Search Results for: high tension

Why You Should Be Watching ‘Masters of Sex’

Masters of Sex is the most compelling period drama I’ve seen in quite some time, and trust me, I watch a lot of period pieces. I will admit that sometimes the stiffness of the dialogue and the character interaction can get a bit dry – the audience understands that social conventions were different in the past, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone was robotic round-the-clock. I feel the writers have a tendency to use era authenticity as a cop-out for lack of emotional depth or creativity. Though it’s only been four episodes, Masters of Sex boldly rips the buttons off of the post-World War II stereotype of prudishness and conservatism. Below are just a few of the reasons why you should give the show a try, if you haven’t already.

Family, Identity, and the Transgender Heroine in ‘Hit & Miss’

A friend of mine turned me onto the show Hit & Miss, which is a six episode British series currently streaming on Netflix. Hit & Miss follows Mia, played by the ever-talented Chloë Sevigny. Mia is a transgender hit woman who finds she has an 11 year-old son, Ryan.

Is Marvel’s ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D’ Promising?

Two out of the three female characters are women of color: Melinda May played by Ming-Na Wen and Skye played by Chloe Bennet. They’re both of Asian descent, which leaves me wishing there were also prominent Black and Latino characters, but maybe more will be introduced over time. I’ve got to say that the Asian hacker and the Asian martial arts expert are pretty stereotyped roles, but I’m living on faith in Joss that he’ll flesh those characters out in a way that takes them beyond their trite origins into fully rounded characters to whom we’re heartbreakingly attached.

Older Women Week: ‘The First Wives Club’: "Don’t Get Mad. Get Everything."

Film poster for The First Wives Club This is a guest post by Jen Thorpe. The First Wives Club is the story of four women who became friends with each other when they were in college. After graduation, the friends ended up drifting apart. This is a situation that happens to a lot of women. … Continue reading “Older Women Week: ‘The First Wives Club’: "Don’t Get Mad. Get Everything."”

The Ones We Forget: ‘Men At Lunch’

Written by Max Thornton. “At the height of the Great Depression, eleven ironworkers sit side by side on a steel beam, eating lunch. Central Park stretches out behind them as they rest, boots dangling eight hundred feet over the sidewalk of Fiftieth Street. Just a bunch of regular guys. Just another working day.” What makes … Continue reading “The Ones We Forget: ‘Men At Lunch’”

She’s Too Old: Sexuality and the Threat of Aging in ‘Adore’

Adore film poster. Written by Erin Tatum. The original title of Adore was Two Mothers, which should give some indication of its Freudian undertones. Best friends since childhood, Lil (Naomi Watts) and Roz (Robin Wright) remain close throughout their lives. They have sons the same age: Roz has Tom (James Frecheville) and Lil has Ian (Xavier … Continue reading “She’s Too Old: Sexuality and the Threat of Aging in ‘Adore’”

‘Elizabethtown’ After the Manic Pixie Dream Girl

DVD cover for Elizabethtown This is a guest review by Amanda Civitello. When she was ten, my little sister pronounced herself a “Young Feminist in Training” and authored an editorial for a school newspaper entitled, “Sarah Palin: Feminist? No!” I was surprised, then, when she said last week that she wanted to watch Elizabethtown for … Continue reading “‘Elizabethtown’ After the Manic Pixie Dream Girl”

Female Sexuality is the Real Horror in ‘Womb’

Womb poster Written by Erin Tatum. Today, I wanted to talk about a little film called Womb. It’s not very well known – Doctor Who fans will recognize it as one of Matt Smith‘s leading roles before his TARDIS fame. The film presents a fascinating introspective on the ethics of cloning while at the same … Continue reading “Female Sexuality is the Real Horror in ‘Womb’”

‘The Lifeguard’: A Female Anti-Hero on the Cusp of 30

The Lifeguard movie poster.     Written by Leigh Kolb   There’s something about 30. When I turned 30 last summer, a switch went off inside of me–I was restless, searching and stuck deep in nostalgic thoughts, wanting to be 19 again. I was ruminating about this with my husband and he interjected, “I have indigestion.” I … Continue reading “‘The Lifeguard’: A Female Anti-Hero on the Cusp of 30”

‘Castle’ Part II: At Least The Women Aren’t So Bad

Castle’s Season 3 promo. Written by Janyce Denise Glasper I do like Castle‘s peculiar whodunnits and admire Andrew Marlowe’s diverse cast, especially the women characters who frequently provide humorous banter to their male counterparts. Yet as the series progressed more toward the Caskett pairing, putting their romance as a pivotal forefront of the show, it lost … Continue reading “‘Castle’ Part II: At Least The Women Aren’t So Bad”

The Flattening of Celine: How ‘Before Midnight’ Reduces a Feminist Icon

This is a guest post by Molly McCaffrey. Before Midnight movie poster There are numerous reasons why Before Midnight—the third film in the Richard Linklater Before Sunrise/Before Sunset trilogy—is an important film. Jesse and Celine in Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight It’s an important film first and foremost because it’s a film about … Continue reading “The Flattening of Celine: How ‘Before Midnight’ Reduces a Feminist Icon”

Wedding Week: "Jumping The Broom" Addresses Racial Hangups While Marrying Ancestral Tradition

Jumping the Broom poster. Written by Janyce Denise Glasper Uh oh! Sabrina Watson has done it again! “I promise you, God, if you get me out of this situation, I’ll only share my cookies with the man I marry,” she exclaims subconsciously. Jumping the Broom is Arlene Gibbs first screenwriting credit. Jumping The Broom, co-written … Continue reading “Wedding Week: "Jumping The Broom" Addresses Racial Hangups While Marrying Ancestral Tradition”