'Atlanta' Returns for Season Two

I was a big fan of Season One of Atlanta. For MEL, I wrote about the first three episodes of Season Two, which I think could be just as good. Read all about it.

'Annihilation' and Cinema's History of Mind-Bending Sci-Fi

Annihilation rules, specifically in the way that it recalls some of the greatest science-fiction films ever made, like 2001 and Stalker. For Rolling Stone, I looked back at the history of trippy sci-fi, and I speculated on why we're getting so many cool examples of the genre in recent years. I very much enjoyed writing this essay. You can check it out here.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Oscar Predictions, 'Annihilation,' 'Mute' and 'Game Night'

The time has come: Will and I make our Oscar predictions. I've never felt less confident about my Best Picture pick than I do this year. We also review three new movies: Annihilation (yay), Mute (boo) and Game Night (hey, pretty good). You can hear the whole thing down below.

Some Thoughts on 'Game Night'

Game Night is a pleasant surprise: funny, well-acted, actually about something. For MEL, I shared some random thoughts about the film, including my praise for its terrific score and research I did about real-life Fight Club parties. You can read the whole thing here.

The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar - "Pray for Me"

That bouncy, ping-pong-y beat is so great.

A Salute to Cinema's Lovable Losers

The folks at SyFy asked us to select the five most lovable losers in the sci-fi/fantasy world. An interesting challenge, but we were up to it. You can read our latest Debate Club here.

'Annihilation' Review

The advance buzz wasn't great on Annihilation. But guess what: It's terrific. My review is up at Screen International.

'Chris Rock: Tamborine' Review

For MEL, I wrote about Chris Rock's new stand-up special, his first in nine years. As always, Tamborine demonstrates what a talented, sharp comic he is. But it also illustrates why his women problems are such a chore to listen to. You can read my take right here.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Superheroes, Soccer and 'The Wanderers'

On the podcast, Will and I review Black Panther and Early Man. Then, for our Reboot segment, we look back at 1979's The Wanderers, which I hereby nickname Problematic: The Movie. You can hear the whole episode below.

Some Thoughts on 'Black Panther'

How do you pronounce T'Challa? How do you deal with online trolls trying to ruin a movie? And why did Black Panther remind me of growing up listening to hip-hop? All those questions are answered in my MEL piece.

'Red Sparrow' Review

Jennifer Lawrence was great in Mother!, but nobody saw it. Passengers was a good idea that was badly mishandled. Not many folks like Joy. So it's fair to say that the Oscar-winner is in a little bit of a slump. Does she rebound with Red Sparrow? Not completely. I reviewed the film for Screen International.

Mos Def - "May-December"

Happy Presidents' Day Weekend.

What's the Greatest Olympics Movie?

That's the question Will and I try to answer over at Vulture, where we pick the 15 best. I don't think many will predict (or even agree with) what's at No. 1. You can see the whole thing here.

'Early Man' Review

Early Man is the latest animated film from the geniuses at Aardman. Sadly, it's good, but not great. My review is up at Paste.

The Greatest Romances in the Sci-Fi/Superhero World

Happy Valentine's Day: For the latest Debate Club, Will and I picked the five best romantic couples in the sci-fi/comic book world. Check 'em out at SyFy.

When Your Wife Is Your Best Friend

It's almost Valentine's Day, and for MEL I decided to write something about my wife -- specifically, this idea of us being best friends and how I feel about that. I also reached out to some folks who have been married longer than I have to get their thoughts. I'm pleased with how this turned out. Hope you enjoy.

Some Thoughts on 'Fifty Shades Freed'

Fifty Shades Freed was the first of the series that I didn't review for Screen International. (Alas, the premiere was out of Paris this year, not Los Angeles.) But for MEL, I decided to share some thoughts about the final film in the trilogy, including why straight guys ought to give these movies some consideration. Check out all my observations right here.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Cloverfield' in Space, 'Fifty Shades' Ends and 'Baby Doll'

On this week's episode, Will tells me all about The Cloverfield Paradox, which doubles as a conversation regarding how we're gonna handle Netflix films on the show going forward. Then, he and I dig into Fifty Shades Freed and The 15:17 to Paris. Finally, for our Reboot segment, we discuss Elia Kazan's controversial 1958 film Baby Doll. Lots to enjoy, and you can hear the whole thing below.

The National - "Dark Side of the Gym"

I've reached a stage of my life where I half-like every new National album that comes around. Sleep Well Beast is very National-y in certain ways -- moody, melancholy, you know the deal -- but "Dark Side of the Gym" really is lovely. And the video is even more so. (The story behind the clip is worth reading.)

What's the Greatest Action Sequence of All Time?

Will and I devote our latest Debate Club to action sequences. Star Wars, The Dark Knight, Bullitt ... what movie had the greatest ever? Our answer is over at SyFy.

'The 15:17 to Paris' Review

In 2015, three Americans aboard a train headed to Paris stopped a terrorist attack. In 2018, Clint Eastwood has released a film about those three men, casting the real-life Americans to play themselves. That's just one of two interesting strategies implemented in this fascinating but ultimately slight drama. My review for The 15:17 to Paris is up at Screen International.

Review: Justin Timberlake - 'Man of the Woods'

For MEL, I wrote about the new Justin Timberlake album. Has the former NSYNC star gone all mountain man on us? Not exactly.

'Black Panther' Review

Black Panther started generating plenty of buzz more than two weeks before its release. The review embargo lifted this morning; my thoughts on the latest Marvel movie are over at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Winchester,' 'A Fantastic Woman,' 'The Big Lebowski' and "Legally Blonde'

This week's episode features reviews of two new movies: Winchester and A Fantastic Woman. But in our Reboot segment, we revisit two fan favorites that, I confess, I've never much liked. Has my opinion changed on The Big Lebowski and Legally Blonde? You can hear the whole thing down below.

Some Thoughts on Super Bowl 52

Bradley Cooper was my spirit animal. The Tide commercials ruled. I loathed that Dodge Ram spot. Those creepy NBC graphics were an abomination. Those thoughts, and others, make up my day-after rundown of a very entertaining Super Bowl 52. It's live over at MEL.

Sundance 2018: The Festival's Best Performances

A little bit of Sundance wrap-up: For Paste, I highlighted 10 great performances from the festival. I can hardly wait to watch Hereditary again. Read the whole list here.

Jonny Greenwood - "House of Woodcock" (from the 'Phantom Thread Original Motion Picture Soundtrack')

Because it's so darn endlessly lovely. (And because I'm gonna miss the live show since I'll be away at True/False.)

My Interview With Sebastian Lelio and Daniela Vega of 'A Fantastic Woman'

Before I left for Sundance (and before the LAFCA banquet), I had an opportunity to sit down with Sebastian Lelio and Daniela Vega, the director and star of the Best Foreign Language Film nominee A Fantastic Woman. We talked about the representation of transgender characters in movies, finding the film's voice, and why (seriously) the Alan Parsons Project's "Time" is an amazing song. You can read the whole thing here.

What's the Greatest Villain Performance in a Superhero Movie?

Will and I delve into comic-book bad guys in the latest installment of Debate Club. For SyFy, we pick our five best performances in a superhero film. Read the whole list here.