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After seeing other people's numbers, I decided to count how many films directed by women I have seen this year so far and, not to my surprise, it's a mere 27 out of 141. It gets a little better if I'm only looking at 2020 releases as it's 13 out of 35. The good news is that 3 of those films are in my top 4 of 2020, and therefore I'm going to pick them for this Thursday Movie Picks week.
Birds of Prey (2020) - Review
I'm not going to lie. I didn't have particularly high expectations for this and wasn't sure about seeing in theatres. But then I read great reviews by bloggers I follow and incels wanted it so badly to fail so I went. And I adored it. Not only the film is very entertaining and fun to watch, but there's finally a somewhat relatable heroine (?). Unlike Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel, Harley is a flawed and complicated woman, she isn't always on the right side of the law and yet she tries to change and thanks to Robbie's performance she is really likeable and sympathetic.
Happiest Season (2020) - Review
I am not a fan of Christmas films but I love Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis so it was only a matter of time before I watched it, but, despite the positive reviews, I wasn't really expecting to like it so much. It is a bit flawed but the story and the characters totally won me over because it's something I can personally relate with. I loved both Stewart and Davis but the real scene-stealer is Dan Levy — dude made me laugh and cry.
Kajillionaire (2020) - Review
I heard of this film during the Girl Week blogathon and since it kept coming up as a great film I checked it out. And it really is. This one too is a bit flawed — that scene towards the ending should have not existed — but the main character, Evan Rachel Wood's, is so fascinating, and the story is so unique and beautiful. And Gina Rodriguez is as charming as ever.
So far, the only film on that list I've seen is Birds of Prey which I liked a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that!
DeleteLove Birds of Prey and Kajillionaire! I plan on re-upping Hulu for a bit soon, and when I do I'll get to The Happiest Season.
ReplyDeleteI really hope you'll enjoyed it as much as I did.
DeleteI might take your lead and work out how many films directed by women I've seen this year. In some ways I think you have to make a deliberate choice to watch a film directed by a woman, as there are just so many more directed by men.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of these yet. I was put off seeing Birds of Prey because I didn't really enjoy Suicide Squad, but will try and catch it if I get the chance.
You have to see Birds of Prey! It is so much better than Suicide Squad.
DeleteI've heard of the first and third but seen neither. I love holiday movies but don't care much for Kristen Stewart but would probably give Happiest Season a shot before the other two.
ReplyDeleteDuring the last year one of the classic film channels ran a series spotlighting women directors from around the world so I had plenty to choose from this week.
The Hitch-Hiker (1953)-Two buddies Ray (Edmond O'Brien) and Gilbert (Frank Lovejoy) head off for what is supposed to be a relaxing fishing trip but make the mistake of picking up an innocuous hitchhiker Emmett Myers (William Talman) who turns out to be a sociopath on the run from the law. Knowing that he’s a killer and sure that as soon as he’s done with them they are dead they plot an escape. But their plan is hampered by the fact that even when he sleeps Myers keeps one eye open. Director Ida Lupino, the only woman in the 50’s listed as a member of the DGA, keeps the action economical and the atmosphere tense.
The Ascent (1977)-In the deep winter of the German countryside during WWII a pair of starving Soviet soldiers leave their unit in search of food but are captured by a Nazi patrol. Tortured for information they don’t possess one of them stands by his principles while the other seeks a way out but both pay a heavy cost. A big success upon release this proved to be the final film of director Larisa Shepitko who was killed along with her crew in a car accident shortly afterwards scouting locations for her next film.
Daughters of the Dust (1991)-Julie Dash directed this look at the Gullah community off the coast of South Carolina at the turn of the last century where the descendants of former slaves kept a mix of African and colonial ways alive. As the changing times intermingle with the old ways conflicts ensue.
Zero Motivation (2014)-Stationed in a remote desert location a disparate group of female Israeli soldiers wait until their period of service is up while they bicker, bond and fight against the ennui that comes with living in such an isolated spot. Tayla Lavie directs this with a fine mix of humor and gravitas.
I have never heard of any of your picks before but The Hitch-Hiker is easily the one that compels me the most as I guess it was very rare to have female directors back then. Plus I love noirs.
DeleteI have not seen any of these but wouldn't mind seeing Bird of Prey. I am not much of a Kristen Stewart fan
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sorry. Apart from Twilight, I've always liked her.
DeleteI want to see all of them.
ReplyDeleteDid not like Suicide Squad and wasn't all that impress by Harley, yet she still got a movie. I'll still watch Birds of Prey though, just to see.