The radical notion that women like good movies
Bellflower (2011) This is a guest post from Deirdre Crimmins. On the surface Bellflower seems very much like a film made by men, for men. Staring director Evan Glodell, and shot on homemade cameras, the film begins by following Woodrow (Glodell) and his buddy Aiden as they build flame throwers from scratch to outfit their imaginary … Continue reading “Indie Spirit John Cassavetes Award Nominee Review: Bellflower”
This is a guest post from Scott Mendelson. Originally published at Mendelson’s Memos. One of these Journey 2 posters is not like the other. Hint, it’s the one with giant boobs that are more important than giant bees. Here are four character posters (and one main poster) for Warner Bros’ upcoming Journey 2: The Mysterious … Continue reading “Guest Writer Wednesday: Journey 2 Posters: Painfully Obvious Sexism Watch”
Luckily, Season 2 will see an influx of new characters, including lots of female roles. Huzzah! The “Red Priestess” Melisandre of Asshai (Carice van Houten), female warrior (!!!!) Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie), noblewoman Lady Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer), Ygritte (Rose Leslie), the Ironborn captain (double !!!!) Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan) named “Asha” in the novels. Wait, a sorceress, warrior and ship captain?? More women in leadership roles?? Sounds promising!
This is a guest post from Soraya Chemaly. How many movies have you watched in which rape is a notable, if not integral, part of the plot? Not sure? Well, I started thinking about it and poked around. The short list I compiled is at the end of this article. Amazing, right? I personally have … Continue reading “‘The Invisible War’ Takes on Sexual Assault in the Military”
#9 in 2011, by guest writer Myrna Waldron, ran as part of our Animated Children’s Films series. While most of reviews in the series criticized unbalanced and stereotypical gender roles in media for kids, Waldron flipped the formula and looked at the positive and admirable values displayed by the much-maligned Disney princesses. ____ “The sarcasm … Continue reading “Top 10 of 2011: You Say Princess Like It’s a Bad Thing”
This guest review by Megan Kearns previously appeared at her blog The Opinioness of the World. We so often see men as wayward fuck-ups. Ben Stiller in Greenberg, Zach Braff in Garden State, Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets all fill this role. Selfish asshats who do the wrong thing, lack ambition, … Continue reading “Guest Writer Wednesday: A Fine Frenzy: With an Outspoken Anti-Heroine and a Feminist Lens, ‘Young Adult’ Is My Favorite Film of the Year”
Wow. The response to our Call for Writers was so intense that we extended our series on Animated Children’s Films an extra week. Here are links to the reviews, all in one location. Thanks so much to the writers who contributed. This was a FUN two weeks, and–as Megan Kearns notes on her blog–an important … Continue reading “Animated Children’s Films: The Roundup!”
This guest review from Travis Eisenbise first appeared at Bitch Flicks in March 2010. If Pixar shit into a bucket, it would still be box office gold. Fifteen years ago Pixar catapulted itself into a movie-making monopoly with Toy Story. Since then they’ve continued to rehash the same predictable (and often adorable) story lines about … Continue reading “Animated Children’s Films: Up”
This is a guest review by Stevie Leigh Cattigan. ‘Hell, Doc … we just make a picture and then you professors come along and tell us what we do.’ – Walt Disney, Time Magazine (1937) With the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as their first feature length film in 1937, The Walt … Continue reading “Animated Children’s Films: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The History and the Legacy of Disney’s Original Fairy Tale”
This guest review by Natalie Wilson first appeared at Bitch Flicks in January 2011. Toy Story 3 opens on a woman-empowerment high, with Mrs. Potato-Head displaying mad train-robbing skills and cowgirl Jessie skillfully steering her faithful horse Bullseye in the ensuing chase. And that’s the end of that: From there on, the film displays … Continue reading “Animated Children’s Films: Third Time Still Not the Charm for Toy Story’s Female Characters”
This is a guest review by Myrna Waldron. “The sarcasm is practically melting off the screen!” If you’re an internet and animation addict like I am, you’ve probably come across several sets of images, like the one above, that point out the sexist flaws present in Disney films. While I wholeheartedly believe in critical analysis … Continue reading “Animated Children’s Films: You Say Princess Like It’s a Bad Thing”
This is a guest review by Jason Feldstein. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has been one of my favorite stories for years now. Artists have used the storyline of a young girl finding herself in a magical world numerous times. If there is one version that resonates with me, it is a film called Spirited … Continue reading “Animated Children’s Films: Spirited Away”
