Cannes 2016: 'Hands of Stone' Review

The signs were not encouraging for Hands of Stone. This biopic about Roberto Duran had seen its press screenings canceled here at Cannes, leaving only one late-night premiere available to critics. Usually, that's an indication that you're about to see a stinker. Well, the movie may not be great, but it's good enough, thanks especially to Edgar Ramirez and (wonder of wonders) Robert De Niro. 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.

Cannes 2016: 'Paterson' Review

As someone who's always appreciated but not always loved Jim Jarmusch's work, I wonder if it will mean more coming from me that Paterson is just terrific. Adam Driver plays a New Jersey bus driver, and he's exceptional portraying a guy whose life is moving in slow-motion. (Not really, I'm being metaphoric.) My review is up at Screen International.

Cannes 2016: 'Staying Vertical' Review

Filmmaker Alain Guiraudie's last movie was the tense Stranger by the Lake. He returns to Cannes with Staying Vertical, about a filmmaker going through terrible writer's block. Things get weird from there. My review is up at Paste.

Cannes 2016: 'Sieranevada' Review

One of the more praised films thus far in the Competition here at Cannes is Sieranevada, the latest from Death of Mr. Lazarescu writer-director Cristi Puiu. This is a three-hour drama about a group of family members gathered to mourn the passing of their patriarch. A tale of fury and lingering resentment, Sieranevada takes some getting used to, as I explain in my Paste review.

Cannes 2016: 'The BFG' Review

The BFG is very much a Spielberg movie, but I must confess it's the kind of Spielberg movie I'm not exactly craving these days. Certainly heartfelt and magical, it's a family film that almost feels a little too familiar from the Oscar-winner. My review is up at Screen International.

Cannes 2016: 'The Dancer' Review

For Screen International, I reviewed another first-time filmmaker with a movie at Cannes. That would be Stéphanie Di Giusto, who has made a biopic about dancer Loïe Fuller. But, really, it's a smart look at how innovators become prisoners of their innovations. You can read my review here.

Misleading Men: Andrew Dice Clay

 

In the latest installment of my feature "Misleading Men" for MEL, I look back at the career of Andrew Dice Clay. First, society decided he was funny (but controversial). Then, we decided he wasn't funny. And now, well, he's in the middle of an unexpected renaissance. Check out my essay.

Oasis - "Fade In-Out"

After trashing Johnny Depp's latest piece of junk earlier this week, I decided to be nice and spotlight something good he's done. He plays slide guitar on this Be Here Now track. (Hope that doesn't ruin the song for you.)

Cannes 2016: 'Personal Affairs' Review

Say hello to Personal Affairs, which is screening as part of Cannes' Un Certain Regard section. This first feature from writer-director Maha Haj is awfully slight -- it's more of a series of anecdotes than an ensemble piece -- but its gentle modesty turns out to be among its major assets. In the film, one Palestinian family copes with different dilemmas, and if none of it is particularly monumental, that's OK. My review is up at Screen International.

Cannes 2016: 'Money Monster' Review

As some may know, many, many moons ago, I worked for George Clooney's production company. And because of that -- and because of how well he treated me (which is never a given when you're talking about a movie star) -- I've always been supportive of the man. This sometimes gets hard when I'm reviewing his films, though, and they turn out like Money Monster, which isn't terrible but feels so, so, so behind the times that it's hard to believe it even exists. Alas, this ripped-from-the-headlines thriller is rather weak, as I explain over in my Screen International review.

Cannes 2016: 'Cafe Society' Review

I can't put into words the excitement I felt about seeing a Woody Allen movie at Cannes. This is my second straight year experiencing it, and I'm not tired of the sensation yet. His latest, Cafe Society, stars Jesse Eisenberg as a Woody-like young man who moves from New York to Los Angeles in the 1930s, falling in love with Kristen Stewart. Cue romantic triangle ... and my review for Paste.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Cannes, Jonathan Demme and James Bond

Over at The New Republic, Will and I devote our latest episode of the podcast to the Cannes Film Festival. (We taped it before I left for France.) And we go back in time to rewatch Married to the Mob (which isn't very good) and Casino Royale (which, happily, still is). Hope you enjoy.

'Alice Through the Looking Glass' Review

Is it possible I'm just never going to enjoy a Johnny Depp movie again? I liked Black Mass fine but, lord almighty, did I hate Alice Through the Looking Glass. Inconceivably, it's even worse than Alice in Wonderland, and this one wasn't even directed by Tim Burton. I reviewed this debacle for Screen International.

Cannes 2016: The Preview

I'm here in France for my third Cannes Film Festival. So, for The New Republic, I highlighted 10 films I'm very, very curious to see while I'm here. They include two from Romanian masters, the latest Andrea Arnold and, of course, the new Dardenne brothers joint. Take a look.

'X-Men: Apocalypse' Review

After being thoroughly impressed by X-Men: Days of Future Past, I wondered how the follow-up would play for me. Almost as well: Apocalypse doesn't peak quite as high, but I still found it pretty darn emotional and involving. Very curious how others will feel, but my review is up at Screen International.

'The Angry Birds Movie' Review

I'm not sure what I was expecting from The Angry Birds Movie, so I can't say I was disappointed by the film. Still, at a time when Pixar is really elevating the mainstream animated game -- not to mention DreamWorks and others -- this just seems needlessly mild and generic. I reviewed the film for Screen Interntaional.

Al Green - "Have You Been Making Out O.K."

Sometimes I just listen to the drums. Sometimes I concentrate on the voice, especially as it gently, bravely reaches for those high notes near the end. "Have You Been Making Out O.K." isn't exactly a "sexy" song, but it's deeply soulful and empathetic, which radiates its own kind of passion.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Marvel and a Cute Kitten

On this week's installment of our New Republic podcast, Will and I review Captain America: Civil War and Keanu. But we also dig into the forthcoming summer movie season a little. This means we had to get into the upcoming Woody Allen movie, of course. Hope you enjoy.

Don't Trust Hollywood's Box-Office Charts

For Mel, I decided to dig into the fact that Hollywood is the one entertainment industry that charts success not by individual sales but, rather, through money made. Why should that matter? Because it gives a skewed perspective on what the biggest movies of all time really are. Enjoy my number-crunching and insightful analysis right here.