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.
I have moved the newsletter from Substack. Here's a post at F&S explaining how and why. I've learnt a lot in the process so if you are a Substacker thinking about leaving, DM me and we can talk.
Say hello to Buttondown and a new chapter for Funerals & Snakes - Funerals & Snakes
The more observant of you will have noticed that you got a different looking email from last week – a test of a new delivery service called Buttondown. Now, clearly...
funeralsandsnakes.net
February 18, 2026 at 1:17 AM
I have moved the newsletter from Substack. Here's a post at F&S explaining how and why. I've learnt a lot in the process so if you are a Substacker thinking about leaving, DM me and we can talk.
Special Hollywood at Home tonight: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (Mulligan, 1962). Brand new 4K UHD from ViaVision. Vale Robert Duvall.
To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) - 4K UHD + Blu-ray Limited Edition 3D Lenticular Hardcase + Booklet | Via Vision Entertainment
Rediscover the timeless story of justice and courage in stunning 4K UHD and Blu-ray, loaded with Special Features!
viavision.com.au
February 17, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Special Hollywood at Home tonight: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (Mulligan, 1962). Brand new 4K UHD from ViaVision. Vale Robert Duvall.
I am a hundred percent in agreement with the pushback on exposition EXCEPT for the fact that I often fall asleep during modern shows and it saves me having to watch again from the beginning.
There are some shows I have given up on because of the constant constant re-stating of exposition. Exposition is a thing that is definitely needed in normal amounts. The amounts being demanded right now by executives at some streamers is excessive & annoying & has killed my interest in some shows
February 14, 2026 at 6:20 AM
I am a hundred percent in agreement with the pushback on exposition EXCEPT for the fact that I often fall asleep during modern shows and it saves me having to watch again from the beginning.
I’ve just signed up for Bein Sports NZ so I can watch West Ham be taken to extra time by plucky Burton Albion. Does the picture quality get any better? Or have I just added to the list of sport streamers I yell at on here?
February 14, 2026 at 2:36 AM
I’ve just signed up for Bein Sports NZ so I can watch West Ham be taken to extra time by plucky Burton Albion. Does the picture quality get any better? Or have I just added to the list of sport streamers I yell at on here?
Reposted by Dan Slevin
Oddly, one of the criticisms I've been hearing from Perth folks about We Bury the Dead is that it was shot in WA but is set in Tasmania. 'It's not really a WA film then, is it?'
Yeah mate, Gravity was shot on earth but is set in space so it's not really an earth film, is it?
Far out.
Yeah mate, Gravity was shot on earth but is set in space so it's not really an earth film, is it?
Far out.
February 13, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Oddly, one of the criticisms I've been hearing from Perth folks about We Bury the Dead is that it was shot in WA but is set in Tasmania. 'It's not really a WA film then, is it?'
Yeah mate, Gravity was shot on earth but is set in space so it's not really an earth film, is it?
Far out.
Yeah mate, Gravity was shot on earth but is set in space so it's not really an earth film, is it?
Far out.
“secretly”
Is One Battle After Another secretly hilarious? We talk chaotic comedy, iconic scenes, and why the humor makes the tension hit harder. Listen to the full discussion AVAILABLE NOW and like, comment, and subscribe.
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#OneBattleAfterAnother #FilmPodcast #MovieMoments #OscarBuzz #PaulThomasAnderson
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#OneBattleAfterAnother #FilmPodcast #MovieMoments #OscarBuzz #PaulThomasAnderson
February 13, 2026 at 9:44 AM
“secretly”
Reposted by Dan Slevin
And this article. I started this website a little over two years ago. In that time battery costs have fallen 60%.
It isn't really a fair fight between renewables and LNG anymore.
It isn't really a fair fight between renewables and LNG anymore.
Battery prices plunge 60 pct in two years, changing face of grid and the nature of contracts
Battery storage major says costs have fallen 60 pct in two years, helping redefine the grid and customer needs, and along with solar is cheapest and easiest to build.
reneweconomy.com.au
February 11, 2026 at 10:32 AM
And this article. I started this website a little over two years ago. In that time battery costs have fallen 60%.
It isn't really a fair fight between renewables and LNG anymore.
It isn't really a fair fight between renewables and LNG anymore.
Also, while researching my redirect options I noticed that one of the user agents getting 404s on my site is “grammarly.com”. Now why would they be visiting my site if it isn’t to strip mine my words for their AI?
For all those people who keep on saying, just leave Substack.
February 12, 2026 at 6:21 AM
Also, while researching my redirect options I noticed that one of the user agents getting 404s on my site is “grammarly.com”. Now why would they be visiting my site if it isn’t to strip mine my words for their AI?
So, between sniffles and coughs while I’m on sick leave, I’ve been working on a migration from Substack to a WordPress/Buttondown solution and today’s big challenge is that the WordPress Substack importer didn’t bring the URL scheme with it - creates new slugs according to yr permalinks.
February 12, 2026 at 6:17 AM
So, between sniffles and coughs while I’m on sick leave, I’ve been working on a migration from Substack to a WordPress/Buttondown solution and today’s big challenge is that the WordPress Substack importer didn’t bring the URL scheme with it - creates new slugs according to yr permalinks.
Bobby Zamora, ex-West Ham footballer. I think I’m a close second, though.
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 5:27 AM
Bobby Zamora, ex-West Ham footballer. I think I’m a close second, though.
So much NZ theatre influenced by him. Thanks to the Arts Council we sent one or two performers a year to his school. For better or worse …
February 11, 2026 at 10:24 AM
So much NZ theatre influenced by him. Thanks to the Arts Council we sent one or two performers a year to his school. For better or worse …
Did you pay for Gold-Premium that gives you lighting after 10pm?
Staying in a hotel where everything in the room is controlled by an ipad. And sometimes that means that suddenly all the lights in the room suddenly go off and i have to hunt around for the ipad.
gotta love tech.
gotta love tech.
February 11, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Did you pay for Gold-Premium that gives you lighting after 10pm?
Reposted by Dan Slevin
Siri, show me an antisemite.
It’s relevant because there’s too much Jewish money in politics (on both sides) and we need to get it out
February 11, 2026 at 5:10 AM
Siri, show me an antisemite.
Will never not be pissed off that the Mad Men closing credits are set in Arial.
February 11, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Will never not be pissed off that the Mad Men closing credits are set in Arial.
Reposted by Dan Slevin
SEND HELP was very fun but I really feel like they missed the perfect opportunity to title it OUT OF OFFICE
February 11, 2026 at 4:58 AM
SEND HELP was very fun but I really feel like they missed the perfect opportunity to title it OUT OF OFFICE
Sick at home so I’m watching It’s Garry Shandling’s Show and Rob Reiner just showed up and if my eyes weren’t streaming before …
February 11, 2026 at 3:08 AM
Sick at home so I’m watching It’s Garry Shandling’s Show and Rob Reiner just showed up and if my eyes weren’t streaming before …
Reposted by Dan Slevin
Good
Keep him!
“Information continuing to emerge from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) claims that the M23 armed group has detained Erik Prince, the American national known as the founder and former head of the private military company Blackwater.“
“Information continuing to emerge from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) claims that the M23 armed group has detained Erik Prince, the American national known as the founder and former head of the private military company Blackwater.“
Reports Emerge Claiming M23 Detained Blackwater Founder Erik Prince in Eastern DRC
kigalidailynews.rw
February 10, 2026 at 3:53 AM
Good
Endlessly refreshing the Sky Sport Now app until the replay of Burnley v West Ham appears. They didn’t even appear to show it live. I hate this company so much. And their call centre doesn’t open until 10am.
One negative about nuking my Twitter account is that I now have nowhere to yell at Sky Sport Now for being so useless.
February 7, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Endlessly refreshing the Sky Sport Now app until the replay of Burnley v West Ham appears. They didn’t even appear to show it live. I hate this company so much. And their call centre doesn’t open until 10am.
One negative about nuking my Twitter account is that I now have nowhere to yell at Sky Sport Now for being so useless.
February 7, 2026 at 8:45 PM
One negative about nuking my Twitter account is that I now have nowhere to yell at Sky Sport Now for being so useless.
Reposted by Dan Slevin
Apple’s decision to steadfastly ignore what core customers need with audio is infuriating. They deliberately ruined AirPlay 2 so some hypothetical customer’s Spatial Audio would work over bad wi-fi.
February 7, 2026 at 4:50 AM
Apple’s decision to steadfastly ignore what core customers need with audio is infuriating. They deliberately ruined AirPlay 2 so some hypothetical customer’s Spatial Audio would work over bad wi-fi.
Outstanding work which reminds me that I haven’t posted this photo of Arthur here on the ‘sky. He was an adventurous youth.
February 7, 2026 at 4:02 AM
Outstanding work which reminds me that I haven’t posted this photo of Arthur here on the ‘sky. He was an adventurous youth.
How about adding an exclamation mark on the outside like Hud?
February 7, 2026 at 2:50 AM
How about adding an exclamation mark on the outside like Hud?
Riz Ahmed as Hamlet. Can’t wait. Next step: Riz Ahmed is James Bond.
Not sure what to see in the cinema this weekend?📽️
There are plenty of new films for you to see & we've got you covered with reviews & interviews galore!
First up, Riz Ahmed takes on the role of Hamlet in a new adaptation set in contemporary South London
filmhounds.co.uk/2025/10/riz-...
There are plenty of new films for you to see & we've got you covered with reviews & interviews galore!
First up, Riz Ahmed takes on the role of Hamlet in a new adaptation set in contemporary South London
filmhounds.co.uk/2025/10/riz-...
Hamlet (London Film Festival)
Riz Ahmed's Hamlet, directed by Aneil Karia, featured at the London Film Festival as part of the Dare strand.
filmhounds.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Riz Ahmed as Hamlet. Can’t wait. Next step: Riz Ahmed is James Bond.
Tonight’s Hollywood at Home: HUD (Ritt, 1963). Blu-ray from @imprintfilms.bsky.social. “Paul Newman is Hud - the man with the barbed wire soul!”
February 6, 2026 at 7:56 AM
Tonight’s Hollywood at Home: HUD (Ritt, 1963). Blu-ray from @imprintfilms.bsky.social. “Paul Newman is Hud - the man with the barbed wire soul!”