The Women of ‘Man of Steel’ and the Toxicity of Hyper-Masculinity
Feminism / Film, Media & TV / Films

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
Feminism / Film, Media & TV / Films

‘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
Feminism / Film, Media & TV / Films

‘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
Feminism / Film, Media & TV / Films

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

My Top 6 Favorite Female Empowerment Songs in Musicals
Feminism / Films

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’
Feminism / Films

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