They call her a man-eater, a super groupie, a whore. These words don’t apply anymore – Marianne Faithfull has mellowed.
Instead the dame has acquired the younger generation’s wonder about her rich experience. But despite her recent achievements, an album and Irina Palm, many males think she is still what she was in the ’60s: raw, [...]
Filed under: movies on December 26th, 2009 by Elen Farkas | No Comments »
I didn’t expect to enjoy Charlie Wilson’s War, and I wasn’t disappointed. The story itself is almost inspiring – look what a couple of people can accomplish! Of course, what they’re accomplishing is war – on behalf of people who truly needed justice – that certainly has not led to any security for Afghanistan.
Though the [...]
Filed under: movies on December 25th, 2008 by Anna Lisa | No Comments »
I was drawn to the theatre to see this movie. I was looking forward to it for a couple weeks, as three of my favorite actors (actresses?) (Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Debra Messing) star in it. I was hoping for a good couple hours filled with the bonds between women, the hope of [...]
Filed under: movies on September 18th, 2008 by maggiehope | 4 Comments »
The Constant Gardener is a wonderful movie, and even though I’m going to complain about it, I really recommend it!
Not only does this film tell an incredible story that many of us would rather ignore (corporate greed, dehumanization of poor people of color, depths of corruption and horror in Kenya and Sudan) but the female [...]
Filed under: movies on September 15th, 2008 by Anna Lisa | 2 Comments »
Once upon a time there was a single New Yorker in her 30s who had great friends, a few bad break-ups, no civic or community engagement other than chronic shopping, and a Mac. She goes through life surrounded by people who rarely stretch or challenge her, and makes a bunch of mistakes. Then she ends [...]
Filed under: movies, television on September 13th, 2008 by Anna Lisa | No Comments »
I admit, not being a huge ABBA fan, I was a little hesitant to see the new version of the film “Mamma Mia.” But after an enjoyable couple hours in the theater, a few things stood out to me:
Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, and Christine Baranski were the highlights of the movie for me. As the [...]
Filed under: movies on August 26th, 2008 by maggiehope | 2 Comments »
I discovered the 2006 masterpiece Once a bit late, but it’s worth reminiscing. While it’s been labeled a modern musical, I think it’s more appropriate to call it a film about musicians. Perhaps the distinction isn’t important, but I think it’s worth noting that no one breaks into song at bizarre moments, or magically knows [...]
Filed under: movies on July 27th, 2008 by Anna Lisa | No Comments »
Juno is one of the most exciting female movie characters of the decade. Bold, unapologetic, fierce, clever; she takes herself seriously, and everyone else can’t help but take this bizarre teenager seriously, too.
Juno is actually one of the decade’s most interesting movie characters of any gender: both self-reliant AND communal, creative, unashamedly weird, loyal and [...]
Filed under: movies on July 25th, 2008 by Anna Lisa | 1 Comment »
This adult-friendly cartoon packs a wonderful array of important messages: environmental, anti-consumerist, grassroots revolution and relationship building. Alas, patriarchy and consumerism slip in, too.
It has some great gender statements as well, and a few disappointments. WALL·E’s character is not overly gendered – he has a male voice, but also carries precious [...]
Filed under: movies on July 25th, 2008 by Anna Lisa | 3 Comments »
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This fairly ridiculous film includes a barrage of violent sexual messages. The movie isn’t scary, but the sexualization of a young girl is horrific. Sexual violence is made light of, to some extent, as she tells her mother “fu*k [...]
Filed under: movies on March 9th, 2008 by Anna Lisa | No Comments »