A Salute to the Sports Comedy

In honor of Happy Gilmore 2, Vulture asked us to pick 25 great sports comedies, which was a pleasure. You can check out our list here. 

The Comedies I'm Curious to See in 2025

Celine Song making a James L. Brooks-style romantic comedy? Adam Sandler returning as Happy Gilmore? Here's my preview of 2025's most intriguing comedies for Cracked.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Joker 2,' 'Will & Harper' and 'The Dead'

No surprise that we didn't like the Joker sequel, although it inspired some interesting conversation. On this week's episode, we also discussed the well-intentioned but flawed Netflix documentary Will & Harper and went back to 1987 to assess John Huston's The Dead. Hear the whole thing down below.

On Christina Applegate's Greatness in 'Anchorman'

In honor of the film's 20th anniversary, I decided to pay tribute to Anchorman's underrated MVP. Here's my salute to Christina Applegate.

What's the Best Sports Comedy?

As I'm sure you know, this weekend is the Super Bowl. For Cracked, I did a deep dive into sports comedies, selecting the 40 best. Hope you enjoy.

Sundance 2024: Ranking the Best and Worst of the Festival

My first Sundance was 2009. It was my first film festival. Those realizations hit me in the middle of this Sundance, so many years later. Back then I didn't know the basic rules: how you should just have your snow boots on when you board the plane to Salt Lake City, how you should make sure to drink enough water to avoid headaches. I don't think you ever truly master a film festival, but over time at least you're more prepared for what might come your way. 

Last year's edition was deemed an instant classic simply because of Past Lives -- not to mention movies like Passages and All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt -- that it was inevitable that this year's installment must suffer by comparison. But I have to say: I saw several gems, including at least one that's going to merit serious consideration for my end-of-the-year list. And, even better, it wasn't one I was expecting greatness from when this Sundance started. But Jesse Eisenberg's beautiful, hilarious A Real Pain floored me. That's the part of a festival you never can plan for -- the movie that comes out of nowhere and knocks your socks off. (And, also, a special shout-out to In the Summers, pictured above, which won the U.S. Dramatic prize, as well as the directing award.)

Below are my rankings, with links leading to individual reviews.

27. Your Monster
26. Rob Peace
25. Love Lies Bleeding
24. Love Me
23. The Outrun
22. Will & Harper
21. A New Kind of Wilderness
20. Exhibiting Forgiveness
19. Gaucho Gaucho
18. Thelma
17. Power
16. DEVO
15. Union
14. War Game
13. My Old Ass
12. Black Box Diaries
11. Presence
10. I Saw the TV Glow
9. Hit Man
8. Girls State
7. Girls Will Be Girls
6. How to Have Sex
5. Good One
4. Sasquatch Sunset
3. A Different Man
2. In the Summers
1. A Real Pain

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Recapping Sundance 2024

I'm back from Park City and was very happy to chat with Madeleine Brand about the highs and lows of this year's Sundance. Check out my report down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Mean Girls,' Sundance and Our Oscar Nominations

We're back after our holiday break, and we've got a big show for you. First, we review the Mean Girls musical. Then, we do a deep dive on Tina Fey's legacy. I give Will a preview of five films I'm really curious to see at Sundance. And, last but not least, we offer our predictions for who's getting nominated for Oscars on January 23. Check it all out down below.

Your 2024 Sundance Comedy Preview

Sundance starts Thursday. Dramas usually dominate the festival, but could we be in store for some laughs as well? Here's hoping.

Ranking the Comic Actors Who Had the Worst 2023

Not every star had a great year. For Cracked, I wrote about the actors who are probably the happiest to see 2023 be over.

What's the Funniest Christmas Movie?

I have the answer over at Cracked.

A Salute to Some Cinematic Comedy Turkeys

In honor of Thanksgiving, I tried to pick the biggest comedy turkeys of all time. What qualifies? Read on.

Toronto 2023: 'Quiz Lady' Review

Awkwafina and Sandra Oh play very different sisters on a road trip to get on a quiz show. For Screen International, I reviewed the so-so comedy Quiz Lady.

What 'Anchorman' Understood About "Afternoon Delight"

I wrote about nooners and Ron Burgundy for Cracked.

'Breakfast All Day': Debating 'Strays'

Christy Lemire had me on Breakfast All Day to talk about Strays, which she liked a lot more than I did. Is it because she has a Boston Terrier? We got into that, and other things, in this episode.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Blue Beetles, Talking Dogs and Looking Back at Danny Boyle's 'Sunshine'

Summer movie season is almost over. We review two new movies, Blue Beetle and Strays, and then we go back to the summer of 2007 for a look at Sunshine, a film I still think is pretty damn wonderful. Check out the whole show down below.

'Strays' Review

Cursing dogs sure do curse a lot. For Screen International, I reviewed Strays.

What's the Greatest Action-Comedy Ever?

And what even is an action-comedy? I answer both questions over at Cracked.

How 'Saturday Night Live' Made Us Hear "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" Differently

"More Cowbell" isn't just the name of a sketch, it became a euphemism for the excesses of 1970s hard rock. It also made Blue Oyster Cult's big hit seem awfully silly. I looked back at "The Reaper" for Cracked.

When 'Saturday Night Live' Stars Get Serious

For Cracked, I picked the finest dramatic work from several high-profile SNL cast members. I imagine some will disagree with my choices, but that's part of the fun, right? Hope you enjoy.