The day I fell in love with Amy Schumer, I was preparing my Intro to Psychology lecture about gender. I was searching YouTube for clever clips that I could use, when I came across a video called “Inside Amy Schumer – Last F**kable Day”. The main character, Amy Schumer, comes across her “heroes” — Julia Louis-Dreyfus,… Continue Reading →
What the 67th Emmy awards revealed about women of color in TV
The 67th primetime Emmy awards happened this past Sunday, and while I opted out of watching it live in favor of the premier of the last season of Downton Abbey (many tears!), a tweet that night from CNN contributor Rachel Sklar was cause enough for me to drop my cup of tea back into its saucer and… Continue Reading →
Why are filmmakers erasing girls?
Fan fiction culture is unique (and not just because it’s one of the only spaces you’ll find dramatic YouTube readings of stories starring characters like “Enoby”, “Vlodemort”, and “Dumblydore”). It is also one of the few online spaces that is primarily female. This is a realm in which girls and women can mold popular culture to their… Continue Reading →
Embrace your grey: Society’s double-standard for aging men and women
Does anyone else feel exasperated with the whole “women must cover their grey hair” message? Daily, we are fed images of grey haired men, being told they are distinguished, successful, powerful and that they are even sexy, mature “silver foxes”, yet at the same time we women are taught to be horrified at the thought… Continue Reading →
Same ol’ formula continues in movies
I have basically stopped watching movies. I can’t bring myself to watch more than about two minutes of any movie before the steam inside my head has risen to the point where I need to leave the room or it will burst out, whistling like a kettle. Having observed the film industry for the best part… Continue Reading →
We need to change more than clothes in the dressing room
Brace yourselves, everyone. I’m about to make a huge confession. I’m about to astound and confuse millions upon millions of people. I’m about to dispute the core of beliefs of department store marketers and romantic comedy writers. I’m a 22-year-old, warm-blooded American woman who does not enjoy shopping for clothes. Shocking, right? I’m a young… Continue Reading →
We’re getting Wonder Woman!
In my last post, I bemoaned the lack of a Wonder Woman movie – but it seems I spoke too soon. DC has announced that they will release a Wonder Woman movie in 2017. Yay! Not to be outdone, Marvel followed with an announcement of a female Captain Marvel movie for 2018. And Sony’s female… Continue Reading →
In defense of the “before” girl
In some ways, I look like the “before” girl in romantic comedies. You know, the one with the frizzy hair and the chunky glasses? If only I would straighten my hair and take off my glasses, then I, too, could be beautiful! At least, so says romantic comedy logic. As Rachel Paige at Hello Giggles… Continue Reading →
Give me Wonder Woman
I love superhero movies. I’ve eagerly awaited every new Batman movie, I’ve been following the Avengers franchise for years – and I was very excited, a few weeks ago, to go see Guardians of the Galaxy. I enjoyed it, but in one critical respect, I came away disappointed. Not in the story, or the acting…. Continue Reading →