'Breakfast All Day': Talking 'Ella McCay'

One last Breakfast All Day appearance before the end of the year. I was very happy to join Christy to discuss James L. Brooks' misfire, which has had me thinking about Megalopolis recently. I explain in this segment. 

'Ella McCay' Review

James L. Brooks has not made a film since How Do You Know. He's back with Ella McCay, which stars Emma Mackey as an idealistic young politician facing myriad personal and professional crises. My review is up at Screen International. 

What's the Best Comedy of the 1990s?

I provide the answer over at Cracked.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Brie Larson, Alexander Payne and Albert Brooks

On this week's podcast, the clear winner is The Holdovers, but we also spend a little time discussing The Marvels and Albert Brooks: Defending My Life. There's also the occasional reference to 1980s sitcoms. Hope you enjoy.

The Best Comedic Performances Overlooked by the Oscars

So many funny performances received no love from the Academy. For Cracked, I shine a light on some of the most egregious oversights. Hope you enjoy. 

Movies About Love That Goes Bad

Who wants happily ever after? Sometimes the best movies about love are the ones starring couples that shouldn't stay together. I highlight 10 personal favorites over at MEL.

Misleading Men: Albert Brooks

I love the guy. You love the guy. So do we think we're the only ones? I wrote about the perpetually underrated Albert Brooks for MEL.

When Funny Actors Get Serious

Over at SyFy, we pick five great genre performances in which normally comedic actors had to do drama. No. 1 was very, very easy. You can read the whole thing here.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Sparrows, Wishes and 'Defending Your Life'

In this week's episode, we review Red Sparrow. Then Will solos on Death Wish. And then we take a look back at Defending Your Life. The whole thing is down below. And, as a reminder, on Monday we'll have our reactions to the Oscars.

Movies About the Pain of Long-Term Love

The Five-Year Engagement is an unusual Hollywood rom-com in one important way: It's about what happens after the happily ever after. For IFC Fix, I did a quick rundown of other recent comedies and dramas that have covered similar ground. (And, yes, I worked in a reference to the great Modern Romance.) You can read my piece here.

albert brooks' real life at the cinefamily

In 1979, writer-director Albert Brooks made his feature debut with a very funny comedy about reality television. It was called Real Life. Thirty years later, it plays like a documentary about the way we live today. Comedian Bob Odenkirk will be hosting a special screening of the film this Friday at the Cinefamily. I explain all the ways Real Life was prescient in L.A. Weekly.

albert brooks blows your mind -- in 3-d!

Up opens today in 3-D. Filmmakers have made major advancements in 3-D technology of late, but this trailer for Real Life from 1978 is still my favorite incorporation of the cinematic gimmick.