The best part of Gravity? Sandra Bullock’s role offers us a different kind of female film hero. Not all women leads need to kick ass in order to be strong or complex. We need to see the stories of intelligent, quiet, reserved, vulnerable women too. Continue reading
Category Archives: Films
Vote for My SXSW Panel! Diversity in Film Criticism
Think gender and racial diversity in film and film criticism is important? If so, please vote for my SXSW Panel! Continue reading
Am I the Only Feminist Who Didn’t Really Like ‘The Heat?’ Or Why I Want My Humor Intersectional
It may have been women-centric with two charismatic and funny leads, but with its continual racism, ableism and transphobia, I just couldn’t like it. Continue reading
The Women of ‘Man of Steel’ and the Toxicity of Hyper-Masculinity
I initially thought this would be an annoyingly bro-tastic film with guidance and support strictly coming from the men in Superman’s life. But women play an equal role (although sadly their lives revolve around men), the importance of both femininity and masculinity is stressed and the film attempts to deconstruct hyper-masculinity. Continue reading
Does Uhura’s Empowerment Negate Sexism in ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’?
Yes, Uhura rocks. And yes, she asserts her agency. But no matter how opinionated, smart and fabulous she is, the gains made by Uhura begin to erode when you factor in the incessant sexism swarming around. Continue reading
Is Pepper Potts No Longer the “Damsel in Distress” in ‘Iron Man 3’?
In ‘Iron Man 3,’ has Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) evolved past the “damsel in distress?” Is she now an empowered badass? Continue reading
‘Middle of Nowhere’: A Complicated, Transformational & Feminist Love Story
Originally published at Bitch Flicks as part of Women and Color in Film and TV Week. I often talk about how I want to see more female-fronted films, created by female filmmakers, including women of color on-screen and behind the camera. I want complex, strong, intelligent, resilient, vulnerable, flawed women characters. I want more realistic … Continue reading
‘Yelling to the Sky’: Gender, Race and a Girl Struggling to Survive Her Chaotic Homelife
Originally published at Bitch Flicks as part of Women of Color in Film and TV Week. Yelling to the Sky struck a visceral chord with me. I related to it in a way I often don’t with films. I’m not a biracial woman growing up impoverished, who turns to selling drugs as a means of … Continue reading
Feminism and the Oscars: Do the 2013 Best Picture Nominees Pass the Bechdel Test?
Are the Academy Awards sexist? How feminist are this year’s Best Picture nominees? Do they pass the Bechdel Test? Here’s why looking at gender and feminism in Oscar-nominated films matters. Continue reading
2013 Athena Film Festival: Films on Women & Leadership
Excerpts of this post originally published at Bitch Flicks. I’m super excited by the 3rd annual Athena Film Festival! I’ve attended each year (you know The Opinioness loves feminist films!) watching fearless and inspirational women on-screen and listening to brave and bold filmmakers. The festival features narrative films, documentaries, short films along with panels and … Continue reading