karmavore.com: enlightening films for women
 

According to the folks at the New American Oxford American Dictionary, the word of the year (2006) was Carbon Neutral, the idea that individuals should monitor their own carbon output and do things that neutralize the impact. For example, you might plant a tree to counter-balance the negative impacts of business trips by airplane. Here at Karmavore.com we applaud this idea, and would like to extend it to film stereotypes. For every film that features a stereotypical role for women (the beautiful blond girlfriend of the schmo male lead, the evil stepmother, and so on) we'd like to see an additional film by the same director that challenges the traditional stereotypes. Richard Eyre, we're hoping your next film features a lesbian crone who is not evil (faithful readers, see review below).

fresh reviews

Hot off the presses, and still in theatre reviews!

notes on a scandal

This snapshot of interpersonal relationships between women is a swiftly moving and tightly crafted story flawlessly acted by Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench, that sometimes feels almost like a thriller. Cate is a bourgeous artist, slightly over her head as an art teacher at a lower class school. She is befriended by Judi Dench, an almost retired teacher, who when she learns of Cate's character's indiscretions with a 15-year old student uses it to her advantage to practically trap the other woman in friendship. While we do take slight issue with the "evil lesbian crone" stereotype, Dame Dench plays her with such aplomb we'll overlook it. [UK, 2006]

volver

Almodovar does it again. This tour de force stars Penelope Cruz as a mother fighting for her daughter, while battling demons from her own past, including infidelity, incest, and a mother seemlingly back from the dead and living with her sister. With allusions to Two Women, this is being hailed as Cruz's best performance, but the ensemble cast and intricate plot twists, are also big stars. Like the best of Almodovar's films, this one features humor, pathos, drama, and supernatural events, all rolled up into one highly provocative and entertaining package. [spain, 2006]

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"Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night." Bette Davis as Margo Channing in "All About Eve"
 
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site last updated january 2007