Alan Zilberman
@alanzilberman.bsky.social
Film critic at Washington City Paper. #FreeDC.
Wuthering Heights may have Charli xcx, but there is a needle drop in Pillion so unexpected and delightful that it alone might be worth the admission price.
This weekend you have your choice between two sexy movies with hot leading men. Why not pick the kinkier and sweeter one?
Yes, I use my review of Pillion to talk about Wuthering Heights, and which approach toward eroticism I ultimately find the more successful.
Yes, I use my review of Pillion to talk about Wuthering Heights, and which approach toward eroticism I ultimately find the more successful.
Pillion Gives the Gay Leather Community the Rom-Com Treatment
This weekend you have your choice between two sexy movies with hot leading men. Why not pick the kinkier and sweeter one.
washingtoncitypaper.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Wuthering Heights may have Charli xcx, but there is a needle drop in Pillion so unexpected and delightful that it alone might be worth the admission price.
This weekend you have your choice between two sexy movies with hot leading men. Why not pick the kinkier and sweeter one?
Yes, I use my review of Pillion to talk about Wuthering Heights, and which approach toward eroticism I ultimately find the more successful.
Yes, I use my review of Pillion to talk about Wuthering Heights, and which approach toward eroticism I ultimately find the more successful.
Pillion Gives the Gay Leather Community the Rom-Com Treatment
This weekend you have your choice between two sexy movies with hot leading men. Why not pick the kinkier and sweeter one.
washingtoncitypaper.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:37 PM
This weekend you have your choice between two sexy movies with hot leading men. Why not pick the kinkier and sweeter one?
Yes, I use my review of Pillion to talk about Wuthering Heights, and which approach toward eroticism I ultimately find the more successful.
Yes, I use my review of Pillion to talk about Wuthering Heights, and which approach toward eroticism I ultimately find the more successful.
Zero. I am not crazy about eggplant, but anything on this list can be part of something delicious. Deep frying helps.
February 13, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Zero. I am not crazy about eggplant, but anything on this list can be part of something delicious. Deep frying helps.
Tangerine Dream might be the only band that is still credibly itself, despite having none of its original members. What is more common is a group like Guided by Voices or The Fall, where one person is the driving creative force while bandmates come and go.
Gotta disagree with the guy from Foreigner. On the sad day when Mick and Keith are no longer with us, The Rolling Stones is finished.
Source: www.vulture.com/article/when...
Source: www.vulture.com/article/when...
February 12, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Tangerine Dream might be the only band that is still credibly itself, despite having none of its original members. What is more common is a group like Guided by Voices or The Fall, where one person is the driving creative force while bandmates come and go.
Good news for those who care about the local coverage void left by the Washington Post cuts.
February 12, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Good news for those who care about the local coverage void left by the Washington Post cuts.
Gotta disagree with the guy from Foreigner. On the sad day when Mick and Keith are no longer with us, The Rolling Stones is finished.
Source: www.vulture.com/article/when...
Source: www.vulture.com/article/when...
February 12, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Gotta disagree with the guy from Foreigner. On the sad day when Mick and Keith are no longer with us, The Rolling Stones is finished.
Source: www.vulture.com/article/when...
Source: www.vulture.com/article/when...
Edward Norton. According to my 11th grade math teacher who also taught him, he was an unassuming dork who was really into student government.
Who's the most famous alum of your high school?
I'll go first: David Draiman of Disturbed
I'll go first: David Draiman of Disturbed
guys i just found out i went to the same high school as howard lutnick. please respect my privacy at this time.
February 12, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Edward Norton. According to my 11th grade math teacher who also taught him, he was an unassuming dork who was really into student government.
Nine Inch Nails ruled last night (yes, they did play I’m Afraid of Americans).
February 12, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Nine Inch Nails ruled last night (yes, they did play I’m Afraid of Americans).
James Van Der Beek does not get enough credit for The Rules of Attraction. His character is recognizable today's world: a malignant buffoon you could almost pity if he wasn't so dumb.
Off camera, especially during his cancer battle, he struck me as self-deprecating and courageous.
Rest in power.
Off camera, especially during his cancer battle, he struck me as self-deprecating and courageous.
Rest in power.
James Van Der Beek, who starred in the teen drama series "Dawson’s Creek," has died at 48
February 11, 2026 at 7:47 PM
James Van Der Beek does not get enough credit for The Rules of Attraction. His character is recognizable today's world: a malignant buffoon you could almost pity if he wasn't so dumb.
Off camera, especially during his cancer battle, he struck me as self-deprecating and courageous.
Rest in power.
Off camera, especially during his cancer battle, he struck me as self-deprecating and courageous.
Rest in power.
Dang. I always pleasantly surprised when he popped up.
My personal favorite was when he played the world's shittiest boss to Dennis Haysbert in HEAT.
My personal favorite was when he played the world's shittiest boss to Dennis Haysbert in HEAT.
Bud Cort, ‘Harold and Maude’ Star, Dies at 77
Bud Cort, who starred in 'Harold and Maude" and "Brewster McCloud," died Wednesday. He was 77.
variety.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Dang. I always pleasantly surprised when he popped up.
My personal favorite was when he played the world's shittiest boss to Dennis Haysbert in HEAT.
My personal favorite was when he played the world's shittiest boss to Dennis Haysbert in HEAT.
Scene report: after chipping away at it for nearly three weeks, I have finally dug out my car.
February 11, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Scene report: after chipping away at it for nearly three weeks, I have finally dug out my car.
Wow, this blew up!
To be clear, I am not here to litigate the intricacies of the job report revision process. I just think it's funny to encounter an example of "I happen to have Mr. McLuhan right here" in the wild.
I promise I'll go back to posting about movies, books, and punk rock shortly.
To be clear, I am not here to litigate the intricacies of the job report revision process. I just think it's funny to encounter an example of "I happen to have Mr. McLuhan right here" in the wild.
I promise I'll go back to posting about movies, books, and punk rock shortly.
Bluesky in a nutshell.
Some context: BLS released its jobs numbers today, which were better than expected, and resistance libs would rather stay mad/conspiratorial than listen to actual on-the-ground experts that the data is still reliable.
Some context: BLS released its jobs numbers today, which were better than expected, and resistance libs would rather stay mad/conspiratorial than listen to actual on-the-ground experts that the data is still reliable.
February 11, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Wow, this blew up!
To be clear, I am not here to litigate the intricacies of the job report revision process. I just think it's funny to encounter an example of "I happen to have Mr. McLuhan right here" in the wild.
I promise I'll go back to posting about movies, books, and punk rock shortly.
To be clear, I am not here to litigate the intricacies of the job report revision process. I just think it's funny to encounter an example of "I happen to have Mr. McLuhan right here" in the wild.
I promise I'll go back to posting about movies, books, and punk rock shortly.
Bluesky in a nutshell.
Some context: BLS released its jobs numbers today, which were better than expected, and resistance libs would rather stay mad/conspiratorial than listen to actual on-the-ground experts that the data is still reliable.
Some context: BLS released its jobs numbers today, which were better than expected, and resistance libs would rather stay mad/conspiratorial than listen to actual on-the-ground experts that the data is still reliable.
February 11, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Bluesky in a nutshell.
Some context: BLS released its jobs numbers today, which were better than expected, and resistance libs would rather stay mad/conspiratorial than listen to actual on-the-ground experts that the data is still reliable.
Some context: BLS released its jobs numbers today, which were better than expected, and resistance libs would rather stay mad/conspiratorial than listen to actual on-the-ground experts that the data is still reliable.
They played "I'm Afraid of Americans" in New Orleans last week (thanks for the catch @aadowd.bsky.social), so here's hoping they realize the DC crowd - which is still dealing with National Guard on the streets - could use some catharsis!
Nine Inch Nails is playing DC tomorrow, their first time here since 2018. If they don’t play “I’m Afraid of Americans,” I think the entire crowd will be justifiably disappointed.
February 11, 2026 at 3:35 PM
They played "I'm Afraid of Americans" in New Orleans last week (thanks for the catch @aadowd.bsky.social), so here's hoping they realize the DC crowd - which is still dealing with National Guard on the streets - could use some catharsis!
Mark… you can still hire them.
(Media) SCOOP: Weeks ago, the owner of the Washington City Paper had offered to purchase The Washington Post's sports and local sections, keeping their desks alive.
The Post reporters were laid off and the desks were shut down instead.
www.theverge.com/policy/87683...
The Post reporters were laid off and the desks were shut down instead.
www.theverge.com/policy/87683...
Bezos could have saved WaPo’s sports and local journalists. He laid them off instead.
“The equation isn’t adding up.”
www.theverge.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:58 AM
Mark… you can still hire them.
Nine Inch Nails is playing DC tomorrow, their first time here since 2018. If they don’t play “I’m Afraid of Americans,” I think the entire crowd will be justifiably disappointed.
February 11, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Nine Inch Nails is playing DC tomorrow, their first time here since 2018. If they don’t play “I’m Afraid of Americans,” I think the entire crowd will be justifiably disappointed.
Reposted by Alan Zilberman
"Shout out also to Tiny Desk series editor Lars Gotrich, a nice guy and a great music writer who has a most excellent name. Lars Got Rich. Fucking sick. If that was my name, you couldn't tell me shit."
You can't tell me shit. (Thanks, @tombreihan.bsky.social 🙌)
You can't tell me shit. (Thanks, @tombreihan.bsky.social 🙌)
Geese's Tiny Desk Concert is really good
Geese's Tiny Desk Concert Is Really Good: Watch
An Australian TikToker recently ran into Geese frontman Cameron Winter at an airport, and they had a little impromptu interview. When asked what was next for Geese, Winter said, “We go deeper into the...
stereogum.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM
"Shout out also to Tiny Desk series editor Lars Gotrich, a nice guy and a great music writer who has a most excellent name. Lars Got Rich. Fucking sick. If that was my name, you couldn't tell me shit."
You can't tell me shit. (Thanks, @tombreihan.bsky.social 🙌)
You can't tell me shit. (Thanks, @tombreihan.bsky.social 🙌)
As of right now, the results are neck and neck! How? Why?!
Do you want to vote for arguably the finest animated film Disney ever made, or be an agent of chaos? No matter how you choose, be [Josh's] guest.
Do you want to vote for arguably the finest animated film Disney ever made, or be an agent of chaos? No matter how you choose, be [Josh's] guest.
February 10, 2026 at 7:17 PM
As of right now, the results are neck and neck! How? Why?!
Do you want to vote for arguably the finest animated film Disney ever made, or be an agent of chaos? No matter how you choose, be [Josh's] guest.
Do you want to vote for arguably the finest animated film Disney ever made, or be an agent of chaos? No matter how you choose, be [Josh's] guest.
We are far enough into the year that I am harshly judging the homeowners who, against all sense and good taste, still have up their Christmas decorations.
February 10, 2026 at 4:36 PM
We are far enough into the year that I am harshly judging the homeowners who, against all sense and good taste, still have up their Christmas decorations.
A former book critic at Washington Post Book World wrote about last week's cuts, and while the whole thing is worth reading, the end cuts through the bullshit of algorithm/click-driven generated content to articulate the need for actual criticism and culture.
www.newyorker.com/books/page-t...
www.newyorker.com/books/page-t...
February 10, 2026 at 2:16 PM
A former book critic at Washington Post Book World wrote about last week's cuts, and while the whole thing is worth reading, the end cuts through the bullshit of algorithm/click-driven generated content to articulate the need for actual criticism and culture.
www.newyorker.com/books/page-t...
www.newyorker.com/books/page-t...
Fell to my knees when I saw today’s high temperature, now my knee is all fucked up from sharp ice chunks digging into it.
looking at today’s forecasted temperature in the 40s, a single tear of joy streaming down my cheek
February 10, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Fell to my knees when I saw today’s high temperature, now my knee is all fucked up from sharp ice chunks digging into it.
About to find out whether I get to fill out another square on my bingo card.
February 9, 2026 at 11:41 PM
About to find out whether I get to fill out another square on my bingo card.
Post a banger that isn't in English.
I'm picking Otoboke Beaver, who shred and go harder than everybody.
I'm picking Otoboke Beaver, who shred and go harder than everybody.
February 9, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Post a banger that isn't in English.
I'm picking Otoboke Beaver, who shred and go harder than everybody.
I'm picking Otoboke Beaver, who shred and go harder than everybody.
Props to Laura Dern, who I think took more movies from the closet than pretty much everyone who has visited.
February 9, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Props to Laura Dern, who I think took more movies from the closet than pretty much everyone who has visited.
When the LCD Soundsystem track "Oh Baby" played over the superbowl ad for Starlunk, one of Elon Musk's companies, I thought of this great @slate.com essay.
At least James and the gang don't have to worry about losing their edge anywmore. It's gone.
At least James and the gang don't have to worry about losing their edge anywmore. It's gone.
LCD Soundsystem Used to Be the Coolest Band In the World. How Did They Get So Cringe?
Watching the set at the Knockdown Center, I became aware that my favorite band had become unfathomably lame.
slate.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:31 PM
When the LCD Soundsystem track "Oh Baby" played over the superbowl ad for Starlunk, one of Elon Musk's companies, I thought of this great @slate.com essay.
At least James and the gang don't have to worry about losing their edge anywmore. It's gone.
At least James and the gang don't have to worry about losing their edge anywmore. It's gone.