Stephen Whitty
@stephenwhitty.bsky.social
Film critic, programmer, lecturer, dog-rescuer. Bylines in Entertainment Weekly, Village Voice, NY Daily News, Cosmopolitan and 30 years of newspapers. Author, "The Alfred Hitchcock Encyclopedia."
America is rich in regional cultures -- Appalachian, Cajun, Western, even East Coast Italian-American and Southern California surfer. Our pop culture honors all of them. So why does a musical number based on Puerto Rican style and music drive the right wing crazy? I can't imagine.
February 9, 2026 at 4:14 PM
America is rich in regional cultures -- Appalachian, Cajun, Western, even East Coast Italian-American and Southern California surfer. Our pop culture honors all of them. So why does a musical number based on Puerto Rican style and music drive the right wing crazy? I can't imagine.
Officials say the ICE agent caught, on camera, kicking a miniature Schnauzer and sending it flying with a broken rib, acted "without malice." Would love to gather a group of dog owners and engage that ICE agent in a frank and spirited discussion. Without malice, of course.
February 7, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Officials say the ICE agent caught, on camera, kicking a miniature Schnauzer and sending it flying with a broken rib, acted "without malice." Would love to gather a group of dog owners and engage that ICE agent in a frank and spirited discussion. Without malice, of course.
Don't think I ever voted for one, but I kind of liked seeing Republican candidates on the ballot. Two-party system, and all that. Now I see (R) after a name and it's like seeing (Confederate) or (National Socialist). Instant revulsion. The GOP needs to disband, rebrand and start over. Or maybe not.
February 6, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Don't think I ever voted for one, but I kind of liked seeing Republican candidates on the ballot. Two-party system, and all that. Now I see (R) after a name and it's like seeing (Confederate) or (National Socialist). Instant revulsion. The GOP needs to disband, rebrand and start over. Or maybe not.
Another season of Film Club at The Picture House, and thanks to everyone at Sony Pictures Classics and Falco who helped us start off with "The President's Cake," a delicate, carefully observed neorealist drama that, while wholly original, may remind you of Jafar Panahi's classic "The White Balloon"
February 5, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Another season of Film Club at The Picture House, and thanks to everyone at Sony Pictures Classics and Falco who helped us start off with "The President's Cake," a delicate, carefully observed neorealist drama that, while wholly original, may remind you of Jafar Panahi's classic "The White Balloon"
Now grifting at a theatre near you. Consider yourself warned, dahlink.
www.njarts.net/169839
www.njarts.net/169839
'Melania' proves First Lady is the last person who should have made a movie about her life
"Nothing but publicity and marketing for the Melania brand, whatever that is.'
www.njarts.net
January 31, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Now grifting at a theatre near you. Consider yourself warned, dahlink.
www.njarts.net/169839
www.njarts.net/169839
Oh, I wish I were an Oscar major winner, that is what I'd truly like to be: Looking at this year's nominations, including a historic record-breaker, a few breakthroughs, and a number of familiar favorites. www.njarts.net/sinners-one-...
'Sinners,' 'One Battle After Another' lead contenders in 2026 Oscars race
Other Best Picture contenders include 'Sentimental Value,' 'Bugonia,' 'F1' and five more.
www.njarts.net
January 22, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Oh, I wish I were an Oscar major winner, that is what I'd truly like to be: Looking at this year's nominations, including a historic record-breaker, a few breakthroughs, and a number of familiar favorites. www.njarts.net/sinners-one-...
Not that this nation is big on honoring treaties — even when sane people are in charge — but as part of the 1916 deal to buy the Virgin Islands from Denmark, we agreed, in writing, that they would continue to have complete economic and political control of Greenland.
January 19, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Not that this nation is big on honoring treaties — even when sane people are in charge — but as part of the 1916 deal to buy the Virgin Islands from Denmark, we agreed, in writing, that they would continue to have complete economic and political control of Greenland.
“What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesn’t earn enough money to buy a hamburger and a cup of coffee?” -- MLK Jr
January 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM
“What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesn’t earn enough money to buy a hamburger and a cup of coffee?” -- MLK Jr
It's awards season, and time to celebrate the craft of great acting. But save some applause for those who have the equally important -- and rapidly disappearing -- job of being a movie star. www.njarts.net/where-have-y...
Where have you gone, Clark Gable? Hollywood redefines what it means to be a movie star
The modern movie-star archetype is more like the undefinable Timothée Chalamet.
www.njarts.net
January 14, 2026 at 3:30 PM
It's awards season, and time to celebrate the craft of great acting. But save some applause for those who have the equally important -- and rapidly disappearing -- job of being a movie star. www.njarts.net/where-have-y...
Kudos to one of the warm-and-cuddly shelter sites I follow on FB that posted today “This is not political but you can’t take care of your dog if ICE shoots you dead in the street.”
January 14, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Kudos to one of the warm-and-cuddly shelter sites I follow on FB that posted today “This is not political but you can’t take care of your dog if ICE shoots you dead in the street.”
The pay is nothing, the deadlines are tough, and the readership isn't more than about 300 people -- but boy, do NYFCC members love writing about our winners. Read my appreciation of Amy Madigan -- and everyone else's essays -- on our site. www.nyfcc.com/category/ess...
January 10, 2026 at 5:49 PM
The pay is nothing, the deadlines are tough, and the readership isn't more than about 300 people -- but boy, do NYFCC members love writing about our winners. Read my appreciation of Amy Madigan -- and everyone else's essays -- on our site. www.nyfcc.com/category/ess...
Note to GOP: You almost got it right. No, you can't drop off your child at school and later discover the nurse secretly had their gender changed. But -- close! -- you CAN drop off your child at school and later get shot in the face and killed by an ICE agent.
January 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Note to GOP: You almost got it right. No, you can't drop off your child at school and later discover the nurse secretly had their gender changed. But -- close! -- you CAN drop off your child at school and later get shot in the face and killed by an ICE agent.
Looking forward to the New York Film Critics Circle gala tonight, and wanted to share with this year's winners what Susan Hayward said about her 1958 prize for "I Want To Live" -- "When those bastards give you an award, it means something!" It does indeed, and congratulations all.
January 6, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Looking forward to the New York Film Critics Circle gala tonight, and wanted to share with this year's winners what Susan Hayward said about her 1958 prize for "I Want To Live" -- "When those bastards give you an award, it means something!" It does indeed, and congratulations all.
So if kidnapping out-of-control presidents and putting them on trial for their crimes is now a thing, I dearly wish some other country would do us the favor.
January 3, 2026 at 4:15 PM
So if kidnapping out-of-control presidents and putting them on trial for their crimes is now a thing, I dearly wish some other country would do us the favor.
The inaugural Kennedy Center Honors gala was hosted by Leonard Bernstein. The honorees were Marian Anderson, Fred Astaire, George Balanchine, Richard Rodgers, and Arthur Rubinstein. Something to think about tonight as we salute the artists behind "Love Gun" and "Stop! Or My Mom WIll Shoot!"
December 23, 2025 at 5:52 PM
The inaugural Kennedy Center Honors gala was hosted by Leonard Bernstein. The honorees were Marian Anderson, Fred Astaire, George Balanchine, Richard Rodgers, and Arthur Rubinstein. Something to think about tonight as we salute the artists behind "Love Gun" and "Stop! Or My Mom WIll Shoot!"
The very best of the year? Maybe. In any case, these are ten films I saw in 2025 and I'm still thinking about. www.njarts.net/top-10-movie...
Top 10 Movies of the Year: 'Bugonia,' 'Sinners,' 'Hamnet,' 'Eddington,' more
Also 'One Battle After Another,' 'Train Dreams,' 'Blue Moon' ...
www.njarts.net
December 20, 2025 at 8:18 PM
The very best of the year? Maybe. In any case, these are ten films I saw in 2025 and I'm still thinking about. www.njarts.net/top-10-movie...
Just announcing that if you live in DC, and care to go over to the Kennedy Center tonight and chisel off that fetid felon’s name, I’ll be among the first to contribute to your GoFundMe for bail money.
December 19, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Just announcing that if you live in DC, and care to go over to the Kennedy Center tonight and chisel off that fetid felon’s name, I’ll be among the first to contribute to your GoFundMe for bail money.
Missing in Action: Running down ten good films that didn't get much love from critics groups, but are still worth your time -- and maybe an Oscar nomination or two. www.njarts.net/10-most-unde...
10 most underappreciated films of the year: 'Highest 2 Lowest,' 'The Baltimorons,' 'Eleanor the Great' etc.
Also 'Familiar Touch,' 'Friendship,' 'Good Boy,' 'Tatami' ...
www.njarts.net
December 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Missing in Action: Running down ten good films that didn't get much love from critics groups, but are still worth your time -- and maybe an Oscar nomination or two. www.njarts.net/10-most-unde...
Deck the halls with acts of folly: Thirteen films about holidays yule regret www.njarts.net/not-all-chri...
Not all Christmas movies overdo the holiday cheer: 13 favorites
'Carol,' 'All Is Bright,' 'Diner,' 'Meet John Doe' and more.
www.njarts.net
December 5, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Deck the halls with acts of folly: Thirteen films about holidays yule regret www.njarts.net/not-all-chri...
“My question goes to the hazing of young female cadets, and how I can get involved.”
get a load of the "journalist" asking questions at the Pentagon press briefing
December 2, 2025 at 5:07 PM
“My question goes to the hazing of young female cadets, and how I can get involved.”
“Narco terrorist” reminds me of how much the Right used to love “Islamo fascist” until suddenly it was like, “OK, you say ‘fascist’ like it was a bad thing.”
December 1, 2025 at 3:06 PM
“Narco terrorist” reminds me of how much the Right used to love “Islamo fascist” until suddenly it was like, “OK, you say ‘fascist’ like it was a bad thing.”
Or, alternatively, you could save the money and simply repurpose the building as The Museum of American Fascism. I’d go!
It's okay for some campaign promises to be about optics rather than policy. "We're going to bulldoze his monument to himself on Day One and rebuild the East Wing" would be a very good one for 2028.
“It is something that has been needed and desired at the White House for over 150 years, but something which no other President was equipped to do…”
November 30, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Or, alternatively, you could save the money and simply repurpose the building as The Museum of American Fascism. I’d go!
Really disagree with the petition to change the name of the Mario Cuomo Bridge back to the Tappan Zee. Why not honor a great NY governor? Better you petition his awful sons to change THEIR names.
November 30, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Really disagree with the petition to change the name of the Mario Cuomo Bridge back to the Tappan Zee. Why not honor a great NY governor? Better you petition his awful sons to change THEIR names.
(Note: Cabinet members are "civil Officers.") "The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." -- U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 4
November 29, 2025 at 2:04 PM
(Note: Cabinet members are "civil Officers.") "The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." -- U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 4
Just saw an “interview” with Theda Bara that consisted of a vintage photo, colorized, animated, then synced via text-to-talk to a recreation of her voice reading her own quotes from an old article and I hope the people behind this understand when I say please go directly to Hell.
November 26, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Just saw an “interview” with Theda Bara that consisted of a vintage photo, colorized, animated, then synced via text-to-talk to a recreation of her voice reading her own quotes from an old article and I hope the people behind this understand when I say please go directly to Hell.