Alan Zilberman
@alanzilberman.bsky.social
Film critic at Washington City Paper.
DC guy who wants statehood yesterday.
DC guy who wants statehood yesterday.
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.
In a true "did not have that on my bingo card" moment, the year's first great punk record is by a French band.
Falling, by Youth Avoiders
from the album Defiance
youthavoiders.bandcamp.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:31 PM
In a true "did not have that on my bingo card" moment, the year's first great punk record is by a French band.
I am reading Sonny Boy, Al Pacino's memoir, and I got to a section where he talks about The Local Stigmatic, a film version of a one-act play he made in the 1980s.
He calls it one of his best roles, so out of curiosity, I watched it on YouTube. His English accent may be the worst I've ever heard.
He calls it one of his best roles, so out of curiosity, I watched it on YouTube. His English accent may be the worst I've ever heard.
The Local Stigmatic Pacino Speech
YouTube video by Nicholas Rowland
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:50 PM
I am reading Sonny Boy, Al Pacino's memoir, and I got to a section where he talks about The Local Stigmatic, a film version of a one-act play he made in the 1980s.
He calls it one of his best roles, so out of curiosity, I watched it on YouTube. His English accent may be the worst I've ever heard.
He calls it one of his best roles, so out of curiosity, I watched it on YouTube. His English accent may be the worst I've ever heard.
Reposted by Alan Zilberman
I doubt this has happened before: 11 of this weekend's top 15 movies were made independently, inc. 4 of the top 5. There is nothing holding down overall grosses and attendance more than the fact that studios have forgotten how to do what they used to do, which is to fill the pipeline with movies.
February 9, 2026 at 12:48 AM
I doubt this has happened before: 11 of this weekend's top 15 movies were made independently, inc. 4 of the top 5. There is nothing holding down overall grosses and attendance more than the fact that studios have forgotten how to do what they used to do, which is to fill the pipeline with movies.
You could pick a list of five entirely different characters and it would still be defensible.
1. Max Cherry
2. Bill
3. Vincent Vega
4. Major Marquis Warren
5. Mr. Pink
1. Max Cherry
2. Bill
3. Vincent Vega
4. Major Marquis Warren
5. Mr. Pink
ok fine one more post about The Adventures of Cliff Booth. real quick top five Tarantino characters
1. The Bride
T-2. Shoshanna Dreyfus
T-2. Hans Landa
4. Cliff Booth
5. Jules Winnfield
1. The Bride
T-2. Shoshanna Dreyfus
T-2. Hans Landa
4. Cliff Booth
5. Jules Winnfield
February 9, 2026 at 12:33 AM
You could pick a list of five entirely different characters and it would still be defensible.
1. Max Cherry
2. Bill
3. Vincent Vega
4. Major Marquis Warren
5. Mr. Pink
1. Max Cherry
2. Bill
3. Vincent Vega
4. Major Marquis Warren
5. Mr. Pink
“American Idiot” is the only thing non-dystopian part of the past hour’s broadcast.
February 8, 2026 at 11:26 PM
“American Idiot” is the only thing non-dystopian part of the past hour’s broadcast.
Reposted by Alan Zilberman
the people who want you to believe that generative AI can paint like Picasso tend to gloss over the fact that Picasso didn’t have hundreds of Picassos to learn from. He had to make something new, which a model trained on old art is definitionally incapable of doing.
February 8, 2026 at 4:36 PM
the people who want you to believe that generative AI can paint like Picasso tend to gloss over the fact that Picasso didn’t have hundreds of Picassos to learn from. He had to make something new, which a model trained on old art is definitionally incapable of doing.
Matt Damon said “fortune favors the brave” in a Super Bowl crypto ad five years ago. If you listened to him, you almost certainly would have lost money.
He was paid in cash.
He was paid in cash.
happy Super Bowl Sunday! for all you commercials sickos, I make the case that this game's ad blitz will be to A.I. what 2022's was to crypto and 2000's was to the dot-com boom—with all attendant implications for our broader economy and the celebrity-promotion complex: slate.com/technology/2...
The Biggest Star of the Super Bowl Isn’t an Athlete—or Bad Bunny
We’ve seen this game before, and it doesn’t end well for anyone.
slate.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Matt Damon said “fortune favors the brave” in a Super Bowl crypto ad five years ago. If you listened to him, you almost certainly would have lost money.
He was paid in cash.
He was paid in cash.
Reposted by Alan Zilberman
There is an effort underway by some of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the US to deprive Washington of any culture that does not fit their narrow, cruel, and incorrect view of what the arts should be. This week they struck a powerful blow that should not be forgotten—or forgiven.
If it clarifies what was lost this week:
Philip Kennicott and Monica Hesse remain as arts critics at The Washington Post
Eliminated:
art critic
arts editor
arts/film editor
classical critic
pop critic
television critic
theater critic
all editors/reporters in Book World including two book critics
Philip Kennicott and Monica Hesse remain as arts critics at The Washington Post
Eliminated:
art critic
arts editor
arts/film editor
classical critic
pop critic
television critic
theater critic
all editors/reporters in Book World including two book critics
February 7, 2026 at 10:02 PM
There is an effort underway by some of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the US to deprive Washington of any culture that does not fit their narrow, cruel, and incorrect view of what the arts should be. This week they struck a powerful blow that should not be forgotten—or forgiven.
Reposted by Alan Zilberman
Gold Zone commentator on an Italian women’s speed skating gold: “If Federico Fellini were alive today, this is the movie he’d be making” (???)
He went on to say “there’ll be a lot of Chianti going down tonight.”
I’m convinced this man has the Wikipedia page for “Italy” open
He went on to say “there’ll be a lot of Chianti going down tonight.”
I’m convinced this man has the Wikipedia page for “Italy” open
February 7, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Gold Zone commentator on an Italian women’s speed skating gold: “If Federico Fellini were alive today, this is the movie he’d be making” (???)
He went on to say “there’ll be a lot of Chianti going down tonight.”
I’m convinced this man has the Wikipedia page for “Italy” open
He went on to say “there’ll be a lot of Chianti going down tonight.”
I’m convinced this man has the Wikipedia page for “Italy” open
Matt Berry
Who do you want to guest host a potential revival of The Muppet Show?
Here’s Who We Want to Guest Host ‘The Muppet Show’ If It’s Revived
February 6, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Matt Berry
Old and busted, new hotness.
February 6, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Old and busted, new hotness.
He's not going to take it anymore.
A statement says that "Dee Snider now knows his" limitations.
Twisted Sister cancels upcoming performances as Dee Snider resigns from band
Twisted Sister cancels upcoming performances as Dee Snider resigns from band
www.avclub.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:46 PM
He's not going to take it anymore.
Last night I watched Jeremiah Johnson for the first time (hey, we all have our blind spots). I liked it fine, but it was silly and yes, a little pretentious, for a movie with a runtime under two hours to have an overture/intermission.
2001: A Space Odyssey's 139 minute runtime is IMO the MINIMUM.
2001: A Space Odyssey's 139 minute runtime is IMO the MINIMUM.
a man with a beard is holding a gun and the word true is on his chest
Alt: a man with a beard is holding a gun and the word true is on his chest
media.tenor.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Last night I watched Jeremiah Johnson for the first time (hey, we all have our blind spots). I liked it fine, but it was silly and yes, a little pretentious, for a movie with a runtime under two hours to have an overture/intermission.
2001: A Space Odyssey's 139 minute runtime is IMO the MINIMUM.
2001: A Space Odyssey's 139 minute runtime is IMO the MINIMUM.
The last couple days have been a journey.
Extremist, which was shortlisted for Best Live Action Short this year, is well worth your time and available on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmYb...
Extremist, which was shortlisted for Best Live Action Short this year, is well worth your time and available on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmYb...
February 6, 2026 at 3:02 PM
The last couple days have been a journey.
Extremist, which was shortlisted for Best Live Action Short this year, is well worth your time and available on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmYb...
Extremist, which was shortlisted for Best Live Action Short this year, is well worth your time and available on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmYb...
I get my news from a reliable source.
February 6, 2026 at 12:03 AM
I get my news from a reliable source.
Who else but Paul Verhoeven could come up with a breakneck WW2 thriller, complete with a pubic hair dye sequence and a woman getting a giant bucket of shit dumped on her, and still have a provocative portrayal about the true nature of evil?
Black Book rules.
Black Book rules.
Black Book, Paul Verhoeven's WW2 thriller that follows a Jewish spy who falls in love with a Nazi, lands a lot differently now than it did when it first released twenty years ago.
In my @spectrumculture.bsky.social essay, I argue that only deepens its provocations and its lurid sense of genre.
In my @spectrumculture.bsky.social essay, I argue that only deepens its provocations and its lurid sense of genre.
Holy Hell! Black Book Turns 20 - Spectrum Culture
Black Book hits differently 20 years after its release, a vivacious work of great passion that has no patience for ordinary heroics.
spectrumculture.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Who else but Paul Verhoeven could come up with a breakneck WW2 thriller, complete with a pubic hair dye sequence and a woman getting a giant bucket of shit dumped on her, and still have a provocative portrayal about the true nature of evil?
Black Book rules.
Black Book rules.
Disappointed to see my beloved Sword in the Stone losing.
Lilo & Stitch's endurance was cemented with its (apparently awful) live action remake, whereas The Sword in the Stone will probably never get that treatment.
Why not celebrate it for a moment, if only in Josh's poll?
Lilo & Stitch's endurance was cemented with its (apparently awful) live action remake, whereas The Sword in the Stone will probably never get that treatment.
Why not celebrate it for a moment, if only in Josh's poll?
It’s the last day of Round One of the Walt Disney Animation Studios bracket! We conclude this round with a rascally alien facing off against the once and future king of England. Who wins?
1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/6DRE7V/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Lilo & Stitch
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/6DRE7V/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">The Sword in the Stone
📊 Show results
1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/6DRE7V/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Lilo & Stitch
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/6DRE7V/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">The Sword in the Stone
📊 Show results
February 5, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Disappointed to see my beloved Sword in the Stone losing.
Lilo & Stitch's endurance was cemented with its (apparently awful) live action remake, whereas The Sword in the Stone will probably never get that treatment.
Why not celebrate it for a moment, if only in Josh's poll?
Lilo & Stitch's endurance was cemented with its (apparently awful) live action remake, whereas The Sword in the Stone will probably never get that treatment.
Why not celebrate it for a moment, if only in Josh's poll?
Reposted by Alan Zilberman
One of the few things bringing me joy these days is playing loud music with my friends.
DC pals: My band, Witch’s Mirror, is thrilled to be a part of this lineup at @rhizomedc.bsky.social later this month. Join us for a night of sonic catharsis. www.rhizomedc.org/new-events/2...
DC pals: My band, Witch’s Mirror, is thrilled to be a part of this lineup at @rhizomedc.bsky.social later this month. Join us for a night of sonic catharsis. www.rhizomedc.org/new-events/2...
Wrekmeister Harmonies / Sadness / Oldest Sea / Witch's Mirror — Rhizome DC
Monday February 23 * doors at 6:30, music at 7pm sharp * $15-25 * TICKETS Wrekmeister Harmonies : Pastoral doom, droning metal, sonic maximalism from Kingston, NY. On Thrill Jockey Records ...
www.rhizomedc.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:52 PM
One of the few things bringing me joy these days is playing loud music with my friends.
DC pals: My band, Witch’s Mirror, is thrilled to be a part of this lineup at @rhizomedc.bsky.social later this month. Join us for a night of sonic catharsis. www.rhizomedc.org/new-events/2...
DC pals: My band, Witch’s Mirror, is thrilled to be a part of this lineup at @rhizomedc.bsky.social later this month. Join us for a night of sonic catharsis. www.rhizomedc.org/new-events/2...
As an elderly millennial who has been following the same indie bands for decades, I present the Broken Social Scene Ticket Index:
-$18/ticket with fees in 2005
-$26/ticket with fees in 2007
-$37/ticket with fees in 2017
-$75/ticket(!) with fees in 2026
-$18/ticket with fees in 2005
-$26/ticket with fees in 2007
-$37/ticket with fees in 2017
-$75/ticket(!) with fees in 2026
February 5, 2026 at 3:43 PM
As an elderly millennial who has been following the same indie bands for decades, I present the Broken Social Scene Ticket Index:
-$18/ticket with fees in 2005
-$26/ticket with fees in 2007
-$37/ticket with fees in 2017
-$75/ticket(!) with fees in 2026
-$18/ticket with fees in 2005
-$26/ticket with fees in 2007
-$37/ticket with fees in 2017
-$75/ticket(!) with fees in 2026
Reposted by Alan Zilberman
interesting to see what they're keeping
February 5, 2026 at 2:40 PM
interesting to see what they're keeping
Black Book, Paul Verhoeven's WW2 thriller that follows a Jewish spy who falls in love with a Nazi, lands a lot differently now than it did when it first released twenty years ago.
In my @spectrumculture.bsky.social essay, I argue that only deepens its provocations and its lurid sense of genre.
In my @spectrumculture.bsky.social essay, I argue that only deepens its provocations and its lurid sense of genre.
Holy Hell! Black Book Turns 20 - Spectrum Culture
Black Book hits differently 20 years after its release, a vivacious work of great passion that has no patience for ordinary heroics.
spectrumculture.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Black Book, Paul Verhoeven's WW2 thriller that follows a Jewish spy who falls in love with a Nazi, lands a lot differently now than it did when it first released twenty years ago.
In my @spectrumculture.bsky.social essay, I argue that only deepens its provocations and its lurid sense of genre.
In my @spectrumculture.bsky.social essay, I argue that only deepens its provocations and its lurid sense of genre.