Grae Drake

film critic-at-large

Guest

independent film critic

Grae Drake on KCRW

Our critics review “Biggest Little Farm,” a documentary that follows a couple in LA working to develop a sustainable farm; “Poms,” about retired women who form a cheerleading squad;…

‘Poms:’ a good movie for Mother’s Day?

Our critics review “Biggest Little Farm,” a documentary that follows a couple in LA working to develop a sustainable farm; “Poms,” about retired women who form a cheerleading squad;…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Our critics review Jordan Peele’s “Us,” a thriller starring Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke, about a family that gets terrorized at their beachfront home by doppelgängers;  “Hotel…

How accurately does ‘Hotel Mumbai’ retell the 2008 terrorist attack on the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel?

Our critics review Jordan Peele’s “Us,” a thriller starring Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke, about a family that gets terrorized at their beachfront home by doppelgängers;  “Hotel…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Our critics review “Upside,” about a rich quadriplegic man who hires a parolee to help him with his day-to-day life, starring Kevin Hart, Bryan Cranston and Nicole Kidman; “Ashes in…

How does ‘The Upside’ compare to its French counterpart ‘The Intouchables?’

Our critics review “Upside,” about a rich quadriplegic man who hires a parolee to help him with his day-to-day life, starring Kevin Hart, Bryan Cranston and Nicole Kidman; “Ashes in…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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KCRW's Andrea Domanick reports on what stood out — from landmark performances like Lady Gaga and the LA Phil, to political undercurrents and changing economics, to a new energy that…

from KCRW Features

China says it’s limiting U.S. films being released there, in response to Trump’s tariffs. Hollywood has already been hit by worker strikes, streaming wars, and COVID shutdowns.

from KCRW Features

The latest film releases include Sinners, The Wedding Banquet, The Shrouds, and The President's Wife.

from Weekend Film Reviews

The latest film releases include Final Destination: Bloodlines, Magic Farm, Caught by the Tides, and Hurry Up Tomorrow.

from Weekend Film Reviews

Lionsgate touts a live performance from The Weeknd , Leonardo DiCaprio unveils explosive footage from his new Paul Thomas Anderson film, and James Gunn teases his take on Superman;…

from The Business

With her debut novel Detransition, Baby, Torrey Peters made history as the first openly trans writer to be published by a major publishing house.

from The Sam Sanders Show

The latest film releases include The Alto Knights, Snow White, Misericordia and Ash.

from Weekend Film Reviews

Hecklers at a recent town hall accused Congresswoman Laura Friedman of not fighting hard enough against the Trump administration. She says she understands the frustration.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Donald Trump influenced an election in Canada — could it happen elsewhere? Plus, what’s driving Trump’s approach to Ukraine?

from Left, Right & Center