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Animated Children’s Films: Despite an Intelligent Heroine, Sexism Taints Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’

This guest review by Megan Kearns appears as part of our theme week on Animated Children’s Films. An intelligent, strong-willed, female protagonist. Who reads books. And seeks adventure. With a heroine like Belle, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, must be a feminist-minded film. Right?? At first, I thought so too. But appearances can be deceiving… Hailed … Continue reading “Animated Children’s Films: Despite an Intelligent Heroine, Sexism Taints Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’”

Animated Children’s Films: The Tale of Despereaux

This is a guest review by Robert Poteete. Out the gate, this movie shows a lot of promise with great animated sequences. There were plenty of visually interesting scenes, such as a giant soup-making Rube Goldberg machine, and an advisor spirit composed of vegetables. The movie also features a rat protagonist who breaks the stereotype … Continue reading “Animated Children’s Films: The Tale of Despereaux”

Sunday Recap

It was a short week due to the holiday, but here’s a recap of last week’s posts. Don’t miss the Animated Children’s Films series, which begins tomorrow (Monday)! Fire: Part One of Deepa Mehta’s Elements Trilogy  The controversy surrounding the film may have superseded the film itself–which is beautifully shot, heartbreaking, and even darkly comedic … Continue reading “Sunday Recap”

‘Fire’: Part One of Deepa Mehta’s ‘Elements Trilogy’

Fire (1996) Fire is the first film in Deepa Mehta’s Elements Trilogy (Earth and Water follow). Made in 1996, it focuses on a middle-class family in present-day (funny how I still think of the 1990s as “present day,” despite the global changes of the past fifteen years) India. The film centers around two married couples–Ashok … Continue reading “‘Fire’: Part One of Deepa Mehta’s ‘Elements Trilogy’”

On Entertainment Weekly’s "42 Unforgettable Nude Scenes"

This morning I found myself reading old NYT news-alert emails, surfing Facebook, and, finally, browsing a slideshow from Entertainment Weekly called “Bodies of Work: 42 Unforgettable Nude Scenes” which was published earlier this month. (It was a productive morning, see?) We talk a lot at Bitch Flicks about female bodies in films (and especially in film marketing, … Continue reading “On Entertainment Weekly’s "42 Unforgettable Nude Scenes"”

Why Facebook’s "Occupy a Vagina" Event Is Not Okay

Last week, a Change.org petition urged Facebook to remove pages that promote sexual violence. Some of the offending pages included, “Kicking Sluts in the Vagina,” and “Riding your Girlfriend softly Cause you dont want to wake her up.” The following passage from the petition explains the overall goal: First, Facebook needs to clarify that pages … Continue reading “Why Facebook’s "Occupy a Vagina" Event Is Not Okay”

Guest Writer Wednesday: Where Do We Go Now?

Arabic movie poster for Where Do We Go Now? This is a guest post by Kyna Morgan. Nadine Labaki is a pretty big deal. Following up her directorial debut, the 2007 film Caramel (which she also wrote and starred in), she brought her sophomore directorial effort, Where Do We Go Now? back to the Toronto … Continue reading “Guest Writer Wednesday: Where Do We Go Now?”

The Madwoman’s Journey from the Attic into the Television – The Female Gothic Novel and its Influence on Modern Horror Films

The Mysteries of Udolpho, the first female gothic novel This guest post is written by Sobia. The very words “Gothic heroine” immediately conjure up a wealth of images for the modern reader: a young, attractive woman (virginity required) running in terror through an old, dark, crumbling mansion in the middle of nowhere, from either a psychotic man … Continue reading “The Madwoman’s Journey from the Attic into the Television – The Female Gothic Novel and its Influence on Modern Horror Films”

It’s Ada Lovelace Day!

portrait of Ada Lovelace In honor of the day, I watched the only movie I could find about her (or featuring her): Conceiving Ada. Before I talk about the movie, first some basic information on Ada Lovelace Day, founded to celebrate Augusta Ada Byron King, Countess of Lovelace (AKA Ada Lovelace). Who is Ada Lovelace? … Continue reading “It’s Ada Lovelace Day!”

Fall Television Preview: The Answer Is No

No. People have made a big deal out of the new Fall television shows because many of these new shows star women, either as leads or in ensemble casts. Some shows have yet to premiere, while others, like Whitney, 2 Broke Girls, and New Girl already debuted in early September. But, get this: I don’t … Continue reading “Fall Television Preview: The Answer Is No”

Quote of the Day: Barbara J. Berg

Visit Barbara J. Berg’s Web site for more information. Yesterday, I wrote a piece analyzing two misogyny-filled reviews of I Don’t Know How She Does It. The process got me thinking quite a bit about the ways in which reputable movie critics choose to evaluate films, particularly woman-centered films. Most critics loved Bridesmaids, but that … Continue reading “Quote of the Day: Barbara J. Berg”

I Don’t Know How She Does It: Most Misogynistic Film Reviews Ever

  I Don’t Know How She Does It, starring Sarah Jessica Parker I have no doubt that the recently released romantic comedy I Don’t Know How She Does It, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, reeks of the same sexist and misogynistic tropes that exist in most romantic comedies. However, the film probably at least attempts to … Continue reading “I Don’t Know How She Does It: Most Misogynistic Film Reviews Ever”