Girl Week 2019: Wonderful Women of the Decade

Dell over at Dell on Movies is celebrating another Girl Week! It's where we highlight the wonderful woman in films. This time around, I figured I would look at the past decade and highlight the women that are behind the camera in various capacities instead of in front. Here are some women I feel made a huge difference these past 10 Years. I'll be listing the credentials of their work that I have seen, or plan to if it's a 2019 release.

Dee Rees - Director: Pariah (2011) Bessie (2015) Mudbound (2017)
I think Dee Rees is one of the most interesting directors out there right now. She came out strong with a lovely film representing the LGBTQ+ community, then brought her talents to TV, then only a few years ago gave us the wonderful Mudbound. Carey Mulligan mentioned once that if Dee Rees were a man, she'd be directing Star Wars. Here's hoping studios toss as much money at her as possible because she deserves every penny of it. 

Mindy Kaling - Writer: The Mindy Project (2012-2017) Late Night (2019) and published author.
I adore Mindy Kaling. I think she's so sweet and funny. I read both of her books and I always keep an eye out for her new projects. I haven't seen her current project, Four Weddings and Funeral on Hulu, but when I re-sign up for that service, I'll definitely check it out. She's always reliably funny. 

Greta Gerwig - Writer/Director: Frances Ha (2012) Mistress America (2015) Lady Bird (2017) Little Women (2019)
Gerwig has been an indie darling over the past few years but she's rightfully earned it. Lady Bird especially proved that not only is she a solid writer, but an excellent director to. I'm looking forward to see what she does with Little Women next month.

Rachel Morrison - Cinematographer: Sound of my Voice (2011) Fruitvale Station (2013) Cake (2014) Dope (2015) Mudbound (2017) Black Panther (2018) Seberg (2019)
Morrison was someone I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't know of until Mudbound came out. She earned her first Oscar nomination for Cinematography and became the first woman to do so. That's amazing, and I realized just how much of her work I had seen and enjoyed. If anything, she made me more mindful of looking at all the credits for those behind the scenes.

Lynne Ramsay - Director: We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011) You Were Never Really Here (2017)
Lynne Ramsay is directing films that get her thiiiiis close to the Oscars but they have yet to nominate her. She was robbed of an Oscar nom for Kevin and she directed Joaquin Phoenix in a way Todd Phillips could never dream of. I always pay attention to what she has coming up.

Haifaa Al-Mansour - Director: Wadjda (2012)
I haven't seen nearly enough of her work but I loved Wadjda and reading what she had to go through to make that movie in her native Saudi Arabia - including sometimes having to give said directions over walkie talkie is unbelievable. She's directing an episode of a mini series - The Good Lord Bird coming out next year that I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for.

Ava DuVernay - Director: Middle of Nowhere (2012) Selma (2014) 13th (2016) A Wrinkle in Time (2019) When They See Us (2019)
13th is one of the best docs of the decade. I also loved Middle of Nowhere when I was FINALLY able to see it after years of waiting for it after the festival circuit. DuVernay's voice is always one I want to listen to.

Mica Levi - Composer: Under The Skin (2013) Jackie (2016) Marjorie Prime (2017)
There are several spots where films are sorely missing women but composers is certainly at the top. Levi composed one of the best scores of the decade in Jackie and her music also elevated the other two films of hers I've seen

Jenji Kohan - Showrunner/Producer: Orange is the New Black (2013-2019)
Jenji has produced plenty of other things aside from OITNB, but that is the show I specifically want to talk about. She created a show with the most diverse cast of women on television and I'm so happy she did.



There are so many more to list. Who are your favorites?

My TV Alphabet

Mettel Ray is hosting a new blogathon asking us for our TV Alphabets! This is special since her "My Movie Alphabet" blogathon is how I found her in the first place. And because she's a badass, she also made a cute graphic for the rules:

Without further ado, here's my TV Alphabet. I used some "wild remotes" because I wanted a few places and quotes instead of character and show names.

 

No seriously, just season one.

My newest anime obsession.

The best anthology series on TV right now. Maybe ever.

My favorite character on The Walking Dead, a show that doesn't deserve her.

The most polarizing True Detectives.

The sexiest vampire of all time.

The best characters (and ship!) on Agents of SHIELD.

Possibly the greatest villain in TV history.

When the snow falls, and the white winds blow. The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives. The Starks are my favorite house in Game of Thrones

The first anime I got into.

A very underrated Handmaid's Tale character. What? She's brave.

I'll stand behind Jon Snow.

Because this sketch is the hardest I've ever laughed at SNL.

Zombie slaying goddess, and another character TWD doesn't deserve.

Damn it, Aaron Sorkin this could've went longer than 3 seasons!

Omar comin'! And if you come at the king, you best not miss.

Agent Carter should NOT have been cancelled, fuck yooooooouuuu ABC.

aka Claire Foy teaching as master class on acting in The Crown.

My sweet, sharp shooting cinnamon roll on Boardwalk Empire. 

This amazing mini series.

For the OINTB character who made me laugh, cry, and get angry on her behalf.

The scary world within Stranger Things.

One of the funniest shows ever on television.

Heisenberg himself.

The truth is out there.

This is one of my favorite Game of Thrones quotes. All hail King Bran

My dad and I both loved this guy on Space Ghost Coast to Coast.

Thanks for hosting, Getter!

2019 Against The Crowd Blogathon

Summer is almost over and that means it's time for another Against The Crowd blogathon from Dell! I love everything about his blog, but especially this feature because it's so fun to write every year. It's a great feeling to champion a film you think is under appreciated, then bitch about another. It's my 6th time participating. Below are the rules:

1) Pick one movie “everyone” loves (the more iconic, the better). That movie must have score of 75% or more on rottentomatoes.com. Tell us why you hate it.
2)Pick one movie that “everyone” hates (the more notorious, the better). That movie must have a score of 35% or less on rottentomatoes.com. Tell us why you love it.
3) Include the tomato meter scores of both movies.
4)Use one of the banners in this post, or feel free to create your own (just include all the pertinent details).
5)Let us know what two movies you intend on writing about in one of the following ways: Comment on this or any ACB 2019 post on this site, Tweet me @w_ott3, E-mail me: dellott@yahoo.com.
6) Publish your post on any day from Friday, August 23 through Sunday, August 25, 2019 (tighter schedule this year), and include a link to this announcement. If you’re a podcaster or YouTuber that is interested in participating just talk about your chosen movies during your closest podcast and/or video to those dates and mention that you are taking part in this blogathon. You could also just tweet about it!

The funny thing about this year's Against the Crowd blogathon is that I actually started thinking about it back in February. I was watching another movie with Benjamin Walker and immediately thought of my "worst" pick. So let's start with the better of the two.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

I'm sneaking by Dell's 35% mark, but y'all...this movie is hysterical. Why do more people not appreciate one of the most influential presidents in the history of the United States being re-written as a vampire hunter? It's brilliant. The cast of Walker, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jimmie Simpson, Dominic Cooper and Rufus Sewell is more than solid. It's actually shot very well. (Sure, they use slow motion a lot but it looks cool here) It's just a fun movie to watch with friends, or even alone when you need a good laugh. I know the actual Lincoln (2012) movie got all the love, but don't sleep on this one. It should be a cult classic.

But speaking of an actual cult classic that I just didn't love...

Akira

I know, I know. This is the film that made Americans love anime but I think it's garbage. Even more so because it legitimately has an intriguing concept and wastes it with a convoluted plot, ridiculous pacing, sexism, and it breaks the cardinal-rule of having a movie that follows unlikable characters by not making them or their goals the least bit interesting. I can't do it. I can't like this.



As always, thanks for another opportunity for me to gush and bitch about something, Dell! 

The Mount Rushmore of Thorgasms

For the fourth year, M. Brown over at Two Dollar Cinema is back with his Mt. Rushmore of movies blogathon! If you're not already reading his blog, then you are clearly failing at life and need to get to it as it's one of the funniest things on the internet. The rules are below


1)I'd like to have all posts done by Friday, March 1st (where I'll create a master list, linking back to all of your lovely sites), but it's cool if you're an overachiever and finish early. Or not at all.

2)When you've finished, send me a heads up/dick pic on twitter @twodollarcinema , reply in the comments below, e-mail me (twodollarcinema@gmail.com), make circles out of black smoke that Amy Adams will decode, Hell, cut a note out of old newspaper headlines, I really don't mind. Just let me know that you're in and that I love you so much. 

3)In your post, please use the rad banner my wife designed in eleven minutes.

4)Share the announcement, if possible. I don't really know anyone, uh, except you. 

5)I just want to tell you both good luck, we're all counting you.

Now, when I set out to write this post, I was going to be 100% serious. Then that idea snowballed into something super long so I'll just save it for another day. While brainstorming I read Sati's Best Of 2018 post and was reminded of watching Infinity War in theaters, and experiencing a Thorgasm.

What is a Thorgasm you say? Well it's how your body reacts to the God of Thunder looking like a god damn snack on the big screen. Yes, I went with another Marvel theme, but I can't help it. Thor just *does* things to me now. So behold, the Mt. Rushmore of Thorgasms.

Thor arrives in Wakanda

Bring me Thanos? Bring me a towel.

Thor powers up while The Immigrant Song plays.

Ah ah-Iiiiiiiiiii came.

Thor loses his shirt in Hulk's apartment

Hulk's always angry? I'm always drooling.

Thor goes for a dip in Age of Ultron

There are no strings on Ultron, and there are no panties on anyone watching.

Underrated Gems For Girl Week

You know I love my indies, and so my last contribution to Dell's wonderful Girl Week is going through my catalog of reviews and sharing some of my favorite female led favorites. Click the titles if you wish to read the old reviews

Afternoon Delight
Kathryn Hahn and Juno Temple give wonderful performances as a bored housewife who attempts to "save" a woman who doesn't need it. 

Wadjda
I only reviewed this last year but I can't help but love this little lady. I think this is one of the best movies out there that incorporates religion into its plot, if not the best. 

52 Tuesdays
This follows a young girl who deals with her mother's transition.Director Sophie Hyde actually shot this movie on each Tuesday for an entire year with no professional actors and it's remarkable how it turned out.

I Used To Be Darker
This title sums me up, I tend to gravitate towards stuff like this. Taryn is a teenager who runs away to live with her aunt and uncle only to arrive at the worst possible time. 

Child's Pose
Luminita Gheorghiu gave an Oscar worthy performance as a mother who's feeling the sting of her son leaving the nest...and then some. 

Water Lilies
I feel like I talk about this French coming of age film all the time but SEE IT

Violet and Daisy
What better way to celebrate Girl Week then a female led assassin comedy? This one is for you. 

Hello I Must Be Going
Another one I've mentioned frequently, but Melanie Lynskey gives a career best performance here. 

Wicked Little Things
I can't make a list without adding a little horror. I fully admit that this isn't great, but it's creepy and focuses on a mom and her two daughters dealing with ghosts. 

Factory Girl
Sienna Miller as Edie Sedgwick is not talked about enough. She absolutely shines in this movie.

Notes on a Scandal
This is one of my favorite movies from the year it came out. You can't go wrong with Dame Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett

Dreamland
This film was the first indie gem I shared on my blog. I could relate so easily to lonely Audrey and her relationship with her friend Calista

Thank you for hosting Girl Week, Dell!