changeever-14823

New England. A church. A changing environment. First Reformed can equally be read as a film set in 17th Century Puritan New England or a film set in our modern world. Regardless, it's puritanical in voice. We're constantly left asking the questions of the Puritans--are we really saved(?), can we be forgiven(?) and what is our role in the community(?). Pat answers won't due for Schrader and they probably won't due for you either after watching this film.

The Celluloid Closet is an extremely important documentary that tells the history of Gay/Lesbian film representations. As a scholar of media studies, I use this film quite a lot with my students to discuss the history of cinema and LG audience. This film is excellently researched and includes important clips from films throughout history and extremely important interviews with Gay/Lesbian actors and directors. While the film is excellent in its representation of Gay/Lesbian culture, it does not touch on the broader LGBTQ+ culture and representations of transgender actors. Moreover, the film doesn't really handle concerns over intersectionality (specifically, race). Ultimately, the film is a must watch, but it also desperately needs to be updated.

Unlike Hedy Lamarr this documentary is not a bombshell. Having read about Lamarr's life story before, I came to the documentary hoping that it would be enlightening beyond what is commonly available. Instead, I came away feeling bad for Lamarr doubly for what happened to her and for what this documentary did too her as well.