changeever-14823 Reviews

First Reformed (2017)

Are we in Puritan New England?

[5/10 · 5 December 2018]

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 (1995)

Must watch...but could use an update.

[7/10 · 4 December 2018]

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.

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2017)

Sadly this documentary is no bombshell

[6/10 · 4 December 2018]

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.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Three stars times three.

[9/10 · 4 December 2018]

You know from the title itself that this film won't be ordinary. "Three billboards"? "Ebbing, Missouri"? But as far as these ideas/places are from the national imaginary, so too are the performances of Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell. This story successfully weaves issues of rurality, race, class and violence into a story that isn't trying too hard to speak to politics. Don't get me wrong, the story clearly is talking about politics, but you won't feel hit over the head by it. Ultimately, extremely satisfying, it's little surprise that this film got as many awards as it did.