Holiday films quickly become an inevitability through December, with sacchrine schlock clogging up every other channel. Stations are unapologetic about the schmaltz: the gooey, dull, feel-good, often confusingly magical, always lazily acted stories fill - like so much gingerbread house icing - every corner of December programming.
But not to worry! There are bastions of respite, though possibly not the festive-free respite you were hoping I might recommend.
No, I'm here to share some obscure holiday film favorites that just don't get the play of the embraced classics.
Speaking of, let's get those out of the way so we can truly think of this list as practically comprehensive! We can all agree that these films capture a special kind of seasonal magic. Something true, something kind, something magical, something nostalgic, something (I'm just going to say it) heartwarming.
And nearly all people have seen some of these first tier holiday films, here in alphabetical order:
A Charlie Brown Christmas; A Christmas Story; Bad Santa; Die Hard; Elf; Holiday Affair; Holiday Inn; Home Alone; How the Grinch Stole Christmas; It's a Wonderful Life; Love Actually; Meet Me In St. Louis; Miracle on 34th Street; National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation; Nightmare Before Christmas; Scrooged; The Family Stone; The Muppet Christmas Carol; The Snowman;and White Christmas.
Perhaps there are a few surprises in there (did you forget Die Hard and Die Hard 2 are set during the holidays? When was the last time you saw the beautifully animated The Snowman? Maybe you disagree that The Family Stone now gets new-classic billing. ) but nonetheless, there's probably no shockers in the bunch.
Lets see if we can get a bit shocking with the next list!
I've got two more tiers of holiday or at least satisfyingly wintery films for your consideration. This second tier, after the tried and true holiday work horses, includes films that I have loved and forgot had festive elements or are more obscure or vintage films that now, thanks to all things internet, we can dig out and watch with relative ease, once again, alphabetically:
12 Monkeys; An Affair to Remember; Arthur; Batman Returns; Bell, Book, and Candle; Brazil; City of Lost Children; Cronos; Desk Set (and SO many more below the video of a drunk and adorable Katharine Hepburn)...
Edward Scissorhands; Gremlins; Hogfather; In the Good Old Summertime; Jim Henson's The Christmas Toy; John Denver and the Muppets - Rocky Mountain Holiday; Lady and the Tramp; Lethal Weapon; Mixed Nuts; Moonstruck; One Hundred and One Dalmations; Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale; Santa Claus Conquers the Martians; Santa Claus the Movie; Sleepless in Seattle; The Bishop's Wife; The Hudsucker Proxy; and The Lemon Drop Kid.
BUT WAIT. I have one final tier for your consideration, an incredibly ecclectic mix of films to consider should you have already seen all 54 of the movies listed above.
About a Boy; All I Want for Christmas; Bridget Jones's Diary; Diner; Eastern Promises; Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas; Eyes Wide Shut; Fargo; Ghostbusters II; Go (look! Timothy Olyphant and Melissa McCarthy!) In Bruges; Just Friends; Kramer vs Kramer; Little Women, any version; Prancer; The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Hebrew Hammer; The Ref; When Harry Met Sally; Yours, Mine, and Ours; and You've Got Mail.
Now, when listing 75 vaguely seasonal films, I wanted to keep it short, not harass you with the reasons certain films are included; not list the precise time when a Christmas tree or man in a Santa suit appears or the characters go to a holiday party. I hope you will delve into this opportunity for discovery all on your own, but should you feel a little out of your element, start with these festive five: Desk Set; 12 Monkeys; Jim Henson's The Christmas Toy; In the Good Old Summertime; and In Bruges.
Hopefully it goes well and you'll be invigorated to take on a few more new favorites this season!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Those Guys: Learning to Love our Unavoidable Arachnid Neighbors, the Cross Orbweavers
Cross posted at Post Defiance, Tacoma online arts and culture magazine.
Every year, as fall descends in chill and darkness upon us all, an inevitable harbinger creeps out, silently proclaiming the season by bedecking gardens, scuttling through leaf piles, and dangling directly in our faces.
As commonplace in Northwest fall as clouds, the Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus)–also known as the European Garden Spider, Diadem Spider, or Cross Spider–takes up residence for the season, their pervasive webs stringing across windows, from tree to tree, from dahlia to chrysanthemum.
Not sure which spiders I mean? Cross Orbweavers are identified by the distinctive pattern across their backs, usually formed by five or more large white dots joining to form a cross. Individually the coloring of these spiders can range from a mottled dark grey, brown and orange to light yellow but all bear the characteristic cross.
Adult females range in length from a half inch to just over an inch, and the males are much smaller, generally half the size of females.
But what are these guys really about? Is there more to this web spinner than meets the eye?
When it comes to animals, I am of the opinion that there’s always something fascinating to uncover, no matter how common the species.
And although the Cross Orbweaver is possibly one of the most common spiders in North America (known from Pennsylvania north through New England, across Canada, and south into Washington, Oregon, and California) there is of course more than can be deciphered at first glance. Like that fact that is not a native species to North America and came here by way of Western Europe!
I’m not a spider fan, just generally curious, so although I was very interested to learn, it took a significant amount of will to power through internet research with results like this and this.
Who, besides actual arachnologists, actively seeks out this kind of intimacy with spiders? Way more shudder-inducing familiarity than I require.
That said, I’ll share a calming, appreciation-inducing fact: pleasantly, the Cross Orbweaver prefers the out-of-doors so usually its presence is reserved only for occasional outside surprises. And, of the two broad categories entomologists have for spiders, our new friend the Cross Orbweaver is considered a trapper spider, a much more passive predator than ambusher spiders.
Calming Nerves, Dispelling Myths
For those still feeling skittish, let’s dispel some fears and myths: spiders are not a threatening or even regularly deadly species. Although most spiders have a low level of venomous potential, they rarely bite and people rarely suffer desperately from bites.
In fact, according to the Burke Museum,
“There is no spider species anywhere that can properly be called ‘deadly’…I know of no species anywhere on earth capable of causing death in humans in as much as 10% of cases, even if untreated. If the person bitten obtains medical aid, death from genuine spider bite is almost unknown in North America and a decided rarity worldwide.”
Spiders are shy hunters and rarely attack anything larger than themselves. Now that’s out of the way – let’s move on and develop enthusiasm for the artistry of their web-making ability!
Spin for Your Food
Cross Orbweavers are tremendous web spinners, and, as their name suggests, are part of the spider family responsible for our classic spiral ideal of a spider’s web. Not only are these spinners artistic, they’re also discerning about placement: who knows how the knowledge evolved, but it is common to see Cross Orbweaver webs under porch and street lights, and other areas known to attract insects. And by Cross Orbweavers, I really mean the lady Cross Orbweavers. Although the male Cross Orbweavers are spinners too, their webs are significantly smaller (and, let’s face it, less spectacular) than the females’ webs.
Once the web is complete, the Cross Orbweaver can be found hanging out in the direct center, head down, ready to skitter quickly to stun and wrap any prey that may bumble its way into the web.
Also, unlike messy web spinners like cobweb and cellar spiders the Cross Orbweaver is fastidiously and industriously tidy: typically each night these spiders dismantle and eat their web, take a short break, then rebuild a neat, clean new one all ready for collecting breakfast.
The very act of web spinning by a Cross Orbweaver is a captivating feat of instinctual engineering. She begins by floating a line on the wind to a nearby surface. She secures the line and then drops another from the center, making a “Y”. The rest of the scaffolding follows, all constructed with the spider’s nonsticky silk. Once the radii are in place, the spider can move from strand to strand, attaching the spiral of sticky capture silk.
Web-building requires some special equipment — web spinners craft webs using three claws, two to place silk and one to navigate the spider on the nonsticky threads. Spider silk, a very strong and resilient spun protein fiber, is not simply for web building and capturing prey; Spiders also rely on silk as climbing rope to travel and to aid in quick escapes.
Gaining Perspective
In order to really grasp the significance and importance of spiders, I recommend a prehistoric perspective: fossil evidence shows that orb weavers have been around a very, very long time. Three of the major orb weaving families (Araneidae, Tetragnathidae and Uloboridae) were in existence 140 million years ago and most likely originated during the Jurassic period.
And from the historic to the historically scientific: it turns out that insects and spiders have become more diverse and varied at comparable rates, suggesting that, near simultaneously, new species of both developed and spread out into new habitats. Fascinatingly, the peak of this expansion and diversity occurred before the origin of angiosperms (flowering plants).
Two scientists, Fritz Vollrath of Oxford University and Paul Selden of the University of Kansas made the bold proposition that insect evolution was driven less by flowering plants than by the predatory behavior of spiders.
They stated in 2007: “Spiders’ silks and webs have made it possible for this diverse taxon [a group of organisms] to occupy a unique niche as the main predator for another, even more diverse taxon, the insects. Indeed, it might well be that the spiders, which are older, were a major force driving the insects into their diversity in a coevolutionary arms race.”
Spiders are found the world over on every continent except Antarctica and can live successfully in every land-based habitat (no sea or airborne spiders yet!). Estimates on spider population range widely but there can be up to 5 million spiders per 2.5 acres. Spiders rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organism, and as of 2008, approximately 40,000 different spider species have been identified. By comparison, there are only 4,000 identified species of mammals.
Now that we’ve explored their looks, habits, talents, and historical relevance, I think we can only conclude with the significant benefit provided to us by these eight-legged friends: spiders are one of nature’s most advanced and effective predatory insecticides.
As P. Allister say in this article from Fountain Magazine:
“It is high time human beings overcame their irrational detestation of spiders. We should be grateful to them for all the good they do for us in preserving our persons and properties, especially our crops, against devastation by insects. One authority calculated the spider population of England and Wales as of the order of 2.5 billions at any one time. This means that if (at a most conservative estimate) each spider eats 100 insects a year, then the total number of insects consumed by spiders is 250 billions annually.”
That is A LOT of insects that, thanks to spiders, won’t be bothering, biting, and spreading disease, and that’s just in England and Wales. It is estimated that the weight of insects eaten by spiders every year is greater than the total weight of the entire human population.
I know I don’t need Cross Orbweavers to do anything more than they already do for us. They eat bugs, sport fascinating fancy patterns on their bulbous little bodies, make aesthetically satisfying webs and generally keep out of the way. How can you ask for more in an unassuming, quiet, diminutive, only occasionally startling animal? Hopefully you will now all consider joining me in giving a slight appreciatory nod to our spinnerly neighbors, the Cross Orbweavers, the next time you pass one by.
Every year, as fall descends in chill and darkness upon us all, an inevitable harbinger creeps out, silently proclaiming the season by bedecking gardens, scuttling through leaf piles, and dangling directly in our faces.
As commonplace in Northwest fall as clouds, the Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus)–also known as the European Garden Spider, Diadem Spider, or Cross Spider–takes up residence for the season, their pervasive webs stringing across windows, from tree to tree, from dahlia to chrysanthemum.
Not sure which spiders I mean? Cross Orbweavers are identified by the distinctive pattern across their backs, usually formed by five or more large white dots joining to form a cross. Individually the coloring of these spiders can range from a mottled dark grey, brown and orange to light yellow but all bear the characteristic cross.
When it comes to animals, I am of the opinion that there’s always something fascinating to uncover, no matter how common the species.
And although the Cross Orbweaver is possibly one of the most common spiders in North America (known from Pennsylvania north through New England, across Canada, and south into Washington, Oregon, and California) there is of course more than can be deciphered at first glance. Like that fact that is not a native species to North America and came here by way of Western Europe!
I’m not a spider fan, just generally curious, so although I was very interested to learn, it took a significant amount of will to power through internet research with results like this and this.
Who, besides actual arachnologists, actively seeks out this kind of intimacy with spiders? Way more shudder-inducing familiarity than I require.
That said, I’ll share a calming, appreciation-inducing fact: pleasantly, the Cross Orbweaver prefers the out-of-doors so usually its presence is reserved only for occasional outside surprises. And, of the two broad categories entomologists have for spiders, our new friend the Cross Orbweaver is considered a trapper spider, a much more passive predator than ambusher spiders.
Calming Nerves, Dispelling Myths
For those still feeling skittish, let’s dispel some fears and myths: spiders are not a threatening or even regularly deadly species. Although most spiders have a low level of venomous potential, they rarely bite and people rarely suffer desperately from bites.
In fact, according to the Burke Museum,
“There is no spider species anywhere that can properly be called ‘deadly’…I know of no species anywhere on earth capable of causing death in humans in as much as 10% of cases, even if untreated. If the person bitten obtains medical aid, death from genuine spider bite is almost unknown in North America and a decided rarity worldwide.”
Spiders are shy hunters and rarely attack anything larger than themselves. Now that’s out of the way – let’s move on and develop enthusiasm for the artistry of their web-making ability!
Spin for Your Food
Cross Orbweavers are tremendous web spinners, and, as their name suggests, are part of the spider family responsible for our classic spiral ideal of a spider’s web. Not only are these spinners artistic, they’re also discerning about placement: who knows how the knowledge evolved, but it is common to see Cross Orbweaver webs under porch and street lights, and other areas known to attract insects. And by Cross Orbweavers, I really mean the lady Cross Orbweavers. Although the male Cross Orbweavers are spinners too, their webs are significantly smaller (and, let’s face it, less spectacular) than the females’ webs.
Also, unlike messy web spinners like cobweb and cellar spiders the Cross Orbweaver is fastidiously and industriously tidy: typically each night these spiders dismantle and eat their web, take a short break, then rebuild a neat, clean new one all ready for collecting breakfast.
The very act of web spinning by a Cross Orbweaver is a captivating feat of instinctual engineering. She begins by floating a line on the wind to a nearby surface. She secures the line and then drops another from the center, making a “Y”. The rest of the scaffolding follows, all constructed with the spider’s nonsticky silk. Once the radii are in place, the spider can move from strand to strand, attaching the spiral of sticky capture silk.
Web-building requires some special equipment — web spinners craft webs using three claws, two to place silk and one to navigate the spider on the nonsticky threads. Spider silk, a very strong and resilient spun protein fiber, is not simply for web building and capturing prey; Spiders also rely on silk as climbing rope to travel and to aid in quick escapes.
Gaining Perspective
In order to really grasp the significance and importance of spiders, I recommend a prehistoric perspective: fossil evidence shows that orb weavers have been around a very, very long time. Three of the major orb weaving families (Araneidae, Tetragnathidae and Uloboridae) were in existence 140 million years ago and most likely originated during the Jurassic period.
And from the historic to the historically scientific: it turns out that insects and spiders have become more diverse and varied at comparable rates, suggesting that, near simultaneously, new species of both developed and spread out into new habitats. Fascinatingly, the peak of this expansion and diversity occurred before the origin of angiosperms (flowering plants).
Two scientists, Fritz Vollrath of Oxford University and Paul Selden of the University of Kansas made the bold proposition that insect evolution was driven less by flowering plants than by the predatory behavior of spiders.
They stated in 2007: “Spiders’ silks and webs have made it possible for this diverse taxon [a group of organisms] to occupy a unique niche as the main predator for another, even more diverse taxon, the insects. Indeed, it might well be that the spiders, which are older, were a major force driving the insects into their diversity in a coevolutionary arms race.”
Spiders are found the world over on every continent except Antarctica and can live successfully in every land-based habitat (no sea or airborne spiders yet!). Estimates on spider population range widely but there can be up to 5 million spiders per 2.5 acres. Spiders rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organism, and as of 2008, approximately 40,000 different spider species have been identified. By comparison, there are only 4,000 identified species of mammals.
As P. Allister say in this article from Fountain Magazine:
“It is high time human beings overcame their irrational detestation of spiders. We should be grateful to them for all the good they do for us in preserving our persons and properties, especially our crops, against devastation by insects. One authority calculated the spider population of England and Wales as of the order of 2.5 billions at any one time. This means that if (at a most conservative estimate) each spider eats 100 insects a year, then the total number of insects consumed by spiders is 250 billions annually.”
That is A LOT of insects that, thanks to spiders, won’t be bothering, biting, and spreading disease, and that’s just in England and Wales. It is estimated that the weight of insects eaten by spiders every year is greater than the total weight of the entire human population.
I know I don’t need Cross Orbweavers to do anything more than they already do for us. They eat bugs, sport fascinating fancy patterns on their bulbous little bodies, make aesthetically satisfying webs and generally keep out of the way. How can you ask for more in an unassuming, quiet, diminutive, only occasionally startling animal? Hopefully you will now all consider joining me in giving a slight appreciatory nod to our spinnerly neighbors, the Cross Orbweavers, the next time you pass one by.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Lady is a Geek
Cross-posted at Post Defiance, Tacoma's arts and culture online magazine.
I am very much looking forward to
the inaugural GeekGirlCon, October 8 and 9th, 2011 at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms and EMP Museum. If you're in or around Seattle this weekend, this celebration of all things lady
and geek is not to be missed!
As they state on their website: “GeekGirlCon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting awareness of and celebrating the contribution and involvement of women in all aspects of the sciences, science fiction, comics, gaming and related Geek culture through conventions and events that emphasize both the historic and ongoing contribution and influence of women in this culture.”
Now, I’ve attended quite a few hobby conventions, and I think this is the first time where I have been more excited and inspired by the panels and sessions than by vendors. I’m particularly thrilled that three of my geeky heroes, Jane Espenson, Hope Larson and Gail Simone will be sharing their thoughts and visions in multiple sessions.
As a television junkie, Jane Espenson is particularly important to me. Jane was co-executive producer and writer for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, and for the best season of Gilmore Girls, a key member of the Battlestar Galactica writing and production team, executive produced the spin-off series Caprica, recently wrote for Game of Thrones and Torchwood: Miracle Day and is now co-executive producer for the new series Once Upon a Time and is executive producing a web series Husbands. Basically, Jane Espenson has had her hand in nearly all of my favorite television moments of recent memory.
On Saturday Oct 8, see Jane interviewed at Oral History Live! With Jane Espenson where she will be interviewed by Brooks Peck, the curator of EMP show Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition. Jane will also be a panelist for Whedonistas on Saturday at 5:30pm.
Hope Larson is a rising star in comics: author of four graphic novels including Chiggers and Mercury, she’s currently graphically adapting one of my favorite novels, Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time,
which will be available next fall. Hope is quietly and deftly blazing a
path for girl-centric coming-of-age comics, beautifully rendered with
satisfying hints of the supernatural and fantastical. It’s like she’s
inside my head.
Hope won the 2006 Ignatz Award in the category Promising New Talent and the Eisner Award for Special Recognition in 2007. Rebecca Kraatz’s House of Sugar, Larson’s first publishing venture through her company Tulip Tree Press, won the 2007 Doug Wright Award for Best Emerging Talent.
Hope will be a participating panelist on Saturday’s YA Authors session at 1 pm and on the Sunday panel Killing Cattiness and Creating Community at 11 am. You can also find Hope at her booth, #313.
Gail Simone
is one of very few women comic book writers working in the mainstream
industry, and the only female writer at DC Comics. Simone first gained
attention from the comic industry and fans with her influential website Women in Refrigerators
that lists the pervasive instances in which female comic book
characters are victims of violent attacks or whose attacks were used as a
plot device for a male character.
Gail has written for DC since 2003, just concluded a very successful run with Wonder Woman and currently writes for the Birds of Prey, Secret Six, Batgirl, and Fury of Firestorm
series. Gail is committed to diversity in her casts of characters,
earning her a Glyph Comics Award for Best Female Character in Thomasina
Lindo—one of the lead characters in Welcome to Tranquility—a creator-owned comic published by WildStorm.
Gail will be a panelist for History of the Universe as Told by Wonder Woman, on Saturday, Oct 8 at 2:30, and for multiple sessions on Sunday, Oct 9: Batgirls at 10 am, Killing Cattiness and Creating Community at 11 am, and That Comic Isn’t About Me at 1 pm.
What to do on Saturday (and night!)
11 am – 12:30 pm: The Heroine: Journey, Culture, and Narrative
The role of the heroine in a patriarchal society is fraught with pitfalls. Panelists address the historical position of WWII action heroine Claudette Colbert, the complexities of the warrior woman in genre media, the heroine’s journey in anime and RPG, and the non-heterosocial world of Wonder Woman’s Themyscira. Bring your questions! Panelists: Haviva Avirom (moderator), Sara Freeman, Catherine Bailey, and Erin Lovejoy-Guron
12 - 1 pm: Feminism, Race, and Geek Culture: Perspectives from Women of Color
These feminist and anti-racist cultural commentators take a critical look at the intersection of race, gender, and other facets of personal identity in geek media and tackle issues like tokenism and white washing. The panel explores how their lived experience of race, gender, and sexuality informs their perspectives. Panelists: Regina Buenaobra (moderator), Latoya Peterson, Nina V. Reyes, Christina Xu
12 – 1 pm: YA Authors
YA characters have often provided lifelines for readers who find themselves outside the mainstream. Panelists will discuss authoring characters who relate to geeky fans and why YA is a great home for kick-ass female protagonists. Panelists: Nancy Holder, Scott Westerfeld, Phoebe Kitanidis, Hope Larson
1 – 2:30pm: Oral History Live! With Jane Espenson
An EMP Museum Ticketed Event
Battlestar Galactica writer Jane Espenson joins Brooks Peck, the curator of the EMP Museum Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition, for an intimate interview. A crucial member of the BSG writing and producing team, Espenson was the executive-producer and co-writer of the Emmy-nominated BSG webisodes and an Executive Producer of the spin-off series Caprica. Espenson is also widely known for her work on Buffy: the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Warehouse 13, Game of Thrones, and Torchwood: Miracle Day.
2:30 – 4 pm: History of the Universe as Told by Wonder Woman
Watch footage from the independent documentary, History of the Universe as Told by Wonder Woman, with director Kristy Guevara-Flanagan and a panel full of experts as they examine our culture’s obsessions with superheroes. Panel explores the evolution of the representation of female empowerment. Panelists: Kristy Guevara-Flanagan (moderator), Gail Simone, Trina Robbins, Jennifer K. Stuller, Mike Madrid
5:30 – 6:30 pm: Whedonistas
In Whedonistas, award-winning female writers and fans come together to celebrate the works of Joss Whedon. By discussing the impact of Whedon’s work, their involvement with his shows’ fandoms, and why they adore the worlds he’s created, these essayists “aim to misbehave” in his rich, fantastical worlds. Come for the readings and stay for trivia. Panelists: Teresa Jusino (moderator), Jane Espenson, Nancy Holder, Mariah Huehner
6 – 7 pm: Geek Girl Power: Can’t Stop the Signal
How much further have Geek Girls yet to go in terms of feminist representation in geek culture? Panelists discuss queer feminism in comics, works dealing with feminist issues, bringing geekiness into feminist spaces, and if geeky girls are truly becoming more accepted in mainstream and geek cultures. Join the debate to work towards a brighter, geekier future! Panelists: Karen Burrows and Alison Mandaville
7 – 9 pm: Viscera Film Fest
Mature Content: An 18 and Up Panel
Heidi Honeycutt hosts a mini-Viscera Film Fest. They will screen selected horror short films created, written, directed, produced, acted, gored-up, and designed by women. You’ve never seen horror like this before. Operating since 2007, Viscera is committed to expanding opportunities for female horror creators.
9 – 11pm: Whedonsque Burlesque (18+)
(GeekGirlCon Ticketed Event/Limited Freebie) JoJo Stiletto Productions brings her fabulous Whedon-inspired burlesque production to GeekGirlCon.
10 – 11 am: Batgirls
Gail Simone and The Batgirl of San Diego, Kyrax2, talk about women creators and characters in comic books. They discuss the relaunch of DC Comics’ 52 titles and, of course, the Batgirls.
11 – 12 pm: Killing Cattiness and Creating Community
Girls have a reputation for negative competition and constant cattiness. Geek Girl culture is not immune to this. Panelists discuss how Geek Girls can put aside being negatively competitive, divisive, and catty to our sister Geek Girls. Panelists: Kate Kottler (moderator), Hope Larson, Gail Simone, Marian Call, Kristin Rielly, Jennifer K. Stuller, Bonnie Burton, Kristina Horner, Molly McIssac
1 – 2 pm: That Comic Isn’t About Me
Take a critical look at gender, sexuality, and race in comics. Discuss how important it is to easily identify with characters, the state of diversity in comic arts, and why readers often overlook stories featuring characters whose gender, sexuality, race, class, or culture differs from their own. Panelists: Zan Christensen (moderator), Chris Lange, Ashley Cook, Gail Simone
3 – 4 pm: Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors: Superwomen in Modern Mythology
From Wonder Woman to Buffy Summers, Emma Peel to Sydney Bristow, Charlie’s Angels to the Powerpuff Girls, superwomen are more than love interests or sidekicks who stand by their men. Author, blogger, and pop culture historian, Jennifer K. Stuller, explains how the female hero in modern mythology has broken through the boys’ club barrier and reveals the pivotal role of high-heeled, costumed, and kick-ass crimefighters in popular culture through video clips, slides, and readings.
4-5 pm: Womanthology
Sometimes a simple idea hits at just the right time and place. Renae de Liz’s desire to give back to the comics community and give women creators of all abilities a chance to be published turned into one of the most successful and anticipated Kickstarter projects ever. Panelists discuss the development and drive to create Womanthology, the creators and contributors, social media support, and the future of this project. Panelists: Mariah Huehner, Trina Robbins, and Bonnie Burton
5:30 – 7pm: GeekGirlCon Closing Ceremony and Labyrinth Sing-Along
Close down this momentous weekend with a few remarks and a Labyrinth Sing-Along! Bring those sock puppets you made earlier and a belt out “Underground” and “Magic Dance” with Clinton McClung of Central Cinema and special guest and Labyrinth puppeteer Karen Prell. Oh, the 1980s, those were magical years.
GeekGirlCon Artists, Exhibitors, and Vendors
Take the time to stop by these booths and check out some of the best in creative geek culture:
Booth 100: Gretchen Fuller’s Crazy Diamond Mosaics
Booth 116: Fantasium Comics
Fantasium Comics is a women-owned comic and game show in Federal Way. http://www.fantasiumcomics.com
Booth 204: Sawdust Press
Sawdust Press publishes creator-owned books and anthologies with the intent to contribute more funny, fascinating and contemplative stories to the world.
Booth 208: Lunasea Studios
A shot in the dark since their webcomic is on hiatus, but the art looked compelling and fun.
Booth 210: Kat Player
I’m not sure what or who Kat Player may be but she/he sure has a compelling tumblr.
Booth 211: Cura Te Ipsum
Web comic “Cura Te Ipsum” follows one character, Charlie Everett, who according to the website, is much like any other Charlie, the everyman. In most universes, Charlie Everett gets sick of his life, goes home, sticks a pistol in his mouth and blows his brains out. But Charlie Prime, an alternate Charlie, is stopped by Leo who introduces him to the concept of the multiverse, and tells him that there’s a team of Charlies, Cura Te Ipsum, fighting to stop him from committing suicide across time and space.
Booth 213: Katy Hargrove
Katy Hargrove is quite a talent – stop by her booth and check out her creations.
Booth 214: Kraken Studios
Formed in 2008, Kraken Studios is a cartoon, toy, and game studio.
Booth 302: mleiv
Stop by Emily Ivie’s booth and pick up a copy of her remarkable comic, The Locked Maze.
Both 310: Minor Acts of Heroism
A webcomic by Adriana Ferguson (Penciller, writer) and K. Van Dam (aka- interpunkt) (Inker, letterer, writer) about three young kids dealing with life, love, water monsters, teleportation, super science, and all the other crazy stuff that comes along with being superheroes.
Booth 311: Surly-Ramics
Handmade, ceramic jewelry by “Surly Amy” Davis Roth.
Booth 312: Lovesick Robot Studios
Lovesick Robot Studios designs products and publishes books that celebrate geek culture’s offbeat. It also serves as a collective for artists who make great stuff and need a little push to get their business-brains moving.
And of course, as mentioned before,
Booth 313: Hope Larson/Girlcomix, inc
Looking forward to seeing all the girl geeks and their geeky, non-girl supporters out and about at Geek Girl Con. Let’s show the organizers how much we appreciate their monumental efforts by attempting to go to any and all possible events!
GeekGirlCon 2011
When: October 8, 2011, 9:30 am
Where: Seattle Center Northwest Rooms, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109
See the full event details
I am very much looking forward to
the inaugural GeekGirlCon, October 8 and 9th, 2011 at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms and EMP Museum. If you're in or around Seattle this weekend, this celebration of all things lady
and geek is not to be missed!As they state on their website: “GeekGirlCon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting awareness of and celebrating the contribution and involvement of women in all aspects of the sciences, science fiction, comics, gaming and related Geek culture through conventions and events that emphasize both the historic and ongoing contribution and influence of women in this culture.”
Now, I’ve attended quite a few hobby conventions, and I think this is the first time where I have been more excited and inspired by the panels and sessions than by vendors. I’m particularly thrilled that three of my geeky heroes, Jane Espenson, Hope Larson and Gail Simone will be sharing their thoughts and visions in multiple sessions.
Geek Lady Heroes
As a television junkie, Jane Espenson is particularly important to me. Jane was co-executive producer and writer for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, and for the best season of Gilmore Girls, a key member of the Battlestar Galactica writing and production team, executive produced the spin-off series Caprica, recently wrote for Game of Thrones and Torchwood: Miracle Day and is now co-executive producer for the new series Once Upon a Time and is executive producing a web series Husbands. Basically, Jane Espenson has had her hand in nearly all of my favorite television moments of recent memory.On Saturday Oct 8, see Jane interviewed at Oral History Live! With Jane Espenson where she will be interviewed by Brooks Peck, the curator of EMP show Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition. Jane will also be a panelist for Whedonistas on Saturday at 5:30pm.
Hope Larson is a rising star in comics: author of four graphic novels including Chiggers and Mercury, she’s currently graphically adapting one of my favorite novels, Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time,
which will be available next fall. Hope is quietly and deftly blazing a
path for girl-centric coming-of-age comics, beautifully rendered with
satisfying hints of the supernatural and fantastical. It’s like she’s
inside my head.Hope won the 2006 Ignatz Award in the category Promising New Talent and the Eisner Award for Special Recognition in 2007. Rebecca Kraatz’s House of Sugar, Larson’s first publishing venture through her company Tulip Tree Press, won the 2007 Doug Wright Award for Best Emerging Talent.
Hope will be a participating panelist on Saturday’s YA Authors session at 1 pm and on the Sunday panel Killing Cattiness and Creating Community at 11 am. You can also find Hope at her booth, #313.
Gail Simone
is one of very few women comic book writers working in the mainstream
industry, and the only female writer at DC Comics. Simone first gained
attention from the comic industry and fans with her influential website Women in Refrigerators
that lists the pervasive instances in which female comic book
characters are victims of violent attacks or whose attacks were used as a
plot device for a male character.Gail will be a panelist for History of the Universe as Told by Wonder Woman, on Saturday, Oct 8 at 2:30, and for multiple sessions on Sunday, Oct 9: Batgirls at 10 am, Killing Cattiness and Creating Community at 11 am, and That Comic Isn’t About Me at 1 pm.
The GeekGirlCon Program
Let’s get into the panel and session picks: there are so many compelling options, it was very difficult to narrow down, but below are the sessions, vendors and artists I’m most excited to check out:What to do on Saturday (and night!)
11 am – 12:30 pm: The Heroine: Journey, Culture, and Narrative
The role of the heroine in a patriarchal society is fraught with pitfalls. Panelists address the historical position of WWII action heroine Claudette Colbert, the complexities of the warrior woman in genre media, the heroine’s journey in anime and RPG, and the non-heterosocial world of Wonder Woman’s Themyscira. Bring your questions! Panelists: Haviva Avirom (moderator), Sara Freeman, Catherine Bailey, and Erin Lovejoy-Guron
12 - 1 pm: Feminism, Race, and Geek Culture: Perspectives from Women of Color
These feminist and anti-racist cultural commentators take a critical look at the intersection of race, gender, and other facets of personal identity in geek media and tackle issues like tokenism and white washing. The panel explores how their lived experience of race, gender, and sexuality informs their perspectives. Panelists: Regina Buenaobra (moderator), Latoya Peterson, Nina V. Reyes, Christina Xu
12 – 1 pm: YA Authors
YA characters have often provided lifelines for readers who find themselves outside the mainstream. Panelists will discuss authoring characters who relate to geeky fans and why YA is a great home for kick-ass female protagonists. Panelists: Nancy Holder, Scott Westerfeld, Phoebe Kitanidis, Hope Larson
1 – 2:30pm: Oral History Live! With Jane Espenson
An EMP Museum Ticketed Event
Battlestar Galactica writer Jane Espenson joins Brooks Peck, the curator of the EMP Museum Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition, for an intimate interview. A crucial member of the BSG writing and producing team, Espenson was the executive-producer and co-writer of the Emmy-nominated BSG webisodes and an Executive Producer of the spin-off series Caprica. Espenson is also widely known for her work on Buffy: the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Warehouse 13, Game of Thrones, and Torchwood: Miracle Day.
2:30 – 4 pm: History of the Universe as Told by Wonder Woman
Watch footage from the independent documentary, History of the Universe as Told by Wonder Woman, with director Kristy Guevara-Flanagan and a panel full of experts as they examine our culture’s obsessions with superheroes. Panel explores the evolution of the representation of female empowerment. Panelists: Kristy Guevara-Flanagan (moderator), Gail Simone, Trina Robbins, Jennifer K. Stuller, Mike Madrid
5:30 – 6:30 pm: Whedonistas
In Whedonistas, award-winning female writers and fans come together to celebrate the works of Joss Whedon. By discussing the impact of Whedon’s work, their involvement with his shows’ fandoms, and why they adore the worlds he’s created, these essayists “aim to misbehave” in his rich, fantastical worlds. Come for the readings and stay for trivia. Panelists: Teresa Jusino (moderator), Jane Espenson, Nancy Holder, Mariah Huehner
6 – 7 pm: Geek Girl Power: Can’t Stop the Signal
How much further have Geek Girls yet to go in terms of feminist representation in geek culture? Panelists discuss queer feminism in comics, works dealing with feminist issues, bringing geekiness into feminist spaces, and if geeky girls are truly becoming more accepted in mainstream and geek cultures. Join the debate to work towards a brighter, geekier future! Panelists: Karen Burrows and Alison Mandaville
7 – 9 pm: Viscera Film Fest
Mature Content: An 18 and Up Panel
Heidi Honeycutt hosts a mini-Viscera Film Fest. They will screen selected horror short films created, written, directed, produced, acted, gored-up, and designed by women. You’ve never seen horror like this before. Operating since 2007, Viscera is committed to expanding opportunities for female horror creators.
9 – 11pm: Whedonsque Burlesque (18+)
(GeekGirlCon Ticketed Event/Limited Freebie) JoJo Stiletto Productions brings her fabulous Whedon-inspired burlesque production to GeekGirlCon.
What to do on Sunday
10 – 11 am: Batgirls
Gail Simone and The Batgirl of San Diego, Kyrax2, talk about women creators and characters in comic books. They discuss the relaunch of DC Comics’ 52 titles and, of course, the Batgirls.
11 – 12 pm: Killing Cattiness and Creating Community
Girls have a reputation for negative competition and constant cattiness. Geek Girl culture is not immune to this. Panelists discuss how Geek Girls can put aside being negatively competitive, divisive, and catty to our sister Geek Girls. Panelists: Kate Kottler (moderator), Hope Larson, Gail Simone, Marian Call, Kristin Rielly, Jennifer K. Stuller, Bonnie Burton, Kristina Horner, Molly McIssac
1 – 2 pm: That Comic Isn’t About Me
Take a critical look at gender, sexuality, and race in comics. Discuss how important it is to easily identify with characters, the state of diversity in comic arts, and why readers often overlook stories featuring characters whose gender, sexuality, race, class, or culture differs from their own. Panelists: Zan Christensen (moderator), Chris Lange, Ashley Cook, Gail Simone
3 – 4 pm: Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors: Superwomen in Modern Mythology
From Wonder Woman to Buffy Summers, Emma Peel to Sydney Bristow, Charlie’s Angels to the Powerpuff Girls, superwomen are more than love interests or sidekicks who stand by their men. Author, blogger, and pop culture historian, Jennifer K. Stuller, explains how the female hero in modern mythology has broken through the boys’ club barrier and reveals the pivotal role of high-heeled, costumed, and kick-ass crimefighters in popular culture through video clips, slides, and readings.
4-5 pm: Womanthology
Sometimes a simple idea hits at just the right time and place. Renae de Liz’s desire to give back to the comics community and give women creators of all abilities a chance to be published turned into one of the most successful and anticipated Kickstarter projects ever. Panelists discuss the development and drive to create Womanthology, the creators and contributors, social media support, and the future of this project. Panelists: Mariah Huehner, Trina Robbins, and Bonnie Burton
5:30 – 7pm: GeekGirlCon Closing Ceremony and Labyrinth Sing-Along
Close down this momentous weekend with a few remarks and a Labyrinth Sing-Along! Bring those sock puppets you made earlier and a belt out “Underground” and “Magic Dance” with Clinton McClung of Central Cinema and special guest and Labyrinth puppeteer Karen Prell. Oh, the 1980s, those were magical years.
GeekGirlCon Artists, Exhibitors, and Vendors
 |
| "Ziggy Stardust" by Gretchen Fuller |
Booth 100: Gretchen Fuller’s Crazy Diamond Mosaics
Booth 116: Fantasium Comics
Fantasium Comics is a women-owned comic and game show in Federal Way. http://www.fantasiumcomics.com
Booth 204: Sawdust Press
Sawdust Press publishes creator-owned books and anthologies with the intent to contribute more funny, fascinating and contemplative stories to the world.
 |
| Corgi & Dragon by Katy Hargrove |
Booth 208: Lunasea Studios
A shot in the dark since their webcomic is on hiatus, but the art looked compelling and fun.
Booth 210: Kat Player
I’m not sure what or who Kat Player may be but she/he sure has a compelling tumblr.
Booth 211: Cura Te Ipsum
Web comic “Cura Te Ipsum” follows one character, Charlie Everett, who according to the website, is much like any other Charlie, the everyman. In most universes, Charlie Everett gets sick of his life, goes home, sticks a pistol in his mouth and blows his brains out. But Charlie Prime, an alternate Charlie, is stopped by Leo who introduces him to the concept of the multiverse, and tells him that there’s a team of Charlies, Cura Te Ipsum, fighting to stop him from committing suicide across time and space.
Booth 213: Katy Hargrove
Katy Hargrove is quite a talent – stop by her booth and check out her creations.
Booth 214: Kraken Studios
Formed in 2008, Kraken Studios is a cartoon, toy, and game studio.
Booth 302: mleiv
Stop by Emily Ivie’s booth and pick up a copy of her remarkable comic, The Locked Maze.
 |
| The Locked Maze by mleiv |
Booth 304: Mikeatron!
Miketron is artist Mike DiPetrillo who, according to his etsy profile, enjoys “video games, nerd culture, dinosaurs, robots, pirates, adventures, coffee and petting cats. Oh, and of course painting things that make people laugh.”
Miketron is artist Mike DiPetrillo who, according to his etsy profile, enjoys “video games, nerd culture, dinosaurs, robots, pirates, adventures, coffee and petting cats. Oh, and of course painting things that make people laugh.”
 |
| "Hey Thanks" by Mikeatron |
A webcomic by Adriana Ferguson (Penciller, writer) and K. Van Dam (aka- interpunkt) (Inker, letterer, writer) about three young kids dealing with life, love, water monsters, teleportation, super science, and all the other crazy stuff that comes along with being superheroes.
 |
| Darwin Tree Necklace by Surly-Ramics |
Handmade, ceramic jewelry by “Surly Amy” Davis Roth.
Booth 312: Lovesick Robot Studios
Lovesick Robot Studios designs products and publishes books that celebrate geek culture’s offbeat. It also serves as a collective for artists who make great stuff and need a little push to get their business-brains moving.
And of course, as mentioned before,
Booth 313: Hope Larson/Girlcomix, inc
Looking forward to seeing all the girl geeks and their geeky, non-girl supporters out and about at Geek Girl Con. Let’s show the organizers how much we appreciate their monumental efforts by attempting to go to any and all possible events!
GeekGirlCon 2011
When: October 8, 2011, 9:30 am
Where: Seattle Center Northwest Rooms, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109
See the full event details
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Isn't Rosemary Clooney Marvelous and Wonderful?
I can't get over this song. I love Rosemary Clooney and have, probably since my first viewing of White Christmas. All her solo songs make me smile like a lunatic. I just want to be in the same room with this voice! She's my female Bing, I think.
So Botch-A-Me is adorable and endearing but so is almost everything else she does:
And this, where she's only 21!
And a classic.
Finally, let's conclude with something in COLOR!
So Botch-A-Me is adorable and endearing but so is almost everything else she does:
And this, where she's only 21!
And a classic.
Finally, let's conclude with something in COLOR!
Monday, August 29, 2011
What a lot of Television!
It's nearing fall and now, as an adult, all I have to look forward to are delightful variances in foliage, scarves and television. I've already begun partaking in the vast and overwhelming offerings of the fall television premiere season (Dr. Who has already begun) but I wanted to make a little list of those shows I'm excited to delve back into as well as a few new shows that I hope won't suck. Let's BEGIN:
So, watch Dr Who on BBC America - it's fun; I'm not sure how this half of the season will turn out since the last half was extremely uneven but I haven't lost hope yet. The first episode was promising, if not overtly successful
First up, a new favorite is coming back - check out Raising Hope when it premieres tomorrow: Tues 8/30 on FOX. This show is truly the only newer half hour comedy I care about - cute story, great characters, well written, and I can even tolerate the baby. Which makes me think that just maybe Up All Night, premiering Weds, 9/14 on NBC won't be entirely terrible.
Also premiering Weds 9/14 on NBC is the new Hank Azaria comedy Free Agents, based on a BBC comedy. It might be good because of Hank Azaria. We'll see!
Reliable favorites It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Archer begin again on Thursday, 9/15 on FX.
Guilty favorite Vampire Diaries returns the same day (Thurs 9/15 on the CW). I have no real defense of this show - it's just ridiculous fun and I'm sticking with it.
I'm trying out two new lady-driven comedies, 2 Broke Girls on CBS (Monday, 9/19) and FOX's New Girl, starring Zoe Deschanel (Tues, 9/20). I continue to hold out, hoping that someone, somewhere can fill the hole left in my heart from the Gilmore Girls.I know, I know, there's a horrifying laugh track on 2 Broke Girls. Still crossing fingers.
Now, although Spielberg disappointed me with the insufferable and saccharine Falling Skies, I am still going to try Terra Nova. The preview looks decent and if someone can legitimately pull off a time-travel dinosaur show, my hat's off to them! Terra Nova premieres Monday 9/26 on FOX.
Speaking of creators that we just keep giving second, fourth and nineteenth chances to, let's see what J.J. Abrams can do with Person of Interest, premiering Thursday, 9/22 on CBS. Can you believe it? I'm going to attempt to watch TWO shows on CBS!
Also on Thursday, reliable favorites Community, Parks & Recreation, and The Office return with another Americanized reworking of a British program Prime Suspect. I'm excited to see if Maria Bello can hold her own in the role made famous by the brilliant Helen Mirren. I am enjoying the surprising proliferation of female forward shows - we'll see if they stick around.
Heading into the ever growing and fluctuating land of genre television, FOX premieres Fringe on Fri, 9/23. I have been hard at work catching up on Fringe since I hadn't initially stuck with it and I must say, it's worth it to dive in. I'm beginning Season 3 and it's pretty wonderful. I enjoy the audacity of a series that works fearlessly with the idea of parallel universes and an epic struggle between two fathers warring over the destruction of worlds and their families. Catch up and tune in.
Hurray! On Fri, 9/23 Supernatural returns on the CW. I've said plenty about this show and although the last season had it's uneven moments, I'm excited to see what showrunner Sera Gamble comes up with next!
Nearing the end of September, HBO premieres it's successful Boardwalk Empire, Sun 9/25. I had mixed reactions to this program -- my issues being mainly with the haphazard character development and much too overt CGI of the boardwalk landscape -- though I really came around toward the end. I'm definitely going to revisit and see how it progresses.
And now, on to October:
BBC America brings back the compelling and hard hitting Luther also on October 5. If you haven't caught season 1, it's an easy fix since it's only 6 episodes and is available on Netflix streaming and Comcast On-Demand. Try it out. If you have any love for Idris Elba, this is an easy show to embrace.
But wait, there's more! October 5th also hosts the premiere of FX's new original series American Horror Story. Honestly, I am not expecting much but I am very excited to see Friday Night Lights Connie Britton in an entirely different role.
On Mon 10/10, HBO premieres the returning Bored to Death, a show I've already written about briefly and fondly. Slowly but surely, my tolerance for Jason Schwartzman grows. I'm also curious to see how Laura Dern holds her own on the new show Enlightenment.
Though currently frustrated, bordering on nonplussed with the show, I will definitely be checking out Walking Dead when it returns Sun 10/16 on AMC. AMC has been doing its darndest to screw over both viewers and creators of all its popular shows but I am hoping against all hope that Walking Dead can turn it around, perhaps consider following the comic a little more and (spoilers!) kill Shane.
October concludes with one of the shows I am most curious about: ABC premieres Once Upon a Time Sun on 10/23. A very strange concept centered around Snow White and the entire cadre of Disneyfied fairytale characters, this could be very fun or terribly bad.
Finally, on 10/30, FOX adds a new cartoon to it's Sunday line-up, Allen Gregory. Jonah Hill voices Allen Gregory, a famous 7 year old genius who must attempt to attend school with normal kids. Who knows; it might be cute.
Yes, I know I just recommended we all join together and attempt to watch practically 20 hours of television. But somehow we must keep our brains disengaged from the ever more disheartening and tragic events that are our daily reality, yes?
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Thank you, the Internet!
 |
| Hadju enjoys beverages from mugs (as do I). |
As of yesterday, the existence of this blog has been validated by none other than DAVID HADJU commenting on my post about his 2005 Josh Groban essay. Which is excellent (the essay, not my pandering).
I don't know how to express how excited I am and also how little any of my readers know or care about either David Hadju or Josh Groban.
 |
| Groban was in an enjoyable film. |
Well. Start caring.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
A Not-at-all-Embarassing Rumination on Romantic Comedy
(Originally posted on Post Defiance, Tacoma's culture, community & craft online magazine)
There is a soft spot in my heart that compels me to watch Sleepless in Seattle whenever I’m channel surfing. I see this not as weakness, but as devoted appreciation for very specific components of successful Romantic Comedy. This appreciation has been encouraged anew by a recent viewing of the incredibly satisfying and immensely endearing Crazy, Stupid, Love which I recommend for any fans of the genre as well as anyone who likes a good movie.
But from where does this appreciation for a well-crafted romantic comedy come? For the purposes of my exploration, I will blame the development of this palate equally on Rob Reiner and William Shakespeare. While you may be fairly familiar with both of these gentlemen, let me share a little personal perspective to illuminate this seemingly unlikely connection:
I grew up without a tv and most definitely did not have parents that would take me to see anything exceeding a PG-13 rating until I was fully age appropriate, so I had to sneakily watch my first rated-R movies - Stand By Me and Misery, at a slumber party. It wasn’t until recently that I uncovered a funny synchronicity: my first rated R movies were not only both Stephen King stories, but were both directed by Rob Reiner.
We’ll leave the Stephen King aspect alone for now (he’s not so romantic), but I think much of the quality in those films can be credited to Rob Reiner’s vision, for he is not only responsible for Stand By Me and Misery, but he has also had punctuated moments of filmic genius throughout his career (albeit the majority of them were early on).
In reviewing Reiner’s oeuvre, it made me wish he could still pull off something as charming as Stand by Me, The Sure Thing or any of the grand trifecta of his romantic comedy capacity: The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, and This Is Spinal Tap (yes, I think Spinal Tap has clear romantic elements and obvious comedic ones).
Reiner’s not alone: I see this similar trajectory, though with less proliferation and less quality, in Nora Ephron's career - she worked with Reiner in crafting When Harry Met Sally; her holiday film Mixed Nuts is quaint, and Sleepless in Seattle has some very special moments of romcom perfection as well. But seriously, what the heck happened with Bewitched? And though there are moments of aptitude in Julie and Julia, it never quite satisfies the way her early nineties romcoms do. To find a little more clarification for quality, I’m going to lean heavily on philosopher Stanley Cavell for pointers on identifying excellence in a romantic comedy - and for some scholarly justification for loving such films.
Cavell is one of my favorite thinkers, devoting serious time to the study of Shakespeare and to the American romantic comedy tradition, specifically to a style of film he identifies as “comedies of remarriage”, which includes endearing classics such as His Girl Friday (1940), The Philadelphia Story (1940) and Adam’s Rib (1949).
These films uphold many of the Shakespearean romantic comedy tropes, and, as Cavell argues, beneath the comic slapstick and innuendo is something more: an authentic effort to create a new romantic basis for union rooted in love.
This idea of love over societal expectation had its revolutionary aspects in Shakespeare’s day, but 1940s America embraced this idea as the middle class burgeoned and conflicts of religion and class could idealistically, and at moments nearly realistically, fall aside in order to let love conquer all. All this and a little something extra within the interactions of the characters that will make an audience chuckle.
So, we’re talking about transcendence with a smile, right? Beyond the above listed conventions, a resonant, adorable romantic comedy (as well as the featured couple) will overcome and, more importantly, transcend conventions, boundaries, and/or pain through love and affection.
Do we dare designate additional qualifications for effective romcoms? I suppose we probably ought to. For me, the most visceral magic comes from four filmic aspects: the aforementioned cheerful transcendence facilitated by communication, maturation and aesthetics.
Basically, I like people trying to share (developing their unique and endearing form of interaction while allowing for pratfalls and faked orgasms), growing successfully in order to share (showing us why we should care) and doing it surrounded by pretty things, like wallpaper and trees and dogs and cities. The setting means more than merely backdrop in a romcom – it frames how a couple lives together, accentuating the rarity and specialness of the featured relationship. I have no patience for a romcom without a quirky and well-appointed set.
But let’s go back to the perhaps now too-oft mentioned concept of transcendence. Now, let us consider what it would mean for a good romcom to transcend the genre itself. I see this happening in my contemporary favorites when we see directors fearlessly mix genres; when romcoms successfully manipulate other genre tropes as framing devices, it results in some beautifully refreshing romances.
This is evident in Groundhog Day, The Whole Wide World, The Princess Bride, Home for the Holidays, Grosse Pointe Blank, Prelude to a Kiss, Joe Versus the Volcano, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Splash, and Happy Accidents: films that masterfully blur the line between fantasy or action or science fiction or family drama or biopic and romantic comedy.
And it is in this genre-mixing where I find a little bit of hope for Rob Reiner, demonstrated in this upcoming sequel to When Harry Met Sally. Perhaps Reiner is not entirely lost to us.
If there’s a possibility that you’ve missed any of the quality films listed in the article or below, quick, queue them up and have a marathon!
40 Year Old Virgin
Adam’s Rib
Bringing Up Baby
Clueless
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Grosse Pointe Blank
Groundhog Day
Happy Accidents
Harold and Maude
His Girl Friday
Home for the Holidays
Joe Versus the Volcano
Mixed Nuts
Moonstruck
Prelude to a Kiss
Roman Holiday
Sleepless in Seattle
Splash
The Philadelphia Story
The Princess Bride
The Sure Thing
The Whole Wide World
This is Spinal Tap
When Harry Met Sally
While you Were Sleeping
Working Girl
There is a soft spot in my heart that compels me to watch Sleepless in Seattle whenever I’m channel surfing. I see this not as weakness, but as devoted appreciation for very specific components of successful Romantic Comedy. This appreciation has been encouraged anew by a recent viewing of the incredibly satisfying and immensely endearing Crazy, Stupid, Love which I recommend for any fans of the genre as well as anyone who likes a good movie.
But from where does this appreciation for a well-crafted romantic comedy come? For the purposes of my exploration, I will blame the development of this palate equally on Rob Reiner and William Shakespeare. While you may be fairly familiar with both of these gentlemen, let me share a little personal perspective to illuminate this seemingly unlikely connection:
I grew up without a tv and most definitely did not have parents that would take me to see anything exceeding a PG-13 rating until I was fully age appropriate, so I had to sneakily watch my first rated-R movies - Stand By Me and Misery, at a slumber party. It wasn’t until recently that I uncovered a funny synchronicity: my first rated R movies were not only both Stephen King stories, but were both directed by Rob Reiner.
We’ll leave the Stephen King aspect alone for now (he’s not so romantic), but I think much of the quality in those films can be credited to Rob Reiner’s vision, for he is not only responsible for Stand By Me and Misery, but he has also had punctuated moments of filmic genius throughout his career (albeit the majority of them were early on).
In reviewing Reiner’s oeuvre, it made me wish he could still pull off something as charming as Stand by Me, The Sure Thing or any of the grand trifecta of his romantic comedy capacity: The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, and This Is Spinal Tap (yes, I think Spinal Tap has clear romantic elements and obvious comedic ones).
Reiner's particular brand of witty, humanistic, situational, relationship-based story telling pleasantly lends itself to love stories and begins to flesh out my favorite aspects of romantic comedies. And here’s where Shakespeare comes in. Let’s refer to Dr. Debora Schwartz’s study guide on the Conventions of Shakespearean Romantic Comedy.
- The main action is about love.
- The would-be lovers must overcome obstacles and misunderstandings before uniting.
- Frequently it contains elements of the improbable, the fantastic, the supernatural, or the miraculous or may merely involve improbable turns of events.
- Frequently (but not always), it contains a philosophical aspect involving weightier themes: personal identity; the importance of love in human existence; the power of language to help or hinder communication; the transforming power of poetry and art; the disjunction between appearance and reality; the power of dreams and illusions.
Reiner’s not alone: I see this similar trajectory, though with less proliferation and less quality, in Nora Ephron's career - she worked with Reiner in crafting When Harry Met Sally; her holiday film Mixed Nuts is quaint, and Sleepless in Seattle has some very special moments of romcom perfection as well. But seriously, what the heck happened with Bewitched? And though there are moments of aptitude in Julie and Julia, it never quite satisfies the way her early nineties romcoms do. To find a little more clarification for quality, I’m going to lean heavily on philosopher Stanley Cavell for pointers on identifying excellence in a romantic comedy - and for some scholarly justification for loving such films.
Cavell is one of my favorite thinkers, devoting serious time to the study of Shakespeare and to the American romantic comedy tradition, specifically to a style of film he identifies as “comedies of remarriage”, which includes endearing classics such as His Girl Friday (1940), The Philadelphia Story (1940) and Adam’s Rib (1949).
These films uphold many of the Shakespearean romantic comedy tropes, and, as Cavell argues, beneath the comic slapstick and innuendo is something more: an authentic effort to create a new romantic basis for union rooted in love.
This idea of love over societal expectation had its revolutionary aspects in Shakespeare’s day, but 1940s America embraced this idea as the middle class burgeoned and conflicts of religion and class could idealistically, and at moments nearly realistically, fall aside in order to let love conquer all. All this and a little something extra within the interactions of the characters that will make an audience chuckle.
So, we’re talking about transcendence with a smile, right? Beyond the above listed conventions, a resonant, adorable romantic comedy (as well as the featured couple) will overcome and, more importantly, transcend conventions, boundaries, and/or pain through love and affection.
Do we dare designate additional qualifications for effective romcoms? I suppose we probably ought to. For me, the most visceral magic comes from four filmic aspects: the aforementioned cheerful transcendence facilitated by communication, maturation and aesthetics.
Basically, I like people trying to share (developing their unique and endearing form of interaction while allowing for pratfalls and faked orgasms), growing successfully in order to share (showing us why we should care) and doing it surrounded by pretty things, like wallpaper and trees and dogs and cities. The setting means more than merely backdrop in a romcom – it frames how a couple lives together, accentuating the rarity and specialness of the featured relationship. I have no patience for a romcom without a quirky and well-appointed set.
But let’s go back to the perhaps now too-oft mentioned concept of transcendence. Now, let us consider what it would mean for a good romcom to transcend the genre itself. I see this happening in my contemporary favorites when we see directors fearlessly mix genres; when romcoms successfully manipulate other genre tropes as framing devices, it results in some beautifully refreshing romances.
This is evident in Groundhog Day, The Whole Wide World, The Princess Bride, Home for the Holidays, Grosse Pointe Blank, Prelude to a Kiss, Joe Versus the Volcano, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Splash, and Happy Accidents: films that masterfully blur the line between fantasy or action or science fiction or family drama or biopic and romantic comedy.And it is in this genre-mixing where I find a little bit of hope for Rob Reiner, demonstrated in this upcoming sequel to When Harry Met Sally. Perhaps Reiner is not entirely lost to us.
If there’s a possibility that you’ve missed any of the quality films listed in the article or below, quick, queue them up and have a marathon!
40 Year Old Virgin
Adam’s Rib
Bringing Up Baby
Clueless
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Grosse Pointe Blank
Groundhog Day
Happy Accidents
Harold and Maude
His Girl Friday
Home for the Holidays
Joe Versus the Volcano
Mixed Nuts
Moonstruck
Prelude to a KissRoman Holiday
Sleepless in Seattle
Splash
The Philadelphia Story
The Princess Bride
The Sure Thing
The Whole Wide World
This is Spinal Tap
When Harry Met Sally
While you Were Sleeping
Working Girl
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