Venice 2026: 'Too Much Sugar' Review

Robert Greene makes nonfiction films in which he collaborates with his subjects on the final product, which often has a therapeutic element to it. Too Much Sugar is his latest documentary, and one of his strongest. My review is live over at Screen International. 

Venice 2026: 'Bucking Fastard' Review

Werner Herzog tells the story of two unusually close sisters in Bucking Fastard, which stars real-life sisters Rooney and Kate Mara. The movie doesn't always make narrative sense, but its emotional logic is unimpeachable. My review is up at Screen International. 

Venice 2026: 'Ink' Review

The 83rd installment of the Venice Film Festival kicked off with Danny Boyle's Ink, which looks at the rise of The Sun, the notorious English tabloid. Jack O'Connell, Guy Pearce and Claire Foy are all in fine form. My review is here. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Previewing Venice, Telluride and Toronto 2026

Greetings from Venice. The screenings started today, so for a fun bonus episode of the podcast, I picked five films I'm most curious to see at the fall festivals. Then, we look at the big movies coming out later in 2026. Folks, it's officially awards season. You can listen to our conversation down below.

Let's Rank Ridley Scott's Movies

For the fine folks at Rolling Stone, I helped contribute write-ups for the site's ranking of every Ridley Scott film. As always, I have to remind you that I had no say in the overall rankings, so don't yell at me. But if you'd like to hear my thoughts on Legend, Napoleon and other films, go here. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Coyote vs. Acme,' 'The Dog Stars' and 'Tony'

After a week off, we're back. You can hear us talk about Looney Tunes, Will Forte, the Roadrunner, Ridley Scott, Jacob Elordi, Anthony Bourdain, Dominic Sessa, Matt Johnson and the WNBA down below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Wile E. Coyote, Ridley Scott, 'Idiots' and 'Buddy'

I was on KCRW this week, alongside Shawn Edwards, to discuss this weekend's big releases. That includes Coyote vs. Acme and The Dog Stars, but also the indies Idiots and Buddy (pictured above). You can hear our thoughts down below.

Tool - "Sober"

Between this video and The Nightmare Before Christmas, the mid-1990s were a great time for stop-motion animation.

'The Dog Stars' Review

I get the sense that a lot of my colleagues are down on Ridley Scott's latest. I have mixed feelings about The Dog Stars, but I ultimately found it pretty moving. I get into why over at Screen International. 

'American Doctor' Review

 

Poh Si Teng's documentary chronicles three U.S. physicians who volunteer in Gaza hospitals, operating on Palestinians attacked by the Israeli military. But Teng never turns her subjects into heroes or saints. I reviewed American Doctor for the Los Angeles Times. 

'Insidious: Out of the Further' Review

Most of the principal characters from the original Insidious are no longer with us in this sixth installment of the franchise. That's just one of the problems with Out of the Further, which I rip into over at the Los Angeles Times. 

World News - "Everything Is Coming up Roses"

"Everything Is Coming up Roses" sounds a little Band of Horses. It sounds a little Quivers. Those chiming guitars and the deceptively openhearted vocals -- which are singing some fairly downbeat lyrics, if you pay attention -- get me every time.

'Mutiny' Review

Generally speaking, I'm down for a Jason Statham action-thriller. They're often duds, but hey: I enjoy the guy. With that in mind, let me express my disdain for Mutiny, which introduces a plot twist that I am getting increasingly sick of. I talk about that in my Screen International review. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The End of Oak Street,' 'Amziah King' and 'Union County'

Listeners sometimes complain that Will and I agree too often. Well, those who feel that way will be pleased with this week's episode, where we really disagree on the dinosaur thriller The End of Oak Street. We are more aligned, however, on The Rivals of Amziah King and Union County. Hear us debate down below.