Unfortunately, many of the “chick flicks” tend to underscore typical gender roles, as well. How many times have I seen a movie about women that did not involve them talking almost exclusively about men and relationships with men? It seems to be pretty rare…to the point now where I just avoid “chick flicks” altogether. Many of the chick flicks, I believe, make it to the theaters only after they have been whitewashed and given the blessing of the patriarchy, to show women how they “should” act (usually being preoccupied with “romance” and eventually giving in to the “romantic hero”, no matter how idiotic he may be). Or, if they do assert themselves, they never wind up happy or alive (e.g., “Thelma and Louise”). The women I know in real life tend to talk about and concern themselves with a variety of things that have NOTHING to do with their men.

The older I get, the more fascinating I find women to be…and they get more interesting as they get older! But where are all the older actresses? Starring in corny “Hallmark” or “Lifetime” movies-for-TV, whereas the older actors are still box-office draws with female co-stars half their age (think: Sean Connery, Harrison Ford, etc). Are we so afraid, as Rush Limbaugh declared when Hillary Clinton was running for president, to see a woman age in front of our eyes? Most of the women I know gain layers of beauty and wisdom as they age…and they don’t need viagra to perform in bed, either! If anyone needs to be matched with a co-star half her age, it would be a mature woman who is confident in her sexuality and comfortable in her body.

Although I get bored of some of the “shoot em up” movies, many of our female deities are also goddess of war and destruction. One of the best female-centered, popular films I have seen was “Private Benjamin”, which was about female soldiering…Goldie Hawn actually ended the film happy and alone, having walked out on her jerky fiance on their wedding day. I would personally LOVE to see a feature length film about the Celtic warrior queen Boudica…I don’t know if it has ever been done, but there’s an idea for you! Unfortunately, not a happy ending, but boy, what a ride!

There’s a whole generation of young girls out there who need to see strong female characters–ones who break gender stereotypes and who are more than supporting characters. I’ve had enough of women being supporting characters in their own LIVES–we need to show women that they are the MAIN characters–in their lives, in their literature, in their movies! Heck, we make up more than 50% of the world…if WE aren’t the main characters, who are?

Brilliant posting! I´m so thrilled about your screenplays!
I couldn´t agree more with you here: “Being culturally marginalized is to accept second rate citizenship.” Wimmin are the culture around the World! Our acts should be always foward Feminist Attitudes, as you (Z) well said: “Women must show their demand that hits Hollywood in the pocketbook.”
We mustn´t support all these stupid things called dick flick movies which belittle Wimmin´s Worth! We are the culture, so we have the power to change all this patriarchal situation. We have the Female´s Power to switch all this situation to a Matriarchal Society!

Also Bored with Hollywood

)O( Aphrodisiastes )O(

Whenever I hear the term “chick flick” I always think of film that of focuses on female characters but in a rather shallow way. They are usually preoccupied with getting a boyfriend, a husband, or fashion, hell bent on destroying another female or playing out some sick obsession over a guy —or all of the above. Movies for womyn are movies that depict ‘real women’ who have actually experienced what life is such as “Waiting to Exhale” or “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”–these movies were based around the lives of minority wimmin who either struggle with their lives and/or lost everything and yet, they did NOT lose themselves! (They were block busters by the way) They didn’t need Rambo coming to their rescue because each womyn invoked her own Amazon. Rambo just can’t compete with that! If we are going to go for the dramatic, I’d like to see womyn portrayed in a manner more like this. Show these womyn as their own saviors, invoking their own true Amazonian selves, celebrate them, honor them. Oh and lest not forget to show movies with the “older womyn”! Where the hell are they now a days? Replaced by younger womyn, yet the older guys are still workin’ hollywood raw. To me, this just shows the contempt Hollywood has for womyn period…So yeah, No more “chick dollars” from me on the “dick flick”!!

Blessings,
Aura