Alan Zilberman
@alanzilberman.bsky.social
One of the last idiots to write about film for an alt-weekly
If someone gets Mamdani to rank The Coen Brothers, this site will go supernova.
The timeline arguing about pop-culture rankings.
And they say Bluesky doesn't have the juice.
And they say Bluesky doesn't have the juice.
November 24, 2025 at 8:51 PM
If someone gets Mamdani to rank The Coen Brothers, this site will go supernova.
Isaac is right, and it bears repeating.
I made a similar complaint when Naveen Kumar was hired, but looking at his Washington Post bylines, it's even worse than I thought it would be.
He goes weeks or months without covering DC-area productions. We are lucky if we get one a month.
I made a similar complaint when Naveen Kumar was hired, but looking at his Washington Post bylines, it's even worse than I thought it would be.
He goes weeks or months without covering DC-area productions. We are lucky if we get one a month.
Gotta say, it sucks for DC, a great theater town, that the first string theater critic not only doesn’t live in the city, but barely ever covers local theater.
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Isaac is right, and it bears repeating.
I made a similar complaint when Naveen Kumar was hired, but looking at his Washington Post bylines, it's even worse than I thought it would be.
He goes weeks or months without covering DC-area productions. We are lucky if we get one a month.
I made a similar complaint when Naveen Kumar was hired, but looking at his Washington Post bylines, it's even worse than I thought it would be.
He goes weeks or months without covering DC-area productions. We are lucky if we get one a month.
I would swap the places of Return of the Jedi and The Last Jedi, but other than that, this is pretty accurate.
haven’t seen ROS or Solo but this seems like a pretty ball-knowing list from Pritzker, particularly if he volunteered the name “Star Wars” rather than “A New Hope”
November 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I would swap the places of Return of the Jedi and The Last Jedi, but other than that, this is pretty accurate.
I will also be doing this, but just to put things in perspective, part 1 of Stranger Things Season 5 (premiering Wednesday) is 271 minutes.
Long movies sound intimidating, until you stop and think how long the average streaming binge sesh can last.
Long movies sound intimidating, until you stop and think how long the average streaming binge sesh can last.
I am seeing two films in theaters next week with a combined runtime of 473 minutes.
This is a healthy way to live.
This is a healthy way to live.
November 24, 2025 at 3:11 PM
I will also be doing this, but just to put things in perspective, part 1 of Stranger Things Season 5 (premiering Wednesday) is 271 minutes.
Long movies sound intimidating, until you stop and think how long the average streaming binge sesh can last.
Long movies sound intimidating, until you stop and think how long the average streaming binge sesh can last.
If you got a chance to watch Train Dreams on Netflix this weekend, I would appreciate it if you took a look at my review from a few weeks ago.
Spread the word about this film, y'all! It's a grower.
Spread the word about this film, y'all! It's a grower.
Train Dreams Is About the Kind of Man Who Rarely Gets the Epic Treatment
In this moving adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella, the filmmakers never strike a false note in a logger’s quiet search for meaning and joy.
washingtoncitypaper.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM
If you got a chance to watch Train Dreams on Netflix this weekend, I would appreciate it if you took a look at my review from a few weeks ago.
Spread the word about this film, y'all! It's a grower.
Spread the word about this film, y'all! It's a grower.
Reposted by Alan Zilberman
Udo Kier's first and only post on Twitter 💯
March 8, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Udo Kier's first and only post on Twitter 💯
Whoa. An absolute legend that brought unique energy to every movie where he appeared.
He first made an impression on me in Ace Ventura thirty years ago, and he stole a scene most recently in the Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent.
Rest in power.
He first made an impression on me in Ace Ventura thirty years ago, and he stole a scene most recently in the Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent.
Rest in power.
Udo Kier, German Actor Who Appeared in ‘My Own Private Idaho,’ ‘Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein,’ Dies at 81
Udo Kier, a German actor who collaborated with everyone from Andy Warhol to Lars von Trier to Madonna, died on Sunday morning. He was 81.
variety.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Whoa. An absolute legend that brought unique energy to every movie where he appeared.
He first made an impression on me in Ace Ventura thirty years ago, and he stole a scene most recently in the Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent.
Rest in power.
He first made an impression on me in Ace Ventura thirty years ago, and he stole a scene most recently in the Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent.
Rest in power.
A movie that takes place where you’re from.
November 23, 2025 at 5:48 PM
A movie that takes place where you’re from.
Scorsese’s best film and somehow underrated.
Everyone is firing on all cylinders: De Niro, Pesci, Stone (especially Stone), Woods, Pollak, Rickles, Vincent, King. Not only does it look great, it *MOVES* even faster than Wolf of Wall Street.
Everyone is firing on all cylinders: De Niro, Pesci, Stone (especially Stone), Woods, Pollak, Rickles, Vincent, King. Not only does it look great, it *MOVES* even faster than Wolf of Wall Street.
November 22, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Scorsese’s best film and somehow underrated.
Everyone is firing on all cylinders: De Niro, Pesci, Stone (especially Stone), Woods, Pollak, Rickles, Vincent, King. Not only does it look great, it *MOVES* even faster than Wolf of Wall Street.
Everyone is firing on all cylinders: De Niro, Pesci, Stone (especially Stone), Woods, Pollak, Rickles, Vincent, King. Not only does it look great, it *MOVES* even faster than Wolf of Wall Street.
I share many of Emily's complaints! My solution is to treat my Top 10 list as more of a recommendation tool than something authoritative. I tend to pick smaller films (e.g. docs, indies, foreign) that did not get the attention they deserved, in the hope that them getting a spot on my list helps.
When I started my criticism career, I _loved_ making annual top ten lists. By the end, I realized the process was inherently flawed and biased toward whatever thing I liked that I had watched most recently, and I resented having to do it. I had a similar relationship to star ratings!
November 21, 2025 at 5:38 PM
I share many of Emily's complaints! My solution is to treat my Top 10 list as more of a recommendation tool than something authoritative. I tend to pick smaller films (e.g. docs, indies, foreign) that did not get the attention they deserved, in the hope that them getting a spot on my list helps.
Train Dreams is available to stream on Netflix today!
If you missed this in theaters, please please PLEASE watch on the nicest TV you have. Turn out the lights and put your phone in another room while you're at it.
You can thank me later.
If you missed this in theaters, please please PLEASE watch on the nicest TV you have. Turn out the lights and put your phone in another room while you're at it.
You can thank me later.
Train Dreams is a remarkable drama, one that will languish on Netflix because its inexorable, meditative power is not suited to streaming. Go see it in theaters while you can.
Train Dreams Is About the Kind of Man Who Rarely Gets the Epic Treatment
In this moving adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella, the filmmakers never strike a false note in a logger’s quiet search for meaning and joy.
washingtoncitypaper.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Train Dreams is available to stream on Netflix today!
If you missed this in theaters, please please PLEASE watch on the nicest TV you have. Turn out the lights and put your phone in another room while you're at it.
You can thank me later.
If you missed this in theaters, please please PLEASE watch on the nicest TV you have. Turn out the lights and put your phone in another room while you're at it.
You can thank me later.
Would you rather shit so hard that you cum, or cum so hard that you shit?
November 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Would you rather shit so hard that you cum, or cum so hard that you shit?
Diva
Heathers
Ran
The Road Warrior
Heathers
Ran
The Road Warrior
Name your top 4 80s films.
November 21, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Diva
Heathers
Ran
The Road Warrior
Heathers
Ran
The Road Warrior
I cannot imagine hating a movie this year more than I hated Rental Family.
Its premise is a lot like Dirty Work, except in that movie the characters KNOW they're being cruel, and comic anarchy reflects that.
Lies and fraud at the expense of vulnerable people should not give anyone ALL THE FEELS.
Its premise is a lot like Dirty Work, except in that movie the characters KNOW they're being cruel, and comic anarchy reflects that.
Lies and fraud at the expense of vulnerable people should not give anyone ALL THE FEELS.
Rental Family - Spectrum Culture
The premise for Rental Family is a fundamental miscalculation, a story of emotional cruelty masquerading as something heartwarming.
spectrumculture.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I cannot imagine hating a movie this year more than I hated Rental Family.
Its premise is a lot like Dirty Work, except in that movie the characters KNOW they're being cruel, and comic anarchy reflects that.
Lies and fraud at the expense of vulnerable people should not give anyone ALL THE FEELS.
Its premise is a lot like Dirty Work, except in that movie the characters KNOW they're being cruel, and comic anarchy reflects that.
Lies and fraud at the expense of vulnerable people should not give anyone ALL THE FEELS.
Between my dislike of Sorry Baby, Eternity, Hamnet, and now Rental Family - films that are meant to give us ALL THE FEELS - I worry there may be something wrong with me.
On the other hand, it’s not my fault they suck.
On the other hand, it’s not my fault they suck.
November 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Between my dislike of Sorry Baby, Eternity, Hamnet, and now Rental Family - films that are meant to give us ALL THE FEELS - I worry there may be something wrong with me.
On the other hand, it’s not my fault they suck.
On the other hand, it’s not my fault they suck.
Wake Up Dead Man is not the most propulsive or entertaining Benoit Blanc mystery, but it might also be the best.
Go see this one in theaters if you can!
Go see this one in theaters if you can!
Think Wake Up Dead Man Can’t Top Glass Onion? Have a Little Faith.
Detective Benoit Blanc encounters his most challenging case yet and gets a major assist from an unlikely partner.
washingtoncitypaper.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Wake Up Dead Man is not the most propulsive or entertaining Benoit Blanc mystery, but it might also be the best.
Go see this one in theaters if you can!
Go see this one in theaters if you can!
Someone make a trend story about how the nation's library card holders are also Roman Polanski apologists.
November 20, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Someone make a trend story about how the nation's library card holders are also Roman Polanski apologists.
It seems likely I will see Avatar: Fire and Ash (195 minutes) and Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair in 70mm (275 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission) during the same week. You KNOW I will whipser "Eywa Has Heard You" each time I make it to the bathroom.
November 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
It seems likely I will see Avatar: Fire and Ash (195 minutes) and Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair in 70mm (275 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission) during the same week. You KNOW I will whipser "Eywa Has Heard You" each time I make it to the bathroom.
Might be the worst film I’ve seen all year.
Review forthcoming!
Review forthcoming!
About to watch a new movie about a beloved large American in Japan.
a man in a plaid shirt and glasses stands in front of a window
ALT: a man in a plaid shirt and glasses stands in front of a window
media.tenor.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Might be the worst film I’ve seen all year.
Review forthcoming!
Review forthcoming!
About to watch a new movie about a beloved large American in Japan.
a man in a plaid shirt and glasses stands in front of a window
ALT: a man in a plaid shirt and glasses stands in front of a window
media.tenor.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:31 AM
About to watch a new movie about a beloved large American in Japan.
Letterboxd's new video rental service is promising access to undistributed festival standouts, sneak peeks, and "unreleased gems." They also do not mention any specific titles, and note availability will vary by location.
Needless to say, I am dubious.
Needless to say, I am dubious.
Letterboxd Video Store: what you need to know about our new feature coming soon • Journal • A Letterboxd Magazine
Coming in early December: Letterboxd Video Store, our latest feature to get you adding films to your watchlist and, crucially, checking them off. Here’s everything you need to know.
letterboxd.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Letterboxd's new video rental service is promising access to undistributed festival standouts, sneak peeks, and "unreleased gems." They also do not mention any specific titles, and note availability will vary by location.
Needless to say, I am dubious.
Needless to say, I am dubious.
I caught up with Sorry Baby last night, and it really did not work for me. Most folks seemed to love it, so I am thankful for this @alisonwillmore.bsky.social review that - in just three paragraphs - articulates why I found its pervasive coyness so frustrating.
Sorry, Baby Has a Hard Time Talking About the Things We Can’t Talk About
Eva Victor’s directorial debut is promising, but it’s more often exasperating.
www.vulture.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I caught up with Sorry Baby last night, and it really did not work for me. Most folks seemed to love it, so I am thankful for this @alisonwillmore.bsky.social review that - in just three paragraphs - articulates why I found its pervasive coyness so frustrating.
I enjoyed this essay on the 40th anniversary of "Psychocandy" by The Jesus and Mary Chain. Listening again now, still cool as hell.
I'll never forget seeing them open for Nine Inch Nail and their set *BEGAN* with Just Like Honey, their most famous song. Killer move, more openers should do it.
I'll never forget seeing them open for Nine Inch Nail and their set *BEGAN* with Just Like Honey, their most famous song. Killer move, more openers should do it.
The Wind is Screaming Around the Trees: 40 Years of Psychocandy | The Quietus
Ned Raggett considers the geographical, cultural and political pressures that helped form Psychocandy, J&MC debut album.
thequietus.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:21 PM
I enjoyed this essay on the 40th anniversary of "Psychocandy" by The Jesus and Mary Chain. Listening again now, still cool as hell.
I'll never forget seeing them open for Nine Inch Nail and their set *BEGAN* with Just Like Honey, their most famous song. Killer move, more openers should do it.
I'll never forget seeing them open for Nine Inch Nail and their set *BEGAN* with Just Like Honey, their most famous song. Killer move, more openers should do it.
"The price, which doesn’t include an overnight stay in the room, is $1,964."
Is the Beatles experience at the Omni Shoreham worth $1,964? It offers a private two-hour tour of historic music sites around town and an elaborate afternoon tea for two in the Beatles’ suite.
Is a Beatles “Experience” at a DC Hotel Worth $1,964?
The band stayed at the Omni Shoreham in 1964.
washingtonian.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:38 PM
"The price, which doesn’t include an overnight stay in the room, is $1,964."
I am not paid enough to review Wicked: For Good, but I assume they did not fix my issue with the first movie: that everything in it looks like it was constructed from regurgitated Jolly Ranchers.
November 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
I am not paid enough to review Wicked: For Good, but I assume they did not fix my issue with the first movie: that everything in it looks like it was constructed from regurgitated Jolly Ranchers.