Ronald W. Berkowsky, PhD 🏳️🌈
@ronaldberkowsky.bsky.social
Associate Professor in Health Sciences at California State University Channel Islands. Medical sociologist & gerontologist. Focused on community-engaged work addressing well-being & equity among older adults and LGBTQIA+. Occasional film essayist. (he/him)
Pinned
On Transitions and Care Work in Andrea Pallaoro’s Monica
Film: Monica (106 min)
academic.oup.com
New year, new film essay! I'm happy to share my review of Andrea Pallaoro's "Monica" has been published in this month's issue of The Gerontologist. In my latest essay, I discuss the film's portrayal of care work and transitioning into the caregiver (and care recipient) role.
#FilmSky #Gerontology
#FilmSky #Gerontology
September 30th
vs.
October 1st
vs.
October 1st
October 1, 2026 at 2:30 PM
September 30th
vs.
October 1st
vs.
October 1st
Reposted by Ronald W. Berkowsky, PhD 🏳️🌈
The 988 suicide prevention hotline's Press 3 option — which provides specialized services to LGBTQ callers — has been restored more than a year after the Trump administration shut it down. Confirmed by HHS and the office of Senator Tammy Baldwin, who led on legislation that forced its restoration
September 30, 2026 at 9:09 PM
The 988 suicide prevention hotline's Press 3 option — which provides specialized services to LGBTQ callers — has been restored more than a year after the Trump administration shut it down. Confirmed by HHS and the office of Senator Tammy Baldwin, who led on legislation that forced its restoration
Reposted by Ronald W. Berkowsky, PhD 🏳️🌈
“History will damn us for our treatment of trans kids.
We can’t act like we don’t know better – we know the effects of targeting trans youth for discrimination."
www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/09/hist...
We can’t act like we don’t know better – we know the effects of targeting trans youth for discrimination."
www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/09/hist...
History will damn us for our treatment of trans kids - LGBTQ Nation
We can't act like we don't know better - we know the effects of targeting trans youth for discrimination.
www.lgbtqnation.com
September 21, 2026 at 1:18 PM
“History will damn us for our treatment of trans kids.
We can’t act like we don’t know better – we know the effects of targeting trans youth for discrimination."
www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/09/hist...
We can’t act like we don’t know better – we know the effects of targeting trans youth for discrimination."
www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/09/hist...
Happy X-Files Premier Date Anniversary to all who celebrate.
September 10, 1993: "The X-Files", created by Chris Carter and starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson debuts on Fox.
September 10, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Happy X-Files Premier Date Anniversary to all who celebrate.
Reposted by Ronald W. Berkowsky, PhD 🏳️🌈
NEW: Dolly Parton was humble, generous, supported literacy and workers' rights, was an LGBTQ+ ally, and funded causes from disaster relief to medical research just to help others.
Parton's America was the opposite of Trump's.
Parton's America was the opposite of Trump's.
Dolly Parton’s America Was the Opposite of Donald Trump’s - OtherWords
The best way to honor Dolly Parton’s legacy is with generosity, kindness, compassion, respect, and unity.
otherwords.org
September 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM
NEW: Dolly Parton was humble, generous, supported literacy and workers' rights, was an LGBTQ+ ally, and funded causes from disaster relief to medical research just to help others.
Parton's America was the opposite of Trump's.
Parton's America was the opposite of Trump's.
Maybe a little late (as this has been official for a month) in posting this announcement, but: pleased to report that I’m now serving as the Director of the MHA program at CSUCI!
This is a new program (only a year old), but I’m excited to serve as Director as it continues to grow and develop ☺️
This is a new program (only a year old), but I’m excited to serve as Director as it continues to grow and develop ☺️
Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) -
Extended University -
CSU Channel Islands
Elevate your career with CSU Channel Islands' fully online Master in Healthcare Administration program.
ext.csuci.edu
August 26, 2026 at 10:57 PM
Maybe a little late (as this has been official for a month) in posting this announcement, but: pleased to report that I’m now serving as the Director of the MHA program at CSUCI!
This is a new program (only a year old), but I’m excited to serve as Director as it continues to grow and develop ☺️
This is a new program (only a year old), but I’m excited to serve as Director as it continues to grow and develop ☺️
Well this week just keeps getting worse! First Parton, and now Tim Curry - two insanely talented performers who meant the world to, well, the world.
Tim Curry, Outlandish Star of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ Dies at 80
The three-time Tony nominee terrified audiences in Stephen King's 'It' and was a prolific voice actor as well.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
August 26, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Well this week just keeps getting worse! First Parton, and now Tim Curry - two insanely talented performers who meant the world to, well, the world.
Reposted by Ronald W. Berkowsky, PhD 🏳️🌈
Jane Fonda’s tribute to Dolly is perfect.
August 25, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Jane Fonda’s tribute to Dolly is perfect.
I can’t say anything more about Dolly Parton that hasn’t already been said by scores of mourning fans and loved ones. The world lost a great one today, and we are all lucky to have shared all too brief a time with someone so talented and caring.
We should all strive to be more like her.
We should all strive to be more like her.
August 26, 2026 at 3:03 AM
I can’t say anything more about Dolly Parton that hasn’t already been said by scores of mourning fans and loved ones. The world lost a great one today, and we are all lucky to have shared all too brief a time with someone so talented and caring.
We should all strive to be more like her.
We should all strive to be more like her.
Seated for “Boorman and the Devil” featuring a Q&A with David Kittredge (director) and producers, moderated by Bryan Fuller - Linda Blair *might* be in attendance as well 👀
One of a million reasons I love living in LA - only here can you go to a screening like this on a random Tuesday.
One of a million reasons I love living in LA - only here can you go to a screening like this on a random Tuesday.
August 19, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Seated for “Boorman and the Devil” featuring a Q&A with David Kittredge (director) and producers, moderated by Bryan Fuller - Linda Blair *might* be in attendance as well 👀
One of a million reasons I love living in LA - only here can you go to a screening like this on a random Tuesday.
One of a million reasons I love living in LA - only here can you go to a screening like this on a random Tuesday.
Resurrecting this dormant BlueSky account after an incredibly busy spring and summer which brought about a lot of opportunity and (mostly positive) change. Details to be shared soon, but in the meantime - spending the day on campus in preparation for the CSUCI fall semester!
August 17, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Resurrecting this dormant BlueSky account after an incredibly busy spring and summer which brought about a lot of opportunity and (mostly positive) change. Details to be shared soon, but in the meantime - spending the day on campus in preparation for the CSUCI fall semester!
And now celebrating the Oscars in style with the hubby at the Academy Museum (one of my absolute favorite places in LA - truly a happy place for this cinephile!).
March 15, 2026 at 10:48 PM
And now celebrating the Oscars in style with the hubby at the Academy Museum (one of my absolute favorite places in LA - truly a happy place for this cinephile!).
Happy Oscar Sunday to all who celebrate! Squeezing in a long run before off to an Oscar party in the afternoon 🥂
March 15, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Happy Oscar Sunday to all who celebrate! Squeezing in a long run before off to an Oscar party in the afternoon 🥂
If you see this, post a character that starts with B.
February 28, 2026 at 7:47 PM
If you see this, post a character that starts with B.
Will be playing catch-up on posting film reviews today, as I have several on the docket. We'll start things off with "Good Boy" (2025), aka "that horror movie told from a dog's perspective":
"'Good Boy' is an original and assured entry into the horror genre that ends on a poignant note."
"'Good Boy' is an original and assured entry into the horror genre that ends on a poignant note."
A ★★★½ review of Good Boy (2025)
A haunted house tale told from the curious and anxious perspective of a dog, Ben Leonberg’s debut effort “Good Boy” (2025) is more than its clever conceit, as there is genuine unease and foreboding th...
boxd.it
February 28, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Will be playing catch-up on posting film reviews today, as I have several on the docket. We'll start things off with "Good Boy" (2025), aka "that horror movie told from a dog's perspective":
"'Good Boy' is an original and assured entry into the horror genre that ends on a poignant note."
"'Good Boy' is an original and assured entry into the horror genre that ends on a poignant note."
Quite literally, almost nobody wants this. Like, NOBODY.
Breaking: Netflix Backs Out of Warner Bros. Bidding, Paramount Set to Win
Netflix Backs Out of Warner Bros. Bidding, Paramount Set to Win
In a stunning twist, Netflix is declining to raise its bid for Warner Bros., positioning David Ellison’s Paramount as the winner in the battle for the fabled studio.
bit.ly
February 26, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Quite literally, almost nobody wants this. Like, NOBODY.
Taking a few minutes (away from a relentless number of work emails I need to attend to) to share a few thoughts on the dark comedy "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You":
"...Bronstein’s approach serves a purpose in portraying a world that is all-too-eager to indict mothers for simply trying to survive."
"...Bronstein’s approach serves a purpose in portraying a world that is all-too-eager to indict mothers for simply trying to survive."
A ★★★½ review of If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (2025)
Maternal strife and anguish take centerstage in Mary Bronstein’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” a jittery and manic dark comedy grounded almost solely by Rose Byrne’s stellar turn as the film’s lead. P...
boxd.it
February 20, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Taking a few minutes (away from a relentless number of work emails I need to attend to) to share a few thoughts on the dark comedy "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You":
"...Bronstein’s approach serves a purpose in portraying a world that is all-too-eager to indict mothers for simply trying to survive."
"...Bronstein’s approach serves a purpose in portraying a world that is all-too-eager to indict mothers for simply trying to survive."
Whoops, looks like the original video was taken down - but a new version has just been posted!
February 18, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Whoops, looks like the original video was taken down - but a new version has just been posted!
A few lines on Ira Sachs' interesting experiment in form, "Peter Hujar's Day" (2025):
"...Ben Whishaw must be given due credit, as his Peter Hujar is an example of finely calibrated restraint – Whishaw comes off casual, reflective, and genuine throughout the film’s short runtime."
"...Ben Whishaw must be given due credit, as his Peter Hujar is an example of finely calibrated restraint – Whishaw comes off casual, reflective, and genuine throughout the film’s short runtime."
A ★★★ review of Peter Hujar's Day (2025)
Ira Sachs’ “Peter Hujar’s Day” (2025) functions both as a biopic and as an exercise in form. The film stages a 1974 conversation between friends, the renowned artist Peter Hujar and writer Linda Rosen...
boxd.it
February 18, 2026 at 6:46 PM
A few lines on Ira Sachs' interesting experiment in form, "Peter Hujar's Day" (2025):
"...Ben Whishaw must be given due credit, as his Peter Hujar is an example of finely calibrated restraint – Whishaw comes off casual, reflective, and genuine throughout the film’s short runtime."
"...Ben Whishaw must be given due credit, as his Peter Hujar is an example of finely calibrated restraint – Whishaw comes off casual, reflective, and genuine throughout the film’s short runtime."
Had the opportunity to speak to 101.3 FM ("Camaradio") detailing CSUCI's newly launched Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) program - was a lot of fun! If you're looking to further your healthcare education (and potentially earn a credential in gerontology in the process), consider applying!
Leadership in Healthcare: CSUCI’s Online Master of Health Care Administration (MHA)
YouTube video by 101.3FM Camaradio
youtu.be
February 17, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Had the opportunity to speak to 101.3 FM ("Camaradio") detailing CSUCI's newly launched Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) program - was a lot of fun! If you're looking to further your healthcare education (and potentially earn a credential in gerontology in the process), consider applying!
I'm shocked this film was eligible for the Spirit Awards (it just looks *expensive*) - but beyond the crafts, Bryan Fuller's "Dust Bunny" impresses on story:
"Bryan Fuller’s feature directorial debut 'Dust Bunny' is a stylish, imaginative, yet slightly terrifying and slyly perverse bedtime story."
"Bryan Fuller’s feature directorial debut 'Dust Bunny' is a stylish, imaginative, yet slightly terrifying and slyly perverse bedtime story."
A ★★★½ review of Dust Bunny (2025)
Bryan Fuller’s feature directorial debut “Dust Bunny” is a stylish, imaginative, yet slightly terrifying and slyly perverse bedtime story. In it, Mads Mikkelsen’s hit man protagonist is recruited by a...
boxd.it
February 17, 2026 at 12:13 AM
I'm shocked this film was eligible for the Spirit Awards (it just looks *expensive*) - but beyond the crafts, Bryan Fuller's "Dust Bunny" impresses on story:
"Bryan Fuller’s feature directorial debut 'Dust Bunny' is a stylish, imaginative, yet slightly terrifying and slyly perverse bedtime story."
"Bryan Fuller’s feature directorial debut 'Dust Bunny' is a stylish, imaginative, yet slightly terrifying and slyly perverse bedtime story."
Sunday long run complete - no sun, no problem! Nine miles through Brentwood and Santa Monica. Could see the Santa Monica pier in the distance and not gonna lie - it was weird not seeing the big ol’ tent for the Film Independent Spirit Awards (they’re at the Palladium this year).
February 15, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Sunday long run complete - no sun, no problem! Nine miles through Brentwood and Santa Monica. Could see the Santa Monica pier in the distance and not gonna lie - it was weird not seeing the big ol’ tent for the Film Independent Spirit Awards (they’re at the Palladium this year).
I have found, as I've gotten older, that I tend to be more critical of comedies (I just don't laugh as much!). So I was quite surprised by how taken I was with "Splitsville" (Michael Angelo Covino, 2025):
"...the film finds regret and remorse (and several laughs) in the fallout of sexual honesty."
"...the film finds regret and remorse (and several laughs) in the fallout of sexual honesty."
A ★★★½ review of Splitsville (2025)
Michael Angelo Covino’s “Splitsville” (2025) turns a partner-swapping riot into a coolly observed study of modern coupling. In it, one marriage dissolves while another tests the physical and emotional...
boxd.it
February 15, 2026 at 4:34 PM
I have found, as I've gotten older, that I tend to be more critical of comedies (I just don't laugh as much!). So I was quite surprised by how taken I was with "Splitsville" (Michael Angelo Covino, 2025):
"...the film finds regret and remorse (and several laughs) in the fallout of sexual honesty."
"...the film finds regret and remorse (and several laughs) in the fallout of sexual honesty."
Long overdue (as I viewed this 2 weeks ago), but I finally found the time and energy to put a few words down on the quiet yet profound "Familiar Touch" (2024, dir. Sarah Friedland):
"In this way, [the film] is less about deterioration as we age and more about the presence of self..."
"In this way, [the film] is less about deterioration as we age and more about the presence of self..."
A ★★★★ review of Familiar Touch (2024)
Sarah Friedland’s “Familiar Touch” (2024) enters previously-explored territory in its depiction of an aging woman and her slow cognitive decline – but, the beauty of the film lies in the film’s abilit...
boxd.it
February 13, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Long overdue (as I viewed this 2 weeks ago), but I finally found the time and energy to put a few words down on the quiet yet profound "Familiar Touch" (2024, dir. Sarah Friedland):
"In this way, [the film] is less about deterioration as we age and more about the presence of self..."
"In this way, [the film] is less about deterioration as we age and more about the presence of self..."
New year, new film essay! I'm happy to share my review of Andrea Pallaoro's "Monica" has been published in this month's issue of The Gerontologist. In my latest essay, I discuss the film's portrayal of care work and transitioning into the caregiver (and care recipient) role.
#FilmSky #Gerontology
#FilmSky #Gerontology
On Transitions and Care Work in Andrea Pallaoro’s Monica
Film: Monica (106 min)
academic.oup.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:55 PM
New year, new film essay! I'm happy to share my review of Andrea Pallaoro's "Monica" has been published in this month's issue of The Gerontologist. In my latest essay, I discuss the film's portrayal of care work and transitioning into the caregiver (and care recipient) role.
#FilmSky #Gerontology
#FilmSky #Gerontology