About

Philip Bahr

Full length bio:

Reel Charlie creator Philip Bahr works as Head of Adult Services for Fairfield Public Library, in Connecticut, an hour outside of New York City. Philip’s passion for film and television began as a child where he spent Friday nights with The Partridge Family and yearly visits with The Wizard of Oz and White Christmas. Subsequently, he discovered L.A. Law and The Golden Girls in the 80’s and the world of film through Kim’s video in NYC during the 1990’s. A move to the Hudson Valley in 2000 laid the groundwork for his complete immersion into all things cinema when he worked for one of the last great independent video stores, Alternative Video in Kingston, NY where he interacted with movie greats like Elmer Bernstein, providing research. He owes a debt of gratitude to owner Barbara Salzman who hired and mentored him for nearly six years, ultimately becoming a lifelong friend. After a stint in library school at Syracuse University’s iSchool, Philip joined Fairfield University where he managed the film and music collection for five years before his current position at the Public overseeing streaming and physical media collection development, part of managing the Adult Services department.

His creative passion continues through the blog, Reel Charlie where he reviews television and film with an emphasis on LGBTQ content, creating over 4,200 posts and reaching year fourteen in 2023. Favorite filmmakers include Pedro Almodovar, Robert Altman, Rikki Beadle-Blair, Cheryl Dunye, Stephen Frears, Eytan Fox, Todd Haynes, Alfred Hitchcock, Nicole Holofcener, Merchant Ivory, Ferzan Ozpetek, Ventura Pons, Dee Rees, and Susan Seidelman. Every time he publishes, it reaffirms his love for film and television.

Get started by checking out Reel Charlie’s 100 Favorite Films list.

In 2022, Philip began a monthly podcast, Reel Charlie Speaks using his signature gay male gaze. The podcast looks at a classic queer film, series, or creator and asks the age old question, does it survive the test of time?

Short bio:

Reel Charlie is written by Philip Bahr whose taste usually steers clear of typical Hollywood fare. This blog reviews films that have recently been released on DVD/Blu-ray/4K/streaming and acts more as a memory jog than a vanity project. Television shows (U.S., and international) are also featured. The decade tag refers to when the film was made, not the content of it. Spoilers are rare and alerted. Creating over 4,200 posts and reaching year fourteen in 2023, every time he publishes, it reaffirms his love for film and television. Get started by checking out Reel Charlie’s 100 Favorite Films list.