Sundance 2022: 'Watcher' Review

Maika Monroe plays a former actress who moves to Bucharest with her husband (Karl Glusman), becoming convinced she's being stalked. (Monroe was previously in It Follows, and that title would have worked well for this film, too.) For Screen International, I reviewed Watcher.

Looking Back at "Return of the Mack"

This year, MEL is going to be running a bunch of features based around pop-culture events that happened in 1997. As part of the series, I chronicled this Mark Morrison hit, which conquered the U.K. in '96 and then came to the States the following year. I talked to two people involved with shaping the smash. Hope you enjoy.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Talking Sundance, 'Sundown' and 'Cyrano'

I was on KCRW this week, alongside Shawn Edwards, to review new movies. But I also gave Madeleine a preview of some Sundance films worth keeping an eye on. You can hear our whole chat down below.

Sundance 2022: 'Am I OK?' Review

Directors and married couple Stephanie Allynne and Tig Notaro make their feature debut with Am I OK?, about best friends (Dakota Johnson, Sonoya Mizuno) who have to contend with the fact that one of them is moving to London -- and the other thinks she's gay. I found the movie sweet but kinda flimsy. My review is live over at Screen International.    

Why Arnold Schwarzenegger's Fake Movie 'Zeus' Makes Me Sad

This week, Arnold Schwarzenegger posted a poster for a movie he's supposedly going to be in, Zeus. Immediately, most of us knew it was a fake, and probably a teaser for an upcoming Super Bowl ad. The whole thing was kinda silly, of course, but it also made me a bit melancholy. I explain why here.

Barry Manilow Goes to War With Spotify (Not Really)

Fun fact: My first professional, published music article I ever had was about Barry Manilow. More than 20 years later, I'm back writing about him. This time, it's about the strange six hours on Friday when the world thought he'd yanked his music in Spotify in protest of their support of Joe Rogan. My piece is over at MEL.

Wrestling With 'Elephant'

School shootings were the subject of two recent films: Mass and this weekend's The Fallout. For MEL, I wrote about the movie I most associate with that theme: Gus Van Sant's controversial Elephant. My thoughts are here.

Gang of Four - "Natural's Not in It"

We all have good intentions
But all with strings attached

Sundance 2022: 'Cha Cha Real Smooth' Review

Cooper Raiff's sophomore feature was just picked up by Apple TV+ for $15 million. My review for Screen International is, thankfully for you, much cheaper to read.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Hail Satan?' and We Answer Your Questions

This week was one of our mailbag episodes, and there was much to discuss. Thanks for all your questions.

Then, in our Reboot segment, we look back at Penny Lane's documentary Hail Satan? 

Hear the whole thing down below.

Sundance 2022: 'Emily the Criminal' Review

I've tended to like Aubrey Plaza's film choices more than the actual films. But that's not the case with her latest, a smart, small-scale crime thriller. For Screen International, I reviewed Emily the Criminal.

My Interview With Rick Baker and Mike Marino

The Los Angeles Times asked me if I'd be interested in talking to the two men who did the makeup for the two Coming to America films. I sure was: Rick Baker, who did Coming to America, is one of the giants of the industry, while Mike Marino, who handled Coming 2 America, is one of the real rising stars. They're friends, and we had a very fun chat about how to transform Eddie Murphy, both then and now, into the movies' different characters. Hope you enjoy.

Sundance 2022: 'Resurrection' Review

Big fan of Rebecca Hall that I am, I was intrigued by Resurrection, in which she plays a single mom and successful businesswoman who is tormented by a man from her past (Tim Roth). The movie gets weird, and my review is over at Screen International.

Tim Roth Is the Man Who Wasn't There in 'Sundown'

A man goes on vacation. He has to head home early because of a death in the family. Instead, he just ... decides to stay. For MEL, I wrote about the pleasingly enigmatic Sundown.

Kevin James and the Shifting Nature of the Everyman

For MEL, I wrote about the King of Queens star, who for a brief moment seemed to be on the way to movie stardom. What happened? I think there are two factors at play. I get into both here.

When Movies Sit on the Shelf Forever

Usually, it goes like this: A director shoots a movie, then it's edited, then it's released, all within the span of about a year. But sometimes, problems occur, including the fact that the movie is actively terrible. 

In honor of this past weekend's The King's Daughter, which was delayed for years and years before finally coming out, I did an overview of some ignominious films for MEL.

Sundance 2022: 'Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.' Review

Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown played a married couple: He's a Baptist preacher for a megachurch, and she's his long-suffering wife. Part mockumentary, part exploration of false prophets and genuine faith, Honk for Jesus is an uneven mixture. But it ultimately worked for me. My Screen International review is here.

Sundance 2022: 'Emergency' Review

In Emergency, two Black college seniors who are best friends want to have one last crazy party night before they graduate. Things don't go well. My review of this comedy/social commentary is right here.

Sundance 2022: 'Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy' Review

Does Kanye West merit a four-and-a-half-hour documentary series? I think so. My review of Jeen-Yuhs is up at Screen International.

Sundance 2022: 'Riotsville, U.S.A.' Review

Sierra Pettengill has made a documentary about a fascinating little bit of American history: In order to better prepare for riots in the 1960s, the U.S. government created model towns where they could stage fake protests. (Also, the government filmed these recreated riots for posterity.) Using archival footage, she looks at this surreal bit of playacting. My review of Riotsville, U.S.A. is over at Screen International.

Sundance 2022: 'Call Jane' Review

Today is the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Over at Screen International, I reviewed one of two films showing at Sundance that chronicles the Jane Collective, a group of women in Chicago that helped women get abortions at a time in the country when that was illegal. (The other film, by the way, is a documentary called The Janes.) Here's my review of Call Jane.

Sundance 2022: '892' Review

John Boyega stars in the true story of an Iraq War veteran who was financially destitute, believing that Veterans Affairs had cheated him out of his disability check. And so he went into a bank, took hostages and demanded that the government pay him what he was owed. My review of 892 is up at Screen International.

Sundance 2022: 'La Guerra Civil' Review

In 1996, Julio Cesar Chavel and Oscar De La Hoya squared off in the ring. It was a title fight, but it was also about much more than that. For Screen International, I reviewed La Guerra Civil.

Will Forte Was Never Better Than in 'Nebraska'

It's been more than 10 years since Will Forte left Saturday Night Live. Tonight, he comes back to host for the first time. For MEL, I wrote about the one dramatic role he's done, and why it's so good. My appreciation of Nebraska is here.

Meat Loaf, 1947-2022

The voice behind Bat Out of Hell has died. I grew up with a friend who loved that album, so I know its seven songs pretty intimately. I wrote about Meat Loaf's passing for MEL.

Sundance 2022: 'Fire of Love' Review

This is my second straight Sundance from home. (Damn Covid.) And here's my first review from this year's festival, a documentary about Katia and Maurice Krafft, French volcanologists who died during an eruption in 1991. You can read my thoughts about Fire of Love over at Screen International.

Foals - "Wake Me Up"

It's so rare I like a new rock song anymore. But here's an exception.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: That New 'Scream' and the Most-Anticipated Movies of 2022

We're back! And we're disagreeing about Scream. Also, we talk about the films we're most excited about this year. Hear the whole thing down below.

On Joss Whedon and Our Need for Heroes

Like a lot of people, I read Vulture's in-depth profile of disgraced filmmaker Joss Whedon today. And I had a lot of thoughts, which I share over at MEL.

I Hope Sinead O'Connor Is Okay

For years, I've wanted to write something about Sinead O'Connor. I can't tell you how often I think of her and wonder how she's doing. She's had such a hard life, which makes her most popular song just that much more haunting each time I hear it. For MEL, I wrote about "Nothing Compares 2 U."

How Dewey Became the MVP of the New 'Scream'

I was not expecting David Arquette to give my favorite performance in the mediocre sequel. But I think there's more going on than just what's on the screen. I explain what I mean over at MEL.

'Soylent Green,' 'The Purge' and What Hollywood Thought 2022 Was Going to Look Like

Two very different, prominent films from the past were set this year. Which one proved more accurate? For MEL, I did a deep dive into Soylent Green and The Purge.

My Interview With Mike Sielski, Author of 'The Rise'

The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality is an origin story of sorts, tracing Kobe Bryant's early years, as a boy and a teenager, before he joined the NBA. It's been nearly two years since his death, and the book is an often thought-provoking meditation on the kid he once was. 

For MEL, I spoke to Mike Sielski, a Philadelphia sports columnist and reporter who contacted many in Bryant's life and had access to never-before-heard interviews from the late athlete when he was in high school. I really enjoyed my talk with Mike, which covered masculinity, race, the comfort of sports narratives and #MeToo. Hope you enjoy.

Spinal Tap - "Big Bottom"

... or so I have read.

'Peacemaker' and the John Cena Problem

I'm big enough to admit it: I don't quite get John Cena. For MEL, I wrestled with this issue in regards to his new show, Peacemaker.

'Scream' Review

No, not the original Scream. This is the new Scream. (And if that's confusing, like many of the meta jokes in this sequel, there's a satiric jab at that, too.) My review is up at Screen International.

No, Steely Dan Aren't Fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide

"Deacon Blues" mentions the Tide in the chorus. But that's not meant as a compliment. In honor of tonight's national championship football game, I wrote about 45 years of confusion over at MEL.

What Is "Short Dick Man"? And Why Is Everyone on TikTok Talking About It?

A novelty song from 1994 is, suddenly, everywhere on social media. For MEL, I looked back at the history of a global hit that seemed destined to have its 15 minutes and then fade into oblivion. Turns out, that's not what happened.

Maybe Skip 'The 355' and Rewatch 'Haywire' Instead

In 2011 at AFI Fest, Steven Soderbergh premiered a secret new project, called Haywire, starring an MMA fighter (Gina Carano) as an elite operative who gets betrayed. It was a hoot. The movie opened in January 2012, which has now been 10 years. For MEL, I revisit the film in light of this weekend's The 355. Read all about it here.

What Peter Bogdanovich Gave the World With 'The Last Picture Show'

In honor of the filmmaker's passing, I wrote about his greatest film. Hope you enjoy.

Four Tops - "It's the Same Old Song"

I've been listening to this song for decades, and I never get over how deceptively upbeat it is. "It's the Same Old Song" sounds pretty joyous for a tune about hearing an old favorite on the radio that reminds you of the girl that left you. That juxtaposition of melancholy and danceable is a killer. Sentimental fools understand.

The 2022 Movies That Aren't Based on Anything

It's become a fun annual tradition: At the start of the new year, I'll put together a list of upcoming movies that aren't sequels, remakes, reboots or in any way based on true stories or preexisting material. My 2022 edition is over at MEL. Hope you enjoy.