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
Tag Archives: film
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
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
‘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
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
‘Les Miserables,’ Sex Work & Fantine as a Symbol for Women’s Oppression
Some have questioned whether or not ‘Les Miserables’ is a feminist film, thinking it sidelines the female characters. But that ignores its feminist depictions of sex trafficking, women in poverty and single motherhood. Continue reading
Does ‘Argo’ Suffer from a Woman Problem and Iranian Stereotypes?
Originally published at Bitch Flicks. When I saw Argo in the theatre, I wasn’t really expecting to have a whole lot to say regarding gender in the film. In the majority of the trailer, all you see is men, men, brief glimpse of the women, and more men. Did Argo reaffirm my fears of making … Continue reading
My Top 6 Favorite Female Empowerment Songs in Musicals
Originally published at Bitch Flicks as part of their “Women and Gender in Musicals” Theme Week. After reading Lady T’s fabulous post on “I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar…ish,” aka songs that appear to empower women but really just signal faux feminism, I started thinking about actual feminist songs of female empowerment. Let me tell … Continue reading
Female Friendship, Madonna/Whore Stereotypes and Rape Culture in ‘West Side Story’
Originally published at Bitch Flicks as part of their “Women and Gender in Musicals” Theme Week. [Trigger warning for rape] | Spoilers ahead West Side Story is one of my absolute favorite musicals. I adore the catchy lyrics, the breathtakingly exquisite choreography and cinematography, the heartbreaking love story. A modern Romeo and Juliet taking place … Continue reading