Bla, I take it back. Eat Pray Love can EAT me.

In a previous blog I ranted about women in movies and the lack of integral roles to be found that did not need to circle around a man. I stand by that rant. I also ranted about womens interests being met with ridicule because they are for women. I stand by that too.
What I want to take back is the example of Eat Pray Love as something women should hold on high because it is by woman for woman. Thsssp-after watching it I was remnded why I don't like a lot of female driven movies: they stink. I fast forwarded through much of Eat Pray Love praying that it would end soon.

Remember the "Bechdel Test"?
1. Does the movie have at least 2 women in it?
2. Do they talk to each other?
3. Is that conversation about anything other then a man?
Newer criteria:
4. Do the women have names?

I now realise the flaw of my arguement, even I can't stand and make fun of chick flicks. The usual chick flick involves a heap of unrealistic dialog and a side of irrational overreaction. I have not yet met a person who talks with the level of drama that is found in these scripts (if I did I would have to punch them in the face as they would be intolerable ) nor the most high strung of us to spaz out as they do in the movies.

Are many of the big ticket draws for me men? Yup. Does it urk me that women are displayed as spastic, whimsical drama queens? Yup. I get that some need that dose of unrealism to shine up the world.
I am not one of those girls (clearly), I have my feet planted firmly on the ground and am not waiting for a prince to rescue me.

Therefore, I call actress's out there to pull an Angleina. That's right-Miss Jolie picks roles that allow her to kick ass, be tough or challenginly dramatic. She has her sexuality in her pocket, her bad ass-ness in her purse and her dramatic chops in a locket around her neck.

Who knows, maybe if more women went after roles where they weren't .... Ummm .... Ridiculous, then maybe we would see some flicks where girls can hold their own and their characters not needing to revolve around a man. Hopefully, movie makers will credit our integrity and realize that us gals talk about more then men and that we are complex awesome sex who are interesting enough to deserve the focus and after a life with a menstrual cycle-we can seriously kick ass.

What am I saying. Thssssp, even as I formulate this in my head I can hear the collective voices of the feminin defending their right to be girly and to watch mush. It is like paparazzi, they wouldn't have killed Princess Di if people weren't so eager to see the photos. Fine, we will just have to agree to disagree on this one.

I guess men have wrestling.

Calling all Ladies... time to stick together.

After reading an article in a magazine about women in movies, my mind was left to meander the truth of it. Must say, didn't like what I concluded.

1. A womans roll in cinematic adventures are limited.

2. When something is aimed at women, it is usually met with ridicule.

Would you like me to elaborate?

Thanks, I think I will.

Point one. Woman in movies. We watch movies, right? I know I do, so let's look at the "Bechdel Test". (Recently resurfaced) It asks: 

1. Does the movie have at least 2 women in it?

2. Do they talk to each other?

3. Is that conversation about anything other then a man?

Newer criteria:

4. Do the women have names?

Let's look at some box office toppers:

1. Other Guys. Fail.

2. Inception. Fail. While they do have 2 female protagonists, the only conversation they have is about a male character.

3.Dinner for Schmucks. Fail. Two male leads, any girls are present are 'handbags' to the men.

4. Salt - Fail. But is one of 3 movies in the top 20 with a female lead.

5. Scott Pilgrim. Fail.

Looking at the top 20 movies at the box office right now, I see ONE that fits. 'The Kids Are Alright'. Possibly 'Eclipse' if Alice and Bella ever talk about anything other than Edward.

Upcoming flicks? Harry Potter. Fail. Wallstreet, Fail. Social Network. Fail. I just looked at the 98 'buzz' movies for the fall and found 6 that have the potential to pass. (Won't know for sure until I see them)

Of the 10 Oscar Best Picture Nominated films? I see 5  that might make the cut. Re-read the 4 qualifiers, is it so preposterous to have 2 or more women in a movie that talk to each other about anything other than men? (BTW, if  the rolls were reversed, 1 of 10 best pics noms might not make it. 'Precious'.)

Point Two. Ladies, think of any media entertainment that is aimed at us as a demographic. Now think of one that isn't by and large ridiculed. Books, Movies, magazines, TV.... In my experience, I have heard them be the butt of many jokes-because women like them. I don't feel that any of these outlets are substandard and many have merit but are mocked. Why is this? Worst, why do I feel embarrassed liking girlish things? Maybe this is in my own head but I work in a entertainment driven environment (Movie store) and I hear a lot of bashing and mocking to the point where, at times, I won't admit what I like.

Don't get me wrong - I don't like the majority of rom-coms and such fare, but not because they are girly. More so that the scripts are unrealistic and sometimes ridiculous. I live in reality and like my movies to be reasonable if I accept the premise. (For example: if I accept that people live in outer space and there is a large rebellion in the works... then are the actions/reactions of the cast of Star Wars realistic? Is it realistic that a person would cut the belly of a Ton-Ton to save their friend?) If the dialog makes me think "Who would ACTUALLY say that, or who would seriously DO that...?" you've lost me. Also, I freely admit that there are many movies where adding women wouldn't fit in the story. But so very few that do? Really?

I look at the thrashing 'Twilight' gets, and wonder how many of the people bashing it have READ it? Have they even seen the movies? I liked the books-a lot, and my fondness of the movies has wained only because of the media / merchandise blitz that has followed. Eat, Pray, Love (book and movie) has been targeted for no better reason (that I know of)  than it is a story by a girl for girls. The author herself quipped "If women like it, it must be stupid." to make light of the negativity she's been getting.

Why after all this time are our interests still substandard? Women are the majority consumers!!

We can vote right? We have the right to equal pay for equal work, right? Let's also grant ourselves the freedom to like what we like and embrace being feminine and all things that appealing to us?

I'm not trying to be on a soap box here, nor crying the woes of the female world or simpering about being hard done by. I just want to point this out and get your mind meandering as well about the truth of it. 

PS

Seriously, I am going to watch 'Eat, Pray, Love', 'Never Let Me Go', 'The Bridesmaids',  and 'You Again' this year purely to support the few women driven movies there are! Also 'Burlesque' because it's a large female cast AND a musical-I am women, watch me watch musicals, and love it!