This morning I watched Platoon (1986). There was really no reason for me to watch it before now, before my book project. When it was released I was still very young. I was likely the same age as the little girl who gets raped by soldiers in the movie, so I'm glad I didn't see it earlier. It was written and directed by Oliver Stone, and I wonder if the working title was Why Men Should Never Be in Charge of Anything.
By the time my husband and I got to the theatre last night Hidden Figures was sold out, which was disappointing because I was looking forward to a story about women. © 2017 Alline Cormier #Platoon #OliverStone
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Today is a winter wonderland, which makes it difficult to stay inside and analyse movies. Since I removed myself from the sunshine and frosted view outside my office window I decided that at the very least today's movie picks would be enjoyable. I analysed Hello, My Name is Doris (2015), starring Sally Field, because it's a funny movie and to treat myself I'll analyse The English Patient (1996). Yesterday's picks were Tootsie (1982) and Atonement (2007). It may seem like there is no rhyme or reason here, but I promise: there is method to my madness.
© 2017 Alline Cormier In protest over the inauguration yesterday of a sexual predator as President of the United States women's marches are being held all over the world today. The March on Washington alone has been attended by more than half a million women, in other words, by more people than attended Donald Trump's inauguration. Marches are also taking place in Paris and London, as well as all over Canada and the rest of the globe. Women of the world are uniting against this sexual predator who has achieved one of the most powerful positions on Earth. I wish I could have been there today, in Washington, to hear Gloria Steinem's speech in person. Instead I will keep toiling away on my book.
© 2017 Alline Cormier #WomensMarch The movie selection I analysed this week was definitely eclectic. Atom Egoyan’s The Captive (2014) was one of the only ones that gave me food for thought though. What struck me about this story, at the heart of which is a little girl abducted by pedophiles, was the realism. It addressed issues that are rarely explored on screen, namely: technology used against women and girls, pedophile clubs in Canada exchanging pictures over the Internet and the level of organization of these groups. It brought to mind the many news articles I have read about child pornography in Canada since I began writing my book. In Hollywood movies the pedophile/abductor is almost always one man operating alone, however, the reality is that sometimes men work together to sexually abuse girls.
© 2017 Alline Cormier Today after analyzing yet another movie I bundled up warmly--with the wind it felt much colder than minus seven--and took the bus to hear a public panel about the Alberta tar sands where Jane Fonda would be speaking. Last year I wrote her a letter and sent it to the Women's Media Center (she is on the Board). I was hoping I would get a chance to say hi because Nine to Five is still one of my favourite movies. Unfortunately, the question period only left her one minute afterwards for meeting and greeting before being whisked away to the airport. She is inspirational, and I would have loved to tell her that. It was still worth an entire afternoon, just to hear Eriel Deranger of the Athabascan Chipewyan First Nation, as well as Grand Chief Stewart Philip and Grand Chief Derek Nepinak and be surrounded by other people who care deeply about the environment.
© 2017 Alline Cormier |
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