I think I am more than a little put out by this article. I happen to be a girl, have read the books more often than I can conveniently count on two hands, and go to the movies because I love the books so dearly. I’ll admit that some cast members are mildly attractive, but to be quite frank, I like Legolas because of what he DOES not because of how he looks. The same holds true for the other characters.
I guess that makes me a nerd, and “one of the guys”. And with that, I am quite content.
On the contrary, I think this article was saying that women don’t HAVE To be attracted to the main characters to see this movie. I think it took the opposite view, saying there’s something deeper in the trilogy that we wanted to see. I don’t think the author was calling women who have read the books and understand the concepts, nerds either.
While I really liked this article, this one quote kind of miffed me:
“Gladiator was the last “male†movie to hit the female spot, proving that women were just as interested as men in complicated themes such as glory, honour, destiny and valour, and, you know, the “big stuff†of life.”
I happen to think that sometimes women appreciate those “complicated” themes more than men do. There are as many movies labeled “guy flicks: as “chick flicks”, and those are typically the plotless, action films, where the storyline’s been done 1000 times. Originally, I don’t even think the so called “nerds” were drawn to the complicated themes in LOTR, as much as to the pure-fanasty of it, though some, assuredly were.
I am probably the opposite of most people on this site — I saw FOTR in theaters and checked out the book at the library the next day. The trilogy had been on my reading list for a few years, but I had never been able to “get into” the book. And now I’m reading an excerpt from FOTR for speech contest in February.
But I agree with Grav and Ringhilwen… I will not deny that I find certain cast members attractive and that isn’t a fractional part of why I like the movies, but I would not go to the movie three times at $5.75 a crack to look at pretty faces when I could sit at home in front of the computer and do the same for free. The deeper themes of friendship and honor are a main reason I like to venture into Middle Earth.
I’m sorry to say that was a pretty poor article. The way the sexes were seperated by stereotypical likes and dislikes did nothing for the female image nor the male image, and completely left out the fact that a good many women went to see those movies because they’re good movies, not because they wanted to see what men really were, or whatever nonsense that article-writer was spouting. While I’m sure it was intended to empower women by ‘giving’ them a reason to be interested in the movie, I found it to be rather degrading. I’m only speaking for myself, of course, when I say I went [repeatedly] to see the movies because the story captured my heart and my mind. Maybe some women did go to see it for rugged stubbly manly Men or something. But . . . not all of them. And I’ll take a chance and say not most of them! *shakes her head* I’m sorry. People who seperate genders like that annoy me. Why can’t people with different genitalia go and see a movie together because it’s a good movie?
I think she was trying to say something positive, but it came out stupid and annoying.
The first thing I found annoying was that since she did not read The Books when she was young ( having her head to far up her….um…. Max Factor bag…) she assumes that all of Femaledom did the same. I for one was read ‘There and Back Again’ when very young and read it myself often there after. Begining in my early teenage years I read ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and again many times since. I have even read ‘There and Back Again’ to my son now 1year 6 months, sure he doesn’t understand it all, but he sits and listens. (He also has sat through in the theatre RotR, TTT, both Harry Potters, and Spiderman, oh and episode I and II, he has an unusually long attention span)
A side point on Make-up… I do not believe in its everyday use and rarely even use it on special occasions. I have always trusted my natural comeliness and it has won me more males than I would care to admit.
Another point she made that brought out my most Orcish feelings: “it’s been Nerd Nirvana all the way”
Nerd indeed! To enjoy attention to detail and revel in otherworldly beauty is nerdly…. Well then proudly I will wear that label.
Also… I do not drink Chardonnay… I prefer a good Stout thank you very much, or a well aged Brandy.
“spotty adolescents” She shrouds her well intended message with undercutting insults. She sure knows how to win an audience. And not a single person has ever dared mock me for my sins. (Except having to do with my fondness for Star Trek: TOS, and I agree, yet still enjoy)
She makes valid points as to why people who never even heard of The Books are loving the movies. ( Be they Male or be they Female) But the way she puts it… and to even suggest that a person would go to spy on a member of the opposite sex…. or that Ian Mckellen or Christopher Lee has knobby knees!
I am female, and I wish not to be counted with this Barbera Ellen, simpering, wishy washy, stereotyplical, creature that she is.
Good Day and Be Well!
Tasar Took Nualda
P.S. Give me men “4ft tall and need electrolysis on their toes.” over Brad Pitt any day!
8 responses to “Women at the cinema”
I think I am more than a little put out by this article. I happen to be a girl, have read the books more often than I can conveniently count on two hands, and go to the movies because I love the books so dearly. I’ll admit that some cast members are mildly attractive, but to be quite frank, I like Legolas because of what he DOES not because of how he looks. The same holds true for the other characters.
I guess that makes me a nerd, and “one of the guys”. And with that, I am quite content.
Grav
On the contrary, I think this article was saying that women don’t HAVE To be attracted to the main characters to see this movie. I think it took the opposite view, saying there’s something deeper in the trilogy that we wanted to see. I don’t think the author was calling women who have read the books and understand the concepts, nerds either.
While I really liked this article, this one quote kind of miffed me:
“Gladiator was the last “male†movie to hit the female spot, proving that women were just as interested as men in complicated themes such as glory, honour, destiny and valour, and, you know, the “big stuff†of life.”
I happen to think that sometimes women appreciate those “complicated” themes more than men do. There are as many movies labeled “guy flicks: as “chick flicks”, and those are typically the plotless, action films, where the storyline’s been done 1000 times. Originally, I don’t even think the so called “nerds” were drawn to the complicated themes in LOTR, as much as to the pure-fanasty of it, though some, assuredly were.
I am probably the opposite of most people on this site — I saw FOTR in theaters and checked out the book at the library the next day. The trilogy had been on my reading list for a few years, but I had never been able to “get into” the book. And now I’m reading an excerpt from FOTR for speech contest in February.
But I agree with Grav and Ringhilwen… I will not deny that I find certain cast members attractive and that isn’t a fractional part of why I like the movies, but I would not go to the movie three times at $5.75 a crack to look at pretty faces when I could sit at home in front of the computer and do the same for free. The deeper themes of friendship and honor are a main reason I like to venture into Middle Earth.
LÃsanithien
I was infuriated by this review. The woman that wrote it needs to get her head out of her ‘Max Factor make-up bag’ and join the real world.
To insinuate that the only reason we are going to the movie is to spy on the guys or to see the good looking actors is downright insulting!
And her Gladiator Syndrome is just beyond belief, I emailed her I was annoyed at what she had written.
I’m sorry to say that was a pretty poor article. The way the sexes were seperated by stereotypical likes and dislikes did nothing for the female image nor the male image, and completely left out the fact that a good many women went to see those movies because they’re good movies, not because they wanted to see what men really were, or whatever nonsense that article-writer was spouting. While I’m sure it was intended to empower women by ‘giving’ them a reason to be interested in the movie, I found it to be rather degrading. I’m only speaking for myself, of course, when I say I went [repeatedly] to see the movies because the story captured my heart and my mind. Maybe some women did go to see it for rugged stubbly manly Men or something. But . . . not all of them. And I’ll take a chance and say not most of them! *shakes her head* I’m sorry. People who seperate genders like that annoy me. Why can’t people with different genitalia go and see a movie together because it’s a good movie?
Good Day to you all,
I think she was trying to say something positive, but it came out stupid and annoying.
The first thing I found annoying was that since she did not read The Books when she was young ( having her head to far up her….um…. Max Factor bag…) she assumes that all of Femaledom did the same. I for one was read ‘There and Back Again’ when very young and read it myself often there after. Begining in my early teenage years I read ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and again many times since. I have even read ‘There and Back Again’ to my son now 1year 6 months, sure he doesn’t understand it all, but he sits and listens. (He also has sat through in the theatre RotR, TTT, both Harry Potters, and Spiderman, oh and episode I and II, he has an unusually long attention span)
A side point on Make-up… I do not believe in its everyday use and rarely even use it on special occasions. I have always trusted my natural comeliness and it has won me more males than I would care to admit.
Another point she made that brought out my most Orcish feelings: “it’s been Nerd Nirvana all the way”
Nerd indeed! To enjoy attention to detail and revel in otherworldly beauty is nerdly…. Well then proudly I will wear that label.
Also… I do not drink Chardonnay… I prefer a good Stout thank you very much, or a well aged Brandy.
“spotty adolescents” She shrouds her well intended message with undercutting insults. She sure knows how to win an audience. And not a single person has ever dared mock me for my sins. (Except having to do with my fondness for Star Trek: TOS, and I agree, yet still enjoy)
She makes valid points as to why people who never even heard of The Books are loving the movies. ( Be they Male or be they Female) But the way she puts it… and to even suggest that a person would go to spy on a member of the opposite sex…. or that Ian Mckellen or Christopher Lee has knobby knees!
I am female, and I wish not to be counted with this Barbera Ellen, simpering, wishy washy, stereotyplical, creature that she is.
Good Day and Be Well!
Tasar Took Nualda
P.S. Give me men “4ft tall and need electrolysis on their toes.” over Brad Pitt any day!
P.P.S. I think all the respondants so far are female. Have any males read this? I’d be interested in what they think.
Tasar Took Nualda