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
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
Originally published at Bitch Flicks. It’s no surprise sexism permeates the media. Women are constantly judged and praised for their beauty and appearance. Not their merit, intellect or accomplishments. This incessant importance on women’s appearances over their talent reduces us to objects. As I perused my Pinterest feed last week, I came across a picture … Continue reading
Originally published at Bitch Flicks. In an interview with NPR’s All Things Considered, director and actor Sarah Polley spoke about her new film Take This Waltz. She also discussed how we need more female directors and the unique perspective they can bestow on female characters. One of our awesome readers, Her Film’s Kyna Morgan, alerted … Continue reading
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
Originally published at Bitch Flicks. Romantic comedies usually make me want to gouge my eyes out. Now, that doesn’t mean I hate them all. Some of my favorite films are rom-coms. But every now and again, one comes along that entertains rather than enrages me. Following in the footsteps of female-fronted comedies Bridesmaids, Young Adult … Continue reading
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
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
Responding to my post analyzing The Avengers, feminism and failing the Bechdel Test, someone on Bitch Flicks’ Facebook page recently asked why the Bechdel Test should even be applied to The Avengers: “This film had three female characters…that talked at all. Why would the Bechdel Test be applied to this movie? It’s a movie about … Continue reading
Originally published at Bitch Flicks. When I was growing up, I never felt like a child. With her continuous string of bad boyfriends, I always felt like I was the one taking care of my single mother and myself. I couldn’t wait to leave home and start a new life. So I can relate to … Continue reading
The Opinioness 