Chad Perman
@chadperman.bsky.social
writer | editor | therapist* | musician | dad | founder & eic @brightwalldarkroom.com | curious about everything | 🏀 🎵🎬 forever
*posts ≠ professional advice
*posts ≠ professional advice
Raise your hand if you’re old enough to remember the 50+ years when Republicans defined themselves by being for limited government and states rights ✋
Breaking news: The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation alleging that they are impeding federal law enforcement officers’ abilities to do their jobs in the state.
Justice Dept. launches criminal investigation of Minnesota governor
The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation into impeding law enforcement.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Raise your hand if you’re old enough to remember the 50+ years when Republicans defined themselves by being for limited government and states rights ✋
Reposted by Chad Perman
Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
Breaking news: The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation alleging that they are impeding federal law enforcement officers’ abilities to do their jobs in the state.
Justice Dept. launches criminal investigation of Minnesota governor
The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation into impeding law enforcement.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
yes! this! make your own things (& help us keep bw/dr going too - literary film journals count too, hopefully?)
I'm fully confident literary magazines will survive the AI apocalypse. There is no better time to become a creative writer. You already have an inside track because most people have never even heard of these things that can never die. We will be here with the cockroaches and Taco Bell
January 16, 2026 at 10:40 PM
yes! this! make your own things (& help us keep bw/dr going too - literary film journals count too, hopefully?)
Reposted by Chad Perman
Pre-code perfection coming to Criterion in April:
Ernst Lubitsch’s TROUBLE IN PARADISE
Ernst Lubitsch’s TROUBLE IN PARADISE
January 16, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Pre-code perfection coming to Criterion in April:
Ernst Lubitsch’s TROUBLE IN PARADISE
Ernst Lubitsch’s TROUBLE IN PARADISE
Reposted by Chad Perman
As the world burns, let's get one thing straight. A video podcast is just a TV show.
January 16, 2026 at 12:26 AM
As the world burns, let's get one thing straight. A video podcast is just a TV show.
Chopin Nocturne, op 27 no 2 - Maria Joao Pires
Chopin Nocturne, op 27 no 2 - Maria João Pires live at Jardin Musical
YouTube video by Jardin Musical
youtu.be
January 15, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Chopin Nocturne, op 27 no 2 - Maria Joao Pires
Reposted by Chad Perman
Hi, I know there's a lot to doomscroll right now, but sleep deprivation makes everything harder, including the big and small actions you can do to help people in Minneapolis. A donation to a local mutual aid organization is a quick and easy way to help.
You still deserve time to rest and recover.
You still deserve time to rest and recover.
January 15, 2026 at 5:18 AM
Hi, I know there's a lot to doomscroll right now, but sleep deprivation makes everything harder, including the big and small actions you can do to help people in Minneapolis. A donation to a local mutual aid organization is a quick and easy way to help.
You still deserve time to rest and recover.
You still deserve time to rest and recover.
Reposted by Chad Perman
🚨"This is nuts! What the f*ck is going on, this is insane! ICE is just trying to scare people; they tell you it's only immigrants—it's f*cking anybody!" -furious Minneapolis resident tells our @zdroberts.bsky.social after ICE shot a man in the leg tonight. LIVE NOW ⬇️
January 15, 2026 at 3:59 AM
🚨"This is nuts! What the f*ck is going on, this is insane! ICE is just trying to scare people; they tell you it's only immigrants—it's f*cking anybody!" -furious Minneapolis resident tells our @zdroberts.bsky.social after ICE shot a man in the leg tonight. LIVE NOW ⬇️
Reposted by Chad Perman
Walz: "What's happening in MN defies belief. News reports simply don't do justice to the level of chaos & disruption & trauma the federal govt is raining down... This long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. Instead, it's a campaign of organized brutality against the people of MN"
January 15, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Walz: "What's happening in MN defies belief. News reports simply don't do justice to the level of chaos & disruption & trauma the federal govt is raining down... This long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. Instead, it's a campaign of organized brutality against the people of MN"
Reposted by Chad Perman
Trump & RFK Jr. just ripped away billions to help communities tackle the fentanyl crisis & get mental health care.
So much for Make America Healthy Again & saving Americans from addiction.
Republicans need to join me in demanding this gets reversed.
So much for Make America Healthy Again & saving Americans from addiction.
Republicans need to join me in demanding this gets reversed.
HHS cuts $2 billion in mental health, addiction grants
Many of the affected grant programs have bipartisan support and President Donald Trump has supported them in the past.
rollcall.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Trump & RFK Jr. just ripped away billions to help communities tackle the fentanyl crisis & get mental health care.
So much for Make America Healthy Again & saving Americans from addiction.
Republicans need to join me in demanding this gets reversed.
So much for Make America Healthy Again & saving Americans from addiction.
Republicans need to join me in demanding this gets reversed.
As much as I’ve always loved him, Sam is just absolutely killing it with @talkeasypod.bsky.social the past several months. Pretty convinced this is the best podcast out there right now. (Also, of course, Robby Hoffman is hilarious & amazing in this episode)
January 14, 2026 at 7:42 PM
As much as I’ve always loved him, Sam is just absolutely killing it with @talkeasypod.bsky.social the past several months. Pretty convinced this is the best podcast out there right now. (Also, of course, Robby Hoffman is hilarious & amazing in this episode)
it’s all overwhelming, which is the point, but it’s still overwhelming. recharge when you need to, take breaks when you need to, fill your heart and brain with art as much as possible, it’s the antithesis of all of this.
January 14, 2026 at 7:23 PM
it’s all overwhelming, which is the point, but it’s still overwhelming. recharge when you need to, take breaks when you need to, fill your heart and brain with art as much as possible, it’s the antithesis of all of this.
Reposted by Chad Perman
The last moviehouse in the University District will close its doors this week, after 85 years. It’s very sad news; the Varsity — where my parents went to movies when they were at the UW, in the 1950s — was a place filled with stories. www.seattletimes.com/entertainmen...
This longtime Seattle movie theater is closing
The Varsity Theatre is closing, effective Thursday, leaving the U District, once a hub of moviegoing, without a movie theater.
www.seattletimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:58 PM
The last moviehouse in the University District will close its doors this week, after 85 years. It’s very sad news; the Varsity — where my parents went to movies when they were at the UW, in the 1950s — was a place filled with stories. www.seattletimes.com/entertainmen...
When I was going to the UW, the U-District was filled with theaters—the Neptune, Varsity, Grand Illusion, Metro, Seven Gables—which I frequented any time I could.
That they're *all* gone now (with The Varsity, a place I used to watch triple bills on days off, closing) is unfathomable & deeply sad.
That they're *all* gone now (with The Varsity, a place I used to watch triple bills on days off, closing) is unfathomable & deeply sad.
This longtime Seattle movie theater is closing
The Varsity Theatre is closing, effective Thursday, leaving the U District — once a hub of moviegoing — without a movie theater.
www.seattletimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:56 AM
When I was going to the UW, the U-District was filled with theaters—the Neptune, Varsity, Grand Illusion, Metro, Seven Gables—which I frequented any time I could.
That they're *all* gone now (with The Varsity, a place I used to watch triple bills on days off, closing) is unfathomable & deeply sad.
That they're *all* gone now (with The Varsity, a place I used to watch triple bills on days off, closing) is unfathomable & deeply sad.
A real note i really left just right now on an essay, because true editing needs to get at the truly important things:
"oh boy if you can figure out a reasonable way to get a Zardoz reference in here to complete the alliterative triumvirate i would say it is absolutely worth going for"
"oh boy if you can figure out a reasonable way to get a Zardoz reference in here to complete the alliterative triumvirate i would say it is absolutely worth going for"
January 13, 2026 at 9:17 PM
A real note i really left just right now on an essay, because true editing needs to get at the truly important things:
"oh boy if you can figure out a reasonable way to get a Zardoz reference in here to complete the alliterative triumvirate i would say it is absolutely worth going for"
"oh boy if you can figure out a reasonable way to get a Zardoz reference in here to complete the alliterative triumvirate i would say it is absolutely worth going for"
I’ve had the honor of defending Joe Versus the Volcano for about 25 years now, and it’s always worth it, because when someone else watches it and gets it they really get it. (I readily admit that plenty do not, and that’s ok too!). Here’s my offering my best pitch in 2014:
January 12, 2026 at 6:40 AM
I’ve had the honor of defending Joe Versus the Volcano for about 25 years now, and it’s always worth it, because when someone else watches it and gets it they really get it. (I readily admit that plenty do not, and that’s ok too!). Here’s my offering my best pitch in 2014:
January 11, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by Chad Perman
there’s another way, another timeline, where art matters, and taking care of each other matters, and joy matters, and it’s worth figuring out how to get there, together
January 10, 2026 at 3:49 AM
there’s another way, another timeline, where art matters, and taking care of each other matters, and joy matters, and it’s worth figuring out how to get there, together
Reposted by Chad Perman
It's incredibly demoralizing to constantly see the highest institutions of government and academia and the most important and widely seen news outlets knuckle under one after another, but then to see the gulf between that and the bravery of communities and neighbors and teachers - that's something
January 10, 2026 at 12:33 AM
It's incredibly demoralizing to constantly see the highest institutions of government and academia and the most important and widely seen news outlets knuckle under one after another, but then to see the gulf between that and the bravery of communities and neighbors and teachers - that's something
Reposted by Chad Perman
Peaceful vigil for Renee Good tonight in Seattle.
January 9, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Peaceful vigil for Renee Good tonight in Seattle.
Oh huh, Biden-era diplomacy worked to *actually* reduce fentanyl deaths in America, imagine that:
"This shift aligned with a pivotal meeting between President Biden & President Xi in November 2023. The summit resulted in an agreement to increase cooperation on drug enforcement between the nations."
"This shift aligned with a pivotal meeting between President Biden & President Xi in November 2023. The summit resulted in an agreement to increase cooperation on drug enforcement between the nations."
Sudden drop in fentanyl overdose deaths linked to Biden-era global supply shock
Fentanyl overdose deaths have fallen sharply due to a supply shortage, according to a study in Science. The findings point to Chinese regulations on chemical precursors—likely spurred by US diplomacy—...
www.psypost.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Oh huh, Biden-era diplomacy worked to *actually* reduce fentanyl deaths in America, imagine that:
"This shift aligned with a pivotal meeting between President Biden & President Xi in November 2023. The summit resulted in an agreement to increase cooperation on drug enforcement between the nations."
"This shift aligned with a pivotal meeting between President Biden & President Xi in November 2023. The summit resulted in an agreement to increase cooperation on drug enforcement between the nations."
Reposted by Chad Perman
Great day to have functioning eyes and a working brain
January 7, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Great day to have functioning eyes and a working brain
Reposted by Chad Perman
Walz: "Do you have no decency? We have someone dead in their car for no reason whatsoever. I don't want to be right about this, but I said if they do this they're gonna create a chaotic situation where someone innocent is gonna get killed. And they did it."
January 7, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Walz: "Do you have no decency? We have someone dead in their car for no reason whatsoever. I don't want to be right about this, but I said if they do this they're gonna create a chaotic situation where someone innocent is gonna get killed. And they did it."
Always a lot of fun to put together each year, except for the part where I agonize for way longer than I'll ever admit over the order and movies on my own list—but lots of other wonderful thoughts and words on movies and 2025 from some of my favorite movie minds here!
New today!
Our reflections on the best movies and first watches of 2025, featuring @eccantwell.bsky.social, @frankfalisi.bsky.social, @franhoepfner.bsky.social, @dodgyboffin.com, @russellnichols.bsky.social @abigailoswald.bsky.social, @chadperman.bsky.social, @aheartofgould.bsky.social & more
Our reflections on the best movies and first watches of 2025, featuring @eccantwell.bsky.social, @frankfalisi.bsky.social, @franhoepfner.bsky.social, @dodgyboffin.com, @russellnichols.bsky.social @abigailoswald.bsky.social, @chadperman.bsky.social, @aheartofgould.bsky.social & more
BW/DR Picks: The Best of 2025
Bright Wall/Dark Room editors and contributors share their favorite movies, first watches, and movie moments of 2025.
www.brightwalldarkroom.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Always a lot of fun to put together each year, except for the part where I agonize for way longer than I'll ever admit over the order and movies on my own list—but lots of other wonderful thoughts and words on movies and 2025 from some of my favorite movie minds here!
Would have said Six Feet Under for many years, but now it’s a tie between that and this
January 6, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Would have said Six Feet Under for many years, but now it’s a tie between that and this