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
Pinned
This Year’s Other Oscar Front-Runner Is Here. I Have Tragic News.
It’s based on a beloved, bestselling novel—and it butchers it.
slate.com
Since Hamlet was Shakespeare's longest play, maybe it's fitting that my review of Hamnet, Chloé Zhao's adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's great biofictional novel, is 2000+ words. In the words of the mopey Danish prince: "Anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing." slate.com/culture/2025...
They are betting AI will replace us. Make them lose the bet.
The markets are staying afloat right now on the hope that AI will destroy American workers. What a bleak thing.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
November 30, 2025 at 3:07 AM
They are betting AI will replace us. Make them lose the bet.
Reposted by Dana Stevens
Bong Joon Ho hit me up for the squad you legend deadline.com/2025/11/bong...
November 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Bong Joon Ho hit me up for the squad you legend deadline.com/2025/11/bong...
Maestro (2023)
November 27, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Maestro (2023)
Reposted by Dana Stevens
My absolutely favorite artwork for today, capturing the holiday more poignantly than any other: Alice Neel, Thanksgiving, 1965
November 27, 2025 at 1:48 PM
My absolutely favorite artwork for today, capturing the holiday more poignantly than any other: Alice Neel, Thanksgiving, 1965
Reposted by Dana Stevens
American Movie is my reset button whenever I feel I don't have any drive or passion anymore, Mark Borchardt's singular ambition despite everything (including common sense) telling him to stop is infectious and never fails to set me back on track. Takes place on thanksgiving too so points for that
What movie are you most thankful for? (not necessarily your favorite!)
November 27, 2025 at 5:36 AM
American Movie is my reset button whenever I feel I don't have any drive or passion anymore, Mark Borchardt's singular ambition despite everything (including common sense) telling him to stop is infectious and never fails to set me back on track. Takes place on thanksgiving too so points for that
Reposted by Dana Stevens
I've been busy meeting deadlines & prepping to host 25 (!?!) for T-giving, so I'm only now realizing Bolsonaro is about to start serving a 27-year prison term for conspiring to overturn the results of the 2022 election. He will probably die in jail.
🙏🇧🇷 www.bbc.com/news/article...
🙏🇧🇷 www.bbc.com/news/article...
Brazil: Bolsonaro ordered to start serving 27-year prison sentence for coup plot
The Supreme Court says the former leader has exhausted his appeals and will start his prison term at a police station in Brasilia.
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I've been busy meeting deadlines & prepping to host 25 (!?!) for T-giving, so I'm only now realizing Bolsonaro is about to start serving a 27-year prison term for conspiring to overturn the results of the 2022 election. He will probably die in jail.
🙏🇧🇷 www.bbc.com/news/article...
🙏🇧🇷 www.bbc.com/news/article...
At one point one says "Maman" & gestures to her offscreen & she says "I'm not getting mixed up in your business" 😭
These French babies arguing 🤣
November 26, 2025 at 3:22 AM
At one point one says "Maman" & gestures to her offscreen & she says "I'm not getting mixed up in your business" 😭
Reposted by Dana Stevens
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
Since Hamlet was Shakespeare's longest play, maybe it's fitting that my review of Hamnet, Chloé Zhao's adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's great biofictional novel, is 2000+ words. In the words of the mopey Danish prince: "Anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing." slate.com/culture/2025...
This Year’s Other Oscar Front-Runner Is Here. I Have Tragic News.
It’s based on a beloved, bestselling novel—and it butchers it.
slate.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Since Hamlet was Shakespeare's longest play, maybe it's fitting that my review of Hamnet, Chloé Zhao's adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's great biofictional novel, is 2000+ words. In the words of the mopey Danish prince: "Anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing." slate.com/culture/2025...
This profoundly repellent man, who should be in a secure psychiatric facility, has made very plain his desire to kill as many of us as possible, and we are being repeatedly asked to read terrible prose about thirsting for him. NO! GET AWAY!
November 24, 2025 at 9:03 PM
This profoundly repellent man, who should be in a secure psychiatric facility, has made very plain his desire to kill as many of us as possible, and we are being repeatedly asked to read terrible prose about thirsting for him. NO! GET AWAY!
Doesn't start but ends there:
November 23, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Doesn't start but ends there:
If it weren't for the nature and bird accounts I follow I would have succumbed to poster's madness long ago. Just try to watch this half-minute of owl floof w/o feeling more relaxed.
November 23, 2025 at 5:11 PM
If it weren't for the nature and bird accounts I follow I would have succumbed to poster's madness long ago. Just try to watch this half-minute of owl floof w/o feeling more relaxed.
Reposted by Dana Stevens
Eagle Lake, Acadia NP, last night around 4pm
November 23, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Eagle Lake, Acadia NP, last night around 4pm
Reposted by Dana Stevens
TRUMP: and this Daniel, he went into the den?
MAMDANI: The lion's den, yes
TRUMP: surely they ate him
MAMDANI: Here's the part where it gets a little Broadway: they didn't
TRUMP: Unbelievable
MAMDANI: The lion's den, yes
TRUMP: surely they ate him
MAMDANI: Here's the part where it gets a little Broadway: they didn't
TRUMP: Unbelievable
November 21, 2025 at 9:41 PM
TRUMP: and this Daniel, he went into the den?
MAMDANI: The lion's den, yes
TRUMP: surely they ate him
MAMDANI: Here's the part where it gets a little Broadway: they didn't
TRUMP: Unbelievable
MAMDANI: The lion's den, yes
TRUMP: surely they ate him
MAMDANI: Here's the part where it gets a little Broadway: they didn't
TRUMP: Unbelievable
Reposted by Dana Stevens
When Universal & director Jon M. Chu decided to divide Wicked into 2 movies they must have known they were taking a chance, since the show's 1st act is where nearly all the best songs are. So Wicked: For Good suffers from mild sequelitis--but see it anyway, for the divas.
slate.com/culture/2025...
slate.com/culture/2025...
The New Wicked Is Not Going to Be As Popular As the First
Wicked: For Good suffers from the same problem as the Broadway musical, but one performer saves it.
slate.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:38 PM
When Universal & director Jon M. Chu decided to divide Wicked into 2 movies they must have known they were taking a chance, since the show's 1st act is where nearly all the best songs are. So Wicked: For Good suffers from mild sequelitis--but see it anyway, for the divas.
slate.com/culture/2025...
slate.com/culture/2025...
He desired desire. He was a desirer of desiring, who above all desired to let eels chomp on his flesh & for your children to die en masse of preventable diseases.
The head of health services in the United States, letting parasitic lampreys bite his arms for some godforsaken reason.
November 21, 2025 at 7:56 PM
He desired desire. He was a desirer of desiring, who above all desired to let eels chomp on his flesh & for your children to die en masse of preventable diseases.
Reposted by Dana Stevens
When the restaurant TVs have motion smoothing on
November 20, 2025 at 4:14 PM
When the restaurant TVs have motion smoothing on
Very fun roundup. Also read Matt's book Opposable Thumbs, an anecdote-packed tribute to the small-screen critical titans who changed lives--certainly those of us future movie critics.
50 years ago this week, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert made the first pilot for their TV show. In honor of this huge anniversary, I created my definitive “Best of Siskel & Ebert” article - 50 of their best reviews from across their entire career. 👍🏻👍🏻
The 50 Best Siskel & Ebert Reviews
screencrush.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Very fun roundup. Also read Matt's book Opposable Thumbs, an anecdote-packed tribute to the small-screen critical titans who changed lives--certainly those of us future movie critics.
When Universal & director Jon M. Chu decided to divide Wicked into 2 movies they must have known they were taking a chance, since the show's 1st act is where nearly all the best songs are. So Wicked: For Good suffers from mild sequelitis--but see it anyway, for the divas.
slate.com/culture/2025...
slate.com/culture/2025...
The New Wicked Is Not Going to Be As Popular As the First
Wicked: For Good suffers from the same problem as the Broadway musical, but one performer saves it.
slate.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:38 PM
When Universal & director Jon M. Chu decided to divide Wicked into 2 movies they must have known they were taking a chance, since the show's 1st act is where nearly all the best songs are. So Wicked: For Good suffers from mild sequelitis--but see it anyway, for the divas.
slate.com/culture/2025...
slate.com/culture/2025...
Fewer ICE officers abducting daycare workers, more mini-goats grazing in front of BLM yard signs.
Spied in Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood today. At least 5-6 small billy goats just roaming the sidewalk, with no human nearby. Charming, delightful, and utterly mysterious. Any locals know who these cuties belong to?
November 20, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Fewer ICE officers abducting daycare workers, more mini-goats grazing in front of BLM yard signs.
Drafting my letter to Santa already
November 20, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Drafting my letter to Santa already
"Things happen" sometimes, like when you walk into an embassy to apply for your marriage license while your bride-to-be waits outside, but then you get bonesawed to pieces for having exercised freedom of speech as an US-based journalist and have to be carried out in a series of suitcases.
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 11:18 PM
"Things happen" sometimes, like when you walk into an embassy to apply for your marriage license while your bride-to-be waits outside, but then you get bonesawed to pieces for having exercised freedom of speech as an US-based journalist and have to be carried out in a series of suitcases.
The way this guy always has a twinkling smile as he's talking on some news show or other about the most dystopian hellscape imaginable. Oh haha, those silly "new kids out of college" thinking they might someday get to have a job and eat food.
Kevin Hassett: "I think there could be a little bit of an almost quiet time in the labor market, because firms are finding that AI is making their workers so productive that they don't necessarily have to hire the new kids out of college and so on."
November 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The way this guy always has a twinkling smile as he's talking on some news show or other about the most dystopian hellscape imaginable. Oh haha, those silly "new kids out of college" thinking they might someday get to have a job and eat food.
Remember the recent middle-of-the-night apartment building raid where children were dragged outside naked & zip-tied in the street while black & Latino residents were _sorted by race_ and piled into separate vans while their apartments were ransacked & robbed? That raid? So it resulted in 0 arrests.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem should resign and be criminally charged, according to critics who seized on a report revealing that zero people who were arrested in a high-profile raid were charged with a crime.
'Noem should resign over this': Fury over alleged DHS 'child kidnapping and trafficking'
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem should resign and be criminally charged, according to critics who seized on a report revealing that zero people who were arrested in a high-profile raid were charged with a crime.ProPublica recently reported on the DHS raid on an apartment building that was al...
bit.ly
November 16, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Remember the recent middle-of-the-night apartment building raid where children were dragged outside naked & zip-tied in the street while black & Latino residents were _sorted by race_ and piled into separate vans while their apartments were ransacked & robbed? That raid? So it resulted in 0 arrests.