The radical notion that women like good movies
This review by Olivia Bernal previously appeared at Bitch Flicks as part of our series on Animated Children’s Films. Cinderella (1950) I would guess that in its long years of making animated features, Disney has made a mint on the princess formula. There is always a brooding prince, handsome, but distracted by his more worldly … Continue reading “Women and Gender in Musicals Week: Cinderella”
This review by Ana Mardoll previously appeared at Bitch Flicks on May 9, 2012. Disney. The word is so synonymous in my mind with “animated feature films” that it’s like using “Kleenex” for “tissue.” When children come to my house, as they sometimes do, they’re invariably drawn to my huge selection of “Disney movies,” … Continue reading “Women and Gender in Musicals Week: The Little Mermaid”
This review by Myrna Waldron previously appeared at Bitch Flicks on September 13, 2012. Corpse Bride Poster (Source: Wikipedia.org) Corpse Bride is that odd film that is both original and derivative at the same time. Based on a Yiddish folk tale, it is a stop-motion animated film directed by bizarre auteur Tim Burton, and featuring … Continue reading “Women and Gender in Musicals Week: The Reception of Corpse Bride”
(L-R): Zoe Saldana and Nina Simone; image via Black Street When Zoe Saldana was recently cast as legendary singer Nina Simone in her upcoming biopic, the decision ignited a firestorm of controversy. People have vehemently criticized the decision. Not because Saldana isn’t a skilled actor (she is). But because her skin is much lighter than … Continue reading “The Zoe Saldana / Nina Simone Biopic Controversy Illustrates the Need for More Black Women Filmmakers”
Corpse Bride Poster (Source: Wikipedia.org) The Reception of Corpse Bride By Myrna Waldron Corpse Bride is that odd film that is both original and derivative at the same time. Based on a Yiddish folk tale, it is a stop-motion animated film directed by bizarre auteur Tim Burton, and featuring his three favourite people: Johnny Depp … Continue reading “The Reception of ‘Corpse Bride’”
Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Won’t Back Down” On September 28, 2012, Won’t Back Down will hit the theaters. This is a movie starring two well-known, respected actresses, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis. It has two female characters. One of them is a woman of color. They are two characters who work together in … Continue reading “‘Won’t Back Down’ Causes Mixed Feelings”
Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon), cavalry guy with a rock (not pictured: rock) Buffy the Vampire Slayer has a great cast of characters that includes many flawed, admirable, psychologically complex (white) women. Two of them (Buffy and Cordelia) are some of my most beloved television characters ever. Another (Willow) fascinates me and infuriates me in equal … Continue reading “Buffy the Vampire Slayer Week: Xander Harris Has Masculinity Issues”
Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon), cavalry guy with a rock (not pictured: rock) Buffy the Vampire Slayer has a great cast of characters that includes many flawed, admirable, psychologically complex (white) women. Two of them (Buffy and Cordelia) are some of my most beloved television characters ever. Another (Willow) fascinates me and infuriates me in equal … Continue reading “Buffy the Vampire Slayer Week: Xander Harris Has Masculinity Issues”
Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Guest post written by Amanda Rodriguez. No one will argue that the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer isn’t populated with strong female characters. Buffy’s best friend, Willow, is a computer-hacking lesbian witch with the magical prowess to end the world. Her sister, Dawn, … Continue reading “Buffy the Vampire Slayer Week: Are You Ready to Be Strong? Power and Sisterhood in ‘Buffy’”
The Significance of Bridesmaids and Magic Mike in a Sea of Masculinity Not this. In Christopher Hitchens’s infamous essay, “Why Women Aren’t Funny,” he points to a Stanford study that rated men and women’s reactions to cartoons on a “funniness” scale. The study found many similarities between men and women’s responses, but also found some marked differences. … Continue reading “Summer Blockbusters Prove Women (Not Surprisingly) Enjoy Laughing and Gawking from Their Own Perspective”
Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) in Avatar Guest post written by Nine Deuce previously appeared at Bitch Flicks on May 9, 2011 originally published at Rage Against the Man-Chine. Cross-posted with permission. I know, I’m the last person in the industrialized world to see Avatar, but I waited for several reasons. First, I was under the impression that … Continue reading “Women in Science Fiction Week: ‘Avatar’: Only Slightly Less Imaginative Than a Bruce Springsteen Song”
Guest post written by Mychael Blinde. NSFW | Trigger warning for survivors of sexual assault Warning: Spoilers abound!! Splice explores gendered body horror at the locus of the womb, reveling in the horror of procreation. It touches on themes of bestiality, incest, and rape. It’s also a movie about being a mom. Though it received … Continue reading “Women in Science Fiction Week: ‘Splice’: Womb Horror and the Mother Scientist”
