2023 REREAD: From 2018 to 2023; now I guess I couldn't handle all the OTT chaos, and some characters who are literally the worst monsters ever ever. Plus there is no real plot, and a lot of filler, meandering and will-they-won't-they dragging crap. I can't believe how much I don't remember from the first read. Events are far worse than I would have dared imagined.
These poor kids.
'The Brightsiders' is a very dark, cynical and contemptuous book; a complete contrast to the author's other, more optimistic and lighthearted works like 'Queens of Geek' and 'Going Off Script'. Though I suppose the point is to be honest and show the dark, horrible, toxic, nasty side to rock stardom - music stardom, and teen stardom in general especially. Even if it is extreme, cartoony (though sadly still realistic), and overwhelming.
'The Brightsiders' deserves huge points for its diversity rep, however. And all its relevant social commentary, and spotlighting the many prices of fame.
I adore 'Queens of Geek' and 'Going Off Script'. Not this one anymore, I'm afraid. It's too much for sensitive old me. One thing I adore about it is the purple lipstick (and the cover) - that hasn't changed.
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
This is a riot of a book. Nearly all of the characters are a chaotic mess.
And I love it.
'The Brightsiders' is about teen rock stardom and the various, devastating prices that come with fame. The pressure is unimaginably heavier on seventeen-year-olds who became famous too early, too fast, and unlike ordinary teenagers, their mistakes and responsibilities are viewed and judged on a global scale. There is no privacy in the digital, smartphone, internet age. Doesn't matter what these rockstar kids do, or what their only female band member does, everything is turned into a scandal. Schadenfreude is alive and well. The paparazzi and TMZ are soulless, bloodthirsty vultures.
Honestly, I admire Emmy King for going through so much bullshit throughout this book, and coming back from it all alive. Amid the horrible, toxic people in her life, there are also a lot of supportive, caring and just dang awesome people who can be called her friends. Her friends show her good times, give up their own time and money for her, give her a safe home away from abuse and scandal, let her take breaks, and generally try to help her.
By the end, Emmy, after all her repeated mistakes, does go to the effort of changing herself; sticking to it and what makes her happy. And meaning it.
She realises her own faults, as well as the faults of people, relationships and influences that are bad for her, and she wants to get better. She receives professional help.
But who knows where she, as someone still so young, still finding herself, would have ended up if she hadn't had her friends standing by her along the journey.
This is what friendship is. 'The Brightsiders' shows young adults what truly constitutes friendship, and people being decent and nice to others. Romance doesn't have to factor into it. In our cynical, toxic, effed-up world, the bright spots are much needed and appreciated.
I wanted to read 'The Brightsiders' because I really enjoyed Jen Wilde's previous book, 'Queens of Geek', and I'd heard of the great diversity rep for a YA novel. It has mixed reviews, but I wanted to read it for myself and come to my own conclusions.
It is very emotional and well-written. Addictive, short and sweet at under 300 pages. It is both feel-good, cute, warm and fuzzy, and a reminder that humans are generally fucking nasty. It is complicated and, as stated at the beginning of this review, chaotic, but so is life. Especially the life of a teen punk rock band member. A teen girl punk rock band member.
Emmy King plays the drums, writes songs, wants to sing in the lead someday, wears all kinds of colours of lipsticks and wigs and dyes, wears whatever she wants, likes to party, likes to be the center of attention, likes to help and inspire people, and is overall in the spotlight of not caring what others think of her. Or she tries not to. Being famous has challenged that stratospherically.
Emmy is also bi - and she comes out to her fans during a Pride concert. It is a very touching scene, and she does love her fans, most of whom are lovely people who support her almost as much as her closest friends.
Bi and female - the social media and news networks will have a field day with that. The tabloids already saw her as a piece of meat and train wreck magnet before. Not to mention there is her eventually breaking up with her abusive girlfriend, and she's starting to have feelings for a friend who uses male pronouns. Biphobia and slut-shaming are a few of the many themes used to point out what makes people good and bad in 'The Brightsiders'.
Emmy is only seventeen. Remind yourself of that while you read this book.
Even if she is the girl in the purple lipstick, and you don't mess with the girl in the purple lipstick.
Give her further positivity in her life, and no doubt she would make a cool and amazing friend.
Her love interest is her fellow bandmate Alfie Jones, who is genderqueer and uses male pronouns, is pansexual, and has social anxiety disorder. Their developing relationship from childhood best friends to friends with benefits to lovers is a slow burn. It's realistic, poignant and beautiful. Emmy's other bandmate, Ryan Cho, is Korean-American and also bisexual. That a band this diverse can reach fame that would win them Grammy awards is absolutely brilliant. The real world should take note.
Emmy's best friend, Chloe, who is also a famous artist, originating as an interviewer for trans and nonbinary people on YouTube, is black/mixed-race, nonbinary, and uses they/them pronouns. They are the best friend in all of existence; a warm cinnamon cake in a world so very full of it. They support Emmy through everything, telling her what's what, and how they can help her out. Chloe is tough and smart; having been through the wars of online and media abuse and survived it stronger than ever, they represent Emmy's next, improved stage in self-care and happiness. They are not a token inspiration, just a person living life to the full, on their own terms, letting no one bring them down for who they are.
There are many other characters in 'The Brightsiders', good and bad and in-between and complex, but I feel that Emmy and her posse are worth mentioning by how wonderful they are: as people and for amazing diverse inclusion. The main characters from 'Queens of Geek' also cameo here. Charlie and Alyssa are among Emmy's group of famous supportive friends, and they are absolutely adorable together; a brilliant couple (even Emmy thinks they're swoon-worthy).
Oh, and Emmy's parents are the worst creatures in the entire universe whose graves won't be worth pissing on. Against their wishes, they'll receive no more attention than that in my review. They deserve nothing.
'The Brightsiders', as funny, adorable and lovely as parts of it are, contains heavy subject matters and issues vital to talk about in this day and age. Alcoholism, plus various forms of abuse, but most notably gaslighting, are discussed. How gaslighting and emotional manipulation are handled is harrowing and realistic, and I am so glad that Emmy manages to rise above it, having been a victim all her life. Fame and fortune have changed nothing about that. People who make you feel negative, unequal, worthless, unlovable, and unsure of yourself - people who make you hate yourself - should not be involved in your life: everybody needs to know this.
Dealing with prejudice such as misogyny, sexism, racism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, mental illness stigma, and really anything considered different, are included.
'The Brightsiders' is like 'Queens of Geek' with punk rock stars and music fandom, but darker.
Speaking of music, that aspect of the novel is neither sidelined, underused, nor an afterthought. The songs written by the band are nice, starry and enchanting without being too cheesy or Disney-esque. They are mainly about being queer, and are written for the band's young and queer fanbase. I could see them topping the charts and winning awards. Singing and making deep, personal music as a way to express one's emotions, troubles and sufferings is one of the human race's many worthwhile perks.
In conclusion, I don't get why 'The Brightsiders' isn't rated higher than it is. It can be messy and melodramatic, but I think that's the point. Teen rock star girl protagonist, remember? Going through so much, publicly and privately. Some moments are hard gut punchers, and others are extremely anger-inducing to read about. But even then, the main themes of friendship, support and seeking help when needed shine strongest of all. Breakdowns galore, yet towards the very end there is a positive, tearful, heartfelt message. It contains great, well-written passages and quotes that will resonate with young people today.
There is hope in the shitstorm.
The last ten pages are a little rushed, quickly wrapped-up, and too-good-to-be-true, but I enjoyed the hell out of the whole thing. It is a reminder for me to be more comfortable with myself; to be myself; and to put on purple lipstick!
Inspiration, thy name is 'The Brightsiders'.
I can't wait to read Jen Wilde's future publications. She is a diversity, social media and fandom YA writer to look out for.
Final Score: 4/5
Saturday, 8 December 2018
Friday, 7 December 2018
Book Review - 'Doctor Who: Dr. Thirteenth (Doctor Who meets Mr Men and Little Miss #13)' by Adam Hargreaves
A 'Mr Men and Little Miss' book about the thirteenth Doctor and her three companions (though only she goes travelling in the TARDIS). It's what you'd expect.
'Doctor Who: Dr. Thirteenth' is cute, and funny for kids. It's iffy in parts in spite of the sweetness and sass, like concerning the time travel aspect (let's not get into the inclusion of World War II), but it grew on me.
Small and colourful. Always nice to see a product centering on the first female Doctor too, especially for children.
Fun ladies on adventures!
Final Score: 3/5
'Doctor Who: Dr. Thirteenth' is cute, and funny for kids. It's iffy in parts in spite of the sweetness and sass, like concerning the time travel aspect (let's not get into the inclusion of World War II), but it grew on me.
Small and colourful. Always nice to see a product centering on the first female Doctor too, especially for children.
Fun ladies on adventures!
Final Score: 3/5
Thursday, 6 December 2018
I've seen 'She-Ra and the Princesses of Power', first season. Really enjoyed it. Magical girl power with depth and great relationship drama - so emotional, tragic even. If rushed and questionable towards the end of the series. The diversity and queerness are stunning. It's adorable and colourful. Let's keep this kind of children's entertainment up. We've come a long way since Korra.
Saturday, 1 December 2018
Another Top 20 Favourite Films - Part 4
5. 'The Truman Show' (1998)
Well, talking of cultural relevance and comedies, here is 'The Truman Show'. It is Jim Carrey's best role and performance; I'd argue that that is a fact. As someone who plays the only real person in an environment full of actors, he is stupendous, For me, who hates reality TV with a burning passion, this film is an oasis. A cautionary tale, a mirror into our own collective consciousness in a society that cares more about what it can do as opposed to what it should do. What could happen if corporations, if television, really did take over everything and we let it do what it wants. For its time, 'The Truman Show' was just science fiction, but today its satire is more real than ever and it is not hard to see something like this happening in our world. A high concept premise became plausible and scary overtime. That only makes it better the older it gets. It transcends the concept of time, of modernism, and even postmodernism. 'The Truman Show' is an enjoyable, funny, clever, endearing masterpiece. Proof that Hollywood does make smart and worthwhile movies. In a fake setting that looks like it was snatched from a fifties discount bin, the film is only eerier and more meaningful because of it, without being too unsettling and off-putting. And the apron-wearing, smiling, Stepford wife actress does have a job.
So many layers, themes, marvels, and twists and turns, 'The Truman Show' is true sci-fi, political entertainment. No harm or deception done. Because reality - real reality, not what is shown on TV - is always better.
4. 'The Love Witch' (2016)
A feminist witch film that is sensual, sexy, gorgeous, mesmerizing, and as addictive as chocolate. I've talked a bit about this before in my Favourite Fictional Witches list, specifically about the protagonist, the tragic love witch Elaine. 'The Love Witch' pays homage to retro, Technicolor B movies from the sixties-eighties, and is a tribute to female leads who rarely receive the recognition they deserve in those films. The cinematography and overall style are wonderful. It is feminine and sweet, but deadly. A labour of love for writer-director-producer-editor-designer-scorer Anna Biller. A great and effective outlook on and insight into modern gender roles as well, and how harmful they are to society. A damaged woman, a female survivor, is hardly at fault, but sometimes, in an aftermath and follow up to a traumatic event, she is not entirely blameless either, unless she is a victim. A victim of the stifling patriarchy, enabling the power play of abuse and devoid of genuine love and affection.
I can't do it justice. Watch the seductive allure of Wicca and 'The Love Witch' for yourself. You many never be able to stop watching it.
3. 'Matilda' (1996)
Coming up at number three is yet another childhood fave. A film about overcoming abuse and oppression - starring kids, for kids. 'Matilda' by Roald Dahl is my favourite children's book, and the film adaptation by Danny DeVito and starring Mara Wilson at her peak is pure delight from beginning to end. It is charming, humourous, and unafraid to get dark and scary, for indeed the world is a scary, unfair place in a child's eyes. Scenarios reflected through a child's point of view are executed marvelously. Bright spots, and bright, decent adults, do exist, however. I never tire of it. Its fantasy element, where Matilda gains telekinetic powers to help her punish abusive adults, is somewhat downplayed in comparison to its more realistic, human touches and scenes. For a children's film, that is a mark of restraint and cleverness. And budget handling, but whatever.
A beloved classic, and one of the first feminist kids' films I've seen. I'm serious. Women and girl power is everywhere here. Matilda - everything about her - is a genius little icon.
2. 'Hidden Figures' (2016)
It's a movie about the black women who, through mathematics, typing, engineering, and hurdling a whole batch of obstacles, helped launch men into space in America. We have minorities to thank for all sorts of achievements in history. Thank you Fox Pictures for finally bringing this historical lesson (and non-fiction book) to light and life. Black women's voices are being heard, listened to, and put front and center in mainstream films. 'Hidden Figures' is great filmmaking. It is, yes, charming and endearing all the way through its run time. Funny and poignant, you love and care for the three ladies from the start. What determined, assertive, snarky and brilliantly smart people they were, taking no one's racist and sexist shit. There are genuinely good white people, at least, thank goodness, and no white folk get away with bullshit. Even with the white people behind the camera working on it, it represents allyship at its finest, in my opinion. Topnotch casting and performances. Plus, rated PG, children, our next generation, can watch this history lesson and learn something meaningful and useful.
Progressive cinema. A triumph of representation and history in film. Of diversity in film. 'Hidden Figures' is, for lack of a better word, fantastic.
1. 'Lady Bird' (2017)
Now at number one. 'Lady Bird' is an instant favourite film of mine. Universally lauded and raved about, it is a masterful depiction of a teenage girl's coming of age story, so relatable it's scary, and it features one of the most realistic and heartwrenching mother and daughter bonds ever put on screen. The first shot of the film, of the mother and daughter together asleep on a bed, is perfect. Cinema has an unfortunate history of toxic mother-and-daughter relationships, ingrained in internalized misogyny and the patriarchy's rule of women never getting along with one another. But 'Lady Bird', in its feminine wisdom, lets that recurring abuse cycle eat cake. It is the mum-and girl love story that is the heart of the film, as complex, flawed but deeply rooted in love as the unconventional narrative structure is. A sequence of events rather than a plot, 'Lady Bird' (did you know that is another word for ladybug in England?) is as authentic, rustic and true to life as you can get. Where was a story like this when I was growing up? Writer and director Greta Gerwig is an outstanding, personal filmmaker, and Saoirse Ronan as the lead is bloody amazing; her best role in a career made out of mainly playing teenagers. Everybody is terrific in this; I believed in every single one of them.
I've made this list to feature some diverse films by female directors and writers, and a few who are POC or queer or both, to highlight their importance and talent, digging them out of obscurity in the shadow of white male Hollywood. 'Lady Bird' is a beautiful and honest example of passionate female filmmaking. As well as parental love, it is also about female friendships, peer pressure, finding oneself, learning to love yourself and where you come from, appreciating your parents and their bringing you up and into the world, appreciating what you have, and factors of life post-9/11(it is set in 2002). I get teary-eyed everytime I watch it. It could be titled 'Lily Pad' and it would have worked just as well, for a movie about an adolescent girl carving a unique identity for herself, as one of billions in the big wide world. Every one, every life, is unique, in individual, natural ways and paths.
'Lady Bird' is a lovely, beautiful, complicated film, fitting with its growing female binding and bonding themes perfectly. I am in love with it.
That is all. Thank you for reading. Have a positive, fulfilling day.
Well, talking of cultural relevance and comedies, here is 'The Truman Show'. It is Jim Carrey's best role and performance; I'd argue that that is a fact. As someone who plays the only real person in an environment full of actors, he is stupendous, For me, who hates reality TV with a burning passion, this film is an oasis. A cautionary tale, a mirror into our own collective consciousness in a society that cares more about what it can do as opposed to what it should do. What could happen if corporations, if television, really did take over everything and we let it do what it wants. For its time, 'The Truman Show' was just science fiction, but today its satire is more real than ever and it is not hard to see something like this happening in our world. A high concept premise became plausible and scary overtime. That only makes it better the older it gets. It transcends the concept of time, of modernism, and even postmodernism. 'The Truman Show' is an enjoyable, funny, clever, endearing masterpiece. Proof that Hollywood does make smart and worthwhile movies. In a fake setting that looks like it was snatched from a fifties discount bin, the film is only eerier and more meaningful because of it, without being too unsettling and off-putting. And the apron-wearing, smiling, Stepford wife actress does have a job.
So many layers, themes, marvels, and twists and turns, 'The Truman Show' is true sci-fi, political entertainment. No harm or deception done. Because reality - real reality, not what is shown on TV - is always better.
4. 'The Love Witch' (2016)
A feminist witch film that is sensual, sexy, gorgeous, mesmerizing, and as addictive as chocolate. I've talked a bit about this before in my Favourite Fictional Witches list, specifically about the protagonist, the tragic love witch Elaine. 'The Love Witch' pays homage to retro, Technicolor B movies from the sixties-eighties, and is a tribute to female leads who rarely receive the recognition they deserve in those films. The cinematography and overall style are wonderful. It is feminine and sweet, but deadly. A labour of love for writer-director-producer-editor-designer-scorer Anna Biller. A great and effective outlook on and insight into modern gender roles as well, and how harmful they are to society. A damaged woman, a female survivor, is hardly at fault, but sometimes, in an aftermath and follow up to a traumatic event, she is not entirely blameless either, unless she is a victim. A victim of the stifling patriarchy, enabling the power play of abuse and devoid of genuine love and affection.
I can't do it justice. Watch the seductive allure of Wicca and 'The Love Witch' for yourself. You many never be able to stop watching it.
3. 'Matilda' (1996)
Coming up at number three is yet another childhood fave. A film about overcoming abuse and oppression - starring kids, for kids. 'Matilda' by Roald Dahl is my favourite children's book, and the film adaptation by Danny DeVito and starring Mara Wilson at her peak is pure delight from beginning to end. It is charming, humourous, and unafraid to get dark and scary, for indeed the world is a scary, unfair place in a child's eyes. Scenarios reflected through a child's point of view are executed marvelously. Bright spots, and bright, decent adults, do exist, however. I never tire of it. Its fantasy element, where Matilda gains telekinetic powers to help her punish abusive adults, is somewhat downplayed in comparison to its more realistic, human touches and scenes. For a children's film, that is a mark of restraint and cleverness. And budget handling, but whatever.
A beloved classic, and one of the first feminist kids' films I've seen. I'm serious. Women and girl power is everywhere here. Matilda - everything about her - is a genius little icon.
2. 'Hidden Figures' (2016)
It's a movie about the black women who, through mathematics, typing, engineering, and hurdling a whole batch of obstacles, helped launch men into space in America. We have minorities to thank for all sorts of achievements in history. Thank you Fox Pictures for finally bringing this historical lesson (and non-fiction book) to light and life. Black women's voices are being heard, listened to, and put front and center in mainstream films. 'Hidden Figures' is great filmmaking. It is, yes, charming and endearing all the way through its run time. Funny and poignant, you love and care for the three ladies from the start. What determined, assertive, snarky and brilliantly smart people they were, taking no one's racist and sexist shit. There are genuinely good white people, at least, thank goodness, and no white folk get away with bullshit. Even with the white people behind the camera working on it, it represents allyship at its finest, in my opinion. Topnotch casting and performances. Plus, rated PG, children, our next generation, can watch this history lesson and learn something meaningful and useful.
Progressive cinema. A triumph of representation and history in film. Of diversity in film. 'Hidden Figures' is, for lack of a better word, fantastic.
1. 'Lady Bird' (2017)
Now at number one. 'Lady Bird' is an instant favourite film of mine. Universally lauded and raved about, it is a masterful depiction of a teenage girl's coming of age story, so relatable it's scary, and it features one of the most realistic and heartwrenching mother and daughter bonds ever put on screen. The first shot of the film, of the mother and daughter together asleep on a bed, is perfect. Cinema has an unfortunate history of toxic mother-and-daughter relationships, ingrained in internalized misogyny and the patriarchy's rule of women never getting along with one another. But 'Lady Bird', in its feminine wisdom, lets that recurring abuse cycle eat cake. It is the mum-and girl love story that is the heart of the film, as complex, flawed but deeply rooted in love as the unconventional narrative structure is. A sequence of events rather than a plot, 'Lady Bird' (did you know that is another word for ladybug in England?) is as authentic, rustic and true to life as you can get. Where was a story like this when I was growing up? Writer and director Greta Gerwig is an outstanding, personal filmmaker, and Saoirse Ronan as the lead is bloody amazing; her best role in a career made out of mainly playing teenagers. Everybody is terrific in this; I believed in every single one of them.
I've made this list to feature some diverse films by female directors and writers, and a few who are POC or queer or both, to highlight their importance and talent, digging them out of obscurity in the shadow of white male Hollywood. 'Lady Bird' is a beautiful and honest example of passionate female filmmaking. As well as parental love, it is also about female friendships, peer pressure, finding oneself, learning to love yourself and where you come from, appreciating your parents and their bringing you up and into the world, appreciating what you have, and factors of life post-9/11(it is set in 2002). I get teary-eyed everytime I watch it. It could be titled 'Lily Pad' and it would have worked just as well, for a movie about an adolescent girl carving a unique identity for herself, as one of billions in the big wide world. Every one, every life, is unique, in individual, natural ways and paths.
'Lady Bird' is a lovely, beautiful, complicated film, fitting with its growing female binding and bonding themes perfectly. I am in love with it.
That is all. Thank you for reading. Have a positive, fulfilling day.
Another Top 20 Favourite Films - Part 3
10. 'Moana' (2016)
I won't go into much detail about this one, because I've already talked about it in regards to the heroic title lead. 'Moana' is one of Disney's most diverse films. It is especially heartening to see an all-POC cast in one of their recent entries in their canon. It is also magical, brilliantly animated, of course, its songs by 'Hamilton''s Lin-Manuel Miranda are memorable hits, and its story layers out the message of peace and self- love and determination throughout, towards its powerful end. A hero's journey with a proactive, flawed and sprightly young woman of colour destined to lead her people, 'Moana' is another milestone for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Rewatchable, fun, touching and poignant. A ray (like the fish, as well) of hope to end a shit year on.
9. 'Laputa: Castle in the Sky' (1986)
A Miyazaki classic. 'Castle in the Sky' is one of the most adventurous and exciting films I've seen, animated or not. Everything about it works: the characters - wow the characters!, the plot, the worldbuilding, the fantastic suspense and tension. You rarely see a children's film so daring and dangerous, yet fun (I know I use this word a lot on this list, but here it especially applies) anymore. There's the plucky and fearless young male lead; the female lead who isn't such a damsel in distress, and is as practical as her partner (though I wonder what accent she's supposed to have in the English dub); an older female antagonist, also a family woman, turned ally and anti-heroine; the sinister and greedy military villain; buff men, thin men, takes-no-crap ladies: Every one of the them is spontaneous, surprising, cunning, and brave. How many times do they nearly die! It all just adds up to such good time viewing! There are also robots, pirates, flying machines (from Miyazaki, no, really?!), mine carts, skies, and new worlds and cultures. It's like a sophisticated video game!
If you haven't yet, go see 'Castle in the Sky'. It is two hours long but the time whizzes by, like a small plane. It is unquestionably one of Studio Ghibli's best.
8. 'Hairspray' (2007)
In the ranks of showcasing how great musicals are is 'Hairspray'. Like a 'Chicago' that the whole family can watch, and also like 'Chicago', it is one of those films that you can watch and forget that what you are seeing is a piece of celluloid. I love the songs, the characters, the sets, the colours, the energy, the passion present in every scene, every detail of mise-en-scène, and the theme of prejudice and people coming together to overcome it. 'Hairspray' is one of the most energetic and feel-good movies I have ever seen. The all-star cast is fantastic. Who would have thunk it that a post-'Battlefield Earth' John Travolta in drag would have turned out so well? Throughout the journey of a fat girl protagonist wanting to be a famous dancer allying for the rights and liberation of black people in segregated America in the sixties, comes a wonderful, emotional and triumphant and perfect climax. Why racial and weight discrimination - dancing and singing with everyone in all the colours of the rainbow is much more fun! Add in a mixed-race romance and the drop of rainbow honey is in the pot, with the lid firmly on. Way to put an optimistic bounce to things!
How I adore 'Hairspray'. It will never get old. It will never not be relevant.
7. 'Tully' (2018)
Another, most recent film. 'Tully' has one of the best depictions of motherhood and postpartum depression ever put on film. In 2018. That is really telling of how little Hollywood cares about women and their pain and suffering. The white men in power prefer women to keep quiet and pretty and thin, and be the perfect, smiley, clean picture of motherhood; no mess, no fuss, no stress. Yeah, the reality of parenthood is naturally more complex. And writer Diablo Cody (who has matured exceptionally since 'Juno') wanted to highlight this. Charlize Theron is amazing, as is to be expected, as an American woman coping with a new, unplanned baby in the family. She has three kids to look after now, and hardly gets any sleep. She is exhausted all the time. A night nanny recommended to her by her brother might be what the doctor ordered, and her life seemingly changes overnight, making her happy, making her feel young again with no worries about the future. Is it too good to be true, however? 'Tully' is about womanhood. Honest, realistic womanhood. It isn't pleasant, but joy and charm can be found, thanks to support (her husband is like her best friend, but even he is flawed, and he does try to improve himself) and self-care. Time to oneself is important once in a while. Mental illness is also a theme, represented sensitively but in a harsh light in understandable, realistic circumstances.
'Tully' - the power of women, and their humanity and vulnerability, put into focus without shame and stigma. A shocking and emotional journey that I am glad to experience and understand over and over again.
6. 'Chicken Run' (2000)
One of my favourite animated films, and a big feature in my childhood. Solid and almost flawless, it is just brilliant. It is a stop motion comedy drama caper about farm chickens rebelling by escaping confinement - fighting for a free-range life, one that does not involve slaughter, forced reproduction, and child snatching and death. The majority of the cast is female, for they are chickens. This film can easily nowadays be interpreted as a metaphor for how women are treated by the patriarchy, and would be treated in Margaret Atwood's apocalyptic, dystopic nightmare version of the patriarchy. What makes 'Chicken Run' doubly, triply remarkable is that, with a plot and themes so centered on death and misery, it is actually a very funny, jubilant and hopeful story. The clever writing shines through in every line, every character interaction, every funny set piece, and action sequence. Every joke works, and this was before Aardman Animations tried to appeal to mostly American audiences, with varying results. 'Chicken Run' is a British animated comedy, through and through, and it is glorious. We English are a comedy gold mine. The protagonist, Ginger, is a smart, brave, determined leader of the chickens who is also a dreamer. The villain, Mrs Tweedy, is a woman and one of animation's greatest villains ever. The movie is so good, I can even overlook Mel Gibson being in it.
"The Great Escape with poultry"? No. "This ain't no chick flick"? Fuck off. 'Chicken Run' is a classic. It is mature storytelling that is endearing and accessible. All ages and genders can watch and enjoy the hell out of it.
To be continued in Part 4.
I won't go into much detail about this one, because I've already talked about it in regards to the heroic title lead. 'Moana' is one of Disney's most diverse films. It is especially heartening to see an all-POC cast in one of their recent entries in their canon. It is also magical, brilliantly animated, of course, its songs by 'Hamilton''s Lin-Manuel Miranda are memorable hits, and its story layers out the message of peace and self- love and determination throughout, towards its powerful end. A hero's journey with a proactive, flawed and sprightly young woman of colour destined to lead her people, 'Moana' is another milestone for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Rewatchable, fun, touching and poignant. A ray (like the fish, as well) of hope to end a shit year on.
9. 'Laputa: Castle in the Sky' (1986)
A Miyazaki classic. 'Castle in the Sky' is one of the most adventurous and exciting films I've seen, animated or not. Everything about it works: the characters - wow the characters!, the plot, the worldbuilding, the fantastic suspense and tension. You rarely see a children's film so daring and dangerous, yet fun (I know I use this word a lot on this list, but here it especially applies) anymore. There's the plucky and fearless young male lead; the female lead who isn't such a damsel in distress, and is as practical as her partner (though I wonder what accent she's supposed to have in the English dub); an older female antagonist, also a family woman, turned ally and anti-heroine; the sinister and greedy military villain; buff men, thin men, takes-no-crap ladies: Every one of the them is spontaneous, surprising, cunning, and brave. How many times do they nearly die! It all just adds up to such good time viewing! There are also robots, pirates, flying machines (from Miyazaki, no, really?!), mine carts, skies, and new worlds and cultures. It's like a sophisticated video game!
If you haven't yet, go see 'Castle in the Sky'. It is two hours long but the time whizzes by, like a small plane. It is unquestionably one of Studio Ghibli's best.
8. 'Hairspray' (2007)
In the ranks of showcasing how great musicals are is 'Hairspray'. Like a 'Chicago' that the whole family can watch, and also like 'Chicago', it is one of those films that you can watch and forget that what you are seeing is a piece of celluloid. I love the songs, the characters, the sets, the colours, the energy, the passion present in every scene, every detail of mise-en-scène, and the theme of prejudice and people coming together to overcome it. 'Hairspray' is one of the most energetic and feel-good movies I have ever seen. The all-star cast is fantastic. Who would have thunk it that a post-'Battlefield Earth' John Travolta in drag would have turned out so well? Throughout the journey of a fat girl protagonist wanting to be a famous dancer allying for the rights and liberation of black people in segregated America in the sixties, comes a wonderful, emotional and triumphant and perfect climax. Why racial and weight discrimination - dancing and singing with everyone in all the colours of the rainbow is much more fun! Add in a mixed-race romance and the drop of rainbow honey is in the pot, with the lid firmly on. Way to put an optimistic bounce to things!
How I adore 'Hairspray'. It will never get old. It will never not be relevant.
7. 'Tully' (2018)
Another, most recent film. 'Tully' has one of the best depictions of motherhood and postpartum depression ever put on film. In 2018. That is really telling of how little Hollywood cares about women and their pain and suffering. The white men in power prefer women to keep quiet and pretty and thin, and be the perfect, smiley, clean picture of motherhood; no mess, no fuss, no stress. Yeah, the reality of parenthood is naturally more complex. And writer Diablo Cody (who has matured exceptionally since 'Juno') wanted to highlight this. Charlize Theron is amazing, as is to be expected, as an American woman coping with a new, unplanned baby in the family. She has three kids to look after now, and hardly gets any sleep. She is exhausted all the time. A night nanny recommended to her by her brother might be what the doctor ordered, and her life seemingly changes overnight, making her happy, making her feel young again with no worries about the future. Is it too good to be true, however? 'Tully' is about womanhood. Honest, realistic womanhood. It isn't pleasant, but joy and charm can be found, thanks to support (her husband is like her best friend, but even he is flawed, and he does try to improve himself) and self-care. Time to oneself is important once in a while. Mental illness is also a theme, represented sensitively but in a harsh light in understandable, realistic circumstances.
'Tully' - the power of women, and their humanity and vulnerability, put into focus without shame and stigma. A shocking and emotional journey that I am glad to experience and understand over and over again.
6. 'Chicken Run' (2000)
One of my favourite animated films, and a big feature in my childhood. Solid and almost flawless, it is just brilliant. It is a stop motion comedy drama caper about farm chickens rebelling by escaping confinement - fighting for a free-range life, one that does not involve slaughter, forced reproduction, and child snatching and death. The majority of the cast is female, for they are chickens. This film can easily nowadays be interpreted as a metaphor for how women are treated by the patriarchy, and would be treated in Margaret Atwood's apocalyptic, dystopic nightmare version of the patriarchy. What makes 'Chicken Run' doubly, triply remarkable is that, with a plot and themes so centered on death and misery, it is actually a very funny, jubilant and hopeful story. The clever writing shines through in every line, every character interaction, every funny set piece, and action sequence. Every joke works, and this was before Aardman Animations tried to appeal to mostly American audiences, with varying results. 'Chicken Run' is a British animated comedy, through and through, and it is glorious. We English are a comedy gold mine. The protagonist, Ginger, is a smart, brave, determined leader of the chickens who is also a dreamer. The villain, Mrs Tweedy, is a woman and one of animation's greatest villains ever. The movie is so good, I can even overlook Mel Gibson being in it.
"The Great Escape with poultry"? No. "This ain't no chick flick"? Fuck off. 'Chicken Run' is a classic. It is mature storytelling that is endearing and accessible. All ages and genders can watch and enjoy the hell out of it.
To be continued in Part 4.
Another Top 20 Favourite Films - Part 2
15. 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988)
A childhood classic that wowed audiences around the world with its live-action/animation hybrid technology and techniques, and its adult humour that's barely sneaky. It's not Getting Crap Past the Radar so much as it is making sure the radar isn't turned on to begin with. What can I say about 'Roger Rabbit' that hasn't been said already? It's fun, clever, creative, and doesn't talk down to its audience. A film noir for kids. A gangster movie for kids. A further secret to its success is how mesmerizing it is to see so many different cartoon characters interact onscreen together - or just show up together onscreen. Millions of kids' minds were blown. Mindblowing still is the actors brilliantly, flawlessly interacting with nothing on set, but what would be the wacky cartoons added in later on. Two mediums joining together never looked so good. A pity that copycats in the nineties were never so successful. No one could recreate the phenomenon in filmmaking that is 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'. They still can't. With its forties-fifties setting (when Looney Tunes made it big and Disney was just getting started), in a film made in the eighties, it is timeless.
And Jessica Rabbit isn't bad, she's just drawn that way.
RIP Bob Hoskins.
14. 'The Iron Lady' (2011)
A vastly underrated biographical film centering on Britain's first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. It is amazing how a film could make me sympathize with someone whom by all rights I should despise. But the Iron Lady - conservative, classist, aggressive, uncaring, unfeminist, and tool of the patriarchy and paragon of internalized misogyny - is a human being. She is not made of iron, but aging flesh and blood like everyone else. Throughout everything, the serious British drama focuses on Thatcher as a person more than anything else. It humanizes her, a controversial woman in power. Any woman in a position in power will be dehumanized by the press and other social circles, especially in politics, no matter what she says and does; and 'The Iron Lady' doesn't fall into this trap and go along with the popular narrative of the "nasty woman". It is cleverer than that. It is first and foremost Margaret Thatcher's coming of age (literally) story, chronicling her multiple rises and falls, ending in tragedy. Or if not tragedy, obscurity and infamy. The fall of a tower, now among the rubble she left in her wake; among those she had once neglected herself. At the same time the film doesn't excuse her more, um, ruthless decisions as Prime Minister. She was constantly under the thumb and patronizing gaze and words of men all around her. Nothing came easy for her. The writing, directing and camerawork reflect this in stunning clarity. It is harrowing and breathtaking. Solid work regarding an older woman, and, honestly, containing one of Meryl Streep's best performances in recent years.
So, how do you make a feminist film about a non-feminist character and figure in history? Watch 'The Iron Lady' to find out.
With that said, RIP Margaret Thatcher.
13. 'The Watermelon Woman' (1996)
A film by and starring a sapphic black woman - the first of its kind. It is about her making a name for herself, and making her own history as a filmmaker, in an industry that has marginalized and mistreated her and people like her for decades. It is about her demanding to be visible and to be taken seriously. 'The Watermelon Woman' was so "controversial" upon its release that Republicans actually whined about it. It is a film with virtually no budget, and because of the very nature of its inception ("our stories have never been told" says writer, director, and editor Cheryl Dunye) it had everything stacked against it. A film that's every bit as anti-Hollywood as you can get. Naturally, I adore this painstaking passion in representation. It has since faded into obscurity, and only anyone extensively studying black and/or queer cinema would have heard of it. Damn that is a tragedy. More films like this one need to be made. Giving a giant fuck-you to Hollywood and attention-seeking politicians screaming "Think of the children!" over a lesbian sex scene (a mixed-race lesbian sex scene at that) that is under a minute long, and isn't at all explicit compared to Hollywood's abundance of overcompensating white heterosexual sex scenes. Overall, 'The Watermelon Woman' is a funny and charming piece of Indie, unconventional filmmaking, showing how marginalized groups of humans will not be made to apologise for existing.
Buy the DVD, or watch it by any means that is legal. 'The Watermelon Woman' needs to be see the light of day again.
12. 'Bound' (1996)
Speaking of lesbian films of 1996, here is another one! The Wachowskis' directorial debut, and really, with its low budget, it could be their best film. 'Bound', even without its triumph of featuring explicitly lesbian heroes having a happy ending together in the nineties, is like a dark, live-action cartoon for adults. A neo-noir mafia caper, 'Bound' has suspense, high tension, thrills, and you care about the characters involved. Nearly all of the action is set in the same apartment building, adding to the claustrophobic yet exciting atmosphere. It could easily be made into a play. It is also one of the very few times I've seen Jennifer Tilly in a live-action role, and she is remarkable. She deserved better after this. Gina Gershon deserves more attention as well.
'Bound' - Raw, clever, solid and sleek, even amidst its goofier scenes.
A mafia movie where lesbians bring down the men, and abuse isn't tolerated, that is 'Bound'. Now it has the honour of being written and directed by two trans women. Forget Tarantino and Rodriguez, this is adult entertainment with taste.
11. 'Howl's Moving Castle' (2004)
From all that to a whimsical Hayao Miyazaki animated film. What whiplash! I just think that 'Howl's Moving Castle' is a lovely, imaginative, enriching, and magical experience. A true fantasy film. The gorgeous animation is what you would expect from Miyazaki, but the story and characters are memorable and intriguing in their own individual ways and manners. It's fun stuff, while not overshadowing the war plot. Simpler than the book by Diana Wynne Jones, but in no way inferior to it: both versions are a delight for different reasons (though I would argue that the movie adaptation is more charming and enjoyable). A smart, brave, determined, resourceful, adaptable, and witty female lead to go with everything, also a trademark of Miyazaki's, and I have an instant favourite. The charm can be felt everywhere in this wonder of moving art.
I adore 'Howl's Moving Castle', and it is one of my favourite Studio Ghibli films.
RIP Diana Wynne Jones.
To be continued in Part 3.
A childhood classic that wowed audiences around the world with its live-action/animation hybrid technology and techniques, and its adult humour that's barely sneaky. It's not Getting Crap Past the Radar so much as it is making sure the radar isn't turned on to begin with. What can I say about 'Roger Rabbit' that hasn't been said already? It's fun, clever, creative, and doesn't talk down to its audience. A film noir for kids. A gangster movie for kids. A further secret to its success is how mesmerizing it is to see so many different cartoon characters interact onscreen together - or just show up together onscreen. Millions of kids' minds were blown. Mindblowing still is the actors brilliantly, flawlessly interacting with nothing on set, but what would be the wacky cartoons added in later on. Two mediums joining together never looked so good. A pity that copycats in the nineties were never so successful. No one could recreate the phenomenon in filmmaking that is 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'. They still can't. With its forties-fifties setting (when Looney Tunes made it big and Disney was just getting started), in a film made in the eighties, it is timeless.
And Jessica Rabbit isn't bad, she's just drawn that way.
RIP Bob Hoskins.
14. 'The Iron Lady' (2011)
A vastly underrated biographical film centering on Britain's first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. It is amazing how a film could make me sympathize with someone whom by all rights I should despise. But the Iron Lady - conservative, classist, aggressive, uncaring, unfeminist, and tool of the patriarchy and paragon of internalized misogyny - is a human being. She is not made of iron, but aging flesh and blood like everyone else. Throughout everything, the serious British drama focuses on Thatcher as a person more than anything else. It humanizes her, a controversial woman in power. Any woman in a position in power will be dehumanized by the press and other social circles, especially in politics, no matter what she says and does; and 'The Iron Lady' doesn't fall into this trap and go along with the popular narrative of the "nasty woman". It is cleverer than that. It is first and foremost Margaret Thatcher's coming of age (literally) story, chronicling her multiple rises and falls, ending in tragedy. Or if not tragedy, obscurity and infamy. The fall of a tower, now among the rubble she left in her wake; among those she had once neglected herself. At the same time the film doesn't excuse her more, um, ruthless decisions as Prime Minister. She was constantly under the thumb and patronizing gaze and words of men all around her. Nothing came easy for her. The writing, directing and camerawork reflect this in stunning clarity. It is harrowing and breathtaking. Solid work regarding an older woman, and, honestly, containing one of Meryl Streep's best performances in recent years.
So, how do you make a feminist film about a non-feminist character and figure in history? Watch 'The Iron Lady' to find out.
With that said, RIP Margaret Thatcher.
13. 'The Watermelon Woman' (1996)
A film by and starring a sapphic black woman - the first of its kind. It is about her making a name for herself, and making her own history as a filmmaker, in an industry that has marginalized and mistreated her and people like her for decades. It is about her demanding to be visible and to be taken seriously. 'The Watermelon Woman' was so "controversial" upon its release that Republicans actually whined about it. It is a film with virtually no budget, and because of the very nature of its inception ("our stories have never been told" says writer, director, and editor Cheryl Dunye) it had everything stacked against it. A film that's every bit as anti-Hollywood as you can get. Naturally, I adore this painstaking passion in representation. It has since faded into obscurity, and only anyone extensively studying black and/or queer cinema would have heard of it. Damn that is a tragedy. More films like this one need to be made. Giving a giant fuck-you to Hollywood and attention-seeking politicians screaming "Think of the children!" over a lesbian sex scene (a mixed-race lesbian sex scene at that) that is under a minute long, and isn't at all explicit compared to Hollywood's abundance of overcompensating white heterosexual sex scenes. Overall, 'The Watermelon Woman' is a funny and charming piece of Indie, unconventional filmmaking, showing how marginalized groups of humans will not be made to apologise for existing.
Buy the DVD, or watch it by any means that is legal. 'The Watermelon Woman' needs to be see the light of day again.
12. 'Bound' (1996)
Speaking of lesbian films of 1996, here is another one! The Wachowskis' directorial debut, and really, with its low budget, it could be their best film. 'Bound', even without its triumph of featuring explicitly lesbian heroes having a happy ending together in the nineties, is like a dark, live-action cartoon for adults. A neo-noir mafia caper, 'Bound' has suspense, high tension, thrills, and you care about the characters involved. Nearly all of the action is set in the same apartment building, adding to the claustrophobic yet exciting atmosphere. It could easily be made into a play. It is also one of the very few times I've seen Jennifer Tilly in a live-action role, and she is remarkable. She deserved better after this. Gina Gershon deserves more attention as well.
'Bound' - Raw, clever, solid and sleek, even amidst its goofier scenes.
A mafia movie where lesbians bring down the men, and abuse isn't tolerated, that is 'Bound'. Now it has the honour of being written and directed by two trans women. Forget Tarantino and Rodriguez, this is adult entertainment with taste.
11. 'Howl's Moving Castle' (2004)
From all that to a whimsical Hayao Miyazaki animated film. What whiplash! I just think that 'Howl's Moving Castle' is a lovely, imaginative, enriching, and magical experience. A true fantasy film. The gorgeous animation is what you would expect from Miyazaki, but the story and characters are memorable and intriguing in their own individual ways and manners. It's fun stuff, while not overshadowing the war plot. Simpler than the book by Diana Wynne Jones, but in no way inferior to it: both versions are a delight for different reasons (though I would argue that the movie adaptation is more charming and enjoyable). A smart, brave, determined, resourceful, adaptable, and witty female lead to go with everything, also a trademark of Miyazaki's, and I have an instant favourite. The charm can be felt everywhere in this wonder of moving art.
I adore 'Howl's Moving Castle', and it is one of my favourite Studio Ghibli films.
RIP Diana Wynne Jones.
To be continued in Part 3.
Another Top 20 Favourite Films - Part 1
This has been a long time coming.
Ages ago I made my Top 20 Favourite Films list, which can be found on my Fantasy Feminist lists here. I have seen and contemplated a lot more films since then, and my knowledge of filmmaking in general has broadened. This year especially, upon extensive and diverse viewings, has made me appreciate just how far we have come in storytelling in the majesty of the visual medium, and how far we have yet to go.
As a result, in order to further show my love of film - specifically, my love of diverse film away from the traditional straight white male power fantasy still being shoved down our throats by Hollywood - I have conducted another fave movie list. Divided into four parts. Consider the entries my Top 40-30 favourite films.
Let's see if you might like these works of passion as well, or if this will be the first time you have ever heard of any of them and may want to check them out. This list is for the curious more than anything.
And, like before, it is all my personal, subjective opinion.
Well, here it is: Another Top 20 Favourite Films.
20. 'Alice in Wonderland' (1951)
Curiouser and curiouser. How funny that my previous favourite films list also started off with an animated Disney classic. But to this day 'Alice in Wonderland' remains a gem of weird and dreamy visuals, beautiful colours, unconventional structured narratives, satirical humour, pretty music, unforgettable and varied and funny characters, and psychedelia. For children. It is very different from Disney's other works, especially at a time when it was all fairy tale princesses getting married at the happily ever after point. No, this film has nothing to do with romance, knights in shining armour slaying a dragon, and good royalty - indeed, nobody royal is a good person here! Alice is just an ordinary young girl in an extraordinary, mind-popping world. It is like 'The Wizard of Oz', but deliberately nonsensical (and it pokes fun at even more nonsensical politics), with a gray morality about everything, and where no one can be called a villain - at least, whatever anyone from Wonderland does they get away with it. In the seeming randomness, this kid's classic is smart, clever, immensely creative, ever so charming, and rapturously funny.
I'm describing a female-led children's cartoon from the fifties.
Disney's 'Alice in Wonderland' - their original take, not Tim Burton's soulless, trite abominations - is one of the best screen adaptations of Lewis Carroll's book, without a doubt. It is the reason why so many youngsters know the saying, "OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!". What heart!
19. 'The Lego Batman Movie' (2017)
Yeah, I put this one in by the fact that is a spectacularly fun, hilarious, and surprisingly touching animated comedy from beginning to end. No mean-spiritedness; only joke after joke that keeps on coming - blasting onto the screen, one following another - and they all work on many levels. 'The Lego Batman Movie' is an affectionate parody and celebration of Batman and his legacy since his inception into popular consciousness. Any fan of Batman, whatever version of him they prefer, can enjoy this. I mean, it is titled 'The Lego Batman Movie' - no one should really expect 'The Dark Knight Returns' here. It is perhaps one of the best 'Batman' films ever made, and one of the most insightful and understanding interpretations of the character who is the pop culture icon along with Superman and Wonder Woman. It also includes one of the better versions of Batgirl on screen, effectively wiping the rancid taste of 'Batman: The Killing Joke' from the previous year out of my mouth. (I'll never tire of saying that 'The Killing Joke' is one of the worst films of all time, and neither should anyone else). That alone would make the favourites list. Gotham's mayor is a woman, too. And yey, Harley Quinn! This Lego movie has fun times and passion written all over it, like it was made by kids - smart kids who know what they are doing and what would get a good laugh without offending and resorting to bad taste. Great music too.
DARKNESS, NO PARENTS!
18. 'Frozen' (2013)
Additional Disney, and their biggest success yet. I've criticized 'Frozen' before, but it's only recently that I've come to realise that I absolutely love it, warts and all. It is a great film, regardless of Disney - they really put their all and resources of talent into this sweet snow globe of crystallized girl power. The animation is fantastic - the snow! the ice! the ice palace! Elsa's hair! - the music and songs are instant classics, and the characters are a joy of personality clashes and realistic relationships and motivations. I've already talked about why I love Elsa a billion times, and her sister Anna has grown on me, when before I'd thought she seemed been-there-done-that for "strong female characters" from Disney, and suffers in comparison to Elsa's complex, more original character. 'Frozen' - I don't even mind that it isn't called 'The Snow Queen', as it in fact has extremely little to do with Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale - deconstructs Disney's old traditions, such as love at first sight and marrying at first meeting, and, among other things, it teaches girls that princes are not always what they are cracked up to be. Every one, every heart, is capable of selfishness and horror at the prospect of greed and power. There are two princesses - one becoming a queen early on in the film! How often do you see a Disney princess actually be given the title of queen? - and it is the sisters' bond, not romance, that is the heart that warms the film. 'Frozen' is the first Disney film to show other meanings to the cliched "true love". What an accolade. An original, mainstream fairy tale with a feminist twist. Funny and charming too, imperfect but then, everything is. I still love 'Enchanted' better, but it comes close. Really, millions of other people have already talked to death about the worldwide phenomenon that is 'Frozen', and its simple yet clever themes and symbols. I'll leave off by saying: A Disney animated film, featuring two female leads, and made by a female director and writer, has grossed well over a billion dollars at the box office, and it is Disney's biggest hit ever, and as of my writing, it is the highest-grossing animated film in history.
Who says that movies by women with female leads don't sell?
17. 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' (2018)
The order of this inclusion might change, since this film isn't out on DVD yet and I've only seen it once. But wow did it have enough of an impact on me at the cinema, a decision to go made on a complete whim, to wish it as one of my favourite movies ever. It is about the reality of conversion therapy, and the disgrace and shame on the human race it is for allowing it to exist. Based on an incredibly long and dense book, 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' is simple, to-the-point, sad, heartbreaking, yet oddly hopeful. Chloe Grace Moretz plays her best role to date, in my opinion, as the title lead, a gay teen who learns that adults are not always right, that often they have no idea what they are talking about, and that "pray the gay away" is horseshit. Forcing someone to change their sexuality in order to "fit in" and "be normal" is backwards thinking, and very, very dangerous. Teaching people - kids - to hate themselves is abuse, full stop. Tragic that, since 'Cameron Post' is a small Indie film, it may not become one of Moretz's well-known films. Also tragic that it had to be set in the early nineties - shit like this still happens in America today. Conversion therapy is still legal in too many states. That is fucked up. And Americans pride themselves (not in that way) on living in "the land of the free". Right, and North Korea is a haven of democracy. Anyway, the main theme of 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' is friendship. How refreshing for an LBGTQ story to not feature romance as its main factor. Friendship, support, and genuine love: things that the world desperately needs now. It is not enough to be tolerant; accept and love people for who they are; let them be visible and express themselves. Because everybody is different. Not everyone is like you, and that is a good thing.
Thank you, movie with a queer female director.
16. 'Chicago' (2002)
The only reason this isn't higher on the list is because the Weinsteins are executive producers. That is the only thing I am not proud of about 'Chicago'. Fuck, the film industry is fueled and fouled with toxicity and abuse of power and misogyny, like everything else. But you wouldn't really know it from the film itself. Before I elaborate, I will say that I am in absolutely no way condoning the actions of behind-the-scenes people based on my love for the finished product; far from it, and I would never encourage it. Everybody should face the consequences of their terrible, criminal actions. It's just that in this instance - the only instance - I feel it doesn't destroy my enjoyment of a film. And unfortunately the Weinseins were involved in the making of a lot of Hollywood films for decades, and as far as I know they had little to do with this entry in the grand scheme of things.
With that elephant out of the room, let's begin: 'Chicago' is a musical masterpiece, joining the ranks of 'Singin' in the Rain' as one of the funnest, most passionate and rambunctious musical movies ever made. One of those where you forget you're even watching a film as you're invested in its infectious romp. The songs need no introduction. The many female leads are imperfect, funny, powerful and a joy to watch for different reasons. You never forget their presence. Their impact will leave a lasting shine in your retinas and eardrums. The film is a charming, glitzy, sexy, loud and proud, brilliantly paced and structured wish-fulfillment fantasy for adults. Women to be exact. Expressing themselves and in the end, having the power to themselves and supporting one another instead of being enemies and rivals. I saw a London stage production of 'Chicago' first - I was about twelve or thirteen, I think - and the big budget Hollywood adaptation featuring a stellar cast (everybody is perfectly cast, even if initially you didn't think that any of them could sing) made me love it to the full cup-hold brink. What femme power! Female prison power (yes, this is a star studded women's prison movie with a Hollywood budget!). What gritty, sleazy, shiny, funny and satirical as hell star power!
To be continued in Part 2.
Ages ago I made my Top 20 Favourite Films list, which can be found on my Fantasy Feminist lists here. I have seen and contemplated a lot more films since then, and my knowledge of filmmaking in general has broadened. This year especially, upon extensive and diverse viewings, has made me appreciate just how far we have come in storytelling in the majesty of the visual medium, and how far we have yet to go.
As a result, in order to further show my love of film - specifically, my love of diverse film away from the traditional straight white male power fantasy still being shoved down our throats by Hollywood - I have conducted another fave movie list. Divided into four parts. Consider the entries my Top 40-30 favourite films.
Let's see if you might like these works of passion as well, or if this will be the first time you have ever heard of any of them and may want to check them out. This list is for the curious more than anything.
And, like before, it is all my personal, subjective opinion.
Well, here it is: Another Top 20 Favourite Films.
20. 'Alice in Wonderland' (1951)
Curiouser and curiouser. How funny that my previous favourite films list also started off with an animated Disney classic. But to this day 'Alice in Wonderland' remains a gem of weird and dreamy visuals, beautiful colours, unconventional structured narratives, satirical humour, pretty music, unforgettable and varied and funny characters, and psychedelia. For children. It is very different from Disney's other works, especially at a time when it was all fairy tale princesses getting married at the happily ever after point. No, this film has nothing to do with romance, knights in shining armour slaying a dragon, and good royalty - indeed, nobody royal is a good person here! Alice is just an ordinary young girl in an extraordinary, mind-popping world. It is like 'The Wizard of Oz', but deliberately nonsensical (and it pokes fun at even more nonsensical politics), with a gray morality about everything, and where no one can be called a villain - at least, whatever anyone from Wonderland does they get away with it. In the seeming randomness, this kid's classic is smart, clever, immensely creative, ever so charming, and rapturously funny.
I'm describing a female-led children's cartoon from the fifties.
Disney's 'Alice in Wonderland' - their original take, not Tim Burton's soulless, trite abominations - is one of the best screen adaptations of Lewis Carroll's book, without a doubt. It is the reason why so many youngsters know the saying, "OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!". What heart!
19. 'The Lego Batman Movie' (2017)
Yeah, I put this one in by the fact that is a spectacularly fun, hilarious, and surprisingly touching animated comedy from beginning to end. No mean-spiritedness; only joke after joke that keeps on coming - blasting onto the screen, one following another - and they all work on many levels. 'The Lego Batman Movie' is an affectionate parody and celebration of Batman and his legacy since his inception into popular consciousness. Any fan of Batman, whatever version of him they prefer, can enjoy this. I mean, it is titled 'The Lego Batman Movie' - no one should really expect 'The Dark Knight Returns' here. It is perhaps one of the best 'Batman' films ever made, and one of the most insightful and understanding interpretations of the character who is the pop culture icon along with Superman and Wonder Woman. It also includes one of the better versions of Batgirl on screen, effectively wiping the rancid taste of 'Batman: The Killing Joke' from the previous year out of my mouth. (I'll never tire of saying that 'The Killing Joke' is one of the worst films of all time, and neither should anyone else). That alone would make the favourites list. Gotham's mayor is a woman, too. And yey, Harley Quinn! This Lego movie has fun times and passion written all over it, like it was made by kids - smart kids who know what they are doing and what would get a good laugh without offending and resorting to bad taste. Great music too.
DARKNESS, NO PARENTS!
18. 'Frozen' (2013)
Additional Disney, and their biggest success yet. I've criticized 'Frozen' before, but it's only recently that I've come to realise that I absolutely love it, warts and all. It is a great film, regardless of Disney - they really put their all and resources of talent into this sweet snow globe of crystallized girl power. The animation is fantastic - the snow! the ice! the ice palace! Elsa's hair! - the music and songs are instant classics, and the characters are a joy of personality clashes and realistic relationships and motivations. I've already talked about why I love Elsa a billion times, and her sister Anna has grown on me, when before I'd thought she seemed been-there-done-that for "strong female characters" from Disney, and suffers in comparison to Elsa's complex, more original character. 'Frozen' - I don't even mind that it isn't called 'The Snow Queen', as it in fact has extremely little to do with Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale - deconstructs Disney's old traditions, such as love at first sight and marrying at first meeting, and, among other things, it teaches girls that princes are not always what they are cracked up to be. Every one, every heart, is capable of selfishness and horror at the prospect of greed and power. There are two princesses - one becoming a queen early on in the film! How often do you see a Disney princess actually be given the title of queen? - and it is the sisters' bond, not romance, that is the heart that warms the film. 'Frozen' is the first Disney film to show other meanings to the cliched "true love". What an accolade. An original, mainstream fairy tale with a feminist twist. Funny and charming too, imperfect but then, everything is. I still love 'Enchanted' better, but it comes close. Really, millions of other people have already talked to death about the worldwide phenomenon that is 'Frozen', and its simple yet clever themes and symbols. I'll leave off by saying: A Disney animated film, featuring two female leads, and made by a female director and writer, has grossed well over a billion dollars at the box office, and it is Disney's biggest hit ever, and as of my writing, it is the highest-grossing animated film in history.
Who says that movies by women with female leads don't sell?
17. 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' (2018)
The order of this inclusion might change, since this film isn't out on DVD yet and I've only seen it once. But wow did it have enough of an impact on me at the cinema, a decision to go made on a complete whim, to wish it as one of my favourite movies ever. It is about the reality of conversion therapy, and the disgrace and shame on the human race it is for allowing it to exist. Based on an incredibly long and dense book, 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' is simple, to-the-point, sad, heartbreaking, yet oddly hopeful. Chloe Grace Moretz plays her best role to date, in my opinion, as the title lead, a gay teen who learns that adults are not always right, that often they have no idea what they are talking about, and that "pray the gay away" is horseshit. Forcing someone to change their sexuality in order to "fit in" and "be normal" is backwards thinking, and very, very dangerous. Teaching people - kids - to hate themselves is abuse, full stop. Tragic that, since 'Cameron Post' is a small Indie film, it may not become one of Moretz's well-known films. Also tragic that it had to be set in the early nineties - shit like this still happens in America today. Conversion therapy is still legal in too many states. That is fucked up. And Americans pride themselves (not in that way) on living in "the land of the free". Right, and North Korea is a haven of democracy. Anyway, the main theme of 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' is friendship. How refreshing for an LBGTQ story to not feature romance as its main factor. Friendship, support, and genuine love: things that the world desperately needs now. It is not enough to be tolerant; accept and love people for who they are; let them be visible and express themselves. Because everybody is different. Not everyone is like you, and that is a good thing.
Thank you, movie with a queer female director.
16. 'Chicago' (2002)
The only reason this isn't higher on the list is because the Weinsteins are executive producers. That is the only thing I am not proud of about 'Chicago'. Fuck, the film industry is fueled and fouled with toxicity and abuse of power and misogyny, like everything else. But you wouldn't really know it from the film itself. Before I elaborate, I will say that I am in absolutely no way condoning the actions of behind-the-scenes people based on my love for the finished product; far from it, and I would never encourage it. Everybody should face the consequences of their terrible, criminal actions. It's just that in this instance - the only instance - I feel it doesn't destroy my enjoyment of a film. And unfortunately the Weinseins were involved in the making of a lot of Hollywood films for decades, and as far as I know they had little to do with this entry in the grand scheme of things.
With that elephant out of the room, let's begin: 'Chicago' is a musical masterpiece, joining the ranks of 'Singin' in the Rain' as one of the funnest, most passionate and rambunctious musical movies ever made. One of those where you forget you're even watching a film as you're invested in its infectious romp. The songs need no introduction. The many female leads are imperfect, funny, powerful and a joy to watch for different reasons. You never forget their presence. Their impact will leave a lasting shine in your retinas and eardrums. The film is a charming, glitzy, sexy, loud and proud, brilliantly paced and structured wish-fulfillment fantasy for adults. Women to be exact. Expressing themselves and in the end, having the power to themselves and supporting one another instead of being enemies and rivals. I saw a London stage production of 'Chicago' first - I was about twelve or thirteen, I think - and the big budget Hollywood adaptation featuring a stellar cast (everybody is perfectly cast, even if initially you didn't think that any of them could sing) made me love it to the full cup-hold brink. What femme power! Female prison power (yes, this is a star studded women's prison movie with a Hollywood budget!). What gritty, sleazy, shiny, funny and satirical as hell star power!
To be continued in Part 2.
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