Film Critic
Vice president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association; Senior critic for Screen International, chief film critic for Paste, and film critic for the New Republic
PROFILE
Tim Grierson
Guest
FROM Tim Grierson
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Can Christopher Nolan's 'Dunkirk' rake it in at the box offices? What are the highlights from Comic Con? We also get reviews of “Dunkirk,” about an epic battle and troop evacuation in World War II; “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets,” a sci-fi thriller in which 1000 planets are threatened by a dark force; and “Landline,” an indie about a family in Manhattan.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
'Transformers: The Last Knight' links to legend of King Arthur Our critics review the latest installment in the “Transformers” franchise, where Optimus Prime is gone and a war is on between humans and transformers; “The Bad Batch,” in which the world’s undesirables are cast off into the desert to be chased by cannibals; and the romantic comedy “The Big Sick.”
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
With women at the helm, 'Wonder Woman' wows Our critics review the long-awaited “Wonder Woman” blockbuster, starring Gal Gadot and directed by Patty Jenkins; “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie,” based on a popular children’s book series; and “Band Aid,” about a couple who hopes to alleviate their marriage problems by forming a band together.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How is the "Fast and Furious" franchise holding up? Our critics review “The Fate of the Furious,” the eighth installment of the “Fast” franchise, which now includes Charlize Theron; “The Lost City of Z,” an old-fashioned epic about an explorer in the Amazon in the early 1900s; and “Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer,” which stars Richard Gere.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How is 'Life' different from 'Alien?' Our critics look at the new space thriller “Life;” a remake of the graphic novel “Wilson;” and remakes of old TV shows “Chips” and “The Power Rangers.” (Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures)
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Is '50 Shades Darker' steamy or tedious? Our movie critics review new films, including the sequel to “Fifty Shades of Grey;” “A United Kingdom,” a love story starring David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike; and the much anticipated “The Lego Batman Movie.”
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Reviews: Harry potter-esque flick, family drama, and teen humor "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is a new film set in the Harry Potter universe. "Manchester by the Sea" deals with grief and recovering from loss. "The Edge of Seventeen" is possibly the teen movie you’ve been waiting for.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Justin Timberlake and concert films Whether you’re driving back from weekend two of the Desert Trip concert, or preparing for next year’s Coachella, shelling out hundreds of dollars to watch live music is a price some of us will gladly pay. But there’s always been the cheaper, less time-consuming option: watching a concert film. There’s a new one on Netflix that’s attracting some positive reviews. Not just for the artist, Justin Timberlake, but for the filmmaker, Jonathan Demme. He directed what’s considered one of the best concert films of all time called Stop Making Sense, about the band Talking Heads. The new film is called Justin Timberlake + the Tennessee Kids.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What to see at the movie theater this weekend New releases at the cinema this weekend include: “Deepwater Horizon,” a film based on the explosion on an oil rig that led to the BP oil spill in 2010; Tim Burton’s “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children;’ “Napoleon Dynamite” director Jared Hess’s new flick, “Masterminds,” and Cannes indie fave “American Honey.”
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Film: Adults-only ‘Sausage Party’, Kid-friendly ‘Pete’s Dragon’ The weekend’s movies include something for everyone – a sex comedy about food (or is it a food comedy about sex?), a terrible opera singer, an animated dragon and mustachioed bank robbers. What’s worth heading out to the cineplex for?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Movies: Star Trek, Divergent, Don't Think Twice Our movie critics talk about this weekend's premieres: What Trekkies have to look forward to in the third installment of the Star Trek reboot, failure and success among a circle of improv players in Mike Birbiglia's Don't Think Twice, and why dystopian teen saga Divergent is being dropped from theatrical release and going straight to TV.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Remembering Garry Marshall Garry Marshall, the legendary producer and director of “Happy Days” and “Pretty Woman,” died yesterday. The 81-year-old, who also has credits as a writer and actor, had a Hollywood career that spanned over 65 years and launched A-list celebrities like Robin Williams and Julia Roberts into international fame.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
New Releases: ‘The Shallows,’ ‘Swiss Army Man,’ and ‘Neon Demon’ In our weekly segment on the newest film releases, we look at the Independence Day sequel; a shark attack thriller, “The Shallows”; a buddy comedy with one live and one dead buddy, “Swiss Army Man”; and “Neon Demon,” a moody thriller about models in LA.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Summer Blockbuster Season in Full Swing It’s only May, but summer blockbuster season is in full swing. Big studios are betting on more of the familiar, with another X-Men film and an Alice in Wonderland sequel opening this weekend. What new movies are coming to a cineplex near you?
Recommended
UnFictional
The Other Man Stories of two men who meet by chance and emerge indelibly changed – or at least, one of them does.
Good Food
'Dandelion and Quince,' food and crime, 'All About Eggs' Sarah Lohman talks about the murder and historic recipes that form the backbone of her new book, “Ohio 1910,” and Rachel Khong shares highlights from Lucky Peach’s last cookbook, “All About Eggs.” Michelle Mckenzie tells us how to cook oft-forgotten fruits, veggies and herbs, and Jonathan Gold reviews AR Cucina in Culver City. Plus: raspberries at the market and a special guest DJ set from Alton Brown.
The Business
Revisiting showrunner Steven Bochco on his memoir Steven Bochco, the writer-producer behind record-breaking Emmy winners Hill Street Blues, LA Law and NYPD Blue, fought battles with everyone from out-of-control actors to network censors in his long career. He isn’t afraid to tell those tales in his memoir, Truth Is a Total Defense. This week we revisit the conversation where he shared some of his favorite stories with us.
Good Food
Shaking up the USDA, 'The Beef Cookbook' and 'Tartine All Day' Peggy Lowe explains why Trump’s pick for USDA Secretary is rattling rural America. Dario Cecchini talks future plans for Chianti ramen, and Richard Turner shares cuts from “PRIME: The Beef Cookbook.” Writer Matthew Sedacca looks at the controversy behind liquid smoke. Jonathan Gold tries Chengdu-style dishes, and Elisabeth Prueitt of Tartine fills us in on the latest. Plus, chef Michael Beckman shares a recipe for cactus confit.