Woman

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Comment by SoRefined on August 26, 2008 at 6:48pm

How about Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce?

The main characters in The Magdalene Sisters were also damn strong.

Finally, I'd give Scarlett O'Hara a shoutout for being a lady in charge, too.

Comment by ~Brianna~ on August 17, 2008 at 12:55am

claire danes-evening,ashley judd-yaya sisterhood,angelina-girl interrupted,mrs.swain in plain dirty.o yeah and all the chicks in deathproof!

Comment by meow meow on August 6, 2008 at 2:00pm

I didn't mean to imply that there were greater quantities ‘bad’ of Independent films just simply that my tastes have changed as I’ve grown older and I don’t prefer Independent films anymore. I don’t think that mature audiences prefer any one kind of film –we’re all different and that’s OK.

Your point about the buy-out of Independent labels made me think though… Interestingly enough that is right around the time I stopped looking to the independent genre as a staple of my movie diet.
But I hadn’t really considered that perhaps the genre itself had changed –perhaps in the same way that mainstream music co-opted the term ‘alternative’ in the late 80’s and suddenly that genre became synonymous with really vanilla mediocre music.

Anyhoo, I certainly don’t think any of y’all are trying to promote bad movies and I wasn’t trying to insult your taste… I just felt bad for that guy Alan. He had an opinion about female-directed blockbusters and was talking about films he enjoyed and it was implied that he missed the point and had poor taste in movies. For what it’s worth I am a strong feminist woman and some of my favorite movies include Sigourney Weaver kicking alien butt, Milla Jovovich kicking some serious zombie butt and Linda Hamilton wreaking havoc on some androids.
I don’t know if you guys are my age (older or younger) so I don't know if you remember when the movie Alien was released; it was a novel thing to have a women be that strong, to play that kind of action lead. For me, seeing a women be able to do that onscreen was really inspiring. The boys had plenty of heroes to choose from, but up until that point, the only other example I had was Wonder Women.

I don't think these characters simply represent male fantasies, but I do appreciate that there are many other models of female strength to be found in genres other than action blockbusters.

Comment by beeswax on July 24, 2008 at 9:53pm

I don't think anyone intended to defend or promote bad movies, meow. I think we're aware that there are bad movies in every genre, and at every budget level. My posts below were sincerely trying to promote the idea of exploring films outside one single "comfort zone," especially outside the big giant studio comfort zone of the blockbuster.

But you're right. The last two decades have provided plenty of banal, pointless and facile work in the guise of "independent cinema." Partly (and only partly) due to the co-opting and buyout of "indies" by the major studios.

Comment by meow meow on July 24, 2008 at 8:23am

Well, I have to say I think you guys were pretty hard on Allan :(
Personally, I don't agree with the idea that mature audiences, or at least those with discerning taste, will develop a preference for independent, small, or charactor driven films. Yes, there are some great classic and unique films out there -but in the same way that Hollywood churns out foregetable cookie-cutter flicks, the independents use the guise of 'artiness' to excuse the flaws of the film or disguise a plotless, pointless bore .
I have just as little patience with blockbusters that are all f/x and lack the art of storytelling or character development... but at least with those you know what you are getting- cotton candy and empty calories. Whereas, the self indulgent meanderings of a bad art house film has a false pretention and premise that it is good, simply because it claims to be deep. Somehow I find that infinately more annoying.

Comment by Joe J on July 14, 2008 at 8:13am

Hi MG... If you would like any of my input about any of the movies I listed let me know. All except The General's Daughter are "starring" roles but I was really taken by Leslie Stefanson's brief (sadly) appearance as the title subject.

Comment by Joe J on July 13, 2008 at 7:50am

If I understand the theme of this thread as being good portrayals of strong women here are a few suggestions:
Catherine McCormack in Dangerous Beauty
Demi Moore in A Few Good Men
Joan Allen in The Contender
Leslie Stefanson - The General's Daughter
Juliette Binoche - The Widow Of Saint-Pierre
Catherine Deneuve - Indochine
Cate Blanchett in Veronica Guerin
Helen Mirren - Prime Suspect 1through 7
Kathy Bates - Primary Colors
Melanie Griffith - Working Girl

Comment by Jess on July 3, 2008 at 6:24am

I saw the movie Wanted this past week. It is the new Angelina Jolie movie, and I liked it. It is pretty violent though.

Comment by staahsha on June 10, 2008 at 11:06pm

Places in the Heart: Sally Field
Mama Roma: Anna Magnani
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?: Elizabeth Taylor
Closer: Natalie Portman
Eye of the Beholder: Ashley Judd

Comment by Allan on June 6, 2008 at 10:15pm

Oh yeah another film I love for a strong womans proformance is Susan Sarrandon's role in BULL DURHAM
The way she used her guile and femininity to get the ball players to do her bidding was brilliant and could only be pulled off by a great actor(tress)

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