The Wicker Man - remix

[theatokos]

I went to go see the new Wicker Man movie last night. It's a remake of a 70s cult classic. Classically bad, but fantastic in it's attempt to create a pagan thriller. With a higher budget and some research it could have been really good! This new version involves even less research and Nicholas Cage. And wow, is it a misogynist piece of crap! I wasn't expecting much of it anyway. Basically, paganism was reduced to a goddess worshiping matriarchy in which men are mute powerless eunuchs and the daughters are trained to use their sexual wiles to lure unsuspecting nice guys to their sacrificial doom. Oh, and patriarchy is essentially portrayed (not explicitly, of course) as the entitled voice of reason and the defender of monogamist true love. (Not to mention Nick Cage's ham-fisted acting.)

The film was painful and it brings up an idea that I've had bouncing around in my head, although surely it has been better articulated elsewhere, that there is a gender backlash occurring. Advertising and film and tv have men being more macho, more Lad-like, more "I eat meat, therefore I am manly." Whereas women are equating feminism with pornified visions of femininity - because I can be sexy! It's a feminist perogative to be my most empowered self! Which really just means finally looking like the slut that mainstream media has been force-feeding women for a good 20 years. Yeah, I'm being harsh, but I hate seeing goddess worship equated with matriarchy. I hate seeing matriarchy equated with man-hating. I hate seeing paganism depicted as an enemy of all that is rational. I hate seeing a rude entitled man portrayed as the defender of true love. I hate seeing strong women depicted as the downfall of strong men.

God! Why does everything in America have to be in either/or terms?!

Comments

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Not bad enough to sink your teeth into? Have you no indignation?!

I hadn't noticed the policewoman showing up in Summersisle. Although the first two beat us over the head repeatedly. It's hard to keep faces straight since all the women are honey colored. Bad casting joke on their part and also more misogyny - all women are the same! All women are manipulative and out to get men!

I did enjoy the 70s color wash on the movie. I'm sure there's a technical term for that.

[eelsalad.livejournal.com]

I think the real problem is that I am easily entertained. I can't decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I think I was so busy waiting to see how the new Wicker Man would end that I didn't get bothered by anything else.

A movie has to be really hideous for me to actively get pissed off by it. Like, say, the Medallion. Even Julian Sands was embarassed to be in that piece of crap, and he was in Boxing Helena and Warlock 2 with a straight face, for crying out loud. (Warlock is a good bad movie. Warlock 2 has a videogame plot and is unbearably awful.)