) You can read my MEL piece here.

Crunching the Numbers on the 50 Films That Have Made a Billion Dollars

Top Gun: Maverick is the latest film to gross over a billion dollars worldwide. For MEL, I decided to figure out what these movies, if anything, had in common. This was a fun piece.

'Thor: Love and Thunder' Review

Hi, I liked Thor: Love and Thunder. My review is up at Screen International.

What Happened With 'The House'?

It's been five years since the Will Ferrell bomb hit theaters. For MEL, I make the case for why the film could have been good, even though it most certainly isn't.

Atmosphere - "Lifter Puller"

Happy Fourth. Even if you don't feel like celebrating America.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Disagreeing About 'Elvis'

On this week's episode, we review The Black Phone and Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe. But we differ on Baz Lurhmann's latest. Hear the whole thing down below.

Happy 10th Anniversary, 'Magic Mike'

For MEL, I wrote about Steven Soderbergh's unlikely 2012 summer smash, which helped cement Channing Tatum's stardom and revitalized Matthew McConaughey's. Hope you enjoy.

Steve Carell Is the King of Nice

With Minions: The Rise of Gru about to come out, it seemed like a good time to assess Steve Carell's career up to this point. I wrote about his artistic modesty for MEL.

'Elvis,' 'Amadeus' and Our Fascination With Greatness

Elvis is told from the perspective of Colonel Tom Parker, not Elvis Presley. That got me thinking about other films that use a similar technique, and what they say about our relationship with supernaturally talented individuals. My latest for MEL is here.

'The Deer Hunter,' Roe v. Wade and "God Bless America"

I didn't feel like saying anything about the overturning of Roe v. Wade. But the Democrats' response made me so angry that I had to. For MEL, I wrote about "God Bless America" and its most damning use in a film. My essay is here.

My Interview With Robert Harmon, Director of 'The Hitcher'

All this summer, MEL is publishing pieces about Americans' fascination with the open road. I took the opportunity to spend a little time with Robert Harmon, whose first feature was a horror movie about hitchhiking, although he doesn't consider it a horror movie. Hope you enjoy my look back at 1986's The Hitcher.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': The King, 'The Black Phone,' 'Marcel the Shell' and 'Beavis and Butt-Head'

Amy Nicholson and I were on KCRW on Thursday to review this weekend's new releases. (She and I are just about the only critics who don't love love love Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.) Hear our segment down below.

Danger Mouse & Black Thought (featuring Joey Bada$$, Russ and Dylan Cartlidge) - "Because"

"I don't vacation, dawg, I guilt trip" is one hell of a line.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Lightyear,' 'Spiderhead,' 'Leo Grande' and 'Cha Cha Real Smooth'

So many movies to go through on this week's episode! We've got animated blockbusters, quirky thrillers, a thoughtful character drama about sex, and Cooper Raiff's followup to Shithouse. Hear the whole thing down below.

Welcome Back, Beavis and Butt-Head

For MEL, I shared some thoughts about Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe, which made me laugh a lot.

Tribeca 2022: 'The Cave of Adullam' Review

Laura Checkoway's documentary about a Detroit dojo that caters to troubled Black boys was a prizewinner at the recent Tribeca Festival. I reviewed The Cave of Adullam for Screen International.

Ethan Hawke and the Battle Not to Sell Out

Being a proper Gen-X guy, Ethan Hawke has long struggled with the notion of what it means to be successful. Does it mean unconscionable compromise? Or can you keep from selling your soul? For MEL, I looked back at his nearly 40-year career. It was a pleasure to write about an actor I've long admired.

So, Who Directed the 'Lightyear' Movie Back in the 1990s?

Angus MacLane is the director (and co-writer) of Lightyear. But because the movie is supposed to be something that Toy Story's Andy watched back in the mid-1990s, that means someone else actually made the thing. So which filmmaker of that era would have most likely been the guy? For MEL, I came up with 10 possible choices, but I think my No. 1 pick is correct. Hope you enjoy.

My Interview With Rachel Dretzin, Director of 'Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey'

Ever since it debuted on Netflix early this month, Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, a documentary series about the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and its leader Warren Jeffs, has been one of the streamer's most popular programs. For MEL, I spoke with director Rachel Dretzin about FLDS' history of sexual abuse and polygamy, and where the sect is today. Gripping stuff, and you can read my interview here.

Let's Rank 'Jurassic Park' Movies

There have been six Jurassic Park films. Which one is the best? And which is the worst? (That first question is easier to answer.) Our rankings are over at Vulture.

My Interview With Lizzo

When the Los Angeles Times asked me if I'd be interested in spending some time with Lizzo, how could I say no? We chatted about her forthcoming album, her recent reality show, and just being fabulous in general. Hope you enjoy.

(Photo by Kayla James.)

Supertramp - "The Logical Song"

I know, I know, but seriously: This song sounds pretty amazing blasting out of the speakers of a top-flight screening room.

'Spiderhead' Review

Spiderhead has an appealing just-messing-around quality that I think ends up working for this slight but funky thriller in which Chris Hemsworth conducts a series of experiments on prisoner Miles Teller. My review is up at Screen International.

My Interview With Joseph Williams, Son of John Williams

This week, MEL is doing a series of pieces connected to Father's Day. So I talked to Joseph Williams, who's a singer in Toto who grew up with John Williams, the man behind the scores for Star Wars and so many other blockbusters. Our conversation is here.

"I'm Alright" and the Birth of the Summer Soundtrack Smash

Kenny Loggins has a memoir out. What better excuse to talk about his Caddyshack hit, which proved that comedies could have standalone singles? My piece is up at MEL.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Dinosaurs, Adam Sandler and 'M'

In this week's episode, we agree that Jurassic World Dominion isn't good, but just how bad is it? Then, we differ on Hustle. Finally, in our Reboot segment, we go back to 1931, looking at Fritz Lang's M. Lots of good stuff, and you can hear it all down below.

'Lightyear' Review

Lightyear is so aggressively average that I spent most of the film's runtime arguing with it. "Why aren't you better? Why aren't you more interesting? When is this going to get more exciting?" (The robot cat is adorable, though.) My review is up at Screen International.

Tribeca 2022: 'McEnroe' Review

John McEnroe is a fascinating figure, the subject of several recent films. The latest is a documentary with access to him and his inner circle. For Screen International, I reviewed McEnroe.

Happy 40th Anniversary, 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'

On June 11th, 1982, Steven Spielberg's most endearing film opened. For MEL, I wrote about the movie, which is a tribute to friendship and saying goodbye.

Why Are the Characters in Legacy Sequels (Almost) Always Less Interesting Than the Original Characters?

Jurassic World Dominion underscored a problem I've noticed for a while, which is that when sequels try to combine the original cast and the new cast, the new cast often looks pretty feeble by comparison. Is that because of nostalgia or something else? Here's my latest for MEL.

Billy Crystal Wants You to Feel Something

Billy Crystal (and Mr. Saturday Night) are up for multiple Tonys tonight. For MEL, I did a deep dive into his career, and my own misgivings about an undisputed comic legend. Hope you enjoy.

Tribeca 2022: 'Somewhere in Queens' Review

Funny enough, Adam Sandler isn't the only veteran comic out with a drama about basketball. Ray Romano's feature directorial debut just premiered at Tribeca, focusing on a father who's trying to ensure that his teenage son can pursue his hoop dreams. For Screen International, I reviewed Somewhere in Queens.

Seals & Crofts - "Summer Breeze"

Rest in peace, Jim Seals.

What Is the Best Song for Social Change Grammy?

It's a new awards category that will start at next year's ceremony. For MEL, I discuss why I think it's a bad idea.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: David Cronenberg, 'Fire Island' and 'A Clockwork Orange'

On this week's episode, we're basically aligned on Crimes of the Future and Fire Island. Then, we go back to 1971 for our Reboot, discussing a Stanley Kubrick movie that, honestly, I'm not the biggest fan of. Hear the whole thing down below.