On 'Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget' and the Aardman Downturn

I used to be really excited for new Aardman films. But it's been a while. For Cracked, I wrote about the studio's latest, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.

We Don't Need a 'Lethal Weapon 5' Since the 'Always Sunny' Crew Already Made It

Mel Gibson swears that we're going to get a Lethal Weapon 5. I am not excited about that, in part because of the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode in which the gang makes their own sequel. Is that episode problematic now in some ways? Yes, which I wrote about for Cracked.

'Father Stu' Review

For years, Mark Wahlberg has wanted to make a film about Stuart Long, a washed-up boxer who decided to move to Los Angeles to become an actor, later finding God and joining the priesthood. (Walkberg even gained 30 pounds for the role.) Was it worth the effort? For Screen International, I reviewed Father Stu.

We Still Need "We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)"

For MEL, I looked back at Tina Turner's big hit from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome ... and ended up learning a lot about the song's legacy in the process. Hope you enjoy.

Let's Rank Jodie Foster's Movies

In honor of The Mauritanian, her first film in several years, we take a look back at Jodie Foster's acting career. What's her best performance? Our pick is over at Vulture.

George Clooney and the Modern Actor-Turned-Director

In honor of The Midnight Sky, I ranked 12 movie stars who made the transition to filmmakers. Where does Clooney rank? The answer is over at MEL.

Mel Gibson Isn't Going Away

As Fatman demonstrates, Mel Gibson is determined to be a part of our lives. Plus, he knows that you're aware of his toxic public persona and, well, he doesn't care. I wrote about the actor/director for MEL.

'Fatman' Review

Mel Gibson as Santa Claus? Yup. I reviewed Fatman for Screen International.

A Salute to Bad Labor Day Movies

Normally, summer movie season ends with a whimper. Labor Day weekend is when studios dump their bad films. For MEL, I paid tribute to some memorable stinkers.

The Best Buddy-Cop Movies

Wow, this is shocking: I realized I never mentioned that, back in August, Will and I ranked the finest buddy-cop movies ever made. You can see that over at Vulture.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Will Smith, Teen Friends and 'Mad Max'

On this week's episode, I recap my Cannes experience. Then, we review Aladdin and Booksmart. Finally, we look back at 1979's Mad Max. It's nice to be home. You can hear the whole thing down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Jordan Peele, 'Dragged Across Country' and 'Rumble Fish'

Much happens in this week's episode. We go long diving into Us. Then we speak up for Dragged Across Country. Will tells me about Roll Red Roll. Then, we try to make heads or tails out of Rumble Fish in our Reboot segment. Enjoy!

'Daddy's Home 2' Review

I thought the first Daddy's Home was disposable but contained an interesting idea underneath: In an era of enlightened masculinity, how do sensitive guys compete with old-fashioned alpha males? Alas, Daddy's Home 2 mostly abandons the nuance of that notion for dumb hijinks. This thing stinks, as I explain over at Screen International.

Oscars 2017: Your Guide to the Show (When You Don't Care About the Movies)

Over at MEL, I gave myself the task of putting together a viewers' guide for people who don't watch a lot of movies. The truth is, many, many folks are going to check out the broadcast without having seen the nominated films. So, allow me to give you reasons to care. My piece is live now.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: On 'Doctor Strange, Mel Gibson and 'Snatch'

This week's episode of the Grierson & Leitch podcast went live on Tuesday. What a fun day that was! Anyway, Will and I review Doctor Strange and Hacksaw Ridge. Then, for our Reboot segment, we look back at Guy Ritchie's sophomore release, Snatch. You can check it all out here.

'Hacksaw Ridge' Review

War is hell, and Mel Gibson drives that point home yet again in Hacksaw Ridge, a very average WWII drama buoyed by a darn-good Andrew Garfield performance. In some stretches, the film is quite arresting. In others, lordy, is it corny. My review is up at The New Republic.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The Movie Review Lightning Round

In this week's episode of the Grierson & Leitch podcast, Will and I go through a ton of movies in a short time. So, if you'd like reviews of Pete's Dragon, Sausage Party, Florence Foster Jenkins, Hell or High Water, Blood Father and Spaceman, you've come to the right place. And in our Reboot section, we go back to 1954 and Rear Window. Check it all out here.

Cannes 2016: 'Blood Father' Review

I have to assume that, eventually, we as a culture will decide to forgive Mel Gibson and welcome him back. Just about every other disgraced celebrity has had his moment of redemption, so it just seems inconceivable that Gibson wouldn't. Well, when it happens, it won't be because of Blood Father, a painfully pedestrian Taken-like action-thriller. I reviewed the film for Screen International.

Forgiving Mel Gibson

For Deadspin, I wrote about Mel Gibson and why it's been so hard for society to forgive him, even though people have been willing to forgive lots of other celebrities that have done terrible things. I recognize that some folks simply want nothing to do with the guy -- and I'm not trying to defend him -- but it's saddens me that it appears that some people haven't even read the article all the way through. They just assume I'm a blanket Gibson apologist or that I support the horrible things he's said. I don't recall doing either thing in my piece. Anyway, here's the article.

'the beaver' review

Well, after all the wait, The Beaver will finally be coming out May 6. I just saw the Mel Gibson comedy-drama-satire and reviewed it for Screen International. Overall, it's an honorable misfire, but Gibson's quite good in it. I go into more detail here.