Feminist Song: I'm Just a Girl

Well, I mean this one is obvious, but it is also awesome.

Feminist Film: A Woman in Berlin

Incredibly depressing - Check

Based on real events - Check

Worth watching - Check

Totally feminist - Check Check Check Check

Warning! This movie may trigger sexual assault victims!

The most heart-breaking quote:

"How often?"

Feminist Song: The Princess Who Saved Herself

The Princess Who Saved Herself

Very Girl-Positive. Written by a father for his princess-obsessed daughters.

Available on iTunes

Revolutionary Girl Utena

Now, I will admit that I did not watch this entire series. I intended to, but I never did. This first episode, however, inspired me. The origin story of Utena's attire I think is fantastic and it was something I had never seen before. I think the fairy tale like quality of the opening scene is beautiful, and totally feminist.

Feminist Film REJECT: She-Devil

I don’t know who told me this was a feminist film, but it most certainly is NOT. It perpetuates every stereotype about “feminist” ideas. Roseanne Barr plays Ruth, an “unattractive” overweight woman and her husband, Bob, like most other people she encounters, treats her horribly. When her husband cheats on her with a famous romance novelist, she decides to exact revenge in a number of insane ways (like burning down the house while the children are at school and then forcing her ex to take them). After being independent, this woman still fixates on torturing her husband and his new significant other instead of just moving on. It portrays women as in need of a man as well as deceitful and emotionally unstable. Screw you, She-Devil.

The Worst Part:

Bob: I've worked so hard for! You're a bad mother, a lousy wife, and a terrible cook! In fact, have you looked in a *mirror* recently? I don't even think you're a woman. You know what you are? You're a *she-devil*!

Feminist Film REJECT: Tank Girl

I do not consider this a feminist film. I do not care how many lists it appears on calling it one. I do not care that it is a cult classic. I do not care how many people think Tank Girl is a badass. On top of simply being a bad movie, Tank Girl does not have a single positive male character in the movie, making it decidedly misandrist and therefore anti-feminist.

The majority of men in this movie think entirely about sex, which is a ludicrous stereotype that men constantly have to face in the media. On top of this nonsense, even the characters that are supposed to be good are willing to assault women in order to get their jollies. Not cool, Tank Girl. Not cool.

There are also very few people of color in the film. In fact, the only two are the Rippers, who are mutant kangaroos. One of the rippers, played by Ice-T, represents a stereotype of black men as angry and prone to violence. The other, the leader of the rippers, is the opposite and instead represents other black stereotypes such as The Magical Negro.

Basically, while this movie might have some badass females, it makes everyone else look bad. And personally, I'm opposed to all sexism and racism. So, screw you, Tank Girl.

Also, after wiki-ing stuff, I must say that the comic looks infinitely better, and that I intend to read it as soon as I can get my hands on it.

The Worst Part:

Tank Girl: You gotta think about it like the first time you got laid. You gotta go: "Daddy, are you sure this is right?"

Feminist Film: Matilda

This is the film that made me think about feminist films. This was, of course, a childhood favorite, but it was when I re-watched it my senior year of high school that I really began to admire it as a fantastic children’s film.

First of all, it’s brilliantly paced. Although it’s only about an hour and a half long, I never felt that the story was rushed. This is something that’s incredibly rare in children’s films especially since this one begins by telling the story of the first six years of Matilda’s life.

But more importantly, Matilda always has faith in herself, and despite her high IQ and horrible home life she has confidence. While this is admittedly unrealistic, it sends a message to kids that they can overcome hardships. It also shows kids that adults are imperfect and have their own fears and struggles. It also should be noted that Matilda has a groups of friends that encompasses both genders, and that boys and girls alike enjoy playing in a nearby river and catching a salamander. There are no Toy Ships and even Ms. Honey never has a love interest. The movie ends with Ms. Honey holding down a successful career and raising Matilda by herself—no man needed.

Favorite Moment:

When Amanda Thripp shares with Ms. Trunchbull the “poem” Ms. Honey taught them in class to help them remember how to spell ‘difficulty’

Amanda: Mrs. D, Mrs. I, Mrs. FFI, Mrs. C, Mrs. U, Mrs. LTY

Trunchbull: WHY are all these women MARRIED?

The Bechdel Test

This is a fundamental aspect of my movie watching, and I feel it is vital that people know and think about it.

Introduction

Name is Maddie, I'm a college student at DePaul University. Sociology Major, German and Women Studies minor.

Diagnosed with ADD and Depression, I'm on generic prozac and adderall, the latter of which may explain my

sudden desire to create this blog.

For the past year, at least, I have had a growing interest in feminist media, and have struggled to find good

compilations of truly bitchin' female characters in movies, comic books or video games. Here is where I intend

to document this struggle, as well as post my successes.