girls on film

I'm undergoing some medical treatment (more on that later, maybe) and one of the side effects is a grumpy sort of mood. Might as well make the most of that and complain about some movies!

So, I don't like most of the roles for women in movies. Here are a few thoughts -

Drag Me to Hell (2009) - I know...it's a horror movie. Fantasy, etc. What annoyed me was 1) why did the gypsy woman curse the loan officer? Why didn't she curse the bank or someone higher up? 2) The female loan officer (and main character of the film) annoyed me so much. She was so passive with the men in her life - her boss, her boyfriend (and what a creepy and skeptical boyfriend Justin Long was in the film), yet, she is super aggressive with the gypsy in the parking lot (I get it, she's attacking her, physically, she must fight). It's also interesting to me that she is "punished" when she acts aggressively (masculine).

I Have Seen the Devil (2011) - A Korean thriller about a man seeking revenge on the man who killed his girlfriend. It was dark, violent and had brief comedic moments. I could see this remade as an American film. What I would love is if they re-imagine it to have the main character (the special agent) as a female. It's doable. She could be taking revenge on her sister's or life partner's death. One could dream.

Midnight in Paris (2011) - Owen Wilson was just miscast in this. That said - I hate, hate, hate the stereotypical mean and shallow girlfriend/love interest/typically a finance. This movie had one - one note Inez who is more cardboard cut out than believable character. Of course Wilson is unsure of marrying her (she doesn't appreciate his art! his not making any money art!) and flees into some sort of alternative universe of 1920s Paris. The movie was lovely to look at (and makes me want to go back to Paris), the cameos of famous artists and writers was amusing (but also felt a little check-listed - like, they didn't naturally flow together that well). BUT, Wilson finds an artist groupie and is just instantly attracted to her. She's cute and she likes "old stuff" too but they really don't explain why he falls for her (she isn't the opposite of Inez, just slightly less annoying). And why does she like Wilson? Especially considering he is up against cute and macho Ernest Hemingway. The chemistry is more assumed than explained. In the end, it turns out Artist Groupie wants to go further back in time and stay there, Wilson does not. I get it - don't hold onto old things (items, relationships), appreciate them, respect them but move on to the present (or else you might miss out of that cute French record vendor, Mr. Wilson).