all these bloody women in film
- Thread starter shilo h
- Start date
Its people trying to show the strength of females, but making it so blantantly obvious its just plain annoying.
Also, never call these feminist films. Its the furthest from what they are. All Lara Crofts, Catwoman and Charlie's Angels are are objectifying them for males and teens.
The only real female action heros I can think of (that aren't objectified as such and are really kick ass) are Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor. Anyone think of anyone else?
Also, never call these feminist films. Its the furthest from what they are. All Lara Crofts, Catwoman and Charlie's Angels are are objectifying them for males and teens.
The only real female action heros I can think of (that aren't objectified as such and are really kick ass) are Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor. Anyone think of anyone else?
Since You Asked
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female heroines are not always the typical representation of them shooting aliens, machines or zombies but more of a positive female fiction or factual role model.
some might even say that thelma & louise are a fine example because of the way they portrayed a "girl power" type of heroism
some might even say that thelma & louise are a fine example because of the way they portrayed a "girl power" type of heroism
pretty shiny things
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I think, more than anything else, it's female actresses trying to take a slice of the big box office action movies. The men have dominated that genre forever. The females see it as an opportunity to launch themselves into the $20 million dollars a picture. Which is not a bad place to be when you're an oscar winner and are only making $12-15 million a pix. If they prove they can put the butts in the seats, they can demand a larger asking price per film.
If it happens to help the feminists, then so be it.
If it happens to help the feminists, then so be it.
i think its more to do with the institutions wanting to make money rather than the actual actresses. also another point worth bearing in mind is the fact that there are no natural successors to the likes of stallone, schwarzenneger, van damme, seagal, etc plus all their latest films havent grossed anywhere near the amount of the likes of Tomb Raider, Charlie's Angels, Kill Bill etc. Women action heroes seems like the most practical thing to do.
Teyety Raetyaert
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Yes but still less than Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Tom Hanks. Show them the money. 
le coq géant
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But Stone doesn't rake in the dollar as much any more.
Why? Because she's post 40.
And once you get past that age in the media your marketability as a female drops significantly.
Whereas someone like Connery, Eastwood etc. get lead roles (often playing characters who are romantically involved with someone siginificantly younger) well past their pensionable age.
Not that there's sexism in the industry or anything...
Why? Because she's post 40.
And once you get past that age in the media your marketability as a female drops significantly.
Whereas someone like Connery, Eastwood etc. get lead roles (often playing characters who are romantically involved with someone siginificantly younger) well past their pensionable age.
Not that there's sexism in the industry or anything...
Mr. Curiosity
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Give them a break... It's a hard life being a female movie star. Spend all day filming, then have to rush home to clean the whole house, and have dinner on the table for when their husband gets home! 
U.S.Hottie
New member
It's interesting that many of today's so-called action heroines are bandied about as good examples of female actresses breaking into this male dominated genre, but this often isn't the case at all IMO. Consider three recent(ish) example that are often mentioned - Tomb Raider, Charlie's Angels & Kill Bill.
Tomb Raider - the 'hero' had to be female, but not because of feminism, lack of choice or the studio wanted to mix it up. She had to be female because the lead character in the video game source material is female, and the reason for this is because the stereotype games player is a young male. What better way to get these guys to buy your game? Centre it around a busty, sexy female. It could be argued that the only 'ism' involved in casting busty, sexy Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft is chauvanism.
Charlie's Angels - again the source material of the movie was a female led 70's TV show. I've never watched the show (or the films), but if female emancipation did play a part it was back in the 70's, not some great gesture of empowerment on the part of the film studio in the 00's.
Kill Bill - it's well known that Uma Thurman is Tarantino's muse. He's always said that he wrote it specifically for her. He never intended to be for a man and then changed his mind, so this also isn't a giant step for womankind. Tarantino simply wante to do a film about a female assasin.
I think the point I'm making is that not every film that has a strong, female lead character should be seen as women 'breaking through' in a male dominated industry. Casting a female as James (Jane) Bond, that would be a bold, brave move. Casting a female body builder in a role originally intended for Arnie, that would be the ultimate breakthrough, however I can't see either of these thngs happening.
Tomb Raider - the 'hero' had to be female, but not because of feminism, lack of choice or the studio wanted to mix it up. She had to be female because the lead character in the video game source material is female, and the reason for this is because the stereotype games player is a young male. What better way to get these guys to buy your game? Centre it around a busty, sexy female. It could be argued that the only 'ism' involved in casting busty, sexy Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft is chauvanism.
Charlie's Angels - again the source material of the movie was a female led 70's TV show. I've never watched the show (or the films), but if female emancipation did play a part it was back in the 70's, not some great gesture of empowerment on the part of the film studio in the 00's.
Kill Bill - it's well known that Uma Thurman is Tarantino's muse. He's always said that he wrote it specifically for her. He never intended to be for a man and then changed his mind, so this also isn't a giant step for womankind. Tarantino simply wante to do a film about a female assasin.
I think the point I'm making is that not every film that has a strong, female lead character should be seen as women 'breaking through' in a male dominated industry. Casting a female as James (Jane) Bond, that would be a bold, brave move. Casting a female body builder in a role originally intended for Arnie, that would be the ultimate breakthrough, however I can't see either of these thngs happening.
There are a few examples of where a female is introduced to be "shocking" and "different" and the best idea that hollywood has is to make a lead character female.
Take Terminator 3 for example. It was different because the terminator was a she, but did that make it any better for doing that. Battlestar Galattica (sp) replaced Star buck with a woman, different yes, did it make it any better, the decision is still out there
Things like Alien (bar that bloody awfull resurrection) work because it was centered around a woman in the first place, the same goes with Tomb raider. If a man was casted for that part it would be another indiana jones.
You also see this on tv all the time. I was watching match of the day with that new lass. The pundits were asked a question and then asked the presenter back. She got flustered, looked through a script, and then sort of paused whilst possibly taking instructions from the gallery. Ok that could happen to anyone but its suitability. She may be pretty but does that make up for what else is lacking.
With the age thing, I cant imagine what thats like. Look at Sky and other news channels, some stunning women there reading the news, will they still be there in 10 years time like well known male news readers?
ReminRAB me of the simpsons mtv sketch when a vj becomes 21 and then gets the sack for being too old
Take Terminator 3 for example. It was different because the terminator was a she, but did that make it any better for doing that. Battlestar Galattica (sp) replaced Star buck with a woman, different yes, did it make it any better, the decision is still out there
Things like Alien (bar that bloody awfull resurrection) work because it was centered around a woman in the first place, the same goes with Tomb raider. If a man was casted for that part it would be another indiana jones.
You also see this on tv all the time. I was watching match of the day with that new lass. The pundits were asked a question and then asked the presenter back. She got flustered, looked through a script, and then sort of paused whilst possibly taking instructions from the gallery. Ok that could happen to anyone but its suitability. She may be pretty but does that make up for what else is lacking.
With the age thing, I cant imagine what thats like. Look at Sky and other news channels, some stunning women there reading the news, will they still be there in 10 years time like well known male news readers?
ReminRAB me of the simpsons mtv sketch when a vj becomes 21 and then gets the sack for being too old
Off Topic but raised by the post above by mwnn
Female newscasters hired as a result of looks over substance is a trait from the Americas that I think we can do with out.
When I watch a report from some god forsaken part of the world where locals are dying, extreme oppression still exists and where our armed representatives are doing what they are paid to do (ie kill and be killed) the last thing I want is some studio dressed coifurred 24yr old who's only journalistic field work consists of following a footballer for a day or two. Kate Aidie may not look the part, but atleast she is a journalist, and not a "newscaster".
Female newscasters hired as a result of looks over substance is a trait from the Americas that I think we can do with out.
When I watch a report from some god forsaken part of the world where locals are dying, extreme oppression still exists and where our armed representatives are doing what they are paid to do (ie kill and be killed) the last thing I want is some studio dressed coifurred 24yr old who's only journalistic field work consists of following a footballer for a day or two. Kate Aidie may not look the part, but atleast she is a journalist, and not a "newscaster".
x Twilight x
New member
Do you think women have stereotypical roles in action films? For example: in horror, there always last alive, and in romance theres always heartbreak before someone comes and sweeps them off there feet. 
hotbody1769
New member
films are the creative expression of imaginative worlRAB.
Without wanting to sound like a woman hater, I think its all down to trying to be PC for the sake of being PC. Almost like positive discrimination and possibly a lack of imagination on script writers parts.
When you have a film and stuck for ideas sometimes it seems that its "I know, really rad and different but... lets make the bad person... a woman" Gah.. I like bad guys, baddies were always blokes when I was a young un
On the other side of the coin, take the Alien Trilogy ( the 4th one doesnt exist for me ), Ripley was brilliantly played and the film was suited to her perfectly. I agree with women being in films and there are some damn fine actresses but putting them in for the sake of it almost degrades actresses but also the film as well.
When you have a film and stuck for ideas sometimes it seems that its "I know, really rad and different but... lets make the bad person... a woman" Gah.. I like bad guys, baddies were always blokes when I was a young un
On the other side of the coin, take the Alien Trilogy ( the 4th one doesnt exist for me ), Ripley was brilliantly played and the film was suited to her perfectly. I agree with women being in films and there are some damn fine actresses but putting them in for the sake of it almost degrades actresses but also the film as well.
Bookworm24
New member
ANd you cannot forget the provision of interesting "afters" once he has finished his dinner 