Originally published at Bitch Flicks. When I was young, my mom raised me on classic films: Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, The Great Escape, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I fondly remember watching Elizabeth Taylor on-screen. Hollywood royalty, we often think of her arresting beauty, numerous marriages, struggle with alcohol, philanthropy and perfume commercials. It’s easy to … Continue reading
Category Archives: Films
Guest Post: So This Feminist Walks Into a Bar: On Feminism and Humor
Written by Christina Black. Originally published at Fem2pt0. Reprinted with permission. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the role of humor in feminism – and feminism’s role in the face of offensive humor. Rebecca Traister made an interesting point in Big Girls Don’t Cry, her book chronicling the 2008 election and specifically, Hillary Clinton. Traister … Continue reading
Even Angels Fall: ‘Something Borrowed’ Reduces Women to Stereotypes of Good Girls & Bad Girls
Originally published at Bitch Flicks. I’m usually no fan of chick flicks romantic comedies or chick lit women’s commercial fiction (god I hate the infantilizing term “chick”). While I enjoy romance, I cringe over the vapid dialogue, shallow characters, the reinforcing of stereotypical gender roles, the obsession over men, getting married and finding The One. … Continue reading
Guest Post: On Rape, the Media, and the New York Times Clusterfuck
Written by Stephanie Rogers. Originally published at Bitch Flicks. Reprinted with permission. On Tuesday, March 8, the New York Times published an article by James C. McKinley Jr. titled, “Vicious Assault Shakes Texas Town.” Eighteen men held down an 11-year-old girl and repeatedly raped her in an abandoned trailer while recording the rape with cell … Continue reading
Snow White Meets The Terminator: ‘Hanna’ is a Modern-Day Fairy Tale Featuring a Fearless Female Assassin
Once upon a time, I anxiously awaited to see the film Hanna. I’ve been eager to see it ever since I read about it at Women and Hollywood almost a year ago. I’m often excited to watch movies featuring women and girls due to the dearth of female characters depicted in films. But my feminist radar … Continue reading
Valley of the Dolls: The Faux Feminism of ‘Sucker Punch’ Turns Women into Fighting Fuck Toys
Once again, I fell for the siren song of a Zack Snyder movie. He lured me with a provocative, eye-catching trailer, all with the hopes of a great film; this time, a potentially feminist film! But just as in times past, as he did with 300 and Watchmen, he let me down. Perhaps that’s what … Continue reading
As the World Turns: Lack of Women Filmmakers Often Leads to Female Film Characters Revolving Around Men
Think of some of your favorite films. Now envision the plot and the characters. Is there a female character? Are there more than one? And if so, do they talk to one another? You might be saying why is The Opinioness asking this…of course there are movies with women talking to each other! But it … Continue reading
Roll Out the Red Carpet: It’s Time for The Feminist Oscars!
As I’ve shared with you all before, I’m absolutely addicted to awards show. As the film fanatic that I am, I of course tuned in for The Opinioness’ Super Bowl aka The Oscars. But as I watched, I was dismayed and frustrated. Yes, my Natalie Portman won (Harvard-educated, a champion of micro-credit AND a vegan…LOVE … Continue reading
Best Picture Nominee Post at Bitch Flicks: The Kids Are All Right
This excerpt is from a post written by The Opinioness, originally published at Bitch Flicks as part of their “Best Picture Nominee Review Series.” I was so excited to see The Kids Are All Right. I mean a film with not one, but two amazing female leads as well as a family headed by lesbian … Continue reading
Something Wicked This Way Comes: Spellbinding Helen Mirren Can’t Save the Film ‘The Tempest’ From Sinking
Like many on the planet, I adore Helen Mirren. I mean c’mon the lady kicks ass! I’ve loved her ever since I watched her in the film 2010 in which she played an astronaut captain. She was so strong and decisive. I get the sense from the roles she selects to her answers in interviews, … Continue reading
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