Alan Zilberman

I watch every Criterion Closet video, and I wish someone, anyone, would talk about Christian Petzold’s Phoenix. Hell, I will give my services to any actor or director, writing copy for them about it, doing them a favor by suggesting they have great taste.

I just want more folks to see it.

I watch every Criterion Closet video, and I wish someone, anyone, would talk about Christian Petzold’s Phoenix. Hell, I will give my services to any actor or director, writing copy for them about it, doing them a favor by suggesting they have great taste.

I just want more folks to see it.

Now that more folks have seen The Naked Gun, I hope the phrase “beg for the brown” enters the lexicon. Maybe it becomes shorthand for ordering a shot of whiskey.

Even when I don’t like it, it is always worthwhile.

Thank you for all your well-wishes and kind words. It means a lot.

My family does not need anything, but if you have the means and interest, consider a donation to the Maryland Food Bank.

And if you’ll indulge me one final thought:

Fuck cancer.

Jossef Zilberman, 1954-2025.

In addition to being a great father and a gifted engineer, my dad was a huge influence on me, getting me into movies, music, and literature. I will think of him anytime I see a brainy thriller, or hear an abstract song lyric with real truth.

He was one of a kind.

Napalm Death - “You Suffer”

"The Blair Witch Project at The Sphere"

Den Hedaya hamming it up with a shotgun >>>>>> Gene Hackman hamming it up with a gold-dipped pistol.

I saw a film at the Sphere last year. It was incredible, but crucially, it was filmed with special cameras for that purpose. I think it’s a great space for experimentation and innovation, but retro-fitting anything for that screen with AI is obscene.

I am pretty sure the bottom photo is an optional desktop wallpaper for Windows 98.

Nixon asked for a list of Jews at BLS when he was unhappy with economic data. In his most raged-filled drunk ravings, I do not think he ever dreamed of something like this.

Ann Hornaday, the only staff film critic at The Washington Post, has taken a buyout. An incredible talent, and an incredible loss for the paper.

They needed the likes of her much more than she needs The Post.

I hope someone fills her position, although who knows what that means now.

The Naked Gun - Spectrum Culture This belated entry in the cop movie spoof franchise gives a jolt of energy to the ailing genre, aided by the considerable chemistry between Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson.

I had a great time with The Naked Gun, a laugh a minute comedy with a one liner in particular so perfectly written and delivered I think it might reach the heights of, “Don’t call me Shirley.” You’ll know it when you hear it.

My @spectrumculture.bsky.social review.

Ann Hornaday, the only staff film critic at The Washington Post, has taken a buyout. An incredible talent, and an incredible loss for the paper.

They needed the likes of her much more than she needs The Post.

I hope someone fills her position, although who knows what that means now.

Some of these are legit brilliant (I’m partial to Sam Says 3).

I just looked and I recognize over 25. Still got it!

Your quarterly reminder that City Paper continues to have one of the most robust, prolific art sections of any local outlet. This week alone we reviewed 9 new records from DC musicians, said farewell to one the city's best bands, reviewed 2 current plays, & prepped you for a Twin Peaks event.

Hell yeah. You should share with Cap Weather Gang!

Reasonably certain, thought it seems the real DOOM is around the New York area.

31.

A dense, often fascinating novel about a real doomed voyage that blurs the line between history and fiction. Sometimes the episodic structure and shifting POV can be too obscure for its own good, but when it gets going, it is richly satisfying.

Great article on a band whose last show feels like the end of an era.

You can definitely expect lyrics/gifs from the song "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" by Ol' Dirty Bastard.

No, thank YOU!

I didn't know about Indigo's follow-up until you shared it with me, and I think your larger point is crucial to preserving the good relations between artists, art critics, and the public.

I disabled settings on my post so no one can reply to it, or quote it.

Some important additional context from @jael.bsky.social.

While I think it important to highlight this pernicious practice - something I've been on the receiving end of, which sucks - turning the tables to harass the artist is NEVER the answer.

Indigo De Souza is the latest musician who encouraged her fans to attack critics that are just doing their job. A few key points:

1. "Only write reviews about art you like" is not criticism; it's PR.
2. The album received a respectable 6.6/10.
3. You cannot comment on Pitchfork reviews.

Some context: this was less than two years ago.

1. Black and white is a legitimate and beautiful artistic choice in motion pictures, creating feelings and effects that cannot be obtained any other way. 2. “Colorization” does not produce color movies, but only sad and sickening travesties of black and white movies, their lighting destroyed, their atmospheres polluted, their moods altered almost at random by the addition of an artificial layer of coloring that is little more than legalized vandalism.

Now that Ben fucking Mankiewicz is giving the argument that Ted Turner once gave for colorizing black and white movies, except about using AI, I turn to Roger Ebert's missive against the practice. www.rogerebert.com/interviews/c...