The radical notion that women like good movies
Written by MaxThornton. “I have made a resolution. … People should not be allowed to get away with things.” The Quiet Girls’ Guide to Violence poster Actually creating matter by naming it might be the prerogative of the gods, but there’s a certain generative power in naming even the most mundane things. When something is … Continue reading “‘The Quiet Girl’s Guide to Violence’: The Manic Pixie’s Perspective”
“Edge of America: Indigenous Communitism on the Hardwood” by Amanda Morris Based on the opening scenes, the viewer might assume that this story is about Kenny, but it is not. This movie ultimately focuses on community, defining one’s own identity, and the grounding strength of women… This film privileges the indigenous perspective from the start … Continue reading “Women in Sports Week: The Roundup”
This is a guest post by Marcela De Vivo. The history of sports films goes back as far as the history of the cinema itself, starting with Thomas Edison’s silent celebrations of strongmen and prizefighters to cerebral sports dramas like Moneyball. Given the second-class citizenship afforded to women’s sports, it’s no surprise that few of … Continue reading “Women in Sports Week: Documentaries That Inspire”
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Written by Erin Tatum. It looks like I’ll be taking the hipster side of things in Women in Sports Week with The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. Shadow hunting may not be considered a mainstream sport yet, but then again, most people said that it would be impossible to … Continue reading “‘The Mortal Instruments’: City of Mansplaining”
Movie poster for Edge of America This is a guest post by Amanda Morris. The opening images of Showtime’s movie, Edge of America, directed by Chris Ayre (Cheyenne/Arapaho), and inspired by a true story, are of a journey. A car drives through a peopleless desert landscape on an open and carless road. The driver, Kenny … Continue reading “Women in Sports Week: ‘Edge of America’: Indigenous Communitism on the Hardwood”
Lee Daniels’ The Butler Written by Erin Tatum. My experience going to see Lee Daniels’ The Butler made an impression on me even before the film started playing. I don’t think I have ever been to a movie where every single preview featured a protagonist of color. It reminded me just how whitewashed Hollywood is. … Continue reading “Black Masculinity in ‘Lee Daniels’ The Butler’”
We’re the Millers When I heard that We’re the Millers was a drug smuggling comedy with a fake family at its center, I knew I would have to check it out. Marijuana has become a trademark of arrested development for men in film, so I was excited to see a comedy that dealt with drug/petty … Continue reading “The Women of ‘We’re the Millers’: Brats and Strippers”
Written by Robin Hitchcock Orange is the New Black Orange is the New Black has more buzz than an apiary this summer, and with good reason: it’s funny, emotionally affecting, intensely watchable, and as a Netflix original series, suited to an immensely satisfying weekend binge-watch. But on top of all that, OitNB offers a lot … Continue reading “Bisexuality in ‘Orange is the New Black’”
Like the Water, DP: Eve M. Cohen, Dir. Caroline von Kuhn This is a guest post by Caroline von Kuhn. Artists in every discipline play out our personal neuroses in our work, but there are few outlets as indulgent a playground as film. My most pleasurable experience of a contemporary film in a theatre last … Continue reading “Like the Water”
In the House movie poster Written by Amanda Rodiguez Spoiler Alert Francois Ozon’s In the House (or Dans la Maison) is actually quite good. It’s an intelligent film with brilliantly portrayed, complex, interesting characters along with pathos and moments of poignant humor. The film is very aware of social class dynamics, showing the interplay of … Continue reading “‘In the House’: Promising Female Characters Disappoint”
Father of the Bride Values Relationships With Women by Mab Ryan Father of the Bride (1991) is aptly named, as its focus is not on the wedding itself or the couple involved but on the titular character’s neuroses and journey to maturity. The wedding is the backdrop and the incident that provokes growth in the … Continue reading “Wedding Week: The Roundup”
Princess Fiona This is a guest post by Megan Wright. When I first watched Shrek, I can’t really remember how I felt about Fiona, aside from the fact that I thought it was fantastic that she was fighting Robin Hood and his Merry Men. As the years passed, I bought the movie, and it was … Continue reading “Wedding Week: ‘Shrek’: Happily Ever After Gets a Green Makeover”
