Fantasia 2026: 'The Leader' Review

In 1997, the Heaven's Gate cult committed mass suicide. A potent new movie reflects on the group's leaders and their disturbing, seductive beliefs. For Screen International, I reviewed The Leader.

'Tony' Review

Anthony Bourdain wasn't always the author and chef beloved by his fans. As Tony explains, he was once just a surly young man searching for a purpose. I reviewed this (mostly) unsentimental biopic for Screen International.

'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Review

Best of the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies? I think so. For Screen International, I reviewed the thrilling, thoughtful Brand New Day. 

'Sheep in the Box' Review

Even the greats stumble from time to time. For the Los Angeles Times, I reviewed Hirokazu Kore-eda's disappointing look at grief and AI, Sheep in the Box. 

Fantasia 2026: 'Rubberhead: The Life & Monsters of Steve Johnson' Review

Anyone who came of age loving practical effects will probably dig Rubberhead, a documentary about makeup effects artist Steve Johnson who was the mastermind behind films like Ghostbusters during his heyday in the 1980s and early 1990s. Eventually, though, the industry changed and he faced some personal issues. The movie goes into all of that. My review is here. 

Lola Young - "Messy"

Men are truly the worst.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Let's Talk About 'The Odyssey' (and 'Office Space')

Will and I go long on Christopher Nolan's epic film. And then we go back to 1999 to revisit Mike Judge's Office Space. You can hear our discussion down below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Odysseus, Ross McElwee, 'Reading Lolita in Tehran' and 'Horsegirls'

I was on KCRW this week with fellow critic Angelica Jade Bastién to talk about the weekend's big releases. That means The Odyssey, of course, but also Remake, Reading Lolita in Tehran (pictured above) and Horsegirls. You can hear our segment down below.

My Review of David Thomson's Terrific Book 'A Sudden Flicker of Light'

For the A.V. Club, I wrote about film historian David Thomson's bracing A Sudden Flicker of Light, in which he argues that movies may have done more harm to us than we're willing to acknowledge. You can read my thoughts here.

'Remake' Review

Ross McElwee has devoted his life to making documentaries about the world around him, resulting in a series of highly personal films. His latest questions whether that approach contributed to the rift that developed between himself and his late son. For the Los Angeles Times, I reviewed the devastating Remake. 

Genesis Owusu - "Pirate Radio"

Kofi Owusu-Ansah has had it with Elon Musk, incels, Kanye fans, you name it. And he's got something to say about it.

'The Odyssey' Review

The wait is over: Here's my review of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey for Screen International.