Stephen Silver
@stephensilver.bsky.social
Journalist, film critic, dad
https://stephensilver.substack.com/
https://stephensilver.substack.com/
Here's part 3 of the year-end movie countdown: stephensilver.substack.com/p/the-2025-b...
The 2025 Ben Hecht 600, Part III
The year-end continues, from 'Becoming Katharine Graham' to 'Luv Ya, Bum!'
stephensilver.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Here's part 3 of the year-end movie countdown: stephensilver.substack.com/p/the-2025-b...
I reviewed ANACONDA for Splice Today www.splicetoday.com/moving-pictu...
Snake Feeder
Anaconda won’t make any Top 10 lists, but it’s a nice alternative this time of year. || Stephen Silver
www.splicetoday.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:02 PM
I reviewed ANACONDA for Splice Today www.splicetoday.com/moving-pictu...
Merry Christmas! Here's part 2 of this year's Ben Hecht 600 countdown: stephensilver.substack.com/p/the-2025-b...
The 2025 Ben Hecht 600: Part II
The second part of my annual countdown of the films of 2025, from 'Free For All' to 'Pomegranate.'
stephensilver.substack.com
December 25, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Merry Christmas! Here's part 2 of this year's Ben Hecht 600 countdown: stephensilver.substack.com/p/the-2025-b...
Here's Part I of my annual countdown of every movie I saw this year: stephensilver.substack.com/p/the-2025-b...
The 2025 Ben Hecht 600, Part I
Counting down ALL of this year's movies. Part I goes from 'Kinda Pregnant' to 'Waltzing With Brando'
stephensilver.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Here's Part I of my annual countdown of every movie I saw this year: stephensilver.substack.com/p/the-2025-b...
Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of Spielberg's MUNICH. I wrote this about it after October 7 stephensilver.substack.com/p/revisiting...
Revisiting Steven Spielberg’s ‘Munich,’ after the attack in Israel
The 2005 film looked at Israel’s response to a national calamity- and how cathartic violence can corrode the soul of a man and nation.
stephensilver.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of Spielberg's MUNICH. I wrote this about it after October 7 stephensilver.substack.com/p/revisiting...
I reviewed some films from the bottom of the screener pile, including SHE RIDES SHOTGUN, BROOKLYN MINNESOTA, DANCE FREAK, and more stephensilver.substack.com/p/she-rides-...
'She Rides Shotgun,' ‘Brooklyn, Minnesota’, ’Dance Freak,’ ‘Ebony & Ivory,’ ‘Where to Land,’ and more from the bottom of the screener pile
Plus, an introduction to this year's year-end countdown.
stephensilver.substack.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I reviewed some films from the bottom of the screener pile, including SHE RIDES SHOTGUN, BROOKLYN MINNESOTA, DANCE FREAK, and more stephensilver.substack.com/p/she-rides-...
Reposted by Stephen Silver
I know she's just kind of saying whatever, but it's on-brand for Bari Weiss to review a damning story about the US sending people to a concentration camp and respond "we can't air this, have you even asked Tom Homan if he feels bad about any of it yet?" Perfect readout of who she sees, and doesn't.
December 23, 2025 at 2:47 AM
I know she's just kind of saying whatever, but it's on-brand for Bari Weiss to review a damning story about the US sending people to a concentration camp and respond "we can't air this, have you even asked Tom Homan if he feels bad about any of it yet?" Perfect readout of who she sees, and doesn't.
I wrote for Political Tribune about Bari Weiss cutting the guts out of what @60minutes.bsky.social said polinews.org/leaked-the-6...
Leaked: The ‘60 Minutes’ Email Exposing Pro-Trump Censorship
A '60 Minutes' reporter has shared her side of what happened with Sunday's spiked segment.
polinews.org
December 22, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I wrote for Political Tribune about Bari Weiss cutting the guts out of what @60minutes.bsky.social said polinews.org/leaked-the-6...
I wrote about @philafcc.bsky.social's annual awards, in which two films stood out above all others stephensilver.substack.com/p/one-battle...
'One Battle After Another' and 'Sinners' dominate the 2025 Philadelphia Film Critics Circle awards
PFCC picks its winners, for the ninth year.
stephensilver.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I wrote about @philafcc.bsky.social's annual awards, in which two films stood out above all others stephensilver.substack.com/p/one-battle...
For the @inquirer.com I wrote about the year in Philadelphia film, from movie theater openings to local productions to indie triumphs www.inquirer.com/entertainmen...
2025 was the year of the Philly crime show, but also so much more
We had a Philly-bred Superman, a Netflix House, some Quinta Brunson-Kyle Schwarber magic, and more
www.inquirer.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
For the @inquirer.com I wrote about the year in Philadelphia film, from movie theater openings to local productions to indie triumphs www.inquirer.com/entertainmen...
I reviewed THE HOUSEMAID for Splice Today www.splicetoday.com/moving-pictu...
Live In, Die In
The Housemaid is a hoot, with a commanding performance by Sydney Sweeney. || Stephen Silver
www.splicetoday.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I reviewed THE HOUSEMAID for Splice Today www.splicetoday.com/moving-pictu...
In this week’s notes column, I wrote about my favorite nights at the movies this year, the Oscars on YouTube, two James Cameron stories, Obama’s top ten list, Cena’s return to acting, and more stephensilver.substack.com/p/fin-my-10-...
Fin: My 10 favorite nights at the movies this year
Also, the Oscars go to.... YouTube?, two James Cameron stories, John Cena is an actor again, Barack Obama's top ten, and more in this week's notes column.
stephensilver.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:20 PM
In this week’s notes column, I wrote about my favorite nights at the movies this year, the Oscars on YouTube, two James Cameron stories, Obama’s top ten list, Cena’s return to acting, and more stephensilver.substack.com/p/fin-my-10-...
Reposted by Stephen Silver
Though I prefer The Last Jedi, the lightsaber flying into Rey's hands in the woods is one of the most thrilling moments of the whole franchise, and generated one of the loudest responses I've ever heard in a theater. Force Awakens is fun! Like you say, JJ's love of the original movies is infections.
December 18, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Though I prefer The Last Jedi, the lightsaber flying into Rey's hands in the woods is one of the most thrilling moments of the whole franchise, and generated one of the loudest responses I've ever heard in a theater. Force Awakens is fun! Like you say, JJ's love of the original movies is infections.
For 19FortyFive, I wrote about Pete Hegseth's war on beards, and the complicated history of whether facial hair is allowed in the military www.19fortyfive.com/2025/12/the-...
The U.S. Military's On Again, Off Again War on Shaving
Beards once signaled valor, then gas masks ended them. Hegseth’s new crackdown reopens waivers—and the Air Force deadline is Jan. 31, 2026 nationwide.
www.19fortyfive.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:51 PM
For 19FortyFive, I wrote about Pete Hegseth's war on beards, and the complicated history of whether facial hair is allowed in the military www.19fortyfive.com/2025/12/the-...
I ranked the 20 best documentary features of 2025 stephensilver.substack.com/p/the-20-bes...
The 20 best documentary features of 2025
Movies about Israel/Palestine, Ukraine, Pee-Wee Herman, a crime story in Florida and Thomas Kinkade
stephensilver.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:38 PM
I ranked the 20 best documentary features of 2025 stephensilver.substack.com/p/the-20-bes...
I wrote for Political Tribune about Trump's dumbass photo captions polinews.org/trump-erects...
Trump Erects Shockingly Vicious New White House Plaques Smearing Obama And Biden In ‘Presidential Walk Of Fame’
The White House has added insulting captions to the Presidential Walk of Fame.
polinews.org
December 17, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I wrote for Political Tribune about Trump's dumbass photo captions polinews.org/trump-erects...
From John and Yoko to Jeff Buckley to Pavement, I wrote for Living Life Fearless about the 20 best music documentaries of 2025: livinglifefearless.co/2025/film-tv...
The 20 Best Music Documentaries of 2025 » LIVING LIFE FEARLESS
It was a heavy year for music documentaries, telling the stories of everyone from longtime A-listers to one-hit-wonders, here's the 20 best.
livinglifefearless.co
December 17, 2025 at 7:43 PM
From John and Yoko to Jeff Buckley to Pavement, I wrote for Living Life Fearless about the 20 best music documentaries of 2025: livinglifefearless.co/2025/film-tv...
I remembered Rob Reiner, his work, and the time I interviewed him: stephensilver.substack.com/p/rob-reiner...
Rob Reiner: 1947-2025- The life and death of a mensch
An appreciation for a man who touched our culture in many ways, and made it so much better.
stephensilver.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I remembered Rob Reiner, his work, and the time I interviewed him: stephensilver.substack.com/p/rob-reiner...
For SpliceToday: My top ten films of 2025, starting with ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, MARTY SUPREME, EEPHUS, SINNERS, and BLUE MOON www.splicetoday.com/moving-pictu...
The Best Films of 2025
Along with the ten worst... || Stephen Silver
www.splicetoday.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:44 PM
For SpliceToday: My top ten films of 2025, starting with ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, MARTY SUPREME, EEPHUS, SINNERS, and BLUE MOON www.splicetoday.com/moving-pictu...
For Splice Today: My top ten films of 2025, starting with ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, MARTY SUPREME, EEPHUS, SINNERS, and BLUE MOON www.splicetoday.com/moving-pictu...
The Best Films of 2025
Along with the ten worst... || Stephen Silver
www.splicetoday.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:43 PM
For Splice Today: My top ten films of 2025, starting with ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, MARTY SUPREME, EEPHUS, SINNERS, and BLUE MOON www.splicetoday.com/moving-pictu...
I reviewed AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH, which I've barely thought about since I saw it two weeks ago stephensilver.substack.com/p/avatar-fir...
'Avatar: Fire and Ash' is beautiful but ephemeral
I'm about ready for James Cameron to do something else.
stephensilver.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I reviewed AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH, which I've barely thought about since I saw it two weeks ago stephensilver.substack.com/p/avatar-fir...
How often do people point lasers at airplanes? Surprisingly often! I wrote about it for 19FortyFive www.19fortyfive.com/2025/12/prob...
Probe Launched After 3 U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighter Pilots at Germany Base Complain of Laser Incidents
USAF F-16 pilots near Spangdahlem report blue-laser strikes on final approach, spurring probes, prosecutions, and new laser-protective eyewear for aircrews.
www.19fortyfive.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:32 PM
How often do people point lasers at airplanes? Surprisingly often! I wrote about it for 19FortyFive www.19fortyfive.com/2025/12/prob...
I wrote for Political Tribune about Trump's typically classy response to Rob Reiner's death polinews.org/trump-respon...
Trump Responds To Reports Of Rob Reiner And Wife's Death With A Sick Victory Lap
The president offered not-very-friendly condolences upon the passing of Hollywood director Rob Reiner, a sharp critic of his.
polinews.org
December 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I wrote for Political Tribune about Trump's typically classy response to Rob Reiner's death polinews.org/trump-respon...
I wrote about ELLA McCCAY, and how it felt different – and more wholesome — than most movie pile-ons stephensilver.substack.com/p/ella-mccay...
‘Ella McCay,’ and a kindler, gentler bad movie pile-on
A very different and much less hateful discourse about a flop movie that almost nobody liked.
stephensilver.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I wrote about ELLA McCCAY, and how it felt different – and more wholesome — than most movie pile-ons stephensilver.substack.com/p/ella-mccay...