By Evan Fischer

When you think about movies geared at women (or featuring strong female leads), your mind may automatically go to “chick flick” or “feminist film”.  But the truth is that we’re all surrounded by strong women that work hard and stand tall, despite a society that tries to hold them back.  So it should come as no surprise that these ideals are represented on the silver screen.  And here are just a few movies that do it best.

1. The Color Purple (1985).  This tear-jerker is so much more than a weepy chick flick.  Based on the equally engaging novel of the same name, this movie follows the life of Celie, a poor black woman in the south who is controlled and abused by men for most of her life, until she finds the courage to fight back and become a strong and independent woman.  It’s about finding your worth and realizing that each of us, regardless of gender, race, or lifestyle, deserves to be treated with respect, dignity, and love.
2. Aliens (1986).  Does it get any better than the second go-round with this butt-kicking female baddie fighting creepy, crawly, acid-spitting aliens?  Ripley was iconic not because she had any particular desire to be heroic, but because she did what had to be done when no one else would (male or female).  And you can thanks Sigourney Weaver for the costume.  Her original outfit was supposed to be some revealing “super hero” getup.  She’s the one who insisted on the much more practical (and modest) flight suit.
3. Thelma and Louise (1991).  Okay, so the titular women in this film do end up going on the lam before they commit hari kari by driving their Thunderbird over a cliff, but really they’re just standing up to all of the men in their lives who have held them down and turned them into the desperate criminals they end up becoming.  All they wanted to do was go fishing and have some fun, for crying out loud!  In any case, this movie put a new spin on the buddy drama by creating two strong female leads and giving them a lot more heart than most.  When they can no longer persevere in the face of the many men holding sway over their destiny, they do what they have to in order to escape the man.
4. Not Without My Daughter (1991).  Nobody does an empowered female quite like Sally Field (Norma Rae, Steel Magnolias, the list goes on and on).  But in this movie about antiquated notions of male superiority in a patriarchal society, Field is at her best as a mother who won’t give up her basic right to raise her daughter, even if that means risking her freedom and her life to steal the child from a domineering father and spirit her out of a country where women have no rights.
5. Bend it Like Beckham (2002).  This one from across the pond may have provided the big break for young stars Keira Knightly and Parminder Nagra, but it also imparted a message about girl power.  Jules and Jess are two footballing friends facing down stereotypes, expectations, and parents that just don’t understand.  But their friendship, determination, and desire to pursue their goals, no matter who approves, make them just the sort of female role models that any woman can get behind.  Plus, the soundtrack is awesome, so check your favorite CD replication service to pick up a copy.

About the Author:
Evan Fischer is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

By Jennie

Recently, a report in The Smithsonian noted that the 1979 movie The Champ has been used by psychologists in studies of depression and sadness. Apparently, the ending, in which (SPOILER AHEAD!) a young Rick Schroder tearfully exhorts his dead father, boxer Jon Voight, to get up, is highly effective in making people cry. I’ve never seen the movie, but I’ve seen clips of the scene, and out of context it seems so patently manipulative and treacly that it’s more likely to make me laugh than cry.

Still, I do cry easily at movies, and so I’ve been interested in the discussions the story has generated. EW has had a couple of pieces and a poll which listed ten movies that respondents considered the saddest. Schindler’s List won the poll, with 20% of the vote. It’s interesting to me because when I first saw the story about sad movies, Schindler’s List immediately came to mind. But it almost seemed inappropriate to mention it in the same breath with Titanic (which came in third), even though Titanic is a guaranteed tear-jerker for me. Or Old Yeller, which came in second – I’ve never seen it, but isn’t it about a dog dying? Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs, but it’s hard for me to compare the Holocaust with a dog dying. Maybe I’m taking the whole thing too literally, though.

A lot of the movies mentioned are sad because they deal with an individual dying. For example: Terms of Endearment, Steel Magnolias, Million Dollar Baby, Beaches, Love Story, and, of course, The Champ. While such movies are effective in making viewers cry, to me they aren’t really “sad” the way the Holocaust (and thus Schindler’s List) is sad. Or even sad the way Brokeback Mountain is sad; the death of one of the characters is really only a part of what makes the last 20 minutes of that movie heart-wrenchingly sad. I found Brokeback Mountain so sad when I saw it in theaters that I kind of didn’t like it. I was one of the few viewers happy that Crash beat it in the Oscars for Best Picture that year. In retrospect, I can appreciate that Brokeback Mountain is the better movie, but man, is it sad. Not sad in a cathartic way like the list of terminal-illness-movies at the beginning of this paragraph – those movies are “good cry” movies to an extent, I think. Viewers (especially women, if I may stereotype) get to vicariously experience the drama of tragedy, but they know it’s not real. Those movies may stay with viewers, but it’s hard for me to think they really hurt on a visceral level to think about the way that Brokeback Mountain does. Perhaps if you as the viewer can relate to the loss of a child, say, Terms of Endearment would have extra meaning for you. But otherwise the sadness they instill is superficial compared to the sadness of a Schindler’s List (or even a Titanic, where at least you might be compelled to think of all those hundreds of people who died so unnecessarily and tragically).

I do think sometimes a good fatal illness movie can be given extra dimension by other factors. For example, Bang the Drum Slowly, the 1970s film with Robert DeNiro as a dim-witted baseball player who becomes terminally ill. The pathos of DeNiro’s character is already established before he becomes sick – he’s a figure of fun to other players who enjoy ragging on him. Michael Moriarty plays his teammate, who comes to be DeNiro’s biggest supporter and defender. The entire story is so, so sad and moving; the inclusion of the song Streets of Laredo only makes it sadder. (Streets of Laredo is one of the few songs with the power to make me cry spontaneously, partly because of the movie, partly because of the lyrics, and partly because just the melody itself is sad and mournful. Another song that inspires tears: Danny Boy. Sniff.)

So, what about you? What movies move you to tears? Do you think there’s a difference between superficial “good cry” movies and movies that are genuinely sad and depressing? Do you like movies that make you cry?

There are so many good “chick flicks” out there and I need to thank my husband for faithfully looking out for me when he updates our Netflix and throws a couple into the mix along with his selection of crime thrillers. Chick flicks to me are a wonderful escape. They are like comfort food for the soul. They lift your spirits even on the bleakest winter day.

We here at Imperfect Women would like to share our favorite with you and what made it special to us.

Anya ~ Terms of Endearment

I love this movie for many reasons, but the most important one was I saw it for the first time with my own (late) mom. She loved Jack Nicholson. I was a teenager when I saw it and thought it was funny my mom had a real crush! The performances are brilliant. Although it’s a tear-jerker, the story isn’t manipulative. The movie really understands mother-daughter relationships. One of the few movies I would watch again and again.

Samantha ~ You’ve Got Mail

What will NY152 say today, I wonder. I turn on my computer. I wait impatiently as it connects. I go online, and my breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: You’ve got mail. I hear nothing. Not even a sound on the streets of New York, just the beating of my own heart. I have mail. From you.

The first time I saw this flick I had just had major knee surgery, maybe it was the Vicodin but I watched it about 20 times during my first week of recovery. I adore the dialogue, Its the only movie I quote on a regular basis. Bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils, anyone? If you haven’t seen it- you must. If you have seen it and didn’t like it- whats wrong with you? Just kidding…. ish.

Jennie ~ Titantic

Titanic: Yes, it’s cheesy. Yes, it’s probably too long (I could’ve done without most of the framing story). And, no, unlike many chick flicks, it does not have a happy ending. But I kind of love “Titanic.” Jack and Rose (and Kate and Leo) are a couple for the ages, and the story of the doomed ship is pretty absorbing, too. I get teary the moment the opening strains of “My Heart Will Go On” begin.

Ann ~ Beaches

I love Beaches. Barbara Hershey and Bette Midler are wonderful in this syrupy flick about a friendship formed in childhood and how it changes and endures over the different stages of their lives. Who can’t love two characters whose friendship survives loving the same man! Bette is funny, as usual, but also very good in the serious side of the role. The first time I saw it, I was drawn in by the Atlantic City scenes between the two young actresses who play the CC and Hillary as girls. I know the ending is predictable and sappy, but it makes me cry anyway. Unfortunately, I cannot help but sing Wind Beneath My Wings along with Bette, ruining the whole ending for anyone watching with me.

Lily ~ Fried Green Tomatoes

I love it. It has everything necessary to make one misty eyed when watching. It’s such a well acted movie, the cast is full of talent. I love the intertwining stories of Ruth & Idgy and Evelyn & Mrs. Threadgoode. Starting with Idgie’s mother who accepts and doesn’t try to change her child though she is different from the rest, this movie is about the love and devotion of friends and family. It’s depicted in the drama of Ruth helping Idgie overcome the loss of her beloved brother, the rescue of Ruth from a home of domestic violence which she endured for her mother’s sake, the murder to protect Buddy Jr, for which Idgie risks herself to protect her friend and hired help, Big George. It continues on til the end when Evelyn insists Mrs. Threadegoode must come and live with her. In between the drama, the viewer is treated to some great humor. It’s a hoot to watch Evelyn come into her own as she screams “Towanda” while totaling the car of a twenty-something who stole her parking space. Kathy Bates as Evelyn, is excellent in this movie. I think this might be my favorite role of hers. My favorite line is when Evelyn is exercising on a mini-tramp and her husband comes home to find a healthy dinner instead of the usual fried and fatty fare she serves. “Are you trying to kill me?”, he accuses. Without missing a beat, she calmly replies; If I was gonna kill you, I’d use my hands.”

Nancy ~ When Harry Met Sally

Can a man and a woman be friends, without sex getting in the way?

Although I don’t even remember the very first time I saw this chick flick classic, I can say I have probably seen it about 50 (or more) times. It seems it is always on some channel when I’m surfing to find something to watch! It’s probably the only movie aside from the Godfather that I can quote, too!

“I love that you get cold when it’s 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you’re looking at me like I’m nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it’s not because I’m lonely, and it’s not because it’s New Year’s Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” –Harry

“You see? That is just like you, Harry. You say things like that, and you make it impossible for me to hate you.” — Sally

Harry Burns and Sally Albright were two of Rob Reiner’s best characters! I think any woman could relate to Sally — you know, the “high maintenance one who thinks she’s low maintenance.” The “worst” kind according to Harry! And, Marie and Jess — what great sidekicks to have as supporting roles.

“You made a woman meow?” — Jess

Pam ~ Sweet Hearts Dance

Sweet Hearts Dance was released in 1988 and pretty much ignored at the box office. The movie takes place in a small New England town and tells the story of two couples – one breaking up (Don Johnson and Susan Sarandon), the other falling in love (Jeff Daniels and Elizabeth Perkin). It is a spot on slice of life movie about two couples loving each other and not quite understanding the turn of events that brought them to this point. Don Jonson and Jeff Daniels play best friends and their chemistry and acting is so solid that it is hard to imagine that they are not best friends in real life. Although it is not a “grand” movie, it is an enjoyable midlife romantic comedy that has a terrific cast and does a great job of evoking the feel for the different seasons in New England.

Now we want to know what your favorite Chick Flick is. Please share with us and it is perfectly fine to have more than one or a couple of Honorable Mentions.

The 83rd annual Academy Awards is this Sunday night! Are we excited yet? For most of us … probably not. Full disclosure here – I have only seen one of the movies that have been nominated and that movie is The Social Network. My husband and I have Netflix and usually wait to watch the movies in the comfort of our home.

That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy watching the award show. I enjoy looking at the dresses – the good, the bad and the ugly. Depending on the hosts and the material written for them, the show can be humorous at times. I also love pulling for my favorite actors and actresses even if I haven’t seen the movie.  And if all of the above fail to entertain me, I still have James Franco to look at! That is worth my time right there.

If you really do love “all things Oscar”, the Academy Awards will offer a new online experience for US audiences during the Oscar live telecast and before the show. The Oscar Access Pass will allow an online audience to go backstage to see winners speak to the “Thank You Cam” and continue their acceptance speeches as well as providing a look in the press room as winners are interviewed by journalists. In addition, this Oscar Access Pass will allow viewers to watch the Kodak Theater receptions, hair and makeup room, and a glimpse at the Governors Ball, the Academy’s official celebration following the awards show. That package cost $4.99 and seems well worth it for those who really love the Oscar experience.

So who will win? Even if we haven’t seen all of the movies it is still fun to try and predict the winners. Let’s give it a shot and meet back after the show to see how well we all did. Listed below are the nominees.

Best Picture: Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The Kids Are All Right, The King’s Speech, 127 Hours, The Social Network, Toy Story 3, True Grit, Winter’s Bone

Best Director
Darren Aronofsky – Black Swan
David O. Russell – The Fighter
Tom Hooper – The King’s Speech
David Fincher – The Social Network
Joel & Ethan Coen – True Grit

Best Actor
Javier Bardem – Biutiful
Jeff Bridges – True Grit
Jesse Eisenberg – The Social Network
Colin Firth – The King’s Speech
James Franco – 127 Hours

Best Actress
Anette Bening – The Kids Are All Right
Nicole Kidman – Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence – Winter’s Bone
Natalie Portman – Black Swan
Michelle Williams – Blue Valentine

Best Supporting Actor
Christian Bale – The Fighter
John Hawkes – Winter’s Bone
Mark Ruffalo – The Kids Are All Right
Jeremy Renner – The Town
Geoffrey Rush – The King’s Speech

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams – The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter – The King’s Speech
Melissa Leo – The Fighter
Hailee Steinfeld – True Grit
Jacki Weaver – Animal Kingdom

Best Animated Feature
How to Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist
Toy Story 3

By Tiffany Tweedie

Now available on DVD & Blu-Ray | Runtime: 90 min.
Rated R for strong crude and sexual content, violence, language and some nudity.

This one was requested and since it was just released to DVD, I figured now was the time. Plus, there’s nothing coming out this week that I plan on seeing (shocking, I know!!) This one’s for you, Ann!

Based on the Saturday Night Live skit, MacGruber is pure spoof of the MacGyver series from the ’80s (really??! Twenty-five years ago??! First my son gets his drivers license and now this? Guess I need to pick up some Depends and Geritol on my way home from work!)

And much like (nearly) all SNL skits turned into full-length feature films, what’s funny for 3 minutes isn’t necessarily funny for an hour and a half! (Wayne’s World is one of the rare exceptions! Party on!)

MacGruber is spoofy to the nth degree. I mean, they really do nail it perfectly. However, it is an R-rated movie and they do all those things they can’t do on television. Over and over and over again. Lots of male nudity (though that is some of the really funny stuff. But also some of the really disturbing stuff.) Lots of f-bombs. And lots of… weirdness.

I am a little surprised (and a lot saddened) to see that Val Kilmer chose this as his return to movies. Val Val Val – what happened?! Where did the beach volley ball stud that I drooled over go? (Ok, so you could ask the same of me. Touche, IceMan!)

The movie basically is like a full episode of the original TV series (my apologies to Richard Dean Anderson!) but redone spoof-style. By 14 year old boys. It is raunchy, rude, crude, juvenile and totally crass. It makes Hot Tub Time Machine look sophisticated. If you can get past all that, it’s embarrassingly funny. I laughed. A lot. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a terrible movie. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t funny as hell! Personally, I loved the absurdity of it. These guys knew they were making a spoof and everyone played their part to the hilt!

My overall review: One of the worst movies ever made. Viewer Discretion is Advised!!! Also, if you have any discernible taste, avoid at all costs (obviously, I do not.)

Note: For whatever reason, this one isn’t available on Netflix until 10/5/2010. Sorry kids!

MacGruber movie website

You can read more of Tiffany’s writing at Mommy in Real Life.