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.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Reviewing 'Cuckoo,' 'Good One' and 'It Ends With Us'

Katie Walsh and I were on KCRW this morning discussing this weekend's releases. Did we make fun of Borderlands? You better believe it. We also reviewed a German horror film, a lovely American indie drama and It Ends With Us. Hope you enjoy our segment.

My Interview With Justin Baldoni

It's been a while since I've done a profile in which I hang out with my subject for an extended period of time. But a couple weeks ago, I spent a morning (and early afternoon) with Justin Baldoni, the director of the forthcoming It Ends With Us. His production company Wayfarer Studios, according to its website, is committed to "championing inspirational stories which unite as true agents for social change." What does that look like in real-world terms? Here's my story.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Assistant,' 'The Rhythm Section,' 'Inglourious Basterds' and Our Oscar Predictions

Lots to get to on this week's show. (I also talk a little about Sundance 2020.) Hear the entire episode down below.

Cinema's Greatest Sharks

Summer's almost over, folks. But before you go to the beach one last time, remember: There are sharks out there. For SyFy, we paid tribute to some pretty terrific great whites.

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.

'The Shallows' Review

Blake Lively shares the screen with a shark in The Shallows, a survival tale about a surfer in for the fight for her life. There are sufficient B-movie pleasures to be had, but I'm sorry: I just found the movie too darn hokey. My review is up at Screen International.

Cannes 2016: 'Cafe Society' Review

I can't put into words the excitement I felt about seeing a Woody Allen movie at Cannes. This is my second straight year experiencing it, and I'm not tired of the sensation yet. His latest, Cafe Society, stars Jesse Eisenberg as a Woody-like young man who moves from New York to Los Angeles in the 1930s, falling in love with Kristen Stewart. Cue romantic triangle ... and my review for Paste.

'The Age of Adaline' Review

I suppose that The Age of Adaline was better than I was expecting. And yet, it's still disappointing, taking a promising premise -- what would it be like to be forever young? -- and bungling it. Here's the weird thing, though: It contains one of Harrison Ford's strongest performances in a good long while. Is that enough to recommend this Blake Lively vehicle? Uh, no. I reviewed Adaline for Screen International.