The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Drama,' 'Outcome' and 'Exit 8'

After a week off, we're back! And we're here to talk about how terrible Outcome is. Also, we differ on The Drama and get lost in Exit 8. You can hear all our thoughts down below.

'Outcome' Review

So much talent in front of and behind the camera is wasted in Outcome, Jonah Hill's unfunny dark comedy about cancel culture in Hollywood. I dissect the corpse over at the A.V. Club. 

Phil Lord and Chris Miller > "The Fall Guy"

Underwhelmed by The Fall Guy, I tried to pinpoint my big problem with the film. And then it hit me: I would have liked it a lot more if Phil Lord and Chris Miller had made it. I explain why here.

Seth Rogen, King of the August Comedy

Over the last 20 years, Seth Rogen has had a pretty consistent track record putting out hit films in August, which is usually a dumping ground for new movies. What's his secret? I attempt an answer over at Cracked.

What's the Greatest Sex Comedy Ever?

I tried to answer that question for Cracked.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: M. Night Shyamalan, 'You People' and Revisiting 'Carlito's Way'

Much to my surprise, we both liked Knock at the Cabin. As for You People, well, it's definitely fascinating, without actually being any good. And then, for our Reboot segment, we go back to 1993's Carlito's Way, which I feel exactly the same about as I did back then. Hear the whole thing down below.

'21 Jump Street' at 10

Technically speaking, this R-rated remake of the 1980s series celebrated its 10th anniversary in the spring. But now that the film is streaming on Netflix, I decided it was worth reminiscing about how 21 Jump Street really shouldn't have worked as well as it did. My appreciation is over at Cracked.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Horror, Directorial Debuts and 'Memories of Murder'

Many movies are discussed on this week's podcast. Will and I dig into Halloween, and then I solo on Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Wildlife and Mid90s. Finally, in our Reboot segment, we look back at Memories of Murder. Hope you enjoy.

Some Thoughts on 'Maniac'

Why is Hollywood so bad at depicting mental illness? That's the main question that was bouncing around in my brain when I watched the new Netflix series Maniac. So I wrote about it for MEL.

Movies Based on TV Shows

Over at SyFy, we're saluting the best films adapted from TV shows. (How many people are unaware that The Fugitive used to be on television?) Check out the results here.

Sundance 2018: 'Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot' Review

The life and personal demons of cartoonist John Callahan are on display in Don't Worry, which is directed by Gus Van Sant and stars Joaquin Phoenix. Do you need to know much about Callahan to appreciate this movie's modest, compassionate portrayal? Not at all. In fact, I think it's one of the film's chief selling points: Don't Worry doesn't try to oversell the man's greatness. My review is up at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Debating 'War Dogs,' 'Lo and Behold' and 'Breaking Away'

This week's installment of the Grierson & Leitch podcast finds me and my buddy disagreeing on two films: the Iraq War satire War Dogs and Werner Herzog's latest documentary, Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World. Then, in our Reboot section, we discuss the 1979 coming-of-age drama Breaking Away. Hope you enjoy.

'War Dogs' Review

I wanted to like War Dogs. Miles Teller and Jonah Hill play Miami bros who make a bundle during the Iraq War selling guns. It's based on a true story. So what went wrong? That's where I come in. My review is up at The New Republic.

Sundance 2015: 'True Story' Review

True Story, as you might imagine, is based on a true story. In 2002, celebrated New York Times writer Michael Finkel got himself fired for fudging the facts on a profile piece he was writing. Hoping to revitalize his career after the scandal, he discovered that a man in Oregon had been using his name while on the run. (He was wanted for the murder of his wife and three children.) Finkel decided to meet this man.

In the film, Jonah Hill plays Finkel and James Franco plays the man, Christian Longo. True Story is involving and intriguing -- but only to a point. I liked the movie, but it easily could have been better. I reviewed True Story for Screen International.

'The Wolf of Wall Street' Review

This is probably not a popular choice, but my favorite Martin Scorsese/Leonardo DiCaprio collaboration is Shutter Island. Nervy, distinct, a bit mad, it haunts me, which I wrote about here. Their latest team-up is for The Wolf of Wall Street, which isn't as strong but definitely has its stellar attributes. And I should remind myself that with Shutter Island I was initially impressed but not bowled over: It took a second viewing to be properly wowed. Maybe that will happen here, too. Regardless, for Screen International here's my Wolf of Wall Street review.