Berlin 2026: 'Safe Exit' Review

In Safe Exit, Marwan Waleed plays a security guard in Egypt wrestling with a tragic past. I reviewed this muted character study for Screen International.  

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Emily Bronte, L.A. Crime and 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'

On our most recent episode, we review Wuthering Heights and Crime 101. Then, we go back to 2008 to reassess Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Does it still hold up? Those answers, and more, are available down below.

'How to Make a Killing' Review

Is Glen Powell in a rut? It's the question that came to mind a lot while watching his latest star vehicle. Here's my review of How to Make a Killing. 

The Best Movies of 2025 Without a Single Oscar Nomination

Always appreciative that the fine folks at RogerEbert.com let me pay tribute to the forgotten films of Oscar season. Here's my annual rundown of 10 great movies that you won't hear mentioned during the Academy Awards on March 15.

How 2025's Best Movies Landed on the Right Ending

This was a fun one. For the Los Angeles Times, I spoke to the writers of five of this year's Oscar-nominated screenplays to learn how they decided on the ending of their movies. If you want to hear the stories behind Blue Moon, Bugonia, It Was Just an Accident, Sentimental Value and Train Dreams, click here. 

Robert Duvall's Best Movies

Over at Rolling Stone, I contributed to a roundup of Robert Duvall's essential roles. You can read our list right here. 

Frederick Wiseman, 1930-2026

Frederick Wiseman was one of my filmmaking heroes. I was lucky enough to interview him twice. I knew one day he'd be gone, but still I'm very sad to see him go. For Rolling Stone, I paid tribute to a legend. 

Robert Duvall, 1931-2026

Robert Duvall had died. He was 95. I paid tribute to the Oscar-winning actor over at Rolling Stone. 

Sombr - "Back to Friends"

When you've been happily married for a while, people might get the impression that you forget what being single is like. Not true. The anxiety, insecurity, thrill, confusion, crushing despair: That sticks with you.

Which probably explains why I find Sombr's hyper-emotional, ultra-candid love songs so evocative. "Oh, right," I think, "I remember this feeling." "Back to Friends" articulates a universal sentiment with such unsubtle clarity that it takes you right back to that moment. I don't miss that time in my life. But I can't pretend it's not there still somewhere inside me.

'Crime 101' Review

There's nothing like an L.A. crime thriller. For Screen International, I reviewed Crime 101. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: We Answer Your Questions and Disagree About 'Rocky'

It's always fun to do a mailbag episode. This week, we talk about erasing movies from history, running our own theater, Siskel & Ebert and Carter Burwell. Then, we go back to 1976 and revisit Rocky. Has it held up? We don't agree on the answer. Check out the show down below.