'Outcry' Review

Greg Kelley was a beloved Texas high school football star. Then, he was charged with a heinous crime, sexual assault of a child. He was convicted and sentenced to a 25-year sentence. But many were convinced he was innocent. Outcry tells Kelley's story quite powerfully. My review is up at MEL.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Irresistible,' 'Eurovision Song Contest' and 'Manhunter'

On this week's episode, we review two new comedies. Then, in our Reboot segment, we look back at one of Michael Mann's earliest films, Manhunter. Folks, it's good. Hear the whole thing down below.

My Interview With David France, Director of 'Welcome to Chechnya'

Welcome to Chechnya goes deep inside the Russian republic, highlighting the systemic eradication of LGBTQ individuals that's going on there. It's a harrowing story told well by David France, a journalist and filmmaker who's often chronicled the struggles of gay activists. For MEL, I had a lovely conversation with France about his new film and his two previous documentaries, How to Survive a Plague and The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. Hope you enjoy.

I Come to Bury Skids and Mudflap

Michael Bay wanted to create some hip, cool robots to be the comic relief in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. He wanted them to appeal to kids. Instead, he hatched some horribly racist Black caricatures. For MEL, I look back at the ugly legacy of Skids and Mudflap.

On ABBA and "Waterloo"

In honor of Eurovision Song Contest, which references it early on, I wrote about ABBA's "Waterloo," the winner of the 1974 edition of the show. That tune changed things for the band, and it's an interesting story. Check it out over at MEL.

Must-See LGBTQ Movies

For Pride Month, Rolling Stone put together a list of 50 essential films that encapsulate queer culture. I was honored to be asked to contribute: I wrote about Keep the Lights On, Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Mysterious Skin. You can read the whole thing here.

Frank Sinatra 101

He's one of the 20th century's greatest singers. But how was he as an actor? Over at MEL, I look at some of the highlights of his movie career.

'Athlete A' Review

Wanna get mad? Watch this Netflix documentary about the myriad scandals inside USA Gymnastics. For MEL, I wrote about Athlete A.

Five Replacements for 'Top Gun: Maverick'

The long-awaited Top Gun sequel was supposed to come out today. Well, now you have to wait until Christmas. For Vulture, here are five streamable alternatives to tide you over, including a forgotten 1980s Clint Eastwood thriller.

LL Cool J - "Mama Said Knock You Out"

The beginning of “Mama Said Knock You Out,” where LL Cool J calls out, “Come on, man,” might seem like a battle cry, but it was actually never even supposed to be on the song. “He was screaming at the engineer,” says [producer Marley] Marl. “He was yelling at him, because he kept messing up all night. So he was like, ‘Come on, man!’ And the engineer was actually recording vocals, and then the beat dropped. And I was like, ‘Oh, that’s classic.’”

-- from Vanity Fair's 2015 story "Why LL Cool J’s Most Famous Album Almost Never Happened"

The Summer of Spielberg vs. Schwarzenegger

It was June 1993: Jurassic Park squared off against Last Action Hero. Years later, we're still obsessed with that showdown. I explain why over at MEL.

This Week in Genre History: The Failure of 'Superman Returns'

Back in 2006, Warner Bros. thought they had successfully rebooted the Man of Steel. So what happened with Superman Returns? I have some theories over at SyFy.

‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’ Review

Advance buzz for Eurovision Song Contest was high. But I gotta say: I think it's pretty average. Still, Rachel McAdams almost makes it worthwhile. I reviewed the Netflix comedy for MEL.

The Best Albums From Artists in Their 70s (or Older)

In honor of Rough and Rowdy Ways, which Bob Dylan put out at age 79, I spotlighted 11 great albums from musical senior citizens, including the one and only Willie Nelson. Hope you enjoy.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Reviews of 'Babyteeth' and 'Miss Juneteenth'

Two directors make their feature debut on this week's podcast: Shannon Murphy's Babyteeth and Channing Godfrey Peoples' Miss Juneteenth. (We liked them both.) Then, it's time for a Reboot: 2014's horror-romantic drama Spring. Check it all out below.

'Irresistible' Review

Jon Stewart has made his second film, Irresistible, a political satire about a small-town election. The movie made me think about the final years of his Daily Show, which is not a good thing. I explain why over at MEL.

'I'll Be Gone in the Dark' Review

Writer Michelle McNamara was obsessed with uncovering the identity of the Golden State Killer. She died before her book was published, but her friends, colleagues and loved ones helped finish it for her. The new HBO documentary series I'll Be Gone in the Dark chronicles her story and the man who terrorized California for decades. My review is here.

Five Replacements for 'Soul'

Soul was supposed to be out this weekend. Instead, let us offer you some streaming alternatives over at Vulture.

Mavis Staples - "You Are Not Alone"

An open hand
An open heart
There's no need to be afraid
Open up this is a raid
I wanna get it through to you
You're not alone

Written and produced by Jeff Tweedy, sung by Mavis Staples.

Sheffield Doc/Fest 2020: 'Southern Journey (Revisited)' Review

Alan Lomax traveled across the South in the late 1950s to make field recordings of traditional songs. In 2018, two British documentarians decided to retrace his steps. The result is Southern Journey (Revisited), a portrait of America I wish had a little more depth. My review is up at Screen International.

This Week in Genre History: 'Minority Report' Is Still Ahead of Its Time

In June 2002, Minority Report premiered. Eighteen years later, so much of what it has to say about surveillance is coming true. Here's my appreciation at SyFy.

'Perry Mason' Review

So, there's a new Perry Mason. An origin story. Tells us how he became the defense attorney we know from the Raymond Burr show. I reviewed the HBO series for MEL.

Looking Back at the Garage-Rock Revival

You remember the White Stripes and the Strokes. But who were the other bands that were part of the garage-rock scene of the early 2000s? I'm here to help.

When 3D Horror Movies Ruled the Summer

Jaws 3-D. Piranha 3D. Shark Night. Those are just a few of the cheesy horror movies that have come out in the summertime, luring audiences to the theater with the promise of 3D. For MEL, I wrote about these very silly films.

Misleading Men: Dana Carvey

There are two types of Saturday Night Live stars: the ones who make the leap to Hollywood and the ones who fail. But that's not entirely fair, considering that some fall into an interesting middle ground. One such example is Dana Carvey, who turned 65 earlier this month. I wrote about him for MEL.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Spike Lee, Judd Apatow and 'You Don't Nomi'

It was very nice to have three new and very interesting movies to talk about on this week's episode. You can hear our reviews of Da 5 Bloods, The King of Staten Island and You Don't Nomi down below.

Five Replacements for 'Candyman'

This past weekend, the Candyman sequel was supposed to come out. That didn't happen, so let us suggest some streaming alternatives. Our picks are over at Vulture.

Sheffield Doc/Fest 2020: 'Faith and Branko' Review

I wasn't very familiar with Faith i Branko, the world-music combo led by married couple Faith Elliott and Branko Ristic. But I now know much more about them after watching Faith and Branko, a documentary that chronicles their courtship and musical partnership, showing the ups and downs that happen in their relationship. I reviewed the film for Screen International.

Me and the Dude

This summer, the MEL staff will be doing a series of Scorching Hot Takes, writing about indefensible positions we sincerely hold about culture, politics, whatever. So, I decided to wrestle with the fact that I've never loved The Big Lebowski, a movie I saw opening night. I've seen it twice in the last couple years to give it another shot, and still nothing. My piece is here.

The Pointer Sisters - "Yes We Can Can"

Rest in peace, Bonnie Pointer. We can make it if we try.

'Long Gone Summer' Review

Much to my surprise, ESPN's latest "30 for 30" documentary, Long Gone Summer, did very little for me. A lifelong Cardinal fan who very much remembers the 1998 home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, I was nonetheless pretty underwhelmed. Who knew homers could be so dull? I reviewed the film for MEL.

'Da 5 Bloods' Review

Da 5 Bloods is an ambitious, sprawling drama about four Black Vietnam War vets who return to the country for the first time in 50 years, looking for closure (and treasure). My review of Spike Lee's latest is live at MEL.

'You Don't Nomi' Review

Much to my delight, I really enjoyed You Don't Nomi, which studies the reclamation of Showgirls, one of the most mocked and reviled movies of the 1990s. (I saw it opening night: Oh, how my friends and I laughed.) This is a thoughtful, smartly-argued piece of cultural criticism, which left me with a lot to ponder. My review is up at MEL.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Spooky Authors, Tormented Filmmakers and 'Pan's Labyrinth'

We enjoyed reviewing Shirley and Tommaso. (We miss new movies.) Then, in our Reboot segment, I discussed my resistance to the Oscar-winning Pan's Labyrinth. Hear the whole thing down below.

The Live Albums You Need Right Now

You can't go to concerts right now. So check out these concert albums instead.

'The King of Staten Island' Review

Judd Apatow's first feature in five years finds him teaming up with Saturday Night Live cast member Pete Davidson. They have distinctly different energies and they clash intriguingly in The King of Staten Island, which I reviewed for MEL.

Christopher Nolan and the Wait for 'Tenet'

Is Tenet still planning on opening July 17? Christopher Nolan sure hopes so. For MEL, I wrote about the unofficial (and totally unexpected) king of summer movies. You can read the piece here.

Essential Documentaries About Black America

For Rolling Stone, I contributed to a write-up of films that explore political protest, racism and the criminal justice system. Hope you find this list illuminating.

The Long Afterlife of "Impeach the President"

Roy C. Hammond wanted to write a song about Richard Nixon and Watergate. And out came a protest anthem that would end up being one of the most sampled in hip-hop history. For MEL, I wrote about "Impeach the President."

'The Last Days of American Crime' Review

Is this the worst movie of the year? Some of my colleagues think so. I merely think it's colossally lame. My review is live at MEL.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Reviews of 'Shirley,' 'Tommaso' and 'Judy and Punch'

Temperamental artists and bad marriages dominate this weekend's new releases. Amy Nicholson and I spent a little time talking about them on KCRW. You can hear the whole thing below.

Five Replacements for 'Wonder Woman 1984'

In another world, Wonder Woman 1984 would have come out today. For Vulture, we offered up five streaming alternatives, including two very different films from Charlize Theron.

'Shirley' Review

Big surprise, Elisabeth Moss rules in Shirley, a fictionalized portrait of Shirley Jackson as she begins work on a new novel. My review is up at MEL.

Otis Redding - "Try a Little Tenderness"

Jay-Z and Kanye West sampled this song for "Otis," but here's the original in all its glory.

The Summer When Meryl Streep Took Down Superman

Let us return to the summer of 2006, when The Devil Wears Prada battled Superman Returns and an unlikely winner emerged. The latest installment of my Ultimate Summer Movie Guide is here.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The High Note,' 'The Vast of Night' and 'Andrei Rublev'

Happy to have two new movies to review, although The High Note didn't do much for me. (I liked The Vast of Night far more.) Then, in our Reboot segment, we go long on Andrei Tarkovsky's second film. Hear the whole thing down below.

Five Replacements for 'The Green Knight'

David Lowery's latest was supposed to come out last Friday. The pandemic changed that. For Vulture, we offer some alternatives worth streaming, including his terrific A Ghost Story. Here's the list.

Orson Welles 101

The boy from Illinois who went on to direct, arguably, the greatest movie ever made, Orson Welles lived most of his life under the cloud of Citizen Kane. For MEL, I highlight his most pivotal moments, including those infamous wine commercials.