My Interview With Jan de Bont, Director of 'Twister'

Back in 1996, in the wake of his directorial debut Speed, Jan de Bont made a movie about killer tornadoes. With Twisters about to hit theaters, I spoke with de Bont about Twister, love stories in blockbusters, and why he wouldn't be interested in doing modern-day event movies. Hope you enjoy.

Shelley Duvall's Greatest Performances

In honor of her passing, I highlighted five must-see films from Shelley Duvall. You can check out my list here.

Lil Wayne - "A Milli"

"I do what I do / And you do what you can do about it" is one hell of a taunt. (Also: Why does the official Lil Wayne YouTube channel have the censored version of this song up? No idea.)

My Interview With Cara Mones and Caroline Suh, Directors of 'Sorry/Not Sorry'

Sorry/Not Sorry looks back at the fall of Louis C.K. in light of allegations of sexual harassment that he later confirmed. The directors of the documentary are interesting because one of them (Caroline Suh) had been a fan of the comic, while the other (Cara Mones) hadn't been that familiar with his work. (They're also from different generations.) Did making the film change their views on his comedy? I spoke to them for Cracked.

'Breakfast All Day': Lamenting 'Horizon,' Praising 'Longlegs'

I was very happy to be on Breakfast All Day with Christy Lemire to talk about Horizon and Longlegs. (Worth pointing out: When we recorded the Horizon segment, the news hadn't broken yet that the second chapter was being delayed.) You can check out the videos down below.

'Twisters' Review

There's a new tornado film called Twisters. It's in the same universe as Twister, but with all new characters. The first film was very goofy. The new film is very much not goofy. Is that better or worse? My review is live at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The Best Films of the First Half of 2024

We're already halfway through the year, which means it's time for each of us to offer up our picks for the best films of 2024 (so far). We also spend a little time reviewing the mediocre Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. Check it all out below.

On Christina Applegate's Greatness in 'Anchorman'

In honor of the film's 20th anniversary, I decided to pay tribute to Anchorman's underrated MVP. Here's my salute to Christina Applegate.

'Longlegs' Review

A great Nicolas Cage performance. A choking sense of evil filling every frame. For Screen International, I reviewed Longlegs.

Johnny Cash - "Don't Take Your Guns to Town"

Have a good weekend.

Happy 30th Anniversary, 'Forrest Gump' Soundtrack

The blockbuster movie won Best Picture, but the accompanying album was also a sensation, going 12-times platinum. I wrote about the soundtrack's legacy here.

What's the Best Fourth of July Release This Century?

I offer a Top 10 here.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Horror Prequels, Yorgos Lanthimos Triptychs, 'Horizon' and 'Janet Planet'

Yup, this is a rare four-movie episode. But there was a lot to talk about, including the election. Check it out down below.

Raindance 2024: 'National Anthem' Review

A lost young man finds himself while working at a ranch run by a largely queer staff. For Screen International, I reviewed the earnest, touching National Anthem.

The Story Behind "Axel F"

How did an instrumental that was stitched together at the last minute end up being the indelible theme song to Beverly Hills Cop? For Cracked, I wrote about Harold Faltermeyer, synth-pop and "Axel F." Hope you enjoy.

Raindance 2024: 'The Man With a Thousand Faces' Review

French filmmaker Sonia Kronlund was interested in doing a documentary about a group of women who were all dating the same man, having no idea that he had other girlfriends. The Man With a Thousand Faces explores this mysterious, duplicitous individual, as well as the smart women he so successfully conned. My review is here.

Kevin Costner, Director

As we prepare for Horizon, I went back and rewatched Kevin Costner's first three films as a director. Some themes emerged, which I wrote about here.

When Will These Movies Get a U.S. Distributor?

For RogerEbert.com, I banged the drum for some films that haven't been picked up yet. Some I've seen, some I haven't, but all of them seem pretty worthwhile. Check 'em out.

My Interview With Catherine Breillat, Director of 'Last Summer'

Catherine Breillat isn't a fan of intimacy coordinators and has some thoughts about how to make good sex scenes. I talked to the veteran French director about her terrific new film, Last Summer, for RogerEbert.com.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Bikeriders,' 'Fancy Dance' and 'Colonel Blimp'

On this week's episode, we review two new movies, one of which we differ on. But the real highlight is our conversation around 1943's The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, which is wonderful. Hear the whole thing down below.

'Green Border' Review

Agnieszka Holland didn't just want to make a movie about the European refugee crisis, she wanted to make you think about how all of us our complicit in the border horrors in our own countries. For the Los Angeles Times, I reviewed Green Border.

ZZ Top - "Gimme All Your Lovin'"

If only all of MaXXXine was as good as its opening credits, which uses this banger to great effect.

'A Quiet Place: Day One': Review

A prequel with its tone and ideas? That's rare, which is why I liked A Quiet Place: Day One. You can read my review here.

'MaXXXine' Review

I liked X. I really liked Pearl. But I was underwhelmed by MaXXXine, which sends Mia Goth to Hollywood in the 1980s. My review is up at Screen International.

Raindance 2024: 'Something’s More Than One Thing'

A long-term couple are facing an impasse. Can they survive at a time when the internet is poisoning our relationship with each other? That question powers Something's More Than One Thing, a conceptually ambitious drama that doesn't quite achieve its goals. My review is up at Screen International.

Donald Sutherland's Finest Performances

In honor of Donald Sutherland's passing, I highlighted the actor's best films. Some are obvious choices, some a little less so. All are worth checking out.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Being Charmed by 'Thelma'

Katie Walsh and I were on KCRW yesterday reviewing L.A.'s new releases, including The Bikeriders, Kinds of Kindness and Fancy Dance. We also talked about the action-comedy starring June Squibb, who gets her Tom Cruise on in Thelma. Check us out down below.

My Interview With Julianne Nicholson, Star of 'Janet Planet'

I've been raving about Janet Planet for about 10 months now. It opens in New York today. For the Los Angeles Times, I spoke to its radiant star Julianne Nicholson about motherhood, accepting oneself and Western Massachusetts. Hope you enjoy. 

(Photo by Justin Jun Lee.)

Maggie Rogers - "So Sick of Dreaming"

Guys, never stand up your date for a basketball game.

'All Of It With Alison Stewart': What's the Bext Pixar Film?

Will and I were back on WNYC to talk about Pixar movies and our Vulture rankings. It was a fun chat, and you can hear it down below.

Donald Sutherland, 1935-2024

I wrote about the man's life, career and legacy for Rolling Stone.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Inside Out 2,' 'Tuesday,' 'Fruitvale Station'

We agreed on Pixar's latest but differed on the change-of-pace drama from Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Then we went back to 2013 to discuss Ryan Coogler's first film. Hear all of that, and more, down below.

Ranking Brat Pack Movies

In honor of Brats, I put together a list of the Brat Pack's best and worst films. (My only rule: Two or more members of the crew had to be in the cast.) You can read my rankings here.

My Interview With Jesse Plemons, Star of 'Kinds of Kindness'

Learning how Yorgos Lanthimos works. Understanding his own comedic style. Rocking a turtleneck. Winning Best Actor at Cannes. I had a lot to talk about with Jesse Plemons. Hope you enjoy.

Sabrina Carpenter - "Espresso"

Out-of-town wedding in Ojai this weekend. Which means road trip and a new playlist. This song will definitely be played loud.

My Interview With Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Director of 'The Grab'

The director of Blackfish wants you to worry about the world's shrinking food and water resources. I spoke to Gabriela Cowperthwaite about staying optimistic, eating all your groceries and The Grab.

Revisiting Harrison Ford's 'Presumed Innocent'

There is a new Apple TV+ limited series based on the Scott Turow novel. For RogerEbert.com, I looked back at the first time the book was adapted, the 1990 film with Harrison Ford that became a big hit. Does that Presumed Innocent hold up? And what does it say about that bygone Hollywood era? Read on.

Why Do We Care If Actors Look Like Their Real-Life Subjects?

Inspired by the rumored casting news about the Beatles biopics, I decided to write an essay about our obsession with whether or not an actor resembles the real person they're playing. My argument: It matters less than we realize.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: How Bad Is 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die'?

In this week's episode, we review the latest installment in the Bad Boys saga. We also discuss Hit Man and go back to 1959's Anatomy of a Fall. (I also talk a little about moderating a Q&A with Lynne Littman for her film Testament. That was a special night.) Hear the whole thing down below.

'Inside Out 2' Review

Yeah, it got me. For Screen International, I reviewed the quite moving Inside Out 2.

You Should See Glen Powell in 'Everybody Wants Some!!'

Did you enjoy Hit Man on Netflix? Then may I suggest an earlier movie in which Glen Powell and Richard Linklater worked together? Here's me singing the praises (again) of a great baseball comedy.

'Ultraman: Rising' Review

Japan's greatest superhero is back, this time in cartoon form. For Screen International, I reviewed the English-language, animated Ultraman: Rising.

My Interview With Richard Linkater, Director of 'Hit Man'

Ten years ago, I got to spend time with Richard Linklater on a couple different occasions thanks to Boyhood. Those are cherished memories, so I was happy to get to Zoom with him to talk about his latest, Hit Man. We discussed sex, contract killing and sports -- and, also, why he's still so laidback despite working in an industry that's getting tougher and tougher. My piece is live over at the Los Angeles Times.

The Byrds - "So You Want to Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star"

Even back in 1967, the corporatization of rock music was already in full swing. And the Byrds weren't having it.

When Martin Lawrence Was Bigger Than Will Smith

Every once in a while, someone remembers that, for the original Bad Boys, Martin Lawrence was top-billed over Will Smith. That changed for the sequels, of course, but I wanted to look back at where he was in his career in 1995. Here you go.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: We Answer Your Questions and Revisit 'The Abyss'

A big thanks to our listeners, who sent us so many great questions. We tried to answer as many as we could on this week's episode. Then, in our Reboot segment, we look back at 1989's The Abyss. (Yup, we did the director's cut.) Dive in down below.

Why Did the World Change Its Mind About 'Ishtar'?

When Ishtar came out, it was a flop. Critics despised it. Decades later, though, you mostly hear that it's a misunderstood masterpiece. What happened? And is the movie good or not? Here's my latest for Cracked.

My Interview With Taylor Tomlinson

I've been a big fan of Taylor Tomlinson since I saw her first special, Quarter-Life Crisis, back in 2020. So it was a pleasure to speak with her for the Los Angeles Times. We talked about turning 30, hosting After Midnight, her new girlfriend and her thoughts on the state of late night. And, of course, I had to ask her about stand-up and her most recent special, Have It All. Hope you enjoy.

A History of Hit Men at the Movies

In honor of Hit Man, which comes to Netflix on Friday, I wrote about cinematic hit men. We think of them as impervious and super-cool, but very often these characters fail to live up to our lofty impression of them. Why is that? My thoughts are here.

Cobrah - "Brand New Bitch"

Everybody loves when Emma Stone dances in trailers.

My Interview With Chris Wilcha, Director of 'Flipside'

Chris Wilcha has started a lot of documentaries that never ended up seeing the light of day. As he turned 50, though, he wondered what to do with those abandoned projects. That became the inspiration for his new film, Flipside. I talked to him about getting older, Gen-X, record stores, throwing away things and figuring out this whole work-life balance. Our interview is here.

'Young Woman and the Sea' Review

It seems like Disney is sorta burying Young Woman and the Sea this weekend. This biopic of long-distance swimmer Trudy Ederle is hardly a disaster, but I nonetheless found it fairly straightforward. My review is here.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Furiosa' and Your 2024 Cannes Recap

I'm back in Los Angeles, and we're back to our regular podcasting schedule. We went long on Furiosa, and then I offered some thoughts on Cannes. Hear it all down below.

Ranking Neon's Five Palme d'Or Winners

With Anora, Neon has now been responsible for the last five films to take home the Palme d'Or. Which one is the best? I have the answer.

Cannes 2024: The Wrap-Up and the Rankings

The 2024 Cannes Film Festival is when I finally decided it's not worth debating whether a particular edition was "good" or "bad." Truth is, every Cannes is filled with triumphs, misfires, disappointments, underappreciated gems, surprises, and movies you liked a lot more (or a lot less) than your colleagues did. And because the festival doesn't necessarily front-load its strongest offerings, you really have no idea where the annual ebbs and flows will land. You have to take Cannes in its entirety, judging it not by one day but by the whole two-week experience. There's no festival like it because it's longer and, therefore, harder to process as it's happening. Only distance will tell you for sure -- and even then, you may be shocked to catch up with a few films you missed (or revisit ones you saw) and discover what a great year it had actually been. There's no such thing as a "bad" Cannes, just degrees of good.

That said, do I think I found a film this year that could match 2023's twin stunners in The Zone of Interest and Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell? No, but looking over my rankings, I'm pleased by how many strong films I saw, with the possibility of more bangers to come. (I wish I'd had time for The Balconettes, The Kingdom, Armand, Black Dog, Flow, Santosh, Viet and Nam and others. And I wish my screening of Universal Language had had English subtitles like it claimed it would.) 

Here's a list of everything I saw at Cannes, from worst to best, with links leading to individual reviews. And please note that I'm not including the first half of the restoration of Abel Nance's extraordinary Napoleon, which I saw and was completely blown away by.

34. Megalopolis
33. The Surfer
32. The Second Act
31. The Apprentice
30. Oh, Canada
29. Beating Hearts
28. Emilia Perez
27. Wild Diamond
26. Rumours
25. The Shrouds
24. Visiting Hours
23. Misericordia
22. Being Maria
21. I, the Executioner
20. Motel Destino
19. The Substance
18. It's Not Me
17. Christmas Eve in Miller's Point
16. Elementary
15. The Girl With the Needle
14. Bird
13. Three Kilometers to the End of the World
12. Blue Sun Palace
11. On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
10. Eephus
9. Good One
8. The Invasion
7. All We Imagine as Light
6. Anora
5. Grand Tour
4. Caught by the Tides
3. Kinds of Kindness
2. The Seed of the Sacred Fig
1. September Says

A few words about my No. 1 film. I went into Ariane Labed's directorial debut basically blind. (I knew the plot description, plus who had worked on the movie.) And from the first moment, I was enraptured, its spell never breaking. September Says (pictured above) was part of Un Certain Regard, but it crushed me more completely than anything in the Competition, although Mohammad Rasoulof's The Seed of the Sacred Fig got awfully close. When I review movies at a festival, I go home straight from the screening and write -- I don't talk to anyone or check online reactions. So I'm basically in a bubble, unaware of how others feel, and what I quickly discovered was that I was higher on September Says than, basically, anyone else. (As one colleague, who hadn't seen it, put it derisively, "It sounds like a Toronto film.") Maybe a second viewing will diminish the film in my estimation -- maybe revisits of The Seed of the Sacred Fig or Caught by the Tides or Anora or All We Imagine as Light will vault them up the rankings. But for now, this tale of two peculiar sisters -- too delicate and strange for this world -- earns the top spot.

Because I am historically awful at predicting the Palme d'Or winner, my guess is worth nothing. Nonetheless, I'm with the consensus that it's going to be either All We Imagine as Light or The Seed of the Sacred Fig. It's impossible to know what a Cannes jury will go for, but my gut tells me that All We Imagine as Light's gentle beauty will win out over The Seed of the Sacred Fig's darker, more challenging tone -- although filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof's emotional appearance at the latter's premiere may be too much for the jury to resist. Could Anora pull off the upset? Emilia Perez? Absolutely. But I'm going with All We Imagine as Light, which premiered late this year and has all the momentum going into the weekend. Not that you should bet your mortgage on my hunch.  

David Bowie - "Modern Love"

The song of this year's Cannes? Here you go.

Cannes 2024: 'Being Maria' Review

Maria Schneider was a teenager trying to establish herself as an actor. Then, she landed her big break as the lead opposite Marlon Brando in Last Tango in Paris. But what happened afterward ended up traumatizing her. For Screen International, I reviewed the bittersweet biopic Being Maria.

Cannes 2024: 'Beating Hearts' Review

Crime, romance and music collide in Beating Hearts, an epic love story whose characters aren't as vivid as its world. My review is up at Screen International.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': The Highs and Lows of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival

I was so pleased to be on with Madeleine talking about four of the buzziest films at this year's Cannes. You can check out my segment down below.

Cannes 2024: 'I, the Executioner' Review

In 2015, the action-comedy Veteran became one of the biggest hits ever in South Korea. Nearly 10 years later, there's a sequel that's a little more serious. For Screen International, I reviewed I, the Executioner.

Cannes 2024: 'September Says' Review

I wasn't expecting to be as moved by September Says as I was. Honestly, this may be my favorite film I've seen at this year's Cannes. My review of this delicate story of sisterhood is here.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Will's Talking New Movies, I'm Talking Cannes

A unique episode this week: With me here in France, we decided to divide and conquer. Will reviewed If and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, while I recorded a segment in my apartment discussing some of the highlights from the first half of the Cannes Film Festival. (I also offered my quick thoughts on Kingdom.) Check it out down below.