The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Dead Unicorns, Jason Statham and 'Enemy of the State'

Two dud new movies lead off this week's episode: Death of a Unicorn and A Walking Man. But things brighten up a bit when we go back to the 1990s for a Reboot request: Tony Scott's Enemy of the State. Check it all out down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: How Bad Is 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die'?

In this week's episode, we review the latest installment in the Bad Boys saga. We also discuss Hit Man and go back to 1959's Anatomy of a Fall. (I also talk a little about moderating a Q&A with Lynne Littman for her film Testament. That was a special night.) Hear the whole thing down below.

When Martin Lawrence Was Bigger Than Will Smith

Every once in a while, someone remembers that, for the original Bad Boys, Martin Lawrence was top-billed over Will Smith. That changed for the sequels, of course, but I wanted to look back at where he was in his career in 1995. Here you go.

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.

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 Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The Lightning-Round Episode

Every December, we devote one podcast to covering a bunch of movies in quick fashion. This year, we tackle Women Talking, The Whale, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Emancipation and White Noise. It's fun to have to condense your thoughts into just a few minutes. You can hear our lightning-round episode here.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Going to Bat for 'One Fine Morning'

Christy Lemire and I were on KCRW to review five new movies, and there's a lot to discuss in a short segment. We talked about The Whale, Empire of Light, Emancipation and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. But I spent a little extra time raving about Mia Hansen-Love's latest. Check it all out down below.

'Emancipation' Review

Will Smith is back. I imagine a lot of people aren't ready to see him in a new movie. (I wasn't sure if I was ready.) But Emancipation is a solid drama, based on the true story of an escaped slave in the 1860s on the run to freedom. My review is up at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Let's Talk About the Oscars

On this week's podcast, we reviewed The Lost City and Everything Everywhere All at Once ... but, let's be honest, that really doesn't matter. Last night's Academy Award ceremony sure was something, and we chatted about it ... about 30 minutes after the whole thing went down. Listen below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Our Oscar Predictions, 'Deep Water' and 'Windfall'

Ladies and gentlemen, the Oscars are Sunday. On this week's podcast, we make our picks in the six major categories. (We disagree on what's winning Best Picture.) Before that, though, we review two new films: the erotic thriller Deep Water and the crime drama Windfall. Hear the whole thing down below.

Super Bowl Weekend Isn't for the Fellas at the Multiplex

Traditionally, romantic comedies and horror movies open on the Friday before the Super Bowl. The thinking is that men tend to be too focused on the game to care about films. But that's been changing lately. I wrote about this shift for MEL.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Ghostbusters, Tennis Players, Uncles and Andrew Garfield

On this week's episode, we do a bit of dividing and conquering. I review C'mon C'mon, while Will grabbed Tick, Tick... Boom! But we both talked about Ghostbusters: Afterlife and King Richard, and we don't see eye-to-eye on either of those. Check out the whole episode down below.

Why Is 'King Richard' About Richard Williams?

Richard Williams believed that his daughters Venus and Serena could be champions. King Richard tells the story of how he made that dream a reality. But is it a problem that the movie isn't more about the Williams sisters? I get into that over at MEL.

Telluride 2021: 'King Richard' Review

Will Smith plays Richard Williams, the hardheaded father of tennis phenoms Venus and Serena Williams. King Richard clearly feels like an Oscar vehicle for him, and for the most part I liked the film, especially when it pushes back against the conventions of the inspirational sports drama. My review is up at Screen International.

Horror Movies About Science Going Wrong

OK, so, this week, I Am Legend was in the news because of a New York Times piece in which someone who doesn't want to get vaccinated cited the Will Smith movie as her reason for not doing so. (She mistakenly believed that everybody gets turned into zombies in the film because of a vaccine that goes wrong.) This got me thinking about Hollywood's history of horror movies in which a scientific discovery leads to disaster. It's rich subject matter, which you'll see in my MEL piece.

When Will Smith Ruled the Fourth of July

For a brief moment, Will Smith was the king of Independence Day thanks to Independence Day and Men in Black. But where was his career before that moment? I hop in the time machine for this look back at the Fresh Prince's pre-movie-star era.

When the Song of the Summer Comes From a Movie

For MEL, I did a deep dive into the best (and worst) summer movie songs. Peter Cetera, Prince, Kenny Loggins, Will Smith, Bryan Adams ... step right up.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Burying 'Bad Boys for Life' and 'Dolittle,' Praising 'In the Bedroom'

The podcast is back. This week, we review the new Bad Boys film and lament what went wrong with Dolittle. Then, in our Reboot section, we take a look back at 2001's In the Bedroom. Hear the whole thing down below.

Some Thoughts on 'Bad Boys for Life'

What's it like not to enjoy any of the Bad Boys movies? Let me tell you all about it. (I also provided some background on "Bad Boys" the song -- you know, the theme from Cops.)

'Bad Boys for Life' Review

I'm surprised some of my colleagues have been so lenient on the third chapter of the Bad Boys franchise. I wasn't much of a fan.