Reviews By John Leonard
Here is an archive of recent commentaries by John Leonard, media critic for CBS News Sunday Morning.
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Television brings us fresh takes on the Billie Jean King-Bobby Riggs tennis match, as well as the old mystery favorite "Murder on the Orient Express."
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It is with open arms that our critic welcomed the "Bridget Jones" of the silver screen into our lives.
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If you were to hazard a guess, you might say a veteran writer would bemoan the effect of the computer on creativity. Think again.
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Take a bite out of Big Apple and go keep company with The Lone Gunmen. Then step out with The Mexican, if only to see one performance in particular.
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Down To Earth is the tired second re-make of Here Comes Mr. Jordan, and 3,000 Miles To Graceland is not a funny heist movie.
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The tempestuous life of Jackson Pollock is portrayed in a smart new film directed by Ed Harris, who also stars.
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Those who have been happily anticipating the sequel to The Silence of the Lambs might be in for a etdown.
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Filmmaker Sidney Lumet cut his teeth in television, and now he's back as executive producer of the series 100 Centre Street.
History For The Holidays
Thirteen Days, based on transcripts of White House tapes recorded during the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962 and starring Kevin Costner, was a scary holiday surprise.
Holiday Glitter of Another Sort
Can Hollywood make an action picture with a heart? Find out in Proof of Life. Also watch a cable film that's got more than holiday glitter in store.
The Beatles Are Back
With the re-release of A Hard Day's Night and another TV movie about the life of John Lennon, it appears that the Beatles continue as media icons.
Unbreakable And Quills
A holiday thought: You can be thankful that you are not Bruce Willis' sad character in Unbreakable or Kate Winslet in Quills.
Arnold's Cloned And Ben's In Love
At the movies, you get can two Arnold Schwarzeneggers in one flick (The Sixth Day), or simply drink in true Hollywood beauty, courtesy of Paltrow and Affleck, in Bounce.
Skip Mars And Head For Campus
You might be tempted to visit Red Planet because it's about Mars. But you might be better off with Wonder Boys, a movie that actually seems to have had writers.
Man's Favorite Sports
The Legend of Bagger Vance involves a lot of golf. Charlie's Angels involves a lot of cleavage. And Critic John Leonard liked one much better than the other.
Puttin' On The Brits
For those who gravitate toward clever narrators of history, Simon Schama, host of A History of Britain, is bound to be the next big thing.
Departing From TV's Four Food Groups
John Leonard offers a TV roundup of the best fall shows per profession. This season the TV networks extend beyond the usual doctors, lawyers, cops and cowboys offerings.
Two Promising New Series
John Leonard has sifted through some of the new fall TV series and has come up with two potential pieces of gold.
Taking A Chance On A Chinese Flm
You may be tempted to go for Richard Gere and a bunch of beautiful blondes. But John Leonard asks you opt for an extraordinary movie from China instead.
John Leonard's Literary Picks
Our critic goes awandering amongst the autumn leaves. But not the kind that fall from the trees.
Two Movies, Two Sides Of '70s
Critic John Leonard focuses on two throwbacks to the '70s: the new movie Almost Famous and the old movie The Exorcist, in re-release with some never-seen-before footage.
The Power Of Peaceful Resistance
History illustrates that it is not always might that makes right. And PBS wraps it all up in a new documentary, A Force More Powerful: A Century of Nonviolent Conflict.
Father Dearest
J.D. Salinger's family life is presented in a harsh account by his own daughter.
Lopez: Supermodel Psychiatrist
In her latest film, Jennifer Lopez, suspended in a body glove connected to cameras and computers, slips into closed minds to visualize guilty secrets.
Steal This Review!
Revisit legendary celebrities in two very different movies: One showcases the talent of Catherine Deneuve; the other portrays the life of '60s radical Abbie Hoffman.
Mr. Selleck Goes To Washington
John Leonard recalls some memorable presidential candidates of the silver screen, along with one of the latest, Tom Selleck's role in Running Mates.
Of Murder Mystery And Vampires
While some critics may have given What Lies Beneath short shrift, John Leonard finds redeeming qualities, and pairs it with a scary sci-fi flick.
Atlanta's Killing Season
A new docudrama, starring James Belushi and Gregory Hines, and a novel recall the terrible child murders that gripped the U.S. in the early '80s.
Going Down To Sea In Ships
Weather is the villain, in the sea saga The Perfect Storm. Ready to be thrilled and scared?
American Braveheart
Mad Max meets the American Revolution in The Patriot starring Mel Gibson. It's a movie that has its moments.
Shaft 2000
He's back, like Batman, Robin Hood, and the Lone Ranger. Only this time he's wearing an Armani jacket.
Butterfly Released With Sunshine
Two new summer films with ucolic sounding titles are opening. But don't be surprised: both have serious themes.
Of Bloody Gladiators And Aliens
Two new films depict epic battles, one in the swords and sandals past and another 1,000 years in the future.
Dreaming Of Africa And The Villa
Bad things happen to beautiful women in two movies: Up at the Villa and I Dreamed of Africa, starring Kim Basinger.
Hoopsters In The Making
In Love & Basketball girl meets boy, and they play basketball separately. On Hallowed Ground features streetball stars.
Love, Money and Psychopathy
Paul Newman goes Where the Money Is. American Psycho goes ballistic.
The Real Skulls Society
John Leonard names the names of famous public figures who belonged to a Yale secret society fancifully portrayed in the new movie The Skulls.
Julia Roberts' Charm Outshines Mars
A look at two new movies: extraterrestial Mission to Mars and Erin Brockovich.
Doctorow's Sweeping Worldly Opus
The prolific author E.L. Doctorow's latest novel, City of God, has Manhattan as its backdrop but the world as its true stage.
Reviews written by John Leonard