The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Disagreeing About 'Elvis'

On this week's episode, we review The Black Phone and Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe. But we differ on Baz Lurhmann's latest. Hear the whole thing down below.

Happy 10th Anniversary, 'Magic Mike'

For MEL, I wrote about Steven Soderbergh's unlikely 2012 summer smash, which helped cement Channing Tatum's stardom and revitalized Matthew McConaughey's. Hope you enjoy.

Steve Carell Is the King of Nice

With Minions: The Rise of Gru about to come out, it seemed like a good time to assess Steve Carell's career up to this point. I wrote about his artistic modesty for MEL.

'Elvis,' 'Amadeus' and Our Fascination With Greatness

Elvis is told from the perspective of Colonel Tom Parker, not Elvis Presley. That got me thinking about other films that use a similar technique, and what they say about our relationship with supernaturally talented individuals. My latest for MEL is here.

'The Deer Hunter,' Roe v. Wade and "God Bless America"

I didn't feel like saying anything about the overturning of Roe v. Wade. But the Democrats' response made me so angry that I had to. For MEL, I wrote about "God Bless America" and its most damning use in a film. My essay is here.

My Interview With Robert Harmon, Director of 'The Hitcher'

All this summer, MEL is publishing pieces about Americans' fascination with the open road. I took the opportunity to spend a little time with Robert Harmon, whose first feature was a horror movie about hitchhiking, although he doesn't consider it a horror movie. Hope you enjoy my look back at 1986's The Hitcher.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': The King, 'The Black Phone,' 'Marcel the Shell' and 'Beavis and Butt-Head'

Amy Nicholson and I were on KCRW on Thursday to review this weekend's new releases. (She and I are just about the only critics who don't love love love Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.) Hear our segment down below.

Danger Mouse & Black Thought (featuring Joey Bada$$, Russ and Dylan Cartlidge) - "Because"

"I don't vacation, dawg, I guilt trip" is one hell of a line.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Lightyear,' 'Spiderhead,' 'Leo Grande' and 'Cha Cha Real Smooth'

So many movies to go through on this week's episode! We've got animated blockbusters, quirky thrillers, a thoughtful character drama about sex, and Cooper Raiff's followup to Shithouse. Hear the whole thing down below.

Welcome Back, Beavis and Butt-Head

For MEL, I shared some thoughts about Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe, which made me laugh a lot.

Tribeca 2022: 'The Cave of Adullam' Review

Laura Checkoway's documentary about a Detroit dojo that caters to troubled Black boys was a prizewinner at the recent Tribeca Festival. I reviewed The Cave of Adullam for Screen International.

Ethan Hawke and the Battle Not to Sell Out

Being a proper Gen-X guy, Ethan Hawke has long struggled with the notion of what it means to be successful. Does it mean unconscionable compromise? Or can you keep from selling your soul? For MEL, I looked back at his nearly 40-year career. It was a pleasure to write about an actor I've long admired.

So, Who Directed the 'Lightyear' Movie Back in the 1990s?

Angus MacLane is the director (and co-writer) of Lightyear. But because the movie is supposed to be something that Toy Story's Andy watched back in the mid-1990s, that means someone else actually made the thing. So which filmmaker of that era would have most likely been the guy? For MEL, I came up with 10 possible choices, but I think my No. 1 pick is correct. Hope you enjoy.

My Interview With Rachel Dretzin, Director of 'Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey'

Ever since it debuted on Netflix early this month, Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, a documentary series about the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and its leader Warren Jeffs, has been one of the streamer's most popular programs. For MEL, I spoke with director Rachel Dretzin about FLDS' history of sexual abuse and polygamy, and where the sect is today. Gripping stuff, and you can read my interview here.

Let's Rank 'Jurassic Park' Movies

There have been six Jurassic Park films. Which one is the best? And which is the worst? (That first question is easier to answer.) Our rankings are over at Vulture.

My Interview With Lizzo

When the Los Angeles Times asked me if I'd be interested in spending some time with Lizzo, how could I say no? We chatted about her forthcoming album, her recent reality show, and just being fabulous in general. Hope you enjoy.

(Photo by Kayla James.)

Supertramp - "The Logical Song"

I know, I know, but seriously: This song sounds pretty amazing blasting out of the speakers of a top-flight screening room.

'Spiderhead' Review

Spiderhead has an appealing just-messing-around quality that I think ends up working for this slight but funky thriller in which Chris Hemsworth conducts a series of experiments on prisoner Miles Teller. My review is up at Screen International.

My Interview With Joseph Williams, Son of John Williams

This week, MEL is doing a series of pieces connected to Father's Day. So I talked to Joseph Williams, who's a singer in Toto who grew up with John Williams, the man behind the scores for Star Wars and so many other blockbusters. Our conversation is here.

"I'm Alright" and the Birth of the Summer Soundtrack Smash

Kenny Loggins has a memoir out. What better excuse to talk about his Caddyshack hit, which proved that comedies could have standalone singles? My piece is up at MEL.