Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver is a journalist, podcaster and film critic who co-founded the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle and has written extensively about sports, politics, and technology, in addition to culture. In 2009, he became the first journalist in history to interview the chairman of the FCC and the host of Jeopardy! on the same day. He lives in Delaware County with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.

September 18, 2019

Theater

'Hamilton' stars get to walk in footsteps of the real Alexander Hamilton with Old City tour

by Stephen Silver

"Hamilton" cast members Edred Utomi, Olivia Puckett, Josh Tower toured Old City, Philadelphia, walking on the same streets the real Alexander Hamilton did during the late 1700s. "Hamilton" the musical is in the midst of its run at the Forrest Theatre on Walnut Street.

September 17, 2019

Politics

Biden, Sanders and other Dems vie for labor support in Philly

by Stephen Silver

The Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO and the Philadelphia Building Trades Union on Tuesday held its first-ever Workers' Presidential Summit. Seven of the Democratic presidential candidates addressed union rank-and-file at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City to put forward their plans to defeat President Donald Trump and lay out their vision for American labor.

August 21, 2019

Theater

'Hamilton' takes the long road to Philadelphia

by Stephen Silver

The acclaimed show will run from August 27 to November 17 at the Forrest Theatre, in conjunction with the Kimmel Center and its Broadway Philadelphia series.

August 14, 2019

Neighborhoods

Politicians, residents talk gun violence – and a lack of hope – in Southwest Philly

by Stephen Silver

Members of the community had plenty to say on Tuesday night, taking the microphone to tell raw and personal stories of friends and loved ones who became victims of gun violence, and plead for help in their community. One by one, they spoke of a feeling of general despair, a dearth of job opportunities, and a lack of activities for kids in the area, which they felt was contributing to the rising violence.

August 8, 2019

Politics

Cory Booker at Philly rally: 'I'm worried about the soul of our nation'

by Stephen Silver

Cory Booker, the Democratic U.S. Senator from New Jersey who is running for president in 2002, didn't avoid criticism of President Donald Trump at his Philadelphia rally Wednesday night at the Fillmore in Northern Liberties. Booker spoke for about 30 minutes at the music venue, to a crowd of a couple hundred who had braved the flood-like conditions in much of the region during the evening commute.

August 3, 2019

Festival

Spike Lee and MeToo founder debate his portrayal of women

by Stephen Silver

The BlackStar Film Festival, an annual festival and conference showcasing the work of filmmakers of color, was held for the eighth time over the weekend at International House of Philadelphia and other locations in and around the University of Pennsylvania.

July 29, 2019

Movies

'The Sixth Sense,' one of the great Philadelphia movies, turns 20

by Stephen Silver

When The Sixth Sense arrived in theaters on August 2, 1999- 20 years ago this week- the thriller from an obscure director was no one's idea of the most anticipated film that summer, a season that also offered the first Star Wars prequel movie and the final film from Stanley Kubrick.

July 23, 2019

Movie

Movie Review: Quentin Tarantino gets back to greatness in 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood'

by Stephen Silver

The most notable thing one can say about "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," Quentin Tarantino's new film set in and around the events of the Manson murders in 1969, is that it's Tarantino at his Tarantino-est. It's just about everything the director has done throughout his career, only more of it.

July 18, 2019

Controversy

Felicity Huffman and when movies are overtaken by criminal events

by Stephen Silver

Netflix is getting ready to come out with a movie called "Otherhood," which is set for a joint theatrical and streaming release the first week of August. The film tells the story of moms who decide to travel to New York to reconnect with their adult sons after they forget Mother's Day.

July 18, 2019

Music

Steven Van Zandt on his album, his upcoming show, and life with Bruce Springsteen and Tony Soprano

by Stephen Silver

Steven Van Zandt, the man known as "Little Steven," is into his fifth decade as one of the most recognizable names in American rock music. He's been the top guitarist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band since the '70s, and later spent a decade as the sidekick of another New Jersey legend, when he played Silvio Dante on "The Sopranos." Van Zandt, who grew up in Middletown Township, N.J., also famously participated in anti-apartheid in the '80s, runs two channels on Sirius XM radio, and is a member of both the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Hall of Fame.