The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Coyote vs. Acme,' 'The Dog Stars' and 'Tony'

After a week off, we're back. You can hear us talk about Looney Tunes, Will Forte, the Roadrunner, Ridley Scott, Jacob Elordi, Anthony Bourdain, Dominic Sessa, Matt Johnson and the WNBA down below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Wile E. Coyote, Ridley Scott, 'Idiots' and 'Buddy'

I was on KCRW this week, alongside Shawn Edwards, to discuss this weekend's big releases. That includes Coyote vs. Acme and The Dog Stars, but also the indies Idiots and Buddy (pictured above). You can hear our thoughts down below.

'Coyote vs. Acme' Review

After years of sitting on the shelf, Coyote vs. Acme is finally hitting theaters. Was it worth the wait? My review is up at Screen International. 

'Moana' (Live-Action) Review

Moana came out 10 years ago. Now, there's a new Moana, the live-action version. For my Screen International review, I drilled down on exactly why these Disney remakes sap my soul. Hope you enjoy. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Toy Story 5,' 'The Death of Robin Hood' and 'The Last Temptation of Christ'

Animation and death run rampant on this week's episode. Will and I compare notes on Toy Story 5 while wondering what went wrong with Hugh Jackman's dark take on Robin Hood. Then, in our Reboot segment, we go back to 1988 to discuss Martin Scorsese's controversial The Last Temptation of Christ. Lots of good stuff here, which you can hear down below.

'Toy Story 5' Review

Pixar's best franchise is now five-for-five. For Screen International, I reviewed the delightful, moving Toy Story 5. 

Cannes 2026: 'Jim Queen' Review

Looking for an endearing, queer-themed animated film about a horrible virus that's turning everyone straight? Let me suggest Jim Queen, which I reviewed for Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Talking About Sheep Detectives and Previewing the 2026 Cannes Film Festival

Greetings from Cannes. I just got into town, but before I left, I recorded this week's episode of the podcast, in which I preview five films playing here that I am very excited to see, including Fjord. Also, we review The Sheep Detectives. Check it all out down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' 'Hokum' and 'Animal Farm'

As luck would have it, I didn't actually write about any of the three films we reviewed this week on the podcast. So you can hear me express my disappointment in the Devil Wears Prada sequel, praise Adam Scott in Hokum and shake my head at the animated Animal Farm. The full episode is below:

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Mario & Luigi & Zendaya & Robert Pattinson & 'Yes' & 'Kontinental '25'

Provocateurs dominate my segment of Press Play, where Shawn Edwards and I reviewed the button-pushing The Drama, Yes and Kontinental '25. As for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it mostly provoked me to despair for society at large. You can hear our conversation down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Bride!' and 'Hoppers' and Our Final Oscar Predictions

We have a big disagreement about The Bride! on this week's episode. Elsewhere, we look at the latest from Pixar. And then we try to figure out what's gonna win what at the Oscars. Lots of tough calls! Hear the whole show down below.

'Hoppers' Review

Hoppers is a nice course correction for Pixar, which hasn't had much luck with its original films in recent years. But I found this one funny, charming and touching. My review is here. 

'The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants' Review

SpongeBob SquarePants has been around for more than 25 years now. His new movie is a nice reminder of why he's such an enduring character. I reviewed Search for SquarePants for Screen International.  

'Scarlet' Review

In a down year for animation, Scarlet has been one of the few standouts. I reviewed Mamoru Hosoda's unconventional riff on Hamlet for Screen International.

'Zootopia 2' Review

Based on the family audience I saw Zootopia 2 with, I think the film will do very well over the holidays. My review is up at Screen International. 

'In Your Dreams' Review

Two young siblings fear their parents are getting divorced. Maybe the Sandman can help save the day? That's the plot of In Your Dreams, which I found to be a bit of a snooze. You can read my review here.

'Fixed' Review

What if dogs were secretly horny and foul-mouthed? That's the not-very-clever idea behind Fixed, Genndy Tartakovsky's R-rated animated comedy. Here's my review.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Lamenting 'Smurfs,' Debating 'Eddington'

Katie Walsh and I were at the KCRW studios yesterday to talk about this weekend's major movie releases. My big takeaway? Lots of stinkers! 

You can hear our reviews of Eddington, Smurfs and I Know What You Did Last Summer down below. (We also discuss an upcoming 70mm screening of 1984's Streets of Fire.)

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: '28 Years Later' and 'The Life of Chuck'

Because we unexpectedly weren't able to do an episode last week, this episode is super-sized, featuring reviews of four new movies. Going into the show, I wondered how many of the films we'd disagree on, and it turns out we saw two of them very differently. You can check out our thoughts on 28 Years Later, Materialists, Elio and The Life of Chuck down below.

'Elio' Review

Elio is one of several recent Pixar films that's not part of the studio's big franchises. I'm glad the company keeps making original movies. I just wish they were better. Here's my review for Screen International.