Some Thoughts on 'Queen & Slim'

The history of the lovers-on-the-lam drama. The freakout that always occurs when people discover that Daniel Kaluuya is British. The scarcity of black female directors. I wrote about all this, and more, while discussing Queen & Slim over at MEL.

Carly Rae Jepsen - "Everything He Needs"

Nice to see Harry Nilsson influencing a new generation of pop stars.

Some Thoughts on 'Knives Out'

How do Rian Johnson's movies deal with family?

What episode of Breaking Bad is considered the worst by fans?

And why is everybody using "Sundown" in their films?

I answer those questions, and more, while writing about Knives Out for MEL.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Marriage Story,' 'Beautiful Day,' '21 Bridges' and 'Frozen II'

Will and I both review Marriage Story and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood on this week's podcast. Then I go solo on 21 Bridges and Frozen II. Also, our big Best of the Decade episode is coming soon. (Gulp.) Hear the whole show down below.

My Interview With Ana de Armas

Knives Out is full of big names: Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, Christopher Plummer, Micharl Shannon, Lakeith Stanfield, Toni Collette, Don Johnson. But you'll probably leave the theater talking about Ana de Armas. I talked to the rising star for the Los Angeles Times.

My Interview With Alan Alda

Well, this was a treat. For the Los Angeles Times, I spent about an hour talking to Alan Alda, who's terrific in Marriage Story. We chatted about life, love, near-death experiences and Parkinson's. I had a wonderful time. My profile is here.

Some Thoughts on '21 Bridges'

Where do B-movies fit in the modern cinema landscape?

How many Manhattan bridges can you name?

And why do people get so annoyed when politicians eat pizza with a fork?

I answer those questions, and more, while writing about 21 Bridges for MEL.

Michael Jackson - "Just Good Friends"

So, I had reason to revisit Bad this week. This is such a fascinatingly half-great album, pointing to the dark, twisted, tortured music that Michael Jackson would make the rest of his career. "Bad" is still embarrassingly bad. "The Way You Make Me Feel" still smokes. And then there's "Just Good Friends," a duet with Stevie Wonder that was never a single. Of the non-hits, it's easily the strongest. (Dear god, have you listened to "Liberian Girl" or "Speed Demon" lately?) Definitely perked me up during some hellacious traffic. I'm sorry that Quincy Jones doesn't like it.

Alien Ant Farm, Michael Jackson and 'Smooth Criminal'

The folks at MEL asked me if I was interested in writing about the making of Alien Ant Farm's cover of "Smooth Criminal." Intrigued, I dove in. What I came back with is a rather sad story. Hope you enjoy.

Some Thoughts on 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood'

What do Tom Hanks and Fred Rogers have in common?

What movie should you see next from director Marielle Heller?

And have you heard the Mister Rogers remixes?

I get into all this, and more, over at MEL.

AFI Fest 2019: 'Richard Jewell' Review

Clint Eastwood does that thing he does with Richard Jewell, a biopic about the security guard who helped save lives during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bombing ... only to be suspected of the crime. Solid, professional, a little simplistic, but still affecting. You know the drill. My review is up at Screen International.

Emailing With Don Hertzfeldt

So, this was fun. Will and I were presented with an opportunity to interview master animator Don Hertzfeldt in connection with his new book, The End of the World. Of course, we said yes. It was conducted over email, and it's available at Vulture. A real treat.

AFI Fest 2019: 'Queen & Slim' Review

Queen & Slim is a bit uneven, but it definitely leaves an impression. The movie stars Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith as people going out on a first date. It doesn't go well, but then things get even worse when they accidentally kill a cop in self-defense. I reviewed this existential chase picture for Screen International.

Marvel's Best Bad Guys (Who Aren't Thanos)

Thanos is the king of MCU villains. But the franchise's bench is actually pretty deep. Please enjoy the latest Debate Club.

'21 Bridges' Review

Chadwick Boseman needs to find himself some better material. For Screen International, I reviewed the so-so crime thriller 21 Bridges.

My Interview With Pedro Almodovar

I had a 20-minute slot to speak with Pedro Almodovar and knew he'd be communicating through a translator. So time was of the essence. I decided I'd ask him one question and let him go from there. It was a lot of fun. For MEL, here's my chat with the director of Pain and Glory.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Race Cars, Spies, 'The Report' and 'Waves'

On this week's episode, we both review Ford v Ferrari and Charlie's Angels. Then, I go solo on The Report and Waves. And Will talks to me about Jojo Rabbit now that he's seen it. Hear the whole thing down below.

What's Arnold Schwarzenegger's Best Performance?

I still can't quite get over the fact that Arnold Schwarzenegger was our governor. Anyway, for Vulture, we ranked his best performances. Read all about it.

Some Thoughts on 'Charlie's Angels'

Can you have Charlie's Angels without the sexism?

Why is Michael Strahan in the new movie?

And what Kristen Stewart film should you see instead?

I answer those questions, and more, over at MEL.

Some Thoughts on 'Ford v Ferrari'

Ford v Ferrari is part of a proud sports-movie tradition that depicts the owners as the bad guys. I talked about that, and Josh Lucas' strange career and James Burton's killer cover tune, over at MEL.