SXSW 2025: 'Another Simple Favor' Review

I wasn't a fan of A Simple Favor. Did the long-awaited sequel change my mind about this stylish franchise? My review is up at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Rumours,' 'Woman of the Hour' and 'Brothers'

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times on the podcast this week. We both really liked Anna Kendrick's directorial debut but, boy oh boy, did we despise the anemic crime comedy from Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage. Somewhere in the middle was Rumours. Hear our reviews down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Suncoast' and 'Up in the Air'

Super Bowl Weekend tends to be a little barren at the multiplex. On this week's episode, Will and I both reviewed Suncoast and then I asked him about Lisa Frankenstein. Plus, we made one Reboot requester happy by taking a look back at Up in the Air. Did the movie hold up? Check out our thoughts below.

'Alice, Darling' Review

In Alice, Darling, Anna Kendrick plays a woman in an emotionally abusive relationship. The film is a thriller, except not quite. I explain over at Screen International.

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.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Oscar Recap, 'Mortal Kombat' and 'Stowaway'

A strange Academy Awards, huh? We talk about it on this week's podcast. And then we make fun of Mortal Kombat and lament that Stowaway isn't better. Hear the whole thing down below.

'Stowaway' Review

Stowaway stars Anna Kendrick and Toni Collette as part of a small crew heading to Mars. One problem: As they begin their journey, they discover that there's an accidental stowaway (Shamier Anderson) on board. But they don't have enough oxygen for an extra person. What do they do? It's an interesting ethical debate that doesn't prove to be a great movie. My review is up at Screen International.

'Trolls World Tour' Review

Universal is throwing caution to the wind by forgoing a theatrical release for its would-be blockbuster sequel to Trolls. But forget the industry repercussions for a moment: Is the new movie any good? My feelings about World Tour are over at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Predators, 'White Boy Rick' and 'Mandy'

We're back after a week off. We diss The Predator and stick up for White Boy Rick. I talk a little about the Toronto Film Festival and A Simple Favor. And then we delve into Mandy. The whole episode is down below.

'A Simple Favor' Review

I saw A Simple Favor before Toronto. I barely remember it, so thank goodness I wrote my review while it was still fresh in my mind. I know this: The movie isn't good. You can read my thoughts over at Screen International.

'Pitch Perfect 3' Review

Anna Kendrick's franchise is starting to run out of gas. Pitch Perfect 3 doesn't have the fun songs and snarky spirit of the previous installments. I dug the Bellas' rendition of "Toxic," though. I reviewed the film for Screen International.

'The Accountant' Review

The Accountant is this close to being a good movie that successfully executes its mixture of ludicrousness and drama. Alas, it doesn't quite get there. Ben Affleck plays an accountant who's also a butt-kicking, Jason Bourne-like killing machine. And he's autistic. It's a strange film, and I reviewed it for Screen International.

Sundance 2015: 'Digging for Fire' Review

When I got out of my screening of director Joe Swanberg's Digging for Fire last night, I told a colleague that I felt like he had made his version of Eyes Wide Shut. What did I mean by that? Well, the film (starring Jake Johnson and Rosemarie DeWitt) is about a married couple who end up having separate weekends, plunging them into unexpected, emotionally complicated situations. And it all kicks off with the husband discovering a human bone and a handgun buried in the yard of the home where he and his wife are house-sitting.

The more I think about this film, the more I like its ambiguous, almost subliminal resonance. I reviewed Digging for Fire for Screen International.

'Into the Woods' Review

Into the woods, into the woods, into the woods!

If you see only one musical this holiday season......absolutely don't let it be the atrocious Annie. And while Into the Woods isn't terrific, it's perfectly, pleasantly solid. My review of the big-screen adaptation of the James Lapine/Stephen Sondheim classic is up live over at Screen International.

Toronto 2014: 'The Last Five Years' Review

Anna Kendrick remains one of our best young stars, but the best thing that can be said about The Last Five Years is that she makes it almost recommendable. This two-hander musical about a marriage that's just ended is filled with singing, singing, singing. I wish I liked it more. I reviewed The Last Five Years for Screen International.

Sundance 2014: 'Happy Christmas' Review

The latest from Joe Swanberg, Happy Christmas, is a perfectly pleasant comedy-drama about a family in Chicago getting ready for the holidays and coping with one of its members' (played by Anna Kendrick) flagrant immaturity. Swanberg, as per norm, goes for the casual, offhand observation. If you've never seen any of his movies, this is a decent place to start. My review is up at Paste.