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Motherhood in Film and Television: Mothers of Anarchy: Power and Control in the Feminine Sphere

This is a guest review by Leigh Kolb. The ancient idea that men and women inhabit different spheres based on their biological makeup is rooted deeply in Western culture. In the Nineteenth Century, however, when the Victorian era dictated behavior and the Industrial Revolution changed work, scientists and civilians defined and embraced this idea of … Continue reading “Motherhood in Film and Television: Mothers of Anarchy: Power and Control in the Feminine Sphere”

Motherhood in Film and Television: Nine Months Forward, Three Centuries Back

Julianne Moore and Hugh Grant in the film Nine Months This is a guest review by Tyler Adams. Male Pregnancy Nine Months, contrary to all expectations, is not about pregnancy. It’s about a man coping with a pregnancy. Yes. Here’s a film whose subject absolutely and biologically requires a woman – and it’s still about … Continue reading “Motherhood in Film and Television: Nine Months Forward, Three Centuries Back”

Guest Writer Wednesday: The Avengers: Are We Exporting Media Sexism or Importing It?

The Avengers movie poster This is a guest review by Soraya Chemaly and is posted with permission.  The Avengers opened last week and, shattering records, far outpaced all other Cineplex offerings nationally. The movie grossed more than $200 million over the weekend (compared with The Hunger Games $8 millon weekend receipts and seven week total … Continue reading “Guest Writer Wednesday: The Avengers: Are We Exporting Media Sexism or Importing It?”

Women-Centric Films Opening Friday, May 18

I’m happy to report that this Friday several women-centered films are opening in theaters, some in limited release. While I doubt these films will all be fabulous feminist explorations of gender constructs that also depict women’s actual real-life experiences–and some of them might even be anti-feminist (I don’t necessarily have high hopes for What to … Continue reading “Women-Centric Films Opening Friday, May 18”

Guest Writer Wednesday: Disney: The Little Mermaid

This piece by Ana Mardoll is cross-posted with permission from her site Ana Mardoll’s Ramblings. 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 “Guest Writer Wednesday: Disney: The Little Mermaid”

Bully: Documentary Review

Bully (2011) This piece is from Monthly Contributor Carrie Nelson. Growing up, I was never one of the “cool” kids. Far from it – I had a few close friends, but I also spent a lot of time by myself, reading and writing and daydreaming about movies I wanted to make someday. I also never … Continue reading “Bully: Documentary Review”

Reproduction & Abortion Week: The Roundup

We had a great response to our Reproduction and Abortion series here at Bitch Flicks, and want to thank everyone who wrote a piece for us. Here they all are. The Dancer’s Dilemma by Myrna Waldron Dirty Dancing I was less than a year old when Dirty Dancing came out. It is known for the … Continue reading “Reproduction & Abortion Week: The Roundup”

Reproduction & Abortion Week: ‘Roseanne’s’ Discussion of Abortion Nearly Twenty-Five Years Ago Highlights the Current Feminist Backlash

The cast of Roseanne I grew up watching Roseanne. The show first aired in 1988—when I was ten years old—and it ended after 9 seasons, around the time I graduated high school. The fact that the show now appears in reruns on various television stations, during all hours of the day and night, often makes … Continue reading “Reproduction & Abortion Week: ‘Roseanne’s’ Discussion of Abortion Nearly Twenty-Five Years Ago Highlights the Current Feminist Backlash”

Reproduction & Abortion Week: Fingernails and Shmushmorshmins: Abortion and Privilege in ‘Knocked Up,’ ‘Juno,’ and ‘4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days’

This is a guest review by Tom Houseman. As abortion has become more accepted and less taboo in mainstream America—despite Republican lawmakers doing everything they can to appeal Roe v. Wade—films about pregnancies have had difficulty depicting its characters talking about or even considering abortion. If the movie is about pregnancy, and the journey that … Continue reading “Reproduction & Abortion Week: Fingernails and Shmushmorshmins: Abortion and Privilege in ‘Knocked Up,’ ‘Juno,’ and ‘4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days’”

Reproduction & Abortion Week: ‘Where Are My Children?’

This is a guest post by Erik Bondurant. Long before established reproductive rights, including the right to contraception and abortions, were being challenged, there was a long battle to earn these rights in the first place. Half a century before Griswold v. Connecticut would mark a real turning point for reproductive rights, director Lois Weber … Continue reading “Reproduction & Abortion Week: ‘Where Are My Children?’”

Reproduction & Abortion Week: Procreation at the End of Civilization: Reproductive Rights on ‘Battlestar Galactica’

The cast of Battlestar Galactica This is a guest review by Leigh Kolb.  “All of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again.” The opening credits of each episode of Battlestar Galactica, which aired from 2004 – 2009, set the premise for the plot: “The Cylons were created by man. They evolved. … Continue reading “Reproduction & Abortion Week: Procreation at the End of Civilization: Reproductive Rights on ‘Battlestar Galactica’”

‘The Walking Dead’ and Gender: Why I’m Skeptical the Addition of Badass Michonne Will Change the TV Series’ Sexism

(L): The Walking Dead screenshot of Michonne; (R): Danai Gurira, actor who will portray Michonne Warning: if you haven’t seen Seasons 1 and 2 of The Walking Dead, there are spoilers ahead. Have you ever dated someone because of their potential rather than what she/he/ze brings to the table? Or is that just me?? Well, … Continue reading “‘The Walking Dead’ and Gender: Why I’m Skeptical the Addition of Badass Michonne Will Change the TV Series’ Sexism”