Movie rant

[kellinator]

(apologies to those of you who have heard me say this already)

You've Got Mail is the only movie I've seen in a theater that I've almost walked out of. My mom wanted to see it. Gaaawsh did it suck. And as if you needed another reason besides the insipid dialogue, holey plot, celebration of Internet infidelity, and so on...

In the movie we have two female characters. Parker Posey's character is successful and independent. She's also a mega-bitch who ends up alone and unhappy. On the other hand, Meg Ryan's character is cutesy and incompetent. Her idea of getting tough is dancing around throwing shadow punches -- while at work. Oooooh yeah, that screams "take me seriously." But it's okay that she's a twit, because at the end Tom Hanks -- the same guy who destroyed the business that was her passion -- sweeps in to take care of her, having abandoned the grownup woman for this irritating woman-child.

Makes me want to scream...

Can anyone name some more feminist movies? Especially ones that show you can be a happy feminist.

Comments

[sophocles.livejournal.com]

If you keep making inteligent comments like this on Kelly's LJ I may be forced to ad you to my friends list.
Thank you! What is the point of Thelma and Louise? The go out and ROB a BANK! They're not heros. They're FELONS! Maybe it's my Right-wing anarchist bent showing but frankly they'd get thier just deserts if someone in the bank had shot one of them. I'm a fan of strong women. Ani kicks butt, and Ripley could take Rambo any day.

From a political stand point I don't think there is such a thing as a happy feminist- or anybody who describes themselves via an
-Ism. Too busy being angry most days of the week.

Standard Disclaimer: No animals were harmed during the distrubtion of this rant. The opinions of Mr. Riley in no way reflect anything.

-SIR

oh, I never said *I* liked the movie :)

[dslartoo.livejournal.com]

Friend of mine who found it "empowering" (yes, she's female) dragged me in to see it. I came out of it thinking pretty much the same thing both of you did. "What's the point? Where's the empowerment? Does anybody think they're actually GOOD role models?"

Just tossing it out as a "feminist" movie. P'raps I should have provided quote marks. :)

cheers,
Phil

Re: oh, I never said *I* liked the movie :)

[sophocles.livejournal.com]

Life is too short to watch BAD movies. Call it semi-professional pride but why on Earth would you recommend a movie you didn't like?

Read my list bellow and see if you agree.

Re: oh, I never said *I* liked the movie :)

[dslartoo.livejournal.com]

ah, but Kelly's inquiry didn't say "Recommend any feminist movies". She just said "Name feminist movies." :)

Mere semantics? P'raps. In any case, yes, I think the ones you listed are much much better (particularly Seventh Sign, which I saw a number of times in theaters).

cheers,
Phil

Re: oh, I never said *I* liked the movie :)

[lindsaygail.livejournal.com]

Has anyone ever heard a non-female use the word "empowering" ? I haven't.

Re: oh, I never said *I* liked the movie :)

[dslartoo.livejournal.com]

I've heard it used in company meetings a few times (along with other fun buzzwords such as "leveraging" and "solutions"). I'd just as soon it stayed dead. :)

cheers,
Phil

Re: oh, I never said *I* liked the movie :)

[technomom]

Yep. My sambear has used it without a blush. We hear it a lot in our UU congregation from males and females and pagan crowds.

Re: oh, I never said *I* liked the movie :)

[fourtines.livejournal.com]

Yes. All the time. Black men use it. Pagans use it. New age/self help types use it.

Empowerment

[sophocles.livejournal.com]

Empowerment is a word used by the so-called powerless who have a vested interest in remaining to appear powerless. It is word used by victems, and the "oppressed."

It is bogus meaningless expression designed to elicite emotion rather than thought.

BTW I love that icon.

Re: Empowerment

[lindsaygail.livejournal.com]

thank-you (I think that was directed to me?)

Re: Empowerment

[sophocles.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was a response to your post afterall.