Toronto 2025: 'Nuremberg' Review

Nuremberg takes us back to 1945 as Nazi leader Hermann Goring is put on trial for his crimes. This earnest, old-fashioned courtroom drama ended up being too dry for my taste. Here's my Screen International review. 

'Eric LaRue' Review

 
Michael Shannon has finally directed his first film. For the Los Angeles Times, I reviewed Eric LaRue, which stars Judy Greer as a mother reeling from the fact that her teen son shot three classmates dead at school. You can read my thoughts here.

My Interview With Joshua Oppenheimer, Director of 'The End'

Nine years ago, I interviewed Joshua Oppenheimer for Rolling Stone to discuss his great documentary The Look of Silence. Recently, I interviewed Joshua Oppenheimer for Rolling Stone again, this time to discuss his great new film, the divisive musical The End. We talked about global warming, doomsday bunkers, Trump, and the right and wrong kinds of hope. You can read my profile here.

Toronto 2024: 'The End' Review

Decorated documentary filmmaker Joshua Oppenheimer has made his first feature. It's a musical about the end of the world. I think it's pretty terrific. Here's my review of The End.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Deadpool and Wolverine, Curtis and Samantha, Mikey and Nicky

Three unforgettable duos are the highlight of this week's podcast. First, we review Deadpool & Wolverine. Then, we dig into two great Reboot suggestions. There's Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain in Take Shelter. And there's Peter Falk and John Cassavetes in Mikey and Nicky. Check it out down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Flash,' 'Elemental' and 'Asteroid City'

This past weekend was heavy with interesting new releases, both big and small. You can hear our takes on the latest DC spinoff, Pixar's misfire and the new Wes Anderson picture down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Whodunits, Outlaws and 'The Two Popes'

On this week's episode, we review Knives Out, which we both enjoyed. But we differ on two other (very different) films: Queen & Slim and The Two Popes. Hear the whole thing down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: We Answer Your Questions

On this week's episode, Will and I review The Current War and Dolemite Is My Name. But the bulk of the show is devoted to our listener questions. Folks emailed us things they wanted answered, and we're only too happy to oblige. You can hear the whole thing down below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': 'The Current War,' 'Black and Blue,' 'Countdown' and 'Frankie'

Nice to be back on KCRW, this time joined by friend and colleague Katie Walsh. We reviewed four new movies, but I was especially glad to talk about Ira Sachs' underrated Frankie. Hear the whole thing down below.

Toronto 2019: 'Knives Out' Review

Rian Johnson's fifth feature is a whodunit that pays homage to Agatha Christie. For Screen International, I reviewed Knives Out.

Some Thoughts on HBO's 'Fahrenheit 451'

The new adaptation comes to HBO this weekend. Guess what? It's now a dark commentary about the Trump era. For MEL, I talked about why I'm tired of that sales pitch. I also discuss the 1966 film and whether we still like physical books in 2018. Hope you enjoy.

'12 Strong' Review

12 Strong tells the story of a major U.S. military operation that took place in Afghanistan right after the 9/11 attacks. The film stars Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon and Michael Pena (not to mention Moonlight's Trevante Rhodes), but that doesn't keep it from feeling surprisingly dull. My review is up at Screen International.

Cannes 2016: 'Loving' Review

It brings me no joy to report that Loving disappointed me. Writer-director Jeff Nichols has made four terrific features, but his latest is a touch too stolid for my tastes. It dramatizes the true story of an interracial couple whose marriage in 1958 landed them in jail. I admired the movie far more than I loved it, as I explain in my Screen International review.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Elvis, Nixon, Warren Beatty and Lisbeth Salander

Many things to dig into in this week's edition of the Grierson & Leitch podcast. We review Elvis & Nixon. I speak briefly about The Huntsman: Winter's War and A Hologram for the King. And then we feature two films in our Reboot segment: The Parallax View and David Fincher's The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I was glad to see Tattoo again, by the way -- that movie really is exceptional. You can hear the whole podcast here.

'Elvis & Nixon' Review

Michael Shannon is Elvis Presley, Kevin Spacey is Richard Nixon, and Elvis & Nixon is a comedy-drama that imagines what these two luminaries talked about when they hung out briefly at the White House in 1970. Overly pleased with itself, the film is pretty superficial, as I discuss in my Screen International review.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Richard Linklater, 'Shotgun Stories' and 'Shattered Glass'

On this week's podcast, I talk about Everybody Wants Some!! -- Will hasn't seen it yet -- and we also turn the calendar back to the aughts to discuss Shattered Glass and Shotgun Stories. Spoiler: I'm a big fan of all three. Check it out.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Talking Batman, Superman and 'Frank'

This week's installment of our New Republic podcast covers Midnight Special, of which we're both a fan. But we also dive into our ranking of all the Batman and Superman movies. And after a listener suggested we go back and review Frank, we took the opportunity to give the film a second chance ... not that it helped either of our assessment of the movie much. Feel free to give a listen.

'Midnight Special' Review

Writer-director Jeff Nichols has done it again. Continuing a hit streak that started with Shotgun Stories, Take Shelter and Mud, he returns with the smart sci-fi thriller Midnight Special. I really flipped for it, which will become clear when you read my New Republic review.

Sundance 2016: 'Complete Unknown' Review

Complete Unknown is definitively my kind of movie, which probably explains why I like it more than most of my colleagues seem to. It stars Rachel Weisz as a mysterious woman who walks back into the life of Michael Shannon, her old boyfriend. No one has heard from her in 15 years, and now she has a new identity. What exactly happened to her? My review is up at Paste.

Sundance 2016: 'Frank & Lola' Review

Michael Shannon is the highlight of Frank & Lola, a romantic drama that dips its toe awkwardly into the waters of the sexual thriller. The movie is moody but not all that good. My review is now live over at Screen International.