the third wave

this is a fascinating article from the new york times. i absolutely agree with its sentiment. it argues that female characters in popular media today have been stripped of any ability to be empowered, controlled, self-sufficient individuals and are instead portrayed as overly-neurotic, needy, and desperate. i remember discussing something similar with mom when "superman returns" came out. we both agreed that the contrast of the new lois lane by kate bosworth to the classic lois played by margot kidder was shocking. kate bosworth was not only fragile in physical appearance (much too underweight), but also in her characterization of the once-empowered lois lane. then again, we discussed, what young actress could have done better? young actresses seem trained to appear small and needy - while men continue to fulfill the same roles they always have. this is a frightening commentary on the way women are potentially viewed today. i'm all for exposing human complexities and weaknesses in cinema/TV - but how are women being denigrated by this? what movie character of today could compare to karen blixen? who, though shows human weakness and frailty in many ways, never becomes a simplified waif craving men in overtly sexual ways to fulfill her life. we need someone to bring back real women to hollywood.

(oh and p.s. - my computer is still broken, and will not be ready for pick-up until friday. that means over 3 weeks in the shop. more inconvenient than i can say considering one of my jobs requires my presence on a computer. alas.)