Venice 2026: 'Look Back' Review

Sad to say, but Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda has put out not one but two disappointing films this year. I was underwhelmed by Sheep in the Box at Cannes, and now comes Look Back, a story of childhood friendship and tragedy. You can read my review here.

'The Screen Podcast': My Top Three Films From Venice 2026

Always a pleasure to be on Screen International's podcast. I joined host Wendy Mitchell to talk about the movies that most impressed me on the Lido. A hint: It's a documentary and two competition films. Check out the conversation down below.

Venice 2026: 'Possible Love' Review

Lee Chang-dong's Possible Love has some spiritual connections to his last film, the incredible Burning. But it's very much its own astounding creation. My review is live over at Screen International. 

Venice 2026: 'Father Joe' Review

I'll say this about Father Joe: It sure ain't boring. In this 1990s action-thriller, Kiefer Sutherland plays a humble priest who wants to end New York's drug problem by killing the dealers. Trying to stop him is Al Pacino as a very hammy mob boss. Written by Luc Besson, the movie is decidedly bonkers. My review is up at Screen International.  

Venice 2026: 'Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger' Review

Don't Look Back in Anger isn't a straightforward concert film. Instead, it combines live footage with a meditation on the beloved 1990s band's legacy. Would I have preferred that Oasis just play the hits? My review is up at Screen International. 

Telluride 2026: 'The Idiot(s)' Review

Anna and Fyodor Dostoevsky's marriage sure seemed complicated. In The Idiot(s), the couple are on their honeymoon and flat broke. Maybe if Fyodor works on his next book, called The Idiot, perhaps their fortunes will change? This is not a conventional biopic, and my review is here. 

Venice 2026: 'My Undesirable Friends: Part II — Exile' Review

I think I made it pretty clear how much I loved My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow. Now comes its superb sequel. For Screen International, I reviewed Part II — Exile.

RJD2 & Supastition - "Back Talk"

Old-school hip-hop, complete with a glorious amount of scratching and hard beats. Hell yeah. Happy Labor Day.

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.