Dan Slevin
@danslevin.funeralsandsnakes.net
Gentleman of Silverstream. Writer, broadcaster and sometime CEO. Reviewer of films at substack.funeralsandsnakes.net and RNZ.
Pinned
Here's a quick pinned intro post for all those welcome new arrivals. I'm a film and tv critic for RNZ in Aotearoa New Zealand, broadcasting every Friday on Nights with @emiledonovan.bsky.social, and occasionally as a reliever on At the Movies.
Summer in New Zealand.
January 21, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Summer in New Zealand.
Reposted by Dan Slevin
Just watching a Match of the Day from early Jan and the main presenter has had to leave 20 mins in “due to a family emergency” and another presenter has subbed in. Smoothly done and superb professionalism all round.
January 21, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Just watching a Match of the Day from early Jan and the main presenter has had to leave 20 mins in “due to a family emergency” and another presenter has subbed in. Smoothly done and superb professionalism all round.
I would love to make this trip.
This is the first time in 24 years that
a scheduled passenger train has stopped at Invercargill Station. The station itself is in rough shape but nothing a bit of tender loving care can’t fix.
a scheduled passenger train has stopped at Invercargill Station. The station itself is in rough shape but nothing a bit of tender loving care can’t fix.
January 21, 2026 at 3:34 AM
I would love to make this trip.
The silence from the NZ govt is now deafening. Canada: “Stop invoking the ‘rules-based international order’ as though it still functions as advertised.”
In a speech to the World Economic Forum, Mark Carney says middle powers such as Canada must accept that the rules-based international order is effectively dead, and great power rivalry with is here to stay. Key excerpt:
January 20, 2026 at 6:57 PM
The silence from the NZ govt is now deafening. Canada: “Stop invoking the ‘rules-based international order’ as though it still functions as advertised.”
Spent the morning with my 3-yr-old godson, home to watch West Ham beat Tottingham, then a satisfying Don McGlashan doco at the Light House, finished off with the Phoenix winning again. Best. Sunday. Ever.
January 18, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Spent the morning with my 3-yr-old godson, home to watch West Ham beat Tottingham, then a satisfying Don McGlashan doco at the Light House, finished off with the Phoenix winning again. Best. Sunday. Ever.
Reposted by Dan Slevin
DEAR FIFA
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND RECENTLY HELD THE LAST FIFA WOMENS WORLD CUP.
PLEASE CONSIDER US FOR THE 2026 MENS WORLD CUP
WE CAN BRIBE YOU WITH WHITAKERS CHOCOLATE
REGARDS
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND RECENTLY HELD THE LAST FIFA WOMENS WORLD CUP.
PLEASE CONSIDER US FOR THE 2026 MENS WORLD CUP
WE CAN BRIBE YOU WITH WHITAKERS CHOCOLATE
REGARDS
Beginning to think this is a distinct possibility.
January 18, 2026 at 2:03 AM
DEAR FIFA
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND RECENTLY HELD THE LAST FIFA WOMENS WORLD CUP.
PLEASE CONSIDER US FOR THE 2026 MENS WORLD CUP
WE CAN BRIBE YOU WITH WHITAKERS CHOCOLATE
REGARDS
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND RECENTLY HELD THE LAST FIFA WOMENS WORLD CUP.
PLEASE CONSIDER US FOR THE 2026 MENS WORLD CUP
WE CAN BRIBE YOU WITH WHITAKERS CHOCOLATE
REGARDS
Reminded this weekend, for some reason, of that scene in the TV version of The Handmaid’s Tale when they finally escape to Canada and it’s just completely normal.
January 18, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Reminded this weekend, for some reason, of that scene in the TV version of The Handmaid’s Tale when they finally escape to Canada and it’s just completely normal.
January 18, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Reposted by Dan Slevin
Ah yes, famously events with interstate attendees, book sales, coffee carts, wine bars, hundreds of employed artists, dozens of staffers, thousands of daily visitors to the city and, yes, ticketed events, generate "zero revenue". www.indailysa.com.au/news/just-in...
January 16, 2026 at 5:14 AM
Ah yes, famously events with interstate attendees, book sales, coffee carts, wine bars, hundreds of employed artists, dozens of staffers, thousands of daily visitors to the city and, yes, ticketed events, generate "zero revenue". www.indailysa.com.au/news/just-in...
This doesn’t appear to have any connection to the great British sitcom, The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin. Except the title.
Tracy Morgan's new NBC comedy The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins is getting an early premiere — find out when it debuts.
Save The Dates: Reggie Dinkins' Early Debut, Pete Davidson's Netflix Podcast, And More - TVLine
www.tvline.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:59 AM
This doesn’t appear to have any connection to the great British sitcom, The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin. Except the title.
Wellington onions in for a rough weekend.
NZTA warning Wellingtonions to expect traffic delays ahead of long weekend
NZTA warning Wellingtonions to expect traffic delays ahead of long weekend
Wet weather, Wellington Anniversary weekend and chip seal works are expected to create a perfect storm for traffic.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 16, 2026 at 6:17 AM
Wellington onions in for a rough weekend.
I love that this photo of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell looks like is performing a haka.
(Photo: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS//Getty Images)
(Photo: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS//Getty Images)
January 15, 2026 at 8:46 PM
I love that this photo of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell looks like is performing a haka.
(Photo: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS//Getty Images)
(Photo: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS//Getty Images)
I was wondering why whenever I tried to put a screening of the new 28 YEARS LATER film in my calendar it wouldn’t show up. Perplexed I was until I realised that my super smart calendar app was trying to be helpful.
January 15, 2026 at 8:13 PM
I was wondering why whenever I tried to put a screening of the new 28 YEARS LATER film in my calendar it wouldn’t show up. Perplexed I was until I realised that my super smart calendar app was trying to be helpful.
Reposted by Dan Slevin
At lunch yesterday, student at the picnic table next to mine were working on a problem set. They had ChatGPT opened and were copying answers from it. It made me think about how I need to change the way I teach because I’m not convinced this is the way to learn anything.
January 15, 2026 at 6:33 PM
At lunch yesterday, student at the picnic table next to mine were working on a problem set. They had ChatGPT opened and were copying answers from it. It made me think about how I need to change the way I teach because I’m not convinced this is the way to learn anything.
Reposted by Dan Slevin
Election 2026: Labour proposes 'game-changing' streaming levy to fund local productions
Election 2026: Labour proposes 'game-changing' streaming levy to fund local productions
The revenue would be reinvested into local productions.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 14, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Election 2026: Labour proposes 'game-changing' streaming levy to fund local productions
Reposted by Dan Slevin
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open 'just to do quick research'
![You’ve got super fans pausing and zooming in on individuals frames of your documentary. One allegedly shows one of the Duffers with a ChatGPT tab open on their computer. In your presence, what did they use ChatGPT for?
I mean, are we even sure they had ChatGPT open?
I’m personally not, but the internet seems sure.
Well, there’s a lot of chatter where [social media users] are like, “We don’t really know, but we’re assuming.” But to me it’s like, doesn’t everybody have it open, to just do quick research?
I do.
How can you possibly write a storyline with 19 characters and use ChatGPT, I don’t even understand.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7t2urmt3i33jl6tjgiolio6g/bafkreidw2tmcr2ayq74oqmjm5pn2tdox6hlxnpqevhuqqj6oa7nsslx3oi@jpeg)
January 13, 2026 at 8:45 PM
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open 'just to do quick research'
Once again, I respectfully suggest that this is not a “Life” or “Food” story - this is a business and economy story.
Sad news: Leuven Belgian Beer Cafe to close on 29 Jan.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/food/central-wellington-bar-closes-after-25-years
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/food/central-wellington-bar-closes-after-25-years
Central Wellington bar closes after 25 years
A central Wellington bar that has been in business for 25 years will be shutting its doors at the end of January.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 14, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Once again, I respectfully suggest that this is not a “Life” or “Food” story - this is a business and economy story.
Reposted by Dan Slevin
Mug Thumping
🎶I get cooled down
They warm me up again
Nobody’s gonna drink me down
I get cooled down
They warm me up again
Nobody’s gonna drink me down
He makes an Assam tea
He makes a Ceylon tea
He makes an oolong tea
He never drinks his tea🎶
🎶I get cooled down
They warm me up again
Nobody’s gonna drink me down
I get cooled down
They warm me up again
Nobody’s gonna drink me down
He makes an Assam tea
He makes a Ceylon tea
He makes an oolong tea
He never drinks his tea🎶
January 12, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Mug Thumping
🎶I get cooled down
They warm me up again
Nobody’s gonna drink me down
I get cooled down
They warm me up again
Nobody’s gonna drink me down
He makes an Assam tea
He makes a Ceylon tea
He makes an oolong tea
He never drinks his tea🎶
🎶I get cooled down
They warm me up again
Nobody’s gonna drink me down
I get cooled down
They warm me up again
Nobody’s gonna drink me down
He makes an Assam tea
He makes a Ceylon tea
He makes an oolong tea
He never drinks his tea🎶
“Final and conclusive”. Nothing he says or does is final or conclusive.
Trump announces 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran
Trump announces 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran
"This Order is final and conclusive", the US President said on social media.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 12, 2026 at 11:51 PM
“Final and conclusive”. Nothing he says or does is final or conclusive.
Tonight’s Hollywood at Home: in the absence of any compelling new offers from the streamers, we return to the Sight & Sound Top 50 and a first watch of #28 - DAISIES (Chytilová, 1966). Criterion Channel.
January 10, 2026 at 7:54 AM
Tonight’s Hollywood at Home: in the absence of any compelling new offers from the streamers, we return to the Sight & Sound Top 50 and a first watch of #28 - DAISIES (Chytilová, 1966). Criterion Channel.
I’ve strenuously avoided watching the video but hear it is on Fox for all to see. And this was an execution. I expect the shooter to get due process and a trial.
Jesse Watters highlights that Renee Nicole Good, the woman killed by ICE, had "pronouns in her bio" and "leaves behind a lesbian partner and a child from a previous marriage"
January 8, 2026 at 7:04 AM
I’ve strenuously avoided watching the video but hear it is on Fox for all to see. And this was an execution. I expect the shooter to get due process and a trial.
Reposted by Dan Slevin
Genuinely insulting to honours recipients. The message is that you're not worth a human's time.
Why bother with honours at all then? Who is any of this for?
Why bother with honours at all then? Who is any of this for?
Government planning to use AI for next New Year's Honours
Government planning to use AI for next New Year's Honours
An exemption has been needed as the use of personal information by AI is usually restricted by government policy.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 7, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Genuinely insulting to honours recipients. The message is that you're not worth a human's time.
Why bother with honours at all then? Who is any of this for?
Why bother with honours at all then? Who is any of this for?
In the Future by David Byrne from 1984's Music for The Knee Plays. Startlingly prescient: "In the future, everyone's house will be a fortress; In the future, everyone's house will be total entertainment center."
youtu.be/LJ4AU0kihFo?...
youtu.be/LJ4AU0kihFo?...
In the Future
YouTube video by David Byrne - Topic
youtu.be
January 7, 2026 at 10:49 PM
In the Future by David Byrne from 1984's Music for The Knee Plays. Startlingly prescient: "In the future, everyone's house will be a fortress; In the future, everyone's house will be total entertainment center."
youtu.be/LJ4AU0kihFo?...
youtu.be/LJ4AU0kihFo?...
Reposted by Dan Slevin
I am going to kindly share, as a Black person used to dodging these types of things, if you have your settings set to autoplay video, today is a great day to turn them off. You can be very informed without having to witness murder.
January 7, 2026 at 6:21 PM
I am going to kindly share, as a Black person used to dodging these types of things, if you have your settings set to autoplay video, today is a great day to turn them off. You can be very informed without having to witness murder.