Hey all,
For the time being, I'm going to just enjoy watching movies. I never get around to reviewing them, and I love them so much I never want it to become a chore. If you see a good one and want to chat about the portrayal of women in the, call me!
Brady
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
If I Were a Boy
I absolutely love this song, and I think the video is fascinating. It's not perfect (preeeettttyyyy sure it's partly an excuse to put Beyoncé in a sexy police officer uniform), but it for sure makes me think.
Not gender related, but I really hate the dialogue before and during the video. I think the song stands for itself - doesn't need to be interrupted.
Not gender related, but I really hate the dialogue before and during the video. I think the song stands for itself - doesn't need to be interrupted.
Beyonce - If I Were A Boy (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: If I Were a Boy, Beyonce
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
"Dangerous" Heroines
Again, thanks to my wonderful friend Sarah, I have a couple of good articles to post.
First read this.
And then this.
And maybe then this.
Or just read this quote that sums up both the story and my reaction:
A piece in the Denver Post [suggests that] it might be dangerous to provide young girls with misleading images of women in action movies who are too capable of defending themselves physically. Because, you see, men as a rule are apparently perfectly capable of the physical feats performed by men in action movies. [Hold for massive eye-roll.]
First read this.
And then this.
And maybe then this.
Or just read this quote that sums up both the story and my reaction:
A piece in the Denver Post [suggests that] it might be dangerous to provide young girls with misleading images of women in action movies who are too capable of defending themselves physically. Because, you see, men as a rule are apparently perfectly capable of the physical feats performed by men in action movies. [Hold for massive eye-roll.]
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Inception
I. loved. this. movie.
But, gender wise, it was disappointing. There's one cool heroine (Ariadne, played by Ellen Page) and a great villainess (Mal, played by Marion Cotillard) but it absolutely does not pass the Bechdel test. I thought for a minute it would, barely. There are exactly two named female characters, and they have exactly one conversation. But it's about guys.
What I don't get is - there are like a zillion (okay - more like 5?) supporting characters in the core cast with all kinds of cool jobs. Could we make 1 a female? Or maybe even 2? Or maybe even half? I know we can't do more than half, because then everybody would call the film a chick flick regardless of the actual content or subject matter of the film. Because only women would go and see a movie that has women in it. Duh.
Oh, and one other thing. I really like Christopher Nolan films, but I feel like he keeps doing the same thing. A male protagonist pining after a dead wife wrestles with psychological issues, and then the movie ends ambiguously. I used to think Nolan was super creative, but now I'm starting to wonder if he had one good idea that he keeps repeating.
Okay, I'm sounding grouchy. I really did love this movie, I promise.
But, gender wise, it was disappointing. There's one cool heroine (Ariadne, played by Ellen Page) and a great villainess (Mal, played by Marion Cotillard) but it absolutely does not pass the Bechdel test. I thought for a minute it would, barely. There are exactly two named female characters, and they have exactly one conversation. But it's about guys.
What I don't get is - there are like a zillion (okay - more like 5?) supporting characters in the core cast with all kinds of cool jobs. Could we make 1 a female? Or maybe even 2? Or maybe even half? I know we can't do more than half, because then everybody would call the film a chick flick regardless of the actual content or subject matter of the film. Because only women would go and see a movie that has women in it. Duh.
Oh, and one other thing. I really like Christopher Nolan films, but I feel like he keeps doing the same thing. A male protagonist pining after a dead wife wrestles with psychological issues, and then the movie ends ambiguously. I used to think Nolan was super creative, but now I'm starting to wonder if he had one good idea that he keeps repeating.
Okay, I'm sounding grouchy. I really did love this movie, I promise.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Women Authors
All the Sad Young Literary Women
I love the link above, especially the author's positive, can-do attitude at the end and his encouragement to read a variety of literature not only because it's fair but also because it's awesome!
I love the link above, especially the author's positive, can-do attitude at the end and his encouragement to read a variety of literature not only because it's fair but also because it's awesome!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Alice in Wonderland
Fabulous! What a cool movie for girls. And boys. And men and women, for that matter. I have no complaints or concerns whatsoever. Here are some gender-related thoughts I had:
- The trouble everyone has dealing with Alice's ever-varying size was interesting. She is always too big or too small. I have no idea if the film meant for that concern to be a commentary on expectations for the female appearance, but I thought it was a compelling theme. Would they be so concerned about a boy being the wrong size (particularly too BIG?) I don't know, but maybe not.
- The White Queen is a wonderful character. She is sweet and good, but just enough over the top that it goes from a stereotype to a gentle parody of a kindly princess.
- I don't care what the rest of the world says about gender not mattering, it IS easier for me to look to a brave protagonist as a role model if she's a female. Particularly, I noticed, if she's a female around my age.
- There was a lot of talk about thinking impossible thoughts. In fact, Alice needed to think these impossible thoughts in order to break free of her social obligations outside of "Underland." The film stopped just short, I think, of making Alice's turn from marriage to business too easy. The idea of dreaming impossible dreams allowed them to acknowledge just how difficult it would be for a Victorian era young woman to do what Alice does.
- This is another film where a particularly cool female character sees her dad as a role model more than she does her mother. I'd love to see a movie someday where a girl looks to her badass mom to set an example.
That's all. See this movie. You'll love it.
- The trouble everyone has dealing with Alice's ever-varying size was interesting. She is always too big or too small. I have no idea if the film meant for that concern to be a commentary on expectations for the female appearance, but I thought it was a compelling theme. Would they be so concerned about a boy being the wrong size (particularly too BIG?) I don't know, but maybe not.
- The White Queen is a wonderful character. She is sweet and good, but just enough over the top that it goes from a stereotype to a gentle parody of a kindly princess.
- I don't care what the rest of the world says about gender not mattering, it IS easier for me to look to a brave protagonist as a role model if she's a female. Particularly, I noticed, if she's a female around my age.
- There was a lot of talk about thinking impossible thoughts. In fact, Alice needed to think these impossible thoughts in order to break free of her social obligations outside of "Underland." The film stopped just short, I think, of making Alice's turn from marriage to business too easy. The idea of dreaming impossible dreams allowed them to acknowledge just how difficult it would be for a Victorian era young woman to do what Alice does.
- This is another film where a particularly cool female character sees her dad as a role model more than she does her mother. I'd love to see a movie someday where a girl looks to her badass mom to set an example.
That's all. See this movie. You'll love it.
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