She's the Man

This is not a new movie by any means, but I will include many movies on here that I like (or am recommended) not just new ones. She's the Man is appropriate because I just watched it the other day on HBO and they're gonna give it again tomorrow (Friday) at 1015am! So, if anyone has HBO they can catch it there, or if you're familiar with finding movies online, then yeah. I have links if anyone wants, but you have to contact me. I'm available at feministmovieblog@gmail.com

Now, to the movie. This is definitely a movie to watch if you are in the mood for a light-hearted comedy, extremely bored, or easily amused. Either way, it's funny, but I know how critical people are. Basically, Amanda Bynes plays a girl named Viola, who plays soccer at her school. Unfortunately, her team is cut; she has a fight with her boyfriend and she decides to crossdress as her brother so she can continue to play soccer. She falls for her roommate, played by Channing Tatum, while he has a thing for Olivia, played by Laura Ramsey. It gets tricky because Olivia has a thing for Sebastian, who is actually Viola in drag.

It's a crazy, twisty turney movie on gender and its role in our lives. None of us really realizes what it's like to be a person of the opposite sex until we've tried it. Amanda Bynes shows that in quite a hilarious manner. It really is comedic and the movie reminds me of my own friends. It was comedic, cheesy and a full of mishaps. Like in every high school movie, all of the people were pretty and didn't really look like high school students, but what can ya do? At least the idea was cool, especially since the movie is based on Shakespeare's The Twelfth Night.

In no way does this movie deal as deeply with the gender issues underlying Shakespeare's work, but it does at least deal with the way women and girls are still treated unfairly in sports, despite the passing of Title IX in the United States. Women are still looked down upon in sports and it is really unfortunate, especially now that we're in the year 2008. Not to mention that women still earn only 75-77 cents for every dollar that a man earns. So, this movie is good, if only because of the comedy and kick ass-ness of a girl being shown playing soccer just as good as the guys!

Feel free to leave a comment or question or whatever. ^__^

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Heath Ledger

As many of you already know, the actor Heath Ledger died today. It is so unfortunate. He seemed to have such a bright career ahead of him. I wanted to see what he would come up with in the future, especially his role as The Joker in the new Batman movie. It is especially sad for his daughter.

The first time I ever saw him was in 10 Things I Hate About You. Not the best cinematic masterpiece, but certainly a great teen flick. He was good in his role as a bad ass in that movie. He was also ass-kicking in Brokeback Mountain. Well, I just wanted to mention to you about his death and say: Goodbye Heath Ledger. I wish you a pleasant afterlife. More movies reviews will be coming soon. Hold tight or leave me a message or something. Byes!

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I Am Legend

Yesterday, while very tired, I wound up watching a bootleg DVD of I Am Legend, with Will Smith. I've heard mixed reviews, but here's my take: The movie was pretty much a one-man-show with Mr. Smith. The title for the movie is pretty lame. It all seems like a self-aggrandizing, egotistical venture for Will Smith. However, I decided to give the movie a fair chance. Apparently, it was actually a 1954 sci-fi novella by Richard Matheson, which has influenced works by George Romero and even the British film 28 Days Later. I don't know much about the novella that Matheson wrote, but this movie was easy as hell to predict!

Bottom line: If you don't like watching movies that are ridiculously predictable, then just stay away.

Or, if you really like Will Smith, do watch. The movie is very Will Smith-centric. But I still think the dog stole the show from him! She is so cute...oh German Shepards! Anyway, the vampire baddy people were also kinda cool, but that's just cuz I like to see zombie/vampire baddies. Only other point of contention is that sometimes the movie seemed to drag on and on with Will Smith and a few character-related flashbacks.

There's not much to say. The plot is quite simple and predictable, especially if you are already familiar with vampire/zombie/disaster movies. But it is worth watching if you like Will Smith or are a vampire/zombie movie freak. Give it a try, but don't expect anything extremely new or different.

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Juno

Who hasn't seen Juno yet? If you're into slightly cheesy, yet witty comedies then I say go watch it. You've got nothing to lose. The cast is superb! Ellen Page is awesome as Juno. Her speech seems very advanced for her age, which is good. She's portrayed as a smart chick who happens to get pregnant. The one thing that I did not necessarily care for was the abortion clinic scene in this movie. Let's just say it carries on a definite anti-choice, or pro-life if you choose to call it, entendre. I can respect those who are anti-choice and leave them to their own feelings, but it would be nice if they could do the same. As a woman, I feel that the right to choose SHOULD be an essential freedom as part of living in a "free" country, but that's beside the point.

Otherwise, the movie had definite strong points. The filming was well-done, the opening was cutely animated. The characters delivered witty lines and Allison Janney is awesome! It's almost like she's always in every movie I watch. Music in the movie is also noteworthy. Who can resist some good stuff from The Moldy Peaches? If you don't know who they are, you should check them out! http://www.themoldypeaches.com There was other stuff by Belle and Sebastian, Katastrophy Wife and other sweet acts.

Overall, the movie plays out well and is not unnecessarily sugary or over-the-top and it does not show pregnancy as something adorable or enviable. There is one funny scene involving a blue slushie. Hehehe. Check it out. Leave some comments and junk, too. :)

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