Raindance 2024: 'The Man With a Thousand Faces' Review

French filmmaker Sonia Kronlund was interested in doing a documentary about a group of women who were all dating the same man, having no idea that he had other girlfriends. The Man With a Thousand Faces explores this mysterious, duplicitous individual, as well as the smart women he so successfully conned. My review is here.

Kevin Costner, Director

As we prepare for Horizon, I went back and rewatched Kevin Costner's first three films as a director. Some themes emerged, which I wrote about here.

When Will These Movies Get a U.S. Distributor?

For RogerEbert.com, I banged the drum for some films that haven't been picked up yet. Some I've seen, some I haven't, but all of them seem pretty worthwhile. Check 'em out.

My Interview With Catherine Breillat, Director of 'Last Summer'

Catherine Breillat isn't a fan of intimacy coordinators and has some thoughts about how to make good sex scenes. I talked to the veteran French director about her terrific new film, Last Summer, for RogerEbert.com.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Bikeriders,' 'Fancy Dance' and 'Colonel Blimp'

On this week's episode, we review two new movies, one of which we differ on. But the real highlight is our conversation around 1943's The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, which is wonderful. Hear the whole thing down below.

'Green Border' Review

Agnieszka Holland didn't just want to make a movie about the European refugee crisis, she wanted to make you think about how all of us our complicit in the border horrors in our own countries. For the Los Angeles Times, I reviewed Green Border.

ZZ Top - "Gimme All Your Lovin'"

If only all of MaXXXine was as good as its opening credits, which uses this banger to great effect.

'A Quiet Place: Day One': Review

A prequel with its tone and ideas? That's rare, which is why I liked A Quiet Place: Day One. You can read my review here.

'MaXXXine' Review

I liked X. I really liked Pearl. But I was underwhelmed by MaXXXine, which sends Mia Goth to Hollywood in the 1980s. My review is up at Screen International.

Raindance 2024: 'Something’s More Than One Thing'

A long-term couple are facing an impasse. Can they survive at a time when the internet is poisoning our relationship with each other? That question powers Something's More Than One Thing, a conceptually ambitious drama that doesn't quite achieve its goals. My review is up at Screen International.

Donald Sutherland's Finest Performances

In honor of Donald Sutherland's passing, I highlighted the actor's best films. Some are obvious choices, some a little less so. All are worth checking out.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Being Charmed by 'Thelma'

Katie Walsh and I were on KCRW yesterday reviewing L.A.'s new releases, including The Bikeriders, Kinds of Kindness and Fancy Dance. We also talked about the action-comedy starring June Squibb, who gets her Tom Cruise on in Thelma. Check us out down below.

My Interview With Julianne Nicholson, Star of 'Janet Planet'

I've been raving about Janet Planet for about 10 months now. It opens in New York today. For the Los Angeles Times, I spoke to its radiant star Julianne Nicholson about motherhood, accepting oneself and Western Massachusetts. Hope you enjoy. 

(Photo by Justin Jun Lee.)

Maggie Rogers - "So Sick of Dreaming"

Guys, never stand up your date for a basketball game.

'All Of It With Alison Stewart': What's the Bext Pixar Film?

Will and I were back on WNYC to talk about Pixar movies and our Vulture rankings. It was a fun chat, and you can hear it down below.

Donald Sutherland, 1935-2024

I wrote about the man's life, career and legacy for Rolling Stone.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Inside Out 2,' 'Tuesday,' 'Fruitvale Station'

We agreed on Pixar's latest but differed on the change-of-pace drama from Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Then we went back to 2013 to discuss Ryan Coogler's first film. Hear all of that, and more, down below.

Ranking Brat Pack Movies

In honor of Brats, I put together a list of the Brat Pack's best and worst films. (My only rule: Two or more members of the crew had to be in the cast.) You can read my rankings here.

My Interview With Jesse Plemons, Star of 'Kinds of Kindness'

Learning how Yorgos Lanthimos works. Understanding his own comedic style. Rocking a turtleneck. Winning Best Actor at Cannes. I had a lot to talk about with Jesse Plemons. Hope you enjoy.

Sabrina Carpenter - "Espresso"

Out-of-town wedding in Ojai this weekend. Which means road trip and a new playlist. This song will definitely be played loud.

My Interview With Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Director of 'The Grab'

The director of Blackfish wants you to worry about the world's shrinking food and water resources. I spoke to Gabriela Cowperthwaite about staying optimistic, eating all your groceries and The Grab.

Revisiting Harrison Ford's 'Presumed Innocent'

There is a new Apple TV+ limited series based on the Scott Turow novel. For RogerEbert.com, I looked back at the first time the book was adapted, the 1990 film with Harrison Ford that became a big hit. Does that Presumed Innocent hold up? And what does it say about that bygone Hollywood era? Read on.

Why Do We Care If Actors Look Like Their Real-Life Subjects?

Inspired by the rumored casting news about the Beatles biopics, I decided to write an essay about our obsession with whether or not an actor resembles the real person they're playing. My argument: It matters less than we realize.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: How Bad Is 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die'?

In this week's episode, we review the latest installment in the Bad Boys saga. We also discuss Hit Man and go back to 1959's Anatomy of a Fall. (I also talk a little about moderating a Q&A with Lynne Littman for her film Testament. That was a special night.) Hear the whole thing down below.

'Inside Out 2' Review

Yeah, it got me. For Screen International, I reviewed the quite moving Inside Out 2.

You Should See Glen Powell in 'Everybody Wants Some!!'

Did you enjoy Hit Man on Netflix? Then may I suggest an earlier movie in which Glen Powell and Richard Linklater worked together? Here's me singing the praises (again) of a great baseball comedy.

'Ultraman: Rising' Review

Japan's greatest superhero is back, this time in cartoon form. For Screen International, I reviewed the English-language, animated Ultraman: Rising.

My Interview With Richard Linkater, Director of 'Hit Man'

Ten years ago, I got to spend time with Richard Linklater on a couple different occasions thanks to Boyhood. Those are cherished memories, so I was happy to get to Zoom with him to talk about his latest, Hit Man. We discussed sex, contract killing and sports -- and, also, why he's still so laidback despite working in an industry that's getting tougher and tougher. My piece is live over at the Los Angeles Times.

The Byrds - "So You Want to Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star"

Even back in 1967, the corporatization of rock music was already in full swing. And the Byrds weren't having it.

When Martin Lawrence Was Bigger Than Will Smith

Every once in a while, someone remembers that, for the original Bad Boys, Martin Lawrence was top-billed over Will Smith. That changed for the sequels, of course, but I wanted to look back at where he was in his career in 1995. Here you go.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: We Answer Your Questions and Revisit 'The Abyss'

A big thanks to our listeners, who sent us so many great questions. We tried to answer as many as we could on this week's episode. Then, in our Reboot segment, we look back at 1989's The Abyss. (Yup, we did the director's cut.) Dive in down below.

Why Did the World Change Its Mind About 'Ishtar'?

When Ishtar came out, it was a flop. Critics despised it. Decades later, though, you mostly hear that it's a misunderstood masterpiece. What happened? And is the movie good or not? Here's my latest for Cracked.

My Interview With Taylor Tomlinson

I've been a big fan of Taylor Tomlinson since I saw her first special, Quarter-Life Crisis, back in 2020. So it was a pleasure to speak with her for the Los Angeles Times. We talked about turning 30, hosting After Midnight, her new girlfriend and her thoughts on the state of late night. And, of course, I had to ask her about stand-up and her most recent special, Have It All. Hope you enjoy.

A History of Hit Men at the Movies

In honor of Hit Man, which comes to Netflix on Friday, I wrote about cinematic hit men. We think of them as impervious and super-cool, but very often these characters fail to live up to our lofty impression of them. Why is that? My thoughts are here.