Dana Stevens
@thehighsign.bsky.social
Film critic at Slate; co-host of the Slate Culture Gabfest podcast; repped by the Cheney Agency; member NYFCC. Camera Man, my book on Buster Keaton, is out: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Camera-Man/Dana-Stevens/9781501134203
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The Movie of the Year Was Also a Surprise Blockbuster
The two best films of 2025 were also the two that best encapsulated it.
slate.com
Slate Movie Club 2025 is underway, with an opening post from me on the challenge of coming up with a movie that best encapsulates this year. More posts coming up over the next two weeks from @bilgeebiri.bsky.social, @alisonwillmore.bsky.social & @justincchang.bsky.social.
slate.com/culture/2025...
slate.com/culture/2025...
Reposted by Dana Stevens
THE CITY is looking to hire three editors to join our newsroom and help fulfill our mission to serve the people of New York.
Learn more about each role here: buff.ly/ZNMGpYu
Learn more about each role here: buff.ly/ZNMGpYu
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January 6, 2026 at 7:36 PM
THE CITY is looking to hire three editors to join our newsroom and help fulfill our mission to serve the people of New York.
Learn more about each role here: buff.ly/ZNMGpYu
Learn more about each role here: buff.ly/ZNMGpYu
Béla Tarr, 1955-2026: the great cinematic poet of despair, whose movies were as rigorously bleak as they were paradoxically invested in the infinite value of every human life. The Kafka of motion pictures. Thread of images from his masterpiece Damnation (1988).
January 6, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Béla Tarr, 1955-2026: the great cinematic poet of despair, whose movies were as rigorously bleak as they were paradoxically invested in the infinite value of every human life. The Kafka of motion pictures. Thread of images from his masterpiece Damnation (1988).
John Dickerson watches in silence, evening cocktail in hand.
One rocky moment during Tony Doukopil's Evening News debut:
"As to other news now, to Governor Walz. No, we're gonna do Mark Kelly.
First day. First day—big problems here. What? Are we going to Kelly here or are we gonna go to Jonah Kaplan?" We're doing Mark Kelly."
"As to other news now, to Governor Walz. No, we're gonna do Mark Kelly.
First day. First day—big problems here. What? Are we going to Kelly here or are we gonna go to Jonah Kaplan?" We're doing Mark Kelly."
January 6, 2026 at 1:30 AM
John Dickerson watches in silence, evening cocktail in hand.
Reposted by Dana Stevens
probably bc it looked sick as hell
January 5, 2026 at 7:16 AM
probably bc it looked sick as hell
Reposted by Dana Stevens
happy birthday to the GOAT Hayao Miyazaki
January 5, 2026 at 1:06 PM
happy birthday to the GOAT Hayao Miyazaki
My Neighbor Totoro, the first movie my child ever saw, the only one she wanted to watch for several years after, & still her dad's favorite movie (& a go-to comfort watch for all of us).
In honor of Hayao Miyazaki's birthday, what's your favorite Studio Ghibli film? Doesn't have to be the one you think is "the best," just the one that nestled in your heart. Mine is Howl's Moving Castle.
a painting of howl 's moving castle shows a cloudy night sky
Alt: a pixelated gif of Howl's Castle sitting on a hillside under an evening sky.
media.tenor.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:53 PM
My Neighbor Totoro, the first movie my child ever saw, the only one she wanted to watch for several years after, & still her dad's favorite movie (& a go-to comfort watch for all of us).
*stares straight ahead, unblinking, for all of 2026*
The weird ramble continues: "The Monroe Doctrine is a big deal, but we've superseded it by a lot...It's now called the Don-roe Doctrine."
January 3, 2026 at 5:03 PM
*stares straight ahead, unblinking, for all of 2026*
We're bringing back the great union songs in 2026, and we're doing it very strongly www.instagram.com/reels/DS-uIn...
boygenius source 🦷 on Instagram: "@lucydacus & @_sarahgoldstone_ performing ‘Bread and Roses’ at @zohrankmamdani’s inauguration ceremony today in new york city!"
In this moving performance of 'Bread and Roses,' @lucydacus and @sarahgoldstone_ bring to life the powerful lyrics that speak to the human struggle for dignity and equality. The inauguration ceremony ...
www.instagram.com
January 1, 2026 at 10:31 PM
We're bringing back the great union songs in 2026, and we're doing it very strongly www.instagram.com/reels/DS-uIn...
I try to listen to this timeless banger every New Year's Day, but this year it seems particularly essential: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7fB.... @themountaingoats.bsky.social
the Mountain Goats - This Year (Official Video)
YouTube video by the Mountain Goats
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 7:54 PM
I try to listen to this timeless banger every New Year's Day, but this year it seems particularly essential: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7fB.... @themountaingoats.bsky.social
Reposted by Dana Stevens
Just making sure that 2025 is definitely over
January 1, 2026 at 4:43 AM
Just making sure that 2025 is definitely over
"It was Christmas week: we took to no settled employment, but spent it in a sort of merry domestic dissipation."
--Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
--Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
December 29, 2025 at 1:09 AM
"It was Christmas week: we took to no settled employment, but spent it in a sort of merry domestic dissipation."
--Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
--Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
Reposted by Dana Stevens
Here’s to 2026
December 27, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Here’s to 2026
Reposted by Dana Stevens
I have never felt so seen by a cookie
December 26, 2025 at 5:42 AM
I have never felt so seen by a cookie
I am, as always, listening to Tim Curry's reading of A Christmas Carol as I wrap gifts on Xmas Eve & I feel the need to share that there's a free version on YouTube right now for anyone who needs it. It will & should be taken down by dawn, but give yourself this gift: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tsI...
A Christmas Carol by Tim Curry
YouTube video by Tim Pendergast
www.youtube.com
December 25, 2025 at 5:56 AM
I am, as always, listening to Tim Curry's reading of A Christmas Carol as I wrap gifts on Xmas Eve & I feel the need to share that there's a free version on YouTube right now for anyone who needs it. It will & should be taken down by dawn, but give yourself this gift: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tsI...
Reposted by Dana Stevens
these three ghosts could've been an email
December 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM
these three ghosts could've been an email
Reposted by Dana Stevens
I agree with Dana, though I have a much harder take. These movies stack the deck against the protagonist to unbelievable extremes. That's when I start rooting for these characters to die horribly.
A movie like Full Time does this type of anxiety ride right:
www.bostonglobe.com/2023/02/15/a...
A movie like Full Time does this type of anxiety ride right:
www.bostonglobe.com/2023/02/15/a...
December 24, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I agree with Dana, though I have a much harder take. These movies stack the deck against the protagonist to unbelievable extremes. That's when I start rooting for these characters to die horribly.
A movie like Full Time does this type of anxiety ride right:
www.bostonglobe.com/2023/02/15/a...
A movie like Full Time does this type of anxiety ride right:
www.bostonglobe.com/2023/02/15/a...
Reposted by Dana Stevens
so cool! now when I commit high crimes in flagrant violation of international law, all I have to do is refuse to talk about them on camera, and then, since they couldn't get "both sides," I can avoid an embarrassing news report on them! amazing system. A+
Bari Weiss this morning on the 60 Minutes segment: "We need to be able to get the principals on the record and on camera."
Of course, most journalists know that oftentimes people who are the subject of negative reporting don't want to speak on camera or on the record.
Of course, most journalists know that oftentimes people who are the subject of negative reporting don't want to speak on camera or on the record.
December 22, 2025 at 2:54 PM
so cool! now when I commit high crimes in flagrant violation of international law, all I have to do is refuse to talk about them on camera, and then, since they couldn't get "both sides," I can avoid an embarrassing news report on them! amazing system. A+
Reposted by Dana Stevens
Delighted to be with @thehighsign.bsky.social, @alisonwillmore.bsky.social and @bilgeebiri.bsky.social in this year’s Slate Movie Club. Here’s me on the greatness of BLACK BAG, SORRY, BABY and ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL, plus a few dissenting thoughts on SENTIMENTAL VALUE. slate.com/culture/2025...
The Major Oscar Contender That Left Me Almost As Cold As a Nordic Winter
Norway’s big acclaimed awards favorite isn’t even the country’s best movie this year.
slate.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Delighted to be with @thehighsign.bsky.social, @alisonwillmore.bsky.social and @bilgeebiri.bsky.social in this year’s Slate Movie Club. Here’s me on the greatness of BLACK BAG, SORRY, BABY and ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL, plus a few dissenting thoughts on SENTIMENTAL VALUE. slate.com/culture/2025...
We Bought a Zoo <<<<< Rick Steves Bought a Hygiene Center
(But seriously, read this thread & take inspiration from it)
(But seriously, read this thread & take inspiration from it)
It’s the “season of love and giving”…but this year, doesn’t it seem more like a “season of fear and taking”? Like many of you, I’ve been saddened by the human impact of draconian government budget cuts and how angry many housed Americans are at unhoused Americans.
🧵 1 of 9
🧵 1 of 9
December 21, 2025 at 3:36 AM
We Bought a Zoo <<<<< Rick Steves Bought a Hygiene Center
(But seriously, read this thread & take inspiration from it)
(But seriously, read this thread & take inspiration from it)
Slate Movie Club 2025 is underway, with an opening post from me on the challenge of coming up with a movie that best encapsulates this year. More posts coming up over the next two weeks from @bilgeebiri.bsky.social, @alisonwillmore.bsky.social & @justincchang.bsky.social.
slate.com/culture/2025...
slate.com/culture/2025...
The Movie of the Year Was Also a Surprise Blockbuster
The two best films of 2025 were also the two that best encapsulated it.
slate.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Slate Movie Club 2025 is underway, with an opening post from me on the challenge of coming up with a movie that best encapsulates this year. More posts coming up over the next two weeks from @bilgeebiri.bsky.social, @alisonwillmore.bsky.social & @justincchang.bsky.social.
slate.com/culture/2025...
slate.com/culture/2025...
Reposted by Dana Stevens
Sending a carefully written email and then immediately going to the Sent folder to read it "from their perspective"
December 18, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Sending a carefully written email and then immediately going to the Sent folder to read it "from their perspective"
Of course the mensch-iest of film critics is going to be essential reading on the mensch-iest of directors. Don't miss the ending, in which Matt imagines, It's a Wonderful Life-style, how impoverished the last few decades in Hollywood would have been without the influence & the generosity of Reiner.
December 16, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Of course the mensch-iest of film critics is going to be essential reading on the mensch-iest of directors. Don't miss the ending, in which Matt imagines, It's a Wonderful Life-style, how impoverished the last few decades in Hollywood would have been without the influence & the generosity of Reiner.
Reposted by Dana Stevens
I think it's kind of beautiful that this was Rob Reiner's final line on television
December 15, 2025 at 10:52 PM
I think it's kind of beautiful that this was Rob Reiner's final line on television
Reposted by Dana Stevens
No. Too on the nose.
WATCH: Replica of the Statue of Liberty topples due to strong winds in Guaíba, Brazil
December 15, 2025 at 10:27 PM
No. Too on the nose.
Reposted by Dana Stevens
One of the things I love best about Reiner is he always presented romantic love as something that required effort. Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride. Love takes time, love takes care, love doesn’t solve all your problems but it can make your problems bearable.
December 15, 2025 at 7:54 PM
One of the things I love best about Reiner is he always presented romantic love as something that required effort. Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride. Love takes time, love takes care, love doesn’t solve all your problems but it can make your problems bearable.