The radical notion that women like good movies
Rory and Lorelai Gilmore are the Gilmore Girls This is a guest post from Friederike Wunschik The two main characters of Gilmore Girls are a mother-daughter pair: Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. There are two things the viewer is told almost instantly: they are only 16 years apart and actually have the same first name (though the … Continue reading “Motherhood in Film & Television: Being a Good Mother in ‘Gilmore Girls’”
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”
Written by Megan Kearns. After media speculation over her allegedly “puffy face” caused a “viral media frenzy,” actor Ashley Judd decided to speak out against the media’s misogynistic accusations. Beyond her career as an actor, Judd is a humanitarian and philanthropist, a global ambassador for YouthAIDS and a Harvard graduate. The feminist activist — who … Continue reading “Quote of the Day: Actor Ashley Judd Takes on Bodysnarking Media”
This piece on Persepolis, by Amber Leab, first appeared at Bitch Flicks on July 1, 2009. Marjane can’t hide behind ABBA In Persepolis, we meet Marjane (Satrapi), a young girl living in Iran at the time of the Islamic revolution of 1979. The society changed drastically under Islamic law, as evidenced by Marjane’s teacher’s evolving … Continue reading “Biopic and Documentary Week: Persepolis”
This piece on American Violet, by Amber Leab, originally appeared at Bitch Flicks on April 5, 2010. American Violet (2008) American Violet tells the true story of an African-American mother of four girls arrested and falsely accused of selling crack cocaine. Set in a fictional Texas town with the 2000 presidential election as a fitting … Continue reading “Biopic and Documentary Week: American Violet”
(L-R): ‘Pariah’ Producer Nekisa Cooper & Writer/Director Dee Rees, winning John Cassavetes Award So I groaned the moment I discovered Seth Rogen was hosting the Independent Spirit Awards, which aired last Saturday night on IFC. I mean, after his shitshow appearance at the Golden Globes, making that sexual harassment comment to Kate Beckinsale on-stage, I’m … Continue reading “Women & Gender at the 2012 Indie Spirit Awards”
The Indie Spirit Awards air this Saturday night on IFC. A big thanks to all who contributed reviews of the Indie Spirit nominees. Best Feature: The Descendants reviewed by Stephanie Brown The Artist reviewed by Candice Frederick Take Shelter reviewed by Carrie Nelson Drive reviewed by Leigh Kolb Beginners reviewed by Megan Ryland 50/50 reviewed by Josh … Continue reading “2012 Indie Spirit Nominations Roundup”
The Good Patriarch: The Descendants, directed by Alexander Payne This is a guest post from Stephanie Brown. The Descendants is a movie about patriarchy, about husbandry and fatherhood as verb and action rather than noun and abstraction, about stewardship and responsibility. It implies that being a responsible and engaged and aware man is the key … Continue reading “The Descendants: Oscar Best Picture and Indie Spirit Best Feature Nominee”
Of the Best Actress nominations at the Oscars this year, two stand apart from the rest. Not because of the skill of the actresses, but because they depict real-life figures. Through these portrayals much can be learned about the ways women are represented on screen: The Iron Lady starring Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher, and … Continue reading “Best Actress Oscar Nominees: Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams”
Last week, we put out a call for writers to submit reviews and character analyses of both the Independent Spirit and Oscar nominees in the best picture and acting categories. We’ve gotten a wonderful response, so I want to give up an update on what’s left. All submissions must be received no later than Friday, … Continue reading “Call for Writers — UPDATE!”
2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards Although the Spirit Award nominees were announced some time ago, we haven’t covered them until now. And, since the Academy Awards air the day after the Spirit Awards, I always think of the two in tandem. If the Golden Globes (and the Oscar buzz) are any indication, however, it looks … Continue reading “2012 Independent Spirit Award Nominees”
Back in April of last year, Stephanie Rogers took issue with the way women are discussed in Total Film‘s selection of the “best” movie posters. Not only are women rarely present in the posters, but when they are featured…well, we’ll let you read what she had to say. Here’s #7 of 2011. _______ Look, it’s … Continue reading “Top 10 of 2011: Seriously? These Are the 40 Greatest Movie Posters?”
