Women in Movies-Which or What?!!

Several years ago, I noticed women had very predictable (and not very nice) roles in movies and television. I decided to keep track and it was pretty awful. Women were routinely portrayed as the bad wife, the bad girlfriend, the bad mother, always the reason the man had gone wrong, done wrong and ended up badly. The audience was moved to understand the man, no matter how terrible he acted because it was always some woman's fault. Fast forward to the present and after viewing the recent Angolina Jolie movie, Wanted, I really don't think we have come a long way baby! In fact, I am a little discouraged. First of all, I want to say up front, very quickly, there is no good reason for you to see this movie. I did it and you don't have to. It is a violent, bloody, very graphic action movie with a body count way beyond what any human being, especially children, teens and even adults should witness. It is the epitome of self-indulgent violent mania.

Back to the women in this movie. Basically, there are three, the girlfriend, the boss, and the assassin. And are they terrible people. The girlfriend is whiny, _itchy, and unfaithful. The boss is huge, ugly, grossly overweight, rude, nasty, unfair and an insensitive _itch. The assassin is beautiful, robotic, insensitive, territorial, and yes, a _itch. (and played by Angelina Jolie)

I walked out of the movie stunned. Yes, I felt I had returned to the movies of the 80's and the misogynous messages they were sending that women were the cause of everything bad, not to be trusted, mostly stupid, and those with brains were conniving evil, (yes, that word again) -itches. Besides the abject negativity towards women this movie delivers, the other message may be worse which is....if you have a gun, you have power. This movie is R rated but it should be X rated for the dangerous possibly lethal messages it sends about women and violence. And as far as I can see, even though it is not getting rave reviews, no one is talking about the graphic, bloody violence in this movie and the subliminal hatred of women it embraces.

Some of you may be scratching your heads saying, why Marilyn, did you go to this movie in the first place? I went to see James McAvoy. I also thought that Morgan Freeman gave it some credibility. All three of the stars delivered their roles and I am sure a very big paycheck made them say yes without thinking about what they were doing. But they were all wrong and I will remember this when I see their names on the marquees in the future.

I hope I have said enough to keep everyone I know and everyone they know and everyone everywhere away from this movie......

Summertime and the living.....

Well, summer is here and I love it. I love the heat and the humidity---no kidding, I do. I have been away from this blog because I have had two grandchildren here and a graduation of a grandson. It has been busy!!! I did manage to see a few movies and I can actually recommend one. Young At Heart is a documentary film on a group of seniors (average age is 81) who sing and travel the world. They are an eclectic bunch many who prefer classical music but follow the lead of a musical director who gets them to do the vocal renditions of Rolling Stones and Beatles songs. It is a fun, unique and poignant movie that can be viewed and enjoyed by people of all ages.

There was also a classic playing at the Dryden ( a local movie museum originally built for George Eastman), Gloria starring Gena Rowlands and directed by John Cassavetes. It is so good and could easily be used in film schools to show the difference a good director can make in lifting a story from the ordinary to the profound. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have the wonderful Gena Rowlands in the title role. This movie was remade by Sidney Lumet and starred Sharon Stone and it could not compare at all. Play the Lumet one alongside the original to see the difference. Sharon Stone was a distraction maybe because she was too beautiful and could not deliver the layered mood of the main character. Gloria, played to perfection by Rowlands, is an over the hill "gun moll" thrust into the role of mother/protector of a nine year old boy; a role she doesn't want and really hopes to relinquish, but doesn't. Rowlands is amazing and was nominated for an academy award for her acting in this film. It was great to see it on the big screen again.

Oh, and I saw Kung Fu Panda----(remember the grandchildren?) Enough said.

All my time is not spent inside a dark theater but I do get there often. I did go outdoors for the annual Ladies Professional Golf at a local country club. I have been doing this since 1978 and still enjoy the beauty and peace of the golf course early in the day before the crowds pour in. I am amazed at how international the field of golfers has become. The listings are truly from all over the world, Sweden, Norway, Korea, Japan, Mexico, and on. The women played so well the winner was 15 under. Wow! Of course, while I watched my mind wandered as I surveyed the players, the crowd, vendors, volunteers etc. I actually thought of the whole thing as a movie set. Mmmm--I just can't get away from it, can I? Oh well....

A final note on politics....it is quiet isn't it?? It is almost like "Who Cares"? Is that just me because my gal isn't in it any longer or something more? Maybe it is just the lull before the conventions and the general elections. I don't know. What do you think??

Transition

Time for something other than politics....summer heat, movies and family. If you haven't made plans for the summer, do it now. Don't let the glorious days of sun go by without doing the things you love with the people you love. I plan on theater and more theater from Stratford in Canada to Williamstown in Massachusetts and Niagra-on-the Lake in between. My granddaughters are coming from Denver and my grandson is graduating from High School. My family will gather in LA in July to celebrate my son's 20 year anniversary. Throw in a little Ladies Golf with the LPGA and the pool for other parties and I think my dance card is filling up. I haven't even mentioned the movies....I loved Iron Man with Robert Downey Jr., a comic book hero brought to life with good humor, outlandish plots, great special effects, and unreal(istic) plotlines. Great stuff!! I also liked Sex and the City even though I wasn't a watcher of the TV series. I went with a diehard fan who was on her third viewing. Talk about hidden pleasures. It was fun, though. Others that I liked and may be out on DVD were In Bruges (which I commented on in an earlier blog) and The Bank Job. This one is a really good heist movie and those are hard to come by. I think it is on DVD too.

I just got back from New York and saw Strange Passing, a new musical (mostly rock) which was fresh and different from the usual Broadway show. It is nominated for several Tonys and I think will win one or two next Sunday night. Stay tuned for my comments on summer theater and other events along the way. What are you all up to??

You Had Me At, "Well....."

I was crying before she hit the stage and even now she didn't disappoint. Hillary Clinton is history but not in the way some want her to be. She is moving the barriers and cracking that ceiling even for those women who don't get it. It is the older ones who do because we have been there, done that and know what just happened. It will never be the same for women again. And that is remarkable because it is a significant step forward. There were so many times I wanted her to quit. Give it up. You don't need this Hillary. You don't have to put up with having your words twisted, being called a whore, a monster, a b----, and being degraded with a nutcracker in your image using your thighs to crack the nuts or your face on every sheet of a toilet paper roll. You are a sitting senator from New York and a former first lady. You could be viewed in a better light if you just didn't push so hard. They don't want you Hillary so shut up and go away.

I wanted her to leave this race so many times because it was so hateful and shameful. I understood. And every day that she continued, that she didn't go away, that she refused to step aside, I was pumped with pride. Even last Tuesday, when AP reported she would concede that night, I knew it was a false report. Hillary would never release such news before the voting ended in Montana and South Dakota. It was wishful thinking by media mouths. Then they reported the end would be in a couple of days. No, Friday. It was today, Saturday which she chose. The tv showmen (I will never call them journalists or reporters) demanded a concession..they argued amongst themselves, why is she only suspending her campaign, even though every other presidential candidate including republicans had done that? Is she angling for Vice President? Those Clintons, how can we get rid of them??

In fact, Hillary is more respected and liked today than ever. She is an example and a role model to girls and women everywhere. She could coast along on this for the rest of her life but she won't. Hillary is my hero, my daughter's hero, my son's hero and a hero, period.

I still have tears in my eyes but I am so proud.

And I have to add this from my daughter because it is similar but with so much more passion. Thanks Em.....

well....
I cried and cried- I just couldn't stop- I mean every time she said we will vote for Barak my head said, "YES!" but my heart was broken. I kept thinking how strong she was to go this far- and frankly- name me one man who would have gone this far? I dont think anyone would- they all would have been pulled into some backroom and given a glass of scotch and told- "It's time buddy! You put up a good fight...but its time" like Mitt Romney...But not her- there was no pulling her in a back room- she did an amazing thing for the party- for women and for Barak- she got 20 million new voters! and with the 2000 election being less than 1000 votes difference- those 20 million new voters that signed up because Hillary hung in there will likely win Barak the election.

When she was done doing what she had to do to "unite the party" (BTW I love how close the word UNITE is to UNTIE) there was a moment when her speech turned- and I felt like she said all the things she probably has not been able to say about women and equal rights and the struggles we have had over abolition, civil rights and the women's right to vote- it was beautiful and so I cried some more- and I hung on every word...and then she talked about the glass ceiling being broken into 18 million little pieces and when she said that we have shot 50 women into space you would think its time to shoot one into the white house and I was saying "Amen!" and then at one point she talked about women and girls who think about something and wonder if they should or shouldn't or can or can't or won't and she said "Stop right there!" I literally started to pick up my hands and applaud the TV- as if I was standing right in that room.

I will never forget it- ever- its a defining moment in my life- I loved most of all how she said that she grew up taking for granted the woman's right to Vote and Chelsea grew up with women doing the same jobs as men- and that our children- my kids- my Phoebe will just always think that its unremarkable for a women to run for and be president- and that was the remarkable thing....its was incredible mom. I watched it alone on my couch...and I kept thinking- its 11:00 in the am Saturday- who is watching this- I only knew because Mark called and told me he was listening on the radio- and they were late to Cal's game and Cal said, "Dad- can we stay in the car and listen to a few more minutes?" Even my 11 year old son was captivated by the speech as it was heard in a hot car on the radio when he was already late to his little league game.

If I can upload this video, it is very appropriate for all of us and that includes Cal...

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Put Your Hands Together....There's a Lady on Stage....

This is for all Hillary supporters at the end of a very long, difficult primary. Be proud of her and what she accomplished for all of us. I think she has earned the respect of even the "Hillary Haters" and this is for you too.....Watch it all the way to the end.

Who the "Frak" is the last to be revealed??

I have been traveling for a couple of weeks and have all my favorite tv programs recorded for viewing at my leisure (and I am able to do that now). I have just watched three episodes back to back of Battlestar Gallactica and OMG!!! It is soooo good. Is the President the last one to be revealed?? And the Commander sitting there in space waiting for her to return to the spot where the fleet was but left for safety reasons. This is a great story and so well done. Lee is the new president....wow!! And who is that guy with the cat? And, can you believe a ceylon is in charge of the ship?? Most of you don't know what I am talking about and it would take too much time to explain but click on the link to the right to find out. The summer may be a great time to "catch up". Anyone who is watching this unfold must give me your opinion, please....(Mike!!)

And a political footnote.....don't write the end of this story before it happens. Be patient and watch. It is a thrilling and historic time. Stay tuned.