Search Results for: zombie

Horror Week 2012: That "Crazy Bitch": Women and Mental Illness Tropes in Horror

Vivien (Connie Britton) in American Horror Story Ladies, how many times have you been called a “crazy bitch?” Once? Twice? 5 thousand times?? Or is that just me? This oh-so-not-lovely term of endearment gets tossed around waaaaayy too often. It’s bad enough when we get labeled the sexist term “bitch” — and it’s very different … Continue reading “Horror Week 2012: That "Crazy Bitch": Women and Mental Illness Tropes in Horror”

Horror Week 2012: Gender Roles in ‘The Cabin in the Woods’

The Cabin in the Woods [This article was originally posted at The Funny Feminist.] A few months ago, the Joss Whedon-directed The Avengers was released, and there was much rejoicing. Fans seemed pleased. I saw it and enjoyed it, but I’m more obsessed with the OTHER Joss Whedon-directed film that came out this year. I loved … Continue reading “Horror Week 2012: Gender Roles in ‘The Cabin in the Woods’”

Horror Week 2012: Gender Roles in ‘The Cabin in the Woods’

The Cabin in the Woods A few months ago, the Joss Whedon-directed The Avengers was released, and there was much rejoicing. Fans seemed pleased. I saw it and enjoyed it, but I’m more obsessed with the OTHER Joss Whedon-directed film that came out this year. I loved The Cabin in the Woods and there are … Continue reading “Horror Week 2012: Gender Roles in ‘The Cabin in the Woods’”

The Terror of Little Girls: Social Anxiety About Women in Horrifying Girlhood

Horror films have a long-standing tradition of commenting on the social fears and anxieties of their time. Another universally recognized truth of horror is that scary children are terrifying–especially little girls. While an analysis of “creepy children” in horror films usually proclaims that they are providing commentary on a loss of innocence, and it would … Continue reading “The Terror of Little Girls: Social Anxiety About Women in Horrifying Girlhood”

Horror Week 2012: ‘The Walking Dead’ and Gender: Why I’m Skeptical the Addition of Badass Michonne Will Change the TV Series’ Sexism

This piece by Megan Kearns previously appeared at Bitch Flicks on April 10, 2012.  Michonne (Danai Gurira) in The Walking Dead 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? … Continue reading “Horror Week 2012: ‘The Walking Dead’ and Gender: Why I’m Skeptical the Addition of Badass Michonne Will Change the TV Series’ Sexism”

Horror Week 2012: 7 Great Heroines from Scary Movies

Guest post written by Candice Frederick. Originally published at Reel Talk. Cross-posted with permission. Continuing our festive Halloween coverage, we bring you a list of our favorite female heroes from scary movies. Whether they’re your favorite characters are not, you have to give them props for not dying (right away, at least). Check it out: … Continue reading “Horror Week 2012: 7 Great Heroines from Scary Movies”

Horror Week 2012: ‘Absentia’ Showcases Terror, Strong Female Characters and Sisterhood

Guest post written by Deirdre Crimmins. Though I like explosions and interesting methods of execution as much as any other horror fan, it is always great characterization and relationships that make a horror film great. Actually, great characters and their relationships are what help make any film great, but often they are an afterthought in … Continue reading “Horror Week 2012: ‘Absentia’ Showcases Terror, Strong Female Characters and Sisterhood”

Women and Gender in Musicals Week: ‘Singin’ In the Rain’

This is a guest review by Deirdre Crimmins.   Singin’ In The Rain (dir. Stanley Donan & Gene Kelly) Though my first love in cinema will always be horror films, I have such an affection for musicals. The glitzy costumes. The aggressively perky and optimistic characters. The song and dance that always seems spontaneous, and from … Continue reading “Women and Gender in Musicals Week: ‘Singin’ In the Rain’”

The Resident Evil Series Proves The Bechdel Test Does Not Measure Quality

Resident Evil DVD Cover Feminist film discussion so often turns to the Bechdel Test—for the uninitiated, it asks if 1) a movie has more than one female character 2) if two female characters have a conversation 3) if that conversation is about something other than a man—that it is easy to forget the test is … Continue reading “The Resident Evil Series Proves The Bechdel Test Does Not Measure Quality”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Week: Xander Harris: Hyena Boy

Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon) in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Guest post written by Monika Bartyzel originally published at The Hooded Utilitarian. Cross-posted with permission. As soon as Buffy hit television on March 10, 1997, Joss Whedon became the poster boy for geek feminism. Raised by a radical feminist, he always merged his creativity with gender … Continue reading “Buffy the Vampire Slayer Week: Xander Harris: Hyena Boy”

‘Red Dawn’: How Not Crying Will Defeat Communism

Wolverines! In Hollywood action flicks, hypermasculinity is a key tool for survival. The folks who have zombie-apocalypse bunkers and piles of military-grade weapons last longer – if they never cry. It’s reinforced in Red Dawn, the 1984 movie starring Patrick Swayze and directed by John Milius. Milius’s Red Dawn adoringly plays with the premise of … Continue reading “‘Red Dawn’: How Not Crying Will Defeat Communism”

Quote of the Day: Emma Stone Points Out Sexist Double Standards in Media

Emma Stone in Teen Vogue, August 2012; photographed by Josh Olins It’s no surprise sexism permeates the media. Women are constantly judged and praised for their beauty and appearance. Not their merit, intellect or accomplishments. This incessant importance on women’s appearances over their talent reduces us to objects.  As I perused my Pinterest feed last … Continue reading “Quote of the Day: Emma Stone Points Out Sexist Double Standards in Media”