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."
Truly enjoyed Jesse Eisenberg's "The Debut," with a fabulous performance from Julianne Moore. A smart, perceptive comedy that also left me with a deep nostalgia for those long-gone days, 40 years ago, when Woody Allen and Mia Farrow would make films like this almost annually.
October 1, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Truly enjoyed Jesse Eisenberg's "The Debut," with a fabulous performance from Julianne Moore. A smart, perceptive comedy that also left me with a deep nostalgia for those long-gone days, 40 years ago, when Woody Allen and Mia Farrow would make films like this almost annually.
I go deep into the Zone with my old colleague Alan Sepinwall to talk about his new book about Rod Serling and the way he changed television -- and, yes, the way entertainment journalism is changing too, whether we like it or not. www.njarts.net/187470
Alan Sepinwall makes case that Rod Sterling was 'TV's First Visionary' in new book
Personal appearances planned for Maplewood and Wyckoff.
www.njarts.net
October 1, 2026 at 6:33 PM
I go deep into the Zone with my old colleague Alan Sepinwall to talk about his new book about Rod Serling and the way he changed television -- and, yes, the way entertainment journalism is changing too, whether we like it or not. www.njarts.net/187470
“There’s a fella, got a million acres. Guards ever’place to keep folks out. Rides aroun’ in a bullet-proof car…Fat, sof’ fella with little mean eyes an’ a mouth like a ass-hole…If he needs a million acres to feel rich, seems to me he feels awful poor inside.” – Steinbeck, "The Grapes of Wrath," 1939
September 23, 2026 at 2:14 PM
“There’s a fella, got a million acres. Guards ever’place to keep folks out. Rides aroun’ in a bullet-proof car…Fat, sof’ fella with little mean eyes an’ a mouth like a ass-hole…If he needs a million acres to feel rich, seems to me he feels awful poor inside.” – Steinbeck, "The Grapes of Wrath," 1939
You're a Dead Man, Charlie Brown: I dove deep into a weird subgenre of horror-movie takeoffs of kiddie characters -- and at the end of the rabbit hole, a murderous Easter Bunny lay in wait. www.njarts.net/more-lazines...
More laziness than creativity in new horror subgenre featuring familiar storybook characters as killers
'Pinocchio Unstrung,' 'Popeye's Revenge,' 'Easter Bunny Massacre' and more.
www.njarts.net
September 9, 2026 at 2:26 PM
You're a Dead Man, Charlie Brown: I dove deep into a weird subgenre of horror-movie takeoffs of kiddie characters -- and at the end of the rabbit hole, a murderous Easter Bunny lay in wait. www.njarts.net/more-lazines...
Star Power: All we ever saw or knew about Dolly Parton was what she wanted us to see or know. And that was the point. A fond salute to one of the last of the private public figures. www.njarts.net/185074
Dolly Parton remained true to herself -- not just 9 to 5, but 24/7
Musician, actress and philanthropist recently died at 80.
www.njarts.net
August 31, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Star Power: All we ever saw or knew about Dolly Parton was what she wanted us to see or know. And that was the point. A fond salute to one of the last of the private public figures. www.njarts.net/185074
An Actor's Life For Him: Veteran performer Bill Timoney on soap operas, Broadway, voice work, famous friends, infamous scam artists and a decades-long run as the profession's do anything, go anywhere "utility player." www.njarts.net/184220
www.njarts.net
August 21, 2026 at 3:32 PM
An Actor's Life For Him: Veteran performer Bill Timoney on soap operas, Broadway, voice work, famous friends, infamous scam artists and a decades-long run as the profession's do anything, go anywhere "utility player." www.njarts.net/184220
First, Coarse: How Tony Bourdain, a self-described jerk from New Jersey, grew into Anthony Bourdain, writer, world traveller, and chef www.njarts.net/anthony-bour...
Anthony Bourdain learns how to be a better chef -- and a better person -- in '70s-set biopic 'Tony'
Dominic Sessa stars in new film.
www.njarts.net
August 5, 2026 at 8:33 PM
First, Coarse: How Tony Bourdain, a self-described jerk from New Jersey, grew into Anthony Bourdain, writer, world traveller, and chef www.njarts.net/anthony-bour...
And he's screaming, "Guards! Guards! Get me away from this low-life!"
July 23, 2026 at 4:57 PM
And he's screaming, "Guards! Guards! Get me away from this low-life!"
I read a translation of "The Odyssey" before going to see the Christopher Nolan film; I'm definitely willing to do some homework for an epic film from a great director. For the umpteenth, corporate-engineered movie based on a children's comic book series, not so much.
Tom Hiddleston says MCU fans should watch ‘Loki' before watching 'Avengers: Doomsday'
“I would always say, if you haven’t watched it, go and do so. And, if you have watched it before Doomsday, go and watch it again"
(via @techradar)
“I would always say, if you haven’t watched it, go and do so. And, if you have watched it before Doomsday, go and watch it again"
(via @techradar)
July 22, 2026 at 8:16 PM
I read a translation of "The Odyssey" before going to see the Christopher Nolan film; I'm definitely willing to do some homework for an epic film from a great director. For the umpteenth, corporate-engineered movie based on a children's comic book series, not so much.
Circe, as depicted on a 5th-century BCE vase. But, yes, tell me again how everyone in Ancient Greece was pale and blonde.
July 14, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Circe, as depicted on a 5th-century BCE vase. But, yes, tell me again how everyone in Ancient Greece was pale and blonde.
Escape the dog days of summer by spending time with some of cinema's favorite tails.
www.njarts.net/181049
www.njarts.net/181049
Great moments in canine cinema: 10 movies to help get you through the dog days of summer
'Lassie Comes Home,' 'Best in Show,' 'Because of Winn-Dixie' and more.
www.njarts.net
July 4, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Escape the dog days of summer by spending time with some of cinema's favorite tails.
www.njarts.net/181049
www.njarts.net/181049
RIP, Dulce. A tearstained farewell at my FB page.
June 28, 2026 at 5:37 PM
RIP, Dulce. A tearstained farewell at my FB page.
Sumer is icumen in! A festive day to father figures everywhere!
June 21, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Sumer is icumen in! A festive day to father figures everywhere!
As "Big Night" begins some celebratory, 30th-anniversary screenings, Tony Shalhoub checks in to talk about getting cast in the film, fighting stereotypes, art v. commerce, ending "Monk" and what HE likes to cook. www.njarts.net/179453
At Lighthouse International Film Festival, Tony Shalhoub reflects on 30th anniversary of 'Big Night'
Will also screen new comedy, 'Bolio: Spirit of the Mustang,' there.
www.njarts.net
June 13, 2026 at 2:08 PM
As "Big Night" begins some celebratory, 30th-anniversary screenings, Tony Shalhoub checks in to talk about getting cast in the film, fighting stereotypes, art v. commerce, ending "Monk" and what HE likes to cook. www.njarts.net/179453
Grab him by the P.
There we go!
June 13, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Grab him by the P.
And that's a wrap on another season of Film Club at The Pelham Picture House, with "Couples Weekend," "Forge," "Burt," "Carolina Caroline," "The Birthday Party" and "Peter Asher: Everywhere Man." Special thanks to the studios, filmmakers and audiences who made it all possible. See you in the Fall!
June 12, 2026 at 2:44 PM
And that's a wrap on another season of Film Club at The Pelham Picture House, with "Couples Weekend," "Forge," "Burt," "Carolina Caroline," "The Birthday Party" and "Peter Asher: Everywhere Man." Special thanks to the studios, filmmakers and audiences who made it all possible. See you in the Fall!
Thanks to Greenwich Entertainment, Falco Ink. and all who helped bring "Peter Asher: Everywhere Man" to The Picture House last night (and thanks to directors Dan Geller and Dayne Goldfine for zooming in). A warmly nostalgic look at pop music's baby boomer peak, opening at NY's Quad Cinema 6/19.
Find Your Theater | Peter Asher: Everywhere Man
The extraordinary life of Peter Asher—pop star, producer, manager, and confidant to legends such as Paul McCartney, James Taylor, and Linda Ronstadt.
peterashermovie.com
June 11, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Thanks to Greenwich Entertainment, Falco Ink. and all who helped bring "Peter Asher: Everywhere Man" to The Picture House last night (and thanks to directors Dan Geller and Dayne Goldfine for zooming in). A warmly nostalgic look at pop music's baby boomer peak, opening at NY's Quad Cinema 6/19.
E.T., Come Home: Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" delves into UFO conspiracies, but its most intriguing puzzle is what it's missing. www.njarts.net/179287
Steven Spielberg returns to familiar territory in disappointing sci-fi film, 'Disclosure Day'
For a movie called “Disclosure Day,” Steven Spielberg’s latest still keeps a lot of secrets. And the biggest one is: Why? Of…
www.njarts.net
June 10, 2026 at 1:24 PM
E.T., Come Home: Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" delves into UFO conspiracies, but its most intriguing puzzle is what it's missing. www.njarts.net/179287
Thanks to all who helped bring "The Birthday Party" to The Picture House last night, and got director Miguel Angel Jimenez to Zoom in for a chat. A dark drama with Willem Dafoe superb as a domineering father who's a lot of Onassis, a little of Prospero, and completely in control. Opens August 14.
June 4, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Thanks to all who helped bring "The Birthday Party" to The Picture House last night, and got director Miguel Angel Jimenez to Zoom in for a chat. A dark drama with Willem Dafoe superb as a domineering father who's a lot of Onassis, a little of Prospero, and completely in control. Opens August 14.
If it sometimes feels like there's only one movie a year made with a female lead over 60 -- and it's usually Meryl Streep -- you're not far off. And even Meryl would argue, That's not good. www.njarts.net/178569
June 2, 2026 at 2:58 PM
If it sometimes feels like there's only one movie a year made with a female lead over 60 -- and it's usually Meryl Streep -- you're not far off. And even Meryl would argue, That's not good. www.njarts.net/178569
Actually, “ugly fuck” is how the Millers reproduce.
May 28, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Actually, “ugly fuck” is how the Millers reproduce.
Thanks to Magnolia Pictures and everyone who helped bring "Carolina Caroline" to the Picture House last night (and getting director Adam Carter Rehmeier to Zoom in). A wild road movie that starts like "Paper Moon" and slowly slips into "Bonnie and Clyde" territory. See it in theaters June 5
May 28, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Thanks to Magnolia Pictures and everyone who helped bring "Carolina Caroline" to the Picture House last night (and getting director Adam Carter Rehmeier to Zoom in). A wild road movie that starts like "Paper Moon" and slowly slips into "Bonnie and Clyde" territory. See it in theaters June 5
Hey, it's Henry Kissinger's birthday! Be sure to have a couple a beers before you visit his grave.
May 27, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Hey, it's Henry Kissinger's birthday! Be sure to have a couple a beers before you visit his grave.
Thanks to filmmaker Joe Burke for his film "Burt," a lovely, intimate, heartfelt character study made on the tiniest of shoestrings. Our Pelham Picture House members loved it and you will, too; keep up with its journey to you at www.BurtTheMovie.com
Burt The Movie
www.BurtTheMovie.com
May 21, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Thanks to filmmaker Joe Burke for his film "Burt," a lovely, intimate, heartfelt character study made on the tiniest of shoestrings. Our Pelham Picture House members loved it and you will, too; keep up with its journey to you at www.BurtTheMovie.com
Signs of hope: Several universities recently invited Big Tech execs and AI advocates to give commencement speeches. Students roundly booed any mention of artificial intelligence.
May 18, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Signs of hope: Several universities recently invited Big Tech execs and AI advocates to give commencement speeches. Students roundly booed any mention of artificial intelligence.