Search Results for: Mad Men

Ava DuVernay’s ‘Middle of Nowhere’ a Complicated, Transformational, and Feminist Love Story

Written by Megan Kearns. I often talk about how I want to see more female-fronted films, created by female filmmakers, including women of color on-screen and behind the camera. I want complex, strong, intelligent, resilient, vulnerable, flawed women characters. I want more realistic depictions of love: tender, supportive yet complicated. I want my films to … Continue reading “Ava DuVernay’s ‘Middle of Nowhere’ a Complicated, Transformational, and Feminist Love Story”

Penetrating History in ‘Hysteria’

Written by Rachel Redfern When I first saw the trailer for Tayla Waxter’s 2011 period comedy, Hysteria, I was incredibly excited; I awaited it’s US release for the past year hoping that it would fulfill my need for clever comedy with smart female characters. However, we might as well just get it over with–Hysteria fell … Continue reading “Penetrating History in ‘Hysteria’”

The Unfinished Legacy of Pam Grier

Pam Grier was the first black woman to be on the cover of Ms. Magazine (August 1975). Jamaica Kincaid wrote the article, “Pam Grier: The Mocha Mogul of Hollywood.”  Written by Leigh Kolb[Warning: spoilers ahead!] The first time I saw Pam Grier in a film, I blurted out, “Why isn’t she in everything?” I first saw Grier … Continue reading “The Unfinished Legacy of Pam Grier”

2013 Oscar Week: Searching for Sugar Man Makes Race Invisible

Written by Robin Hitchcock Rodriguez, the central figure of documentary Searching for Sugar Man Searching for Sugar Man, considered the front-runner for Best Documentary Feature at the 85th Academy Awards this weekend, shares the unlikely story of Sixto Rodriguez, an obscure failed musician in the United States who became an icon on the other side of … Continue reading “2013 Oscar Week: Searching for Sugar Man Makes Race Invisible”

2013 Oscar Week: Depicting Sex Surrogacy in ‘The Sessions’

poster for The Sessions Guest post written by Alisande Fitzsimons. One of the more moving films of 2012 was Ben Lewin’s drama The Sessions. Based on the life and articles of profoundly disabled poet and journalist Mark O’Brien (played by John Hawkes), The Sessions depicts the period in O’Brien’s life when he engaged with Cheryl Cohen-Greene, … Continue reading “2013 Oscar Week: Depicting Sex Surrogacy in ‘The Sessions’”

2013 Oscar Week: A Thorn Like a Rose: War Witch (Rebelle)

Guest post written by Emily Campbell. If you reel off its vital stats, War Witch sounds like a shoo-in for an Oscar. It tackles the delicate topic of African child soldiers and was filmed entirely in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its main character is a girl who bravely forges forward even though her … Continue reading “2013 Oscar Week: A Thorn Like a Rose: War Witch (Rebelle)”

2013 Oscar Week: More Royal Than Affair

A Royal Affair (2012) Guest post written by Atima Omara-Alwala. Anyone reading the synopsis of A Royal Affair wonders if it will be more of the same. I mean what else can be said about a high-born woman trapped in loveless marriage to an awful unsophisticated idiot who finds love in the arms of an … Continue reading “2013 Oscar Week: More Royal Than Affair”

2013 Oscar Week: ‘How to Survive a Plague’: When Aging Itself Becomes a Triumph

Guest post written by Ren Jender. When the late Ed Koch, former mayor of New York City, saw How To Survive a Plague, journalist/director David France’s Oscar-nominated documentary about ACT UP (the AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power) New York, he wrote a review for his local neighborhood newspaper. The review was not just a rave … Continue reading “2013 Oscar Week: ‘How to Survive a Plague’: When Aging Itself Becomes a Triumph”

2013 Oscar Week: ‘A Royal Affair’

Guest post written by Rosalind Kemp. Rather than merely bringing European history to the screen A Royal Affair is an effective character drama of three people and their relationships with each other. It begins with Caroline Mathilda leaving her English home to join her husband King Christian VII, whom she’s never met, in Denmark. It … Continue reading “2013 Oscar Week: ‘A Royal Affair’”

2013 Oscar Week: The Brainy Message of ‘ParaNorman’

Guest post written by Natalie Wilson, originally published at Ms. Magazine. Cross-posted with permission. Got a thing for zombies? Have some tween-age children in your life? Do you like whizz-bang stop-motion animation? Or, perhaps you are one of those types who appreciates a well-developed cast of characters that kicks stereotypes to the curb, features strong … Continue reading “2013 Oscar Week: The Brainy Message of ‘ParaNorman’”

2013 Oscar Week: Best Actress Nominee Rundown

Written by Rachel Redfern. This year’s nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role has the most diverse age of any Best Actress nomination field. Ever. With Emmanuelle Riva leading at the graceful age of eighty-five and Quvenzhané Wallis blooming at the energetic age of nine, can we just say, ‘Yes!’ I enjoy the Academy … Continue reading “2013 Oscar Week: Best Actress Nominee Rundown”

2013 Oscar Week: ‘Hitchcock’ Turns the Master of Suspense into a Real Life Dud

Hitchcock Guest post written by Candice Frederick, originally published at Reel Talk. Cross-posted with permission. You’d think that any movie that involves the late great Alfred Hitchcock would be riveting, spectacular and painstakingly suspenseful to watch. But Hitchcock, Sacha Gervasi’s debut feature film that follows the days leading up to the production of the filmmaker’s … Continue reading “2013 Oscar Week: ‘Hitchcock’ Turns the Master of Suspense into a Real Life Dud”