Broad Street Review

Philly's home for arts, culture, and conversation

Stephen Silver

Contributor

BSR Contributor Since June 20, 2016

Stephen Silver is a journalist, editor, and film critic who has worked in Philadelphia since 2005. He lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on X at @stephensilver.

Stephen Silver is a journalist, essayist, and film critic who has worked in the Philadelphia region for more than 20 years.

A contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Splice Today, and the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent and the cofounder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen has covered film festivals, theater, books, and more for Broad Street Review, while also writing the monthly repertory film screening roundup.

Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons; follow him on X at @StephenSilver and BlueSky at @stephensilver.bsky.social, or subscribe to his five-day-a-week Substack newsletter here.

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The premiere of a Questlove jawn: Sly Stone in ‘Summer of Soul.’ (Image courtesy of Searchlight/Hulu.)

The Philadelphia Film Festival presents SpringFest 2021 at the Bourse

A film festival’s return to the theater

Movie theaters are back, and with them film festivals. The recent PFF SpringFest screened seven films including ‘Summer of Soul,’ ‘The Meaning of Hitler,’ and ‘Swan Song.’ Stephen Silver reviews.

Jun 18, 2021 Reviews 5 minute read

A giant but little-known figure. (Image courtesy of Sutherland House Books.)

‘Norman Jewison: A Director’s Life’ by Ira Wells

Jewison finally gets his due

Norman Jewison, director of ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ and ‘Moonstruck,’ is one of the most prolific filmmakers of the second half of the 20th century. A new biography by Ira Wells finally gives him his due. Stephen Silver reviews.

Jun 08, 2021 Reviews 4 minute read

Something like movie theater normalcy is close at hand. (Photo by Stephen Silver.)

As Bryn Mawr Film Institute and others reopen, what’s the future of movie theaters?

Will we stick to streaming?

Movie fans have been waiting a year to get back to movie theaters. Stephen Silver visited Bryn Mawr Film Institute on its reopening day, contemplating the future of in-person moviegoing.

Apr 13, 2021 Features 5 minute read

A rare location for a major feature film: Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin star in ‘Concrete Cowboy.’ (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis, courtesy of Netflix.)

Netflix presents ‘Concrete Cowboy’

The horsemen of North Philadelphia

‘Concrete Cowboy,’ Ricky Staub’s directorial debut, provides a compelling and beautifully rendered look at the subculture of Black horsemanship in North Philadelphia. Stephen Silver reviews.

Apr 05, 2021 Reviews 3 minute read

A conversation inside Ubuntu House. (Image courtesy of Grasshopper Film.)

Grasshopper Film presents Ephraim Asili’s ‘The Inheritance’

Cinematic magic in a West Philly collective

Ephraim Asili’s ‘The Inheritance,’ a thought-provoking new film about a Black socialist collective in West Philadelphia, combines fictional characters with real-life appearances by veterans of MOVE. Stephen Silver reviews.

Mar 16, 2021 Reviews 3 minute read

Did Stan Lee look down on the medium that made him famous? (Image courtesy of Crown.)

‘True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee’ by Abraham Riesman

Knocking down Marvel myths

Journalist Abraham Riesman has authored a definitive biography of the famed Marvel creator Stan Lee, uncovering truths that may make Lee's fans uncomfortable. Stephen Silver reviews.

Feb 23, 2021 Reviews 3 minute read

All eyes on Krasner: ‘Philly D.A.’ takes a long look at an important criminal-justice figure. (Photo by Yoni Brook, courtesy of the Sundance Film Institute.)

Sundance Film Festival presents ‘Philly D.A.’

The Krasner wars come to PBS

‘Philly D.A.,' a new docuseries about Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, debuted at the Sundance Film Festival February 3. It’s a multifaceted look at the controversial civil-rights attorney turned prosecutor. Stephen Silver reviews.

Feb 09, 2021 Reviews 4 minute read

It wasn’t glamorous, but there was something special about Riverview. (Photo by Alaina Johns.)

Goodbye to Riverview, Philadelphia's movie theater for everyone

It isn't just the screens

Like the city itself, the Riverview movie theater in South Philly was far from perfect. But it formed lasting memories for generations of Philadelphian moviegoers from all walks of life. Stephen Silver remembers.

Nov 17, 2020 Essays 5 minute read

Journalist Talia Lavin tackles far-right groups in her own voice. (Image courtesy of Hachette Books.)

‘Culture Warlords: My Journey Into the Dark Web of White Supremacy’ by Talia Lavin

Exposing hate groups, in her own voice

Talia Lavin, one of the current political moment’s most incisive journalists, details her confrontations with the world’s worst trolls in ‘Culture Warlords.’ Stephen Silver reviews.

Nov 03, 2020 Articles 3 minute read

Another award-worthy performance: Frances McDormand in ‘Nomadland.’ (Image courtesy of Searchlight Pictures, © 2020 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.)

Philadelphia Film Festival 2020: Chloé Zhao’s ‘Nomadland’

Surviving America

‘Nomadland’ launched the 29th annual Philadelphia Film Festival's hybrid presentation, with a showing at the PFS Drive-in at the Navy Yard on October 23. Stephen Silver reviews.

Oct 26, 2020 Articles 4 minute read

Nolan wants us to see it on the big screen, so we we’re still waiting for ‘Tenet.’ (Image courtesy of Warner Bros.)

Movie theaters are reopening, but I'm not ready to go back

The popcorn problem

Film critic Stephen Silver misses movie theaters, and can't wait to see Christopher Nolan's upcoming ‘Tenet.’ But he still won’t risk attending an indoor theater.

Jul 28, 2020 Articles 4 minute read

Behind the scenes of the original ‘Rocky’: Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown on the set with Sylvester Stallone. (Image courtesy of Garrett Brown.)

As the Rizzo statue goes down, ‘40 Years of Rocky’ reflects on Philly’s past

A tale of two statues

A new short documentary, ‘40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic,’ examines a movie that tells one story of Philadelphia. Are we writing a new history this month? Stephen Silver considers.

Jun 15, 2020 Articles 4 minute read

Who was the man behind the powerhouse pitcher? (Image courtesy of Triumph Books.)

‘Doc: The Life of Roy Halladay,’ by Todd Zolecki

What fans didn’t see

In his new biography of late Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay, longtime local baseball writer Todd Zolecki shows how even the best athletes are facing more struggles than you know. Stephen Silver reviews.

Jun 08, 2020 Articles 4 minute read

Putting on Disney+ with the kids just isn’t the same as heading to the movie theater. (Photo by Stephen Silver.)

What I miss most about going to movie theaters

Streaming isn’t the same

Film critic Stephen Silver has been arguing for years that Philadelphia's movie theaters are insufficient. What he wouldn't give to get back to them.

May 19, 2020 Articles 4 minute read

A breathtaking Philly aesthetic: Jason Segel and Eve Lindley in ‘Dispatches from Elsewhere.’ (Photo by Joy Richardson for AMC Networks.)

‘Dispatches from Elsewhere’: Seeing Philadelphia while you’re stuck inside

Philly gets its TV due

The locally shot 'Dispatches from Elsewhere' has established itself as a first-rate mystery, making better use of Philadelphia locations than any movie or show in memory. Stephen Silver reviews.

Mar 30, 2020 Articles 4 minute read

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