All Hail the Queen!

Lady Grimhilde has finally gone live. Well, at least her blog has! For the dame that doesn't need any introductions (unless she's doing so herself), all I can do is insist that you check it out. Click here for a hauntingly good time.

A Throwback to Summer: The 2015 Movie Guide

     It's everyone's favorite time of year; as the smell of number two pencils and back-to-school commercials penetrate the mild days of August...ruining our summer buzz in the process. Let's face facts, muses, your days of freedom are officially numbered. If you don't believe me, head to Walmart. That neon arrow beckons.

     As these long days draw to a close, however, what a better way to combat the onslaught of torture than to relive this season's greatest hits? Below, you'll find 4 top summer films picked out by yours truly. Enjoy!
   

Jurassic World

Release Date: June 12th

Rating: PG-13

     I can't think of a better place to start than with this juggernaut of the Summer Movie world. It stomped it's way to the top of the heap, making a record breaking $208.8 million in it's first few days! However, bags of cash does not a good movie make. It pretty much followed the tried and true formula that made the original so breathtaking: big CGI dinosaurs? Check. Handsome leading man? Double check. Lots of running and screaming? Duh... I mean... triple check. No groundbreaking plot twists here. Although, this fangirl did have to admit: this flick did offer up a heavy dosage of nostalgia. This movie brought me back to my 7-year-old self who first stared in awe at the big screen as dinosaurs ruled the earth once again... and kick started my life long obsession with the world of cinema to begin with. Was it the best movie on this list? Not by a long shot. But damn... those Raptors were pretty bad ass. 

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Release Date: May 1st

Rating: PG-13

      This mega-hit-action-thrill-ride pretty much conquered the early summer box office. Literally falling just behind the above named dino-flick. Now, seeing as I did draft a review, I'll be brief. This latest installment was a huge improvement on it's 2012 predecessor, proving that not all sequels are complete crap. David Spader was delightful, as was Ultron by default. And the 3D was well done for a change (unlike the view-finder-esque stylings of Jurassic World). Yes, there was some controversy, highlighted by #WheresNatasha campaign. But, all in all, this sequel solidified it's ranking as a fun-loving joy ride of a film. 

Trainwreck

Release Date: July 17th

Rating: R

     Perhaps one of my favorite movies on this list, and a vehicle for Amy Schumer's career, not enough can be said for how groundbreaking this comedy truly is. Gone are the rom-com stereotypes of movies past. The solution: this wisecracking, often swearing, and heavy drinking protagonist. Is she the train wreck that the title suggests? Hell yes! But you'll love her none-the-less. Most likely for voicing all those love life rants that we're all too afraid to admit to in public. Director Judd Apatow perfectly melds hilarious raunchiness with real-life insights about how we grown ups interact-- not only with our sex partners, but with our family members and friends as well. If you're looking for the anti-romantic comedy, then Ms. Amy is your girl. But, be warned: this comedy is NOT for the faint of heart! 

Spy

Release Date: June 5th

Rating: R

     We girls have to stick together! That seems to be the overall message of this hilarious, and surprising comedic offering. Starring Melissa McCarthy as the often overlooked Susan Cooper; and a host of other familiar faces of Bridesmaids fame, it begins as just another slapstick comedy that brings the laughs in a big way. Probably one of the funniest movies on this list, it offers a female driven vehicle in a very male-dominated genre. With The Man From U.N.C.L.E being released later this week, this movie's observations on Bond-esque cinema will seriously make you snort soda out of your nose. Besides the humor, it was pretty awesome to see McCarthy kick some serious ass... in heels no less. Want to know more? Read my full review here. 

A Feminist's Take on: "Spy"

     Let me begin this post with a disclaimer: I love Melissa McCarthy. Period.  I know this fact will make it very hard to remain completely objective in reviewing this comedic venture. I could attempt to remain neutral, but quite honestly I just don't care. I'm going to gush. You have been warned. 

     Spy begins as a typical, slap-stick comedy tailor-made for McCarthy's unique talents-- all whilst making fun of James Bond-esque movies. It casually makes reference to the cool gadgets, sexy cars and gory violence that has become a corner stone of this male-dominated genre; even making an effort at a twist ending that fell only slight flat. But, the first mistake the audience can make is to come in expecting a parody of Scary Movie proportions. Much like all of McCarthy's female-driven offerings, this movie's true beauty hides just beneath the surface.

     The comedienne's Susan Cooper is a woman who hasn't quite come out of her shell. Pushing 40-something, she feels the oppressive boredom of a woman who has spent a lifetime in a bat infested basement serving an attractive man who refuses to give her a second glance. Face it, ladies, we've all lived this reality at some point or another. She is faced with the opportunity to not only live her dreams, but to become the super heroine of her greatest fantasies. Along the way, she realizes that she's also pretty bad ass. Seriously, she can kick butt better than any ninja I have seen in recent times. Even Jude Law looked a little taken aback! 

     Rose Byrne is also a diamond in the rough, offering us a super-villain in stilettos. Her hair piled hair, and fitted body suit firmly in place, Byrne struts her way through the movie with this cool detachment so often seen in the best espionage movies to date. She even pouts freely like a toddler ready for a tantrum in the face of various attempts on her life. It seems that her great wealth, power, and go-getter attitude has threatened some of her male counterparts. She faces off against our bumbling spy-girl to only realize that one is a mirror-image of the other. When McCarthy insists that "we girls have to stick together", we realize that even among baddies there appears to be a level of sexism. It is a hard world out there ladies; even for hairspray doused terrorists.

     All in all, behind the crazy one-liners and indecent imagery, (did we really have to look at THAT particular part of the male anatomy?) the story blossoms into an empowering image of a woman who can still remake herself regardless of her age, appearance or body type. That, at the end of the day, we're all connected in this crazy world of ours... oh who am I kidding. This movie was just hilarious. Honestly, just go see it. You'll be rolling on the floor laughing; walking out of the theatre with tears in your eyes and wishing you could sneak back in to watch it again. Just trust me. You'll thank me.  

Astroids, Zombies and Tampons-- Oh My!

     Amy Poehler recently posted this YouTube video to her blog: Smart Girls. "In the reality within a disaster film, I suppose we’re meant to assume that these women are born as smooth as a hairless cat with doll-like feet that make wearing high heels both stylish and comfortable," Poehler insists as she claims credibility for writing the little skit, as seen at the end of this post. 


     I can't help but to agree with her myself; considering that most mass-marketed disaster films are geared towards a male majority... and female characters seemingly left as sobbing, braless heaps in the face of extreme peril. Imagine, for a moment, that you had to run from your home as zombies were closing in. What would be the first thing you'd grab? Family mementos? Tampons? A power tool from your dad's stash in the garage? Hey, maybe you could use those steely high heels as a weapon, after all. Remember, ladies, aim for the brain...

A Feminist's Take on: "Avengers: Age of Ultron"

   
     The latest installment into the Marvel vault has had some controversy clinging to it's coat tails like an unwanted villain of comic-book-entries past. Let us not forget the #WheresNatasha scandal that has plagued the god-like crusaders since their inception in 2012. However, this comic book fanatic could not help but admit that my inner-eight-year old self was giddy with excitement with this latest installment. With other super hero franchises getting the Bryan Singer/Christopher Nolan face lift, helping integrate them back into the realm of credible film making; I couldn't help but feel that Marvel had dropped the ball somewhere along the way. Sure, there was the noteworthy X-Men, Spiderman and even the very first Ironman, all of which were worthy of squeals of pure delight. The first installment in this super hero franchise was good enough, although the story bore no real weight. The villain was literally an extension of the Thor franchise, and although I do love some good Lokie-esque fun; there was no sense of overall foreboding that would entice the audience to glance from over their popcorn bowls. Spoiler Alert

     Then, there's Ultron; the super villain voiced by the always delightful David Spader. He lends just the right mix of humor and bored detachment that feeds into the overall AI/mechanical roots of this otherwise archetypical baddie. It would be easy enough for him to tear into 5-minute-long monologues about his evil plans; and his desire to out-wit Tony Stark. However, he seems too busy with transcending his metal form to bother with such trivial cliches. He also has some of the best lines in the movie, a true feat considering how hard it is to outshine RDJ's natural ease with achieving the perfect one-liner. The humor as a whole is spot on, a factor which is so easily forgotten in a decent super hero film. It is meant to be fun after all, folks. Like a true popcorn movie, it brings on the CGI action sequences with a decent side dish of comic relief.

 
      Not enough, however, has been said about the female butt-kickers in this franchise. With two women acting as this film's supporting cast, a shout out is in order. Scarlett Johansson is the resident bad ass in this cast, having racked up four Marvel appearances to date (and most likely many more to come), she seems more than comfortable with Black Widow's lethal beauty. Age of Ultron makes the attempt to delve deeper into her back story; hinting to the assassin's traumatic past. This also allows Johansson to flex her sizable acting chops to show the conflict between her torrid love life, and her place within The Avengers ranks. Scar.Jo also keeps up well with the boys-- kicking butt and taking no prisoners along the way. Despite all of this, Black Widow is still an absent figure in almost all licensed Marvel products; not limited to those much beloved play sets at your local toy store. More on that later, however.

     The true stand out performance in this massive spectacle has to be Elizabeth Olsen. I cannot say enough about her immense talent as an actress. Generally speaking she has a simple, understated style. She always seems cool and confident in her own skin; totally in control of her sexuality. As the
 Scarlet Witch (another of my favorites) she switches well from the villain, to the hero, to the young woman deeply affected by her past. She clings to her light-footed brother for support early on. Then, gathers her resolve to stand in the face of those evil doers that try to control her. She may change sides mid-way through the movie, but her identity remains firmly set. What a way to enter such a boy-driven franchise! To say I am excited to see how this progresses-- i.e. how closely the franchise will stick to the original source material-- has left me wriggling in my seat with anticipation. Especially considering that Vision has recently joined the team. Needless to say, things are about to get very interesting.
   

A Feminist's Take On: "Disney's Cinderella"

     I must admit, I was rather surprised by the outcome of this latest Disney reboot. Although the trailers did look promising, this classic fable can often be a mixed bag. This particular "cinder wench" has been making the rounds over the years, appearing in her fair of share or renditions and reboots.
Spoiler Alert. You have been warned.  

     So, what is all the fuss about? Cinderella is, arguably, one of the first true rags-to-riches stories that seems to resonate so easily with the bubbly imaginations of young girls everywhere. As of late, however, Ms. Cinder Soot has received some stiff competition in the form of Katniss Everdeen and Tris Prior among many others. Even Frozen's Elsa insists that girls let go of typical, female stereotypes in favor of embracing who they really are within. In this business, timing is everything, and so it was time to dust off Cinderella's infamous blue gown... it is the 21st century after all.

So onto the question of the hour: Is this a feminist adaptation?

     Yes and no. The film goes through great pains to show that Cinderella's kind manner was just

"One must have courage, and be kind."

another form of courageous inner strength. She is not weak simply because she plasters on a smile and tries her best to run her family estate, all while her stepmother and stepsisters cackle in the background. Even the transformation of her name from Ella into Cinderella was tackled nicely; highlighting the bullying nature of the step sister's mean words and their power to cause some true pain. However, instead of standing up for herself in the face of such verbal abuse, the young woman grabs possibly one of the most beautiful horses I have ever seen on screen and races off towards.... who else but the prince's hunting party. How terribly convenient to the plot, wouldn't you say? I do give Disney brownie points for highlighting a princess story in which the young heroine isn't simply waiting in a lonely bell tower for some man to rescue her. Still, would it have killed them to give her just a touch of a back bone? Just once throughout this film, I found myself hoping she would talk back to the mean girls in her life.

     Otherwise, the prince is charming enough, and the evil stepmother cruel enough. Lady Tremaine is lent just enough of a back story to make her seem almost guilt-worthy. At least they didn't make her blindly evil; but more bitter and cold to life's challenges. Tremaine offers another view on how a woman might tackle the hardships that befall a woman whose greatest expectation in life is to marry well (during the time period in which this movie takes place, at least). Cate Blanchett gave this villainess just enough emotion behind her eyes to make her appear human, while also having a heck of a good time laughing manically in the background. This isn't a performance of Elizabeth-sized proportions, but at least she brought in a few laughs.

Fashionably late. 

      The movie is also beautifully filmed; with some amazing attention to detail and sweeping views of a country that almost seems too good to be true. The costume design has this reviewer turning green with envy (I would wear any number of Lady Tremaine's gowns). Kenneth Branagh has showed, once again, that he is probably an even better director than he is an actor... if such a thing is truly possible. In the process, Disney has also showed that they truly understand how a sweeping film should be tackled. No expense was spared; from Ella's sumptuous gown to the CGI that turned 4 (also CGI) mice into white chargers. A note to viewers: pay attention to the horses' ears as they shrink down to size. It was truly an amazing detail! Cinderella  is as graceful a movie as Ella is herself. And although there is some debate as to it's feminist prowess, or even if it is suitable for young girls at all. I think it is just the right mix of whimsy and fun, especially for those viewers entering their pre-teen/teenage years. Considering it's more adult themes, and the fact that literally every single parent in this movie is killed off... I wouldn't assume to propose taking anyone younger than the age of 10 unless you expect to do some heavy explaining.

     Bottom line: could it have been better? Of course. Although, the same can be said for any movie. Is it good enough? Yes, it is. At the very least, it allows you're somewhat older children to feel ten years old again, as they immerse themselves in this fairytale-style adaptation of a very classic movie. For a unique Cinderella experience, why not introduce your daughters to different versions of this classic fairytale; allowing them to compare and contrast the different heroines and how they manage the trials and tribulations set in their path. It might be a nice bonding experience/learning curve.

A Feminist's Take On: "The Theory Of Everything"

     How does one begin to review an Oscar nominated movie? Such films are created to  provide us with stark images of our society, family/home lives or small historical nuances that might have been overlooked by the general public. Let's face facts; they are not mere popcorn-style fair that are meant to amuse us. This small category of cinematic goodness act as the whole grain/ health food in any movie lover's diet.

     The Theory of Everything follows this description to a fault at times; depicting the life of Stephen Hawking, the now-famous Astrophysicist and his wife Jane Wilde. The acting is flawless, with Eddie Redmayne stealing basically every scene he is a part of. There is a rumor among Hollywood hopefuls that a sparkling award can be won if an actor embarks on a "passion project"--setting aside his own vanity for the sheer necessity of the work itself. This reviewer will not comment on the validity of such statements. All I can say is that Redmayne was truly a sight to behold; taking on the slight nuances of Hawking's personality down to a simple, sparkling gesture or a flick of an eyebrow. He made us believe that the brilliant mind of this formidable man still lurks somewhere behind the shallow waters of his complicated disease. I am not sure if this will render him an Oscar winner at the end of this evening, but Redmayne has nothing to be ashamed of. I suspect he will have many opportunities to showcase his talents for years to come.

     The silent, shining star of this movie had to be the complicated marriage that the Hawking's found themselves in. It all began with a cliche: "every strong man has an even stronger woman behind him", a turn of phrase that I have often resented. Why is that a strong man would require his even stronger counterpart to trail behind him? Would it be so much to ask that she, say, stand beside him.. as a partner should? Felicity Jones is a subtle force throughout, not allowing Jane Wilde to stay silently in the background of her husband's success. She began her career at Cambridge with dreams of her own, many of which she had to knowingly replace with the life of a wife and mother. Her portrayal of Jane Wilde showcased the struggle to maintain that delicate balance, all while trying to find something in their complicated universe that was solely her own. Perhaps, Jane finds this freedom within her own religious beliefs; refusing to give up her faith despite her brilliant husband's insistence on the scientific theory of the universe at large. Jane becomes the moral, emotional center of his world after all. There is a grey area, she insists, things that his careful equations could fill in her hungry soul

     More than anything else, Jane stares out into the great, wide void with a deep sense of longing that no words could ever possibly fill. Felicity Jones was brilliant in her subtle way of reaching out to all of us as she longed for that ever present "something". Jane-the-character transcended the strong wife ideal to become a real woman: silent, enduring, kind, loving, nurturing and yet still selfish enough to wish for more than her life could provide. She reminds us that we are all simple and messy human beings at the end of the day. Yes, love is a powerful and life changing force but yet sometimes it  may not be enough to conquer all the bumps that life may through in our paths.

     It seems that if this movie teaches us anything, it is the power of self-acceptance in the face of adversity. Stephen Hawking is a man who is simply happy to be alive, seemingly embracing his life with a passion that is almost enviable. A movie is not reality, however, so I wouldn't suggest taking this as the final testament into the lives of the Hawking's clan. It does shed some light into their complicated lives, while also introducing us to some very talented actors.

The Golden Apple Awards: The 2014 Season

        It has been an interesting year for women in film; with stereotypical archetypes being pushed aside in favor of more realistic portrayals of our fictional female characters. No where is this change more apparent than in the Young Adult category- a genre that largely defines the teenage reading experience for young women. So, it should come as no surprise that below you will find two such specimens of that most beloved genre. However, instead of pitting these two Sci-Fi mavens against each other, it was decided to set aside the apple of discord between them in favor of  honoring what makes these fictional females so extraordinary to begin with. Spoiler Alert! You have been warned! 

And the Golden Apple goes to...

The Mockingly: Part I

Release Date: November 21, 2014

Rating: PG-13

     This is not your "average", dystopian YA-inspired movie adaptation. For anyone entering those hollowed, theatre doors expecting a no-holds-barred shoot-out, you must have faced the sort of bone crushing disappointment saved for the latest installment of the Twilight saga. This is a war movie and there is no way around that. Katniss Everdeen is no super hero who dusts herself off after certain destruction to only face off against the stereotypical villain for an epic ass-whooping. She is broken-- left huddled in the fetal position, tucked away within the deepest bowls of District 13.  Peeta is gone-- rather taken-- by the capital to a fate that is unknown to us. Don't worry, fangirls, you will receive glimpses of him on and off throughout this harrowing journey through Capital destruction. The citizens of Panem will rise again behind their figurehead, but as the title of this movie suggests; to what end? How much of herself must Katniss sacrifice before there is nothing left of her? As stated in a previous blog post, Ms. Everdeen's struggles have always far exceeded those within the arena's walls. She has juggled her undying need to be the protector/ provider of her family, all while trying to make sense of her confused emotional ties for Gale and Peeta.

In Mockinjay, her careful balancing act is about to collapse around her. Her very sanity hangs in the balance as the Capital taunts her with visions of Peeta in various forms of tortorous decay.Does she love him? Does she still harbor feelings for old flame Gale? Who cares! At the end of the day, she would much rather trade places with either man than cause them pain. Instead of experiencing this near end to the now infamous trilogy as a grandly epic thrill ride; it remained closer to the subject matter at hand. For those of us that are fans of the text, this is a special treat. The power in each scene lies behind the now tightly knit cast-- and those quietly intimate moments that occur when weapons are set aside and tears are shed. The entire film is moving slowly towards that one, titular moment at the very end.

For those of you that were disappointed with this cinematic gem, expecting more from the battle for Panem's soul-- do not fear. The war will begin promptly with the release of Mockingjay, Part II. 

  Divergent

Release Date: March 21, 2014

Rating: PG-13

      Only receiving a 41% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, even I must admit some mixed feelings about the movie adaptation-- as detailed in this movie review. Yes, there are some similarities between these two femme fatales but this blog post is dedicated to embracing what makes these women stand out. To begin with, Divergent is more a personality-test-on-steroids than a reality show gone amuck.  Tris is forced, very early on, to choose against her family and her station in order to break through the boundaries of what is expected of her. She does not want to follow the line of her Abnegation past, choosing instead to join the Dauntless and forging her own path. The entire movie unfolds as simply a series of physically/mentally demanding tasks that are meant to bring our heroine to the brink of success. It's only in failure that the audience begins to see that Tris is no outstanding woman.

She is just a girl, after all; trying to reconcile all the different facets of herself in an effort to move forward towards an unsure future. There is no love triangle here to distract from the overall story-- her loyalty to Tobias/Four will carry us through two more sequels before it is all over. How refreshing that a young woman should know her own heart well enough to find true love within the first handful of chapters. In the end, Tris teaches us that it is alright to push the envelope of what is expected of us. Sometimes we will succeed, and most likely we will fail. Hell, there will be times that our worst fears are realized (quite literally) and we may have to improvise our way out of that ever-filling water tank of failure. 

In the end, we must stay true to who we are if we ever expect to achieve happiness.  

The Girl Power "Ghostbusters"?

From Top: Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, and Melissa McCarthy.

The Hollywood Reporter broke the story on Tuesday that an all-female cast was being considered for the reboot, based off of the 1984 classic starring Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray. The original concept for this reboot started as a sequel, of sorts; but Murray remained elusive, and with the passing of Harold Ramis, the entire project was reimagined. The understatement of the century, I know. Who could have imagined an entirely female cast of ghost-hunting mavens? Especially in an era where Hollywood seems to have lost a sense of all ingenuity-- rehashing the same ideas over and over again in a string of sequels and reboots that have no end.


Seriously, how many more Scary Movie or Paranormal Activity movies must we endure!

     So, it is with a heavy heart that I must admit just a fleas-breath of admiration towards this particular...reimagining. Not only because Melissa McCarthy is already attached, and her partner in crime/Brides Maids mastermind--Kristen Wiig-- is already in talks to join the cast. It's the simple fact, dear Muses, that someone out there in the movie-making factory is trying to turn the gears in a different direction for a change. With movies like the aforementioned Brides Maids and my personal favorite, Pitch Perfect, proving the simple fact that not only are female-driven movies cheaper to make (with budgets totaling $32.5 million and $17 million respectively) but they also rake in some serious cash in the process. 

Yes, you heard that correctly. 

     The math there is simple: women love seeing our favorite comediennes not only showing a keen understanding of real issues we girls face, and let's be honest, often feel on a daily basis. But, to exaggerate those problems into something that drive us into that insane fit of laughter reserved for a cozy night in with your BFF; sipping wine on the couch wearing only your sweat pants. "Chick Flicks" are evolving, ladies. No are we delegated to watching mindless "Rom Coms" like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (battle of the sexes my ass) or the horrifyingly un-feminist The Other Woman.  This new influx of witty and character-driven comedy, made famous by the likes of Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph and the countless others finally getting their due in this brave, new world.

     What does this mean for the Ghostbusters reboot? And, most importantly, is any of this even relevant for this ghost hunters-on-steroids comedy? Only time will tell that. This much is certain, however: Sony was obviously taking a cue from the recently changing climate of modern, Hollywood cinema. 

A Feminist's Take on: "Into The Woods".

This is not your run-of-the-mill, straight off the conveyor belt, musical. This family reunion of all our favorite Disney fairytales could have easily been another, long drawn out infomercial-- a hit and run of sorts-- that would have inundated one's senses with all the nuances we have come to know and love from the mouse factory. However, Muses be warned, this musical isn't for the faint of heart. And, for that matter, I wouldn't suggest bringing any child under the age of 13 to this film unless you expect to have a lot of explaining to do!

Steven Sondheim's dark retelling of all the Brother's Grimm classics is just that: dark, moody and wrought with humor that would make your fairy godmother cringe. Evil stepsister's chopping off their heels to make the glass slipper fit? Check. Prince Charming hitting on a happily married, and newly-minted mother/baker's wife/main female protagonist? Double check. With those familiar with the real stories the Disney animated films are based off of, all of this is just as it should be... and even provides a few laughs along the way. For your 8-year-old daughter, however, it's the stuff of nightmares and maybe even therapy. Pop in the Frozen DVD instead. Trust me.

Meryl Streep brings a sympathetic glow to what could have easily been another evil witch role: making the greasy-haired and long nailed she-creature both independent and bitingly honest. The witch does what she has to in order to survive... moral compass be damned. Johnny Depp is at his character-actor best; wearing a full-fledged wolf suit complete with matching cuff links. He gnaws at his lines for a demure 15 minutes or so...just long enough to not out stay his welcome.

All in all, I liked this film more than I thought was possible. The singing was actually enjoyable and the off-kilter humor fit right in with my Tim Burton-esque leanings. It showcases the debilitating obsession this society has with beauty. Not to mention the undo pressure this obsession puts on women in general-- even those that exist within this fairytale-esque world-- the effects are clear. We
will do whatever it takes to fit in at the ball, and yet is it worth the risk? Especially if Prince Charming has the IQ of a moss covered rock and a straying eye, Sondheim asks? The answer is clear as the characters struggle to stray from their respective paths in order to defeat the witch, slay the giant-- and then continue on their merry way towards their "happily ever after" ending.

I would highly suggest this musical for anyone who is a fan of Sondheim's original stage play. Or, any adult looking for a modern retelling showcasing all these classic characters at their comic best.