Movies that pass, March 2009.

1 Apr 2009, 13:03 · bechdel test, movies, ranting and politics

Movies I watched that passed the Bechdel Test

  1. Comic Book Confidential (Lynda Barry reads a comic where girls complain about home ec class)
  2. Death at a Funeral (small talk between stereotypical women)
  3. My Winnipeg (mother-daughter conversations)

Movies that failed.

  1. Milk
  2. The Watchmen (Lori and her mom only talk about men, that I noticed)
  3. The Corporation (mostly monologues)
  4. Quantum of Solace
  5. Encounters at the End of the World (mostly monologues)

Movies I’m especially glad I watched are in bold. Well, movie. Comic Book Confidential was ok, and maybe would have been exciting if more of it was new to me. Encounters at the End of the World was fine, but didn’t blow my mind. My Winnipeg had moments, but not enough.

Comments

Have you seen Rachel Getting Married? I think it passes this test too.

— sarah h · 1 April 2009, 13:52

I haven’t seen that one. I’ve been getting a few recommendations, so maybe I’ll check it out.

— sarah · 1 April 2009, 17:31

If there were a test about avoiding cultural appropriation, it might not pass that test. But I’d still recommend it.

— sarah h · 1 April 2009, 18:52

My Winnipeg was a weird one. Serious patriarchal undercurrents in some places. And too much hockey. Not the usual potent blend of androgyny, incest, horror, humor etc. My affection for Guy Maddin’s previous work (and my own dubious allegiance to patriarchal values – which I am ever so slowly undoing) nearly overpowered my critical thinking, but I can now safely say that there are ideas in that movie that I just can’t get down with.

Milk was frustrating because it would have been so easy for it to pass. But no…

— galen · 2 April 2009, 23:54





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