Venice 2025: 'The Smashing Machine' Review

For now anyway, the Safdie brothers aren't making movies together anymore. Both of them will have their own films out this year. First up is Benny, who just premiered the real-life sports drama The Smashing Machine at Venice. My review is here. 

What's the Best Fourth of July Release This Century?

I offer a Top 10 here.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Stunt Performers, Outcasts and a Movie About Pop-Tarts

Our latest episode ... was in person! Will and I sat at my dinner table to discuss The Fall Guy, I Saw the TV Glow and Unfrosted. Hear the whole thing down below.

What 'The Fall Guy' Gets Right About "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)"

 

Think you can resist Phil Collins' emotional power ballad? Think again.

My Interview With the Cast and Crew of 'Oppenheimer'

So, this was a massive undertaking, but I can't tell you how pleased I am with how it turned out. 

Over the last couple of weeks, I've been talking to different people in front of and behind the camera who were involved with Oppenheimer. Specifically, we've discussed Christopher Nolan's screenplay, which I've read and is a real wonder. Folks like Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Robert Downey Jr. gave me insights into how the script changed on set, and then Nolan and others shared tidbits regarding what was added and what was changed.

The design team did an incredible job with this piece -- hope you enjoy.

The Comedies I'm Curious to See in 2024

Will IF stink? What's this movie about a unicorn? I have the answers for you.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Killer,' 'Anatomy of a Fall' and 'Pain Hustlers'

On this week's episode, we tackle two good new films ... and also a crummy Netflix flick. Which are which? Listen here and find out.

Toronto 2023: 'Pain Hustlers' Review

Pain Hustlers is inspired by actual events, telling the story of a small-time Florida pharmaceutical company that got rich peddling a more effective painkiller. Then things went south. You can read my review here. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Oppenheimer,' 'Barbie' and the New 'Mission: Impossible'

We were off last week, so there's a lot to discuss in our latest episode. Three big movies, and we tackle them all in depth. Have a listen.

What's the Funniest Movie to Open Over Fourth of July?

This time of year, the multiplex is ruled by action movies. But every once in a while, we get a great comedy. I looked back at a few for Cracked.

'The English' Review

For Chron, I took a look at Emily Blunt's new Western series for Amazon. I seem to be in the minority, but I didn't really love The English.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Green Knight,' 'Stillwater' and 'Jungle Cruise'

Going into this week's episode, I wondered if we would differ on the new movies from Matt Damon and Dwayne Johnson. Turns out, we are exactly aligned. In fact, we see eye-to-eye on all three films. Enjoy us being right down below.

'Jungle Cruise' Review

For whatever reason, I especially like writing the "good enough" review, which is when I like a movie enough to recommend, while acknowledging its many flaws. Jungle Cruise falls into that category: It would be nothing without the chemistry between Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. My thoughts are over at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Sequels, Origin Stories and 'Plan B'

We tackled three new movies on this week's episode. We're both big fans of A Quiet Place Part II, we both disliked Cruella, and we both feel bad we didn't dig Plan B more. Hear the whole thing down below.

'A Quiet Place Part II' Review

Looking at the early reviews of A Quiet Place Part II, I'm apparently on the high side in terms of reactions. I think it's better than the original. You can read my review here.