Girl Week 2016: Female Led Indie Gems
Wendell over at Dell On Movies is hosting a Girls Week. He's focusing on films with female protagonists between November 21st-27th and anyone can join in.
Now, I'm being pretty lazy this week. I'm on vacation, all my content for the week is stuff I wrote months ago and scheduled, but I can't just miss the opportunity to talk about great female roles and participate in the fun posts Dell always has. Since I love my indies, Here are some of my favorite Indie Gems with a strong female performance
Thirteen - I've said many times how much I could relate to Tracey, the teenager who just wants to fit in and goes down a dangerous path. Evan Rachel Wood gives a career best performance and she was robbed of an Oscar nomination
Dreamland - Audrey has so much on her shoulders, and Agnes Bruckner makes us feel every second of it.
Winter Passing - Reese is my favorite performance of Zooey Deschanel's. Going home is hard sometimes, especially when you find out your father has made a semi dysfunctional family of his own in your absence.
The Vicious Kind - Emma might not be the main character in this film, but her story is the strongest. She goes home with her new boyfriend for Thanksgiving, finds herself strangely attracted to his brother, even though he labels her something that she isn't. It's a career best performance from Brittany Snow
Tallulah - This film boasts one of the strongest female casts I've seen in years. It's an amazing film about rash decisions, love, acceptance, and learning.
Breathe - A beautiful French film film about the relationship between new best friends, and it's directed by Melanie Laurent.
Camp X-Ray - I can't tell you how much I defend Kristen Stewart's acting in casual conversation. If you need to question it, see this film. This is by far her best. Amy's compassion puts her in a tough patch in her job and Stewart's performance shines through.
I Used To Be Darker - I have to highlight Daragh Campbell's debut performance. This is bleak film. But to have your first lead gig to be a film where it relies on those tough emotions is no small task.
Afternoon Delight - Great performances by the always reliable Kathryn Hahn and Juno Temple. This film gets a little fucked up towards the end, but it's a great watch.
Byzantium - A very different vampire flick starring the always perfect Saoirse Ronan.
Ghost World - Scarlett Johansson and Thora Birtch are the perfect moody, disinterested teens. I love watching them in this.
The Oh! in Ohio - Parker Posey plays a woman who has never had an orgasm. That sounds very shallow but Posey make it so much more.
Ginger and Rosa - This film may be a bit of a drag, but Elle Fanning and Alice Anglert give wonderful performance far beyond their young years.
LOVE that you mention Ginger and Rosa. Fanning and Anglert are brilliant in that film! So many great ones here, like Ghost World and Thirteen (love how much you love that one) and so many I've never even heard of (The Oh! in Ohio?)...looks like I got some movie watching to do!
ReplyDeleteI don't think Thirteen will ever budge from my top 5. The Oh! in Ohio is definitely worth seeing, especially for the title. lol
DeleteMy watch list wants to cry after reading this, but I was super happy to see Tallulah here!
ReplyDeleteYou also reminded me of Ghost World which I watched for the first time with Jenna a year or so ago, I loved that movie and it definitely needs a rewatch soon!
- Allie
Tallulah deserves all of the love. Excellent movie.
DeleteI'm not a big fan of Kristen Stewart, but whenever someone says she can't act I mention Camp X-Ray. I mean, if that's not great acting skills I don't know what it is. I didn't know most of the other films, but I guess I'll have to check them out.
ReplyDeleteShe's amazing in Camp X-Ray, as is Payman Moaadi. Such a great film.
DeleteMan, there's a lot of stuff I need to see - chiefly, Thirteen. I've only seen Byzantium (just recently) and yes, that's a very different kind of vampire flick. Thanks for putting all these ladies on my radar...and for joining!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting!
DeleteI just saw Thirteen on Cinemax earlier today. That is a great film as is Ghost World, Ginger & Rosa, and Camp X-Ray.
ReplyDeleteYasss Thirteen! I hope you review it.
DeleteI might. It had been some years since I've seen it and I did review a long time ago. I don't have that review anymore but I think I can come up with a new one.
DeleteOhh I thought you meant you saw it for the first time.
DeleteThirteen and Ghost World are both amazing movies. The only I've seen of these. No kidding about young Evan Rachel Wood in that one. Fucking powerhouse. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteI weep for the Oscar that should've been hers. lol
DeleteI haven't seen most of the films you mentioned. My to watch list is certainly getting longer.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the ones you added!
Delete