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tomboys
bend it like beckham
"Who'd want a girl who plays football all day but can't make chapattis?"
This crowd pleasing cross-cultural girl sports movie breaks a new movie taboo:
Girls can not only play sports – and well - but they can be Asian as well.
Here Jess plays a soccer-obsessed teen of Indian heritage who’ll do anything
to play her favorite game, and spends most of the movie evading her traditional
parents’ watchful eyes. Pic features not just culture clash gags, but genuinely athletic footage and a cameo by the titular hero.
ever after
Make no mistake, this is not your grandmother's fairy tale: this damsel is
not in distress. In this update of Cinderella, Drew Barrymore rescues the
prince, fights for the downtrodden, espouses socialism, befriends Leonardo Da
Vinci, swordfights the villian, and finds true love. Recommended for those in
need of a good fairytale makeover. [us]
harriet the spy
This hip adaptation of the popular coming-of-age tale of Harriet, the
aspiring scribe, blends jazzy filmmaking with all that growing up stuff about
loss, the cruelty of children, and, in this case, being a writer. Rosie
O'Donnell's brisk but heartfelt turn as the no-nonsense Ole Golly is an added
bonus. And Eartha Kitt has a marvelous cameo as Harriet's eccentric neighbor,
Mrs. Plummer. [us]
to kill a mockingbird
Harper Lee's classic tale of bigotry, compassion, and justice in small town
America. Told through the eyes of 7-year old Scout, it's also the story of a
young girl's admiration for her father, in this case, Gregory Peck in an
Oscar® winning performance. A flawless, timeless
film that will invoke real tears. What are you waiting for? [us]
the slums of beverly hills
14-year old Vivian just wants a normal middle-class family. One that doesn't
"move" in the middle of the night without paying rent. One that doesn't consider
breakfast at Sizzler to be a big meal out. One where her father doesn't support
her and her brothers with handouts from a wealthy uncle. In this sharp, funny,
and breast-obsessed story Vivian survives puberty with help from her
well-meaning but bumbling father, marijuana-dealing neighbour, and certifiable
cousin. [us]
contact
Jodie Foster is the intensely serious Ellie, a driven astronomer who chooses
the possibility of contacting her dead parents over romantic love. It's
refreshing to see a woman in a brainy and intellectual role who walks the walk,
and watching Ellie explain a few mathematical basics to a government hack only
too willing to cut her funding is worth the price of admission. Above all that,
it's a beautifully rendered sci-fi journey to the other side, one that debates
issues of faith and reason, science and religion. [us]
who's counting
A provocative and highly watchable portrait of Marilyn Waring, the former New
Zealand politician who penned If Women Counted. She argues compellingly
that traditional women's work and environmental health have no value in the
worldwide economic system. The result, she posits, is that war is valued above
home-making and even child prostitution. This fast-paced, fascinating
documentary will change the way you view the world. [canada]
paris was a woman
Much has been made of Hemingway and Joyce's shenanigans in Paris during the
1920s, but this film focuses specifically on the lesbian women who formed an
artistic community in Paris attracted by cheap digs and a liberal atmosphere.
Through archival snippets, we get a taste of the wacky literary salons hosted by
Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. [can]
my brilliant career
Judy Davis stars in Gillian Armstrong's portrait of a headstrong, young woman
determined to become a writer in turn of the century Australia. Davis'
character, convinced of her own brilliance, is forced to make a choice between
love, marriage, and family with the earnest Sam Neil, and pursuit of her own
writing career. This film is both beautiful to watch and captivating. Based on a
true story. [australia]
children of heaven
A sweet, affecting tale of a brother and sister who scout the streets of
urban Iran in search of a pair of battered sneakers while juggling school and
home responsibilities. Despite the shoe-crisis and a basic poverty, they remain
respectful, strong, and enchanted by life's simple joys be they soap bubbles or
sparkling goldfish. As do we. Naturalistic performances and a touching portrayal
of deep family love rarely seen on this continent make it a movie gem. [iran]
boys on the side
A buddy road movie for women. Here two straight women on the lam from vicious
lovers hook up with a black lesbian club singer. Together they tear across the
country until they reach a small Southern town where they get kicked in the face
with the heavy stuff: love, illness, pregnancy and a murder trial. The movie
lays it on a little thick, but if you're in the mood for an emotional
rollercoaster, just make sure you pack the Kleenex. [us]
freaky friday
In Jodie Foster's earlier career she was a child star at Disney. As an
unprecocious and slightly gawky tomboy, Jodie's appeal was as "everygirl." In
this flick she's a teenager who trades bodies with her mother for a day, and
each tries to carry on as usual. Problem is, mom's a Brady-style 70's housewife
and daughter is a football playing wisegirl. Hilarity ensues, but of course,
each learns a valuable lesson. If you saw the original in 1976, maybe it's time
to watch it with your daughter. (Or if you refuse to grow up, just rent it
yourself.)[us]
the terrorist
A 19-year-old Indian girl groomed for terrorism embarks on a suicide bombing
mission and finds herself intoxicated by life’s potential. This lush film evokes
the horror of war and zealotry (and their effects on youth), while celebrating
life’s simple joys. Images of bullets and carnage mingle with those of luminous
jungle greens, hand-died fabrics, modest peasant meals, and the flush of first
love. [india]
chutney popcorn
This low-budget comedy tackles big issues such as infertility,
surrogacy, and alternative family forms with mixed success. Depth and character
development are given short shrift in favor of quirky details. Still,
Nisha Ganatra's first feature has an appealing artistic flair (the lead lesbian surrogate
a henna artist and photographer), some clever dialogue,
several unique peripheral characters, and enough funny scenes to make it an
interesting sliver of modern urban life. And you have to love that title. [us, 2000]
fly away home
A fun and inspiring coming of age story about a 14-year-old girl who flies a
skein of geese south for the winter. The girl, grief-stricken by her mother’s
death and sent to live with her preoccupied inventor dad on his farm, comes to
terms with her loss by nurturing a family of baby geese who imprint on her.
Directed by Carroll Ballard, the movie has a fresh outdoor adventure flavour,
and espouses valuable lessons for girls about independence, following your
heart, and healing. [canada]
little women
This sepia toned film is a tribute to the original book.
Starring Winona Ryder as the ever-independent Jo,
it also features a strong ensemble cast including
Susan Sarandon and Kirsten Dunst. Re-read the book,
and then rent the film on a cozy autumn night.
You won't be disappointed. [us, 1994]
national velvet
Any horse-crazy young girl knows the story of the piebald long shot
that wins the Grand National Steeplechase. A 12-year old Elizabeth Taylor
stars as Velvet, a young girl determined to race her horse in the biggest of all
races. When no other jockey is available, Velvet breaks the rules and races herself.
Also starring Mickey Rooney as her trainer, and Angela Landsbury as her boy-crazed
older sister. A must see for those in the horse-obsessed years. [us, 1944]
the secret of roan inish
10 year-old Fiona Connelly is sent to live with her grandparents on the Donegal coast. She and
her older cousin become obsessed with the island where her family lived for generations, and
continually try to visit it. Fiona is also convinced that her younger brother Jamie who was
swept out to sea as an infant is alive and being cared for by the seal people of her grandfather's
fables. Beautiful wild Irish scenery, and a not-too sweet story make this children's story a cut above the
usual fare. [uk, 1994]
mystic pizza
Two sisters and their best friend come of age while working at the pizza parlour in their
small hometown of Mystic, Connecticut. This is Julia Roberts debut movie and she displays
her trademark horsey charm as a small-town girl who takes up with a wealthy young man.
Since this is pre-stardom for Julia, the film is actually more of an ensemble piece with
strong performances by the other two leads, Annabeth Gish and our favorite, Lili Taylor. An
intelligent film for the tween and teen set. [us, 1988]
fried green tomatoes
This story of four women in the deep South is based on
the novel "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe" by Fannie Flagg. The
main story of true friendship between Idgie and Ruth unfolds as a reminisce
told by an old woman remembering her depression-era childhood. Interesting plot
twists, and the question of whether Idgie and Ruth were really lovers are
fueled by strong performances in this extremely popular film. [us,
1991]
aimee and jaguar
The affair between a Jewish intellectual and a Nazi housefrau is portrayed without
trivializing the enormity of World War ll. The film’s heart (& brain) is Felice (AKA Jaguar)
who poses by day as a gentile for a Nazi newspaper and lives it up by night writing erotic poetry
and frequenting Berlin’s lesbian clubs. While Berlin collapses into rubble around her and friends
“disappear”, she ups the risk ante by falling for a Nazi mother with four children. The film makes for
a fascinating and moving portrait of a little known subculture of war-time Berlin. [german, 1999]
the journey of natty gann
The Journey of Natty Gann is great for girls 8-18 and ideal for
12-14 year olds. During the Depression Era, motherless-Natty is
left with a neglectful and somewhat abusive caretaker while her Dad goes
West to make money cutting lumber. Natty has to run away and spends the
entire movie traveling west by train and walking. She has lots of adventures
and throughout the movie, she is tough, smart, and makes her own decisions.
She befriends a wolf who was being used in illegal dog-fights. Great movie
for girls. I highly recommend it. [review by mother T.A. Lane] [us, 1985]
whale rider
Pai, a young Maori girl teaches her seaside community about family,
leadership and faith in this magical tale that seamlessly blends
myth and reality. When a fractured family struggles to keep itself
together after suffering a tragic loss, the grandfather trains all
the young boys in martial arts and mysticism in hopes of finding
a new leader. Meanwhile Pai, banned from the sessions because she's
a girl, trains in secret and succeeds in invoking the legend of
the Whale Rider. [New Zealand, 2003].
osama
This gritty, realistic, depressing, and thoroughly compelling depiction
of the life of women under the Taliban is told through the eyes
of a young girl whose mother disguises her as a boy.
This disguise is not a ruse to get ahead or get her an
education, it is a necessity to survive as the girl lives with
her mother and grandmother: none of the three are allowed to work or even
go out in public alone. Although the story is harsh, and there is
certainly no Hollywood ending, it's still inspiring for a number of
reasons: this is the first feature film filmed in Afganistan since
the liberation from the Taliban; it's the first film for writer-director
Siddiq Barmak, and first film for former street-urchin Marina Golbarhari.[Afganistan, 2003]
bend it like beckham
"Who'd want a girl who plays football all day but can't make chapattis?"
This crowd pleasing cross-cultural movie breaks a new movie taboo:
Girls can not only play sports – and well - but they can be Asian as well.
Here Jess plays a soccer-obsessed teen of Indian heritage who’ll do anything to
play her favorite game, and spends most of the movie evading her traditional
parents’ watchful eyes. Pic features not just culture clash gags,
but exciting athletic footage, and a cameo by the titular hero.
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