Princess Leia: Feminist Icon or Sexist Trope?
Feminism / Films

Princess Leia: Feminist Icon or Sexist Trope?

Originally published at Bitch Flicks as part of their Women in Science Fiction Week. When I was a young girl, Star Wars was my favorite movie. I’ve watched it more times than any other film. Premiering in 1977, the same year I was born, the epic sci-fi space opera irrevocably changed the movie industry. Beyond … Continue reading

Feminism / Films

Will ‘Brave’s Warrior Princess Merida Usher In a New Kind of Role Model for Girls?

Originally published at Fem2pt0. I loved Brave. I literally did a happy dance the moment I heard Pixar would feature a female-centric film. Out of their 13 movies, Brave marks their first female protagonist. Pretty shameful. But hey, they finally got their act together and created a kick-ass heroine. But will Merida spark a new … Continue reading

Feminism / Films

‘Return’ Features a Story Rarely Seen in Film: A Female Soldier Struggling to Resume Her Life

Originally published at Bitch Flicks. When people discuss war, they often don’t take women or gender into account. While we regularly watch male soldiers on-screen, we almost never see war through women’s eyes. If women are in war films, they serve as wives and girlfriends. We see women supporting men, never soldiers themselves. That’s what … Continue reading

Feminism / Films

Bitch Flicks’ Motherhood in Film & Television Series: Is Terminator’s Sarah Connor an Allegory for Single Mothers?

Originally published at Bitch Flicks. Mothers are supposed to be everything to everyone. Sadly, society often stigmatizes, vilifies and demonizes single mothers. Single moms are blamed for “breeding more criminals.” Single parenthood is criminalized and “declared child abuse.” On top of that, “almost 70% of people believe single women raising children on their own is … Continue reading

Feminism / Films

‘The Avengers,’ Strong Female Characters and Failing the Bechdel Test

Originally published at Bitch Flicks and cross-posted at Fem2pt0. Smashing box office records, audiences have been swept up in The Avengers hullabaloo. Interesting and compelling, the epic superhero film based on the Marvel comics unites Black Widow, Captain America, Iron Man, Hawkeye, the Hulk and Thor “to form a team that must stop Thor’s brother … Continue reading

Feminism

Stop Asking, Where Are the Young Feminists? Because They’re Right Here!

Last Thursday, I watched Kathy, Kathy Griffin’s new weekly late night talk show on Bravo. The outspoken comedian, who supports abortion and LGBTQ rights, talked about how she attended the Feminist Majority Foundation and Ms. Anniversary Gala in which she honored her icon Gloria Steinem. While Griffin spoke, the print at the bottom of the … Continue reading

Feminism / Films

‘The Five-Year Engagement:’ Gender Roles Exploration & Lovable Actors Can’t Save Rom-Com’s Subtly Anti-Feminist Message

Originally published at Bitch Flicks. I’ve never planned a wedding and I’ve never been engaged. Yet I can relate to the The Five-Year Engagement’s premise. My dream is to move to NYC and become a writer. While my partner is incredibly supportive of me, he loathes NYC and has a life in Boston. So what … Continue reading