profkain

IMDb member since May 2016
    Lifetime Total
    1+
    IMDb Member
    7 years

Reviews

Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel
(2021)

The focus depends
Some of the negative reviewers commented that the interviews and opinions of the "internet sleuths," conspiracy theorists, and viral posters detract from the documentary. I think these aspects of the context are central to the purpose of the work. The history of the area, the reputation of the hotel, sad story of Ms. Lam, online activities of internet sleuths and others, as well as the role of the press, came together to co-create a lurid episode and keep it roiling. Ms. Lam's death is tragic; the social voyeurism and ongoing preoccupation with the incident create another sad but necessary story. The gaze is turned back on the voyeurs, cultural commentators, armchair analysts, and social rubber-neckers. In some cases, maybe their activities productive. What happens when the activities are counterproductive? Who is harmed?

Horror at the Cecil Hotel
(2017)

Maybe I watched it for something different
Some of the negative reviewers commented that the interviews and opinions of the "internet sleuths," conspiracy theorists, and viral posters detract from the documentary. I think these aspects of the context are central to the purpose of the work. The history of the area, reputation of the hotel, sad story of Ms. Lam, online activities of internet sleuths and others, as well as the role of the press, came together to co-create a lurid episode and keep it roiling. Ms. Lam's death is tragic; the social voyeurism and ongoing preoccupation with the incident create another sad but necessary story. The gaze is turned back on the voyeurs, cultural commentators, armchair analysts, and social rubber-neckers. In some cases, maybe their activities productive. What happens when the activites are counterproductive? Who is harmed?

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