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Stwworldtraveler
Reviews
Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
Jax! Where are you?!?!
I finally saw the movie. I won't do a detailed autopsy (as there are so many) but James Dorian was not right for the part of Christian Grey. Granted it was never going to be an Oscar winning movie but it could have at least been more tolerable. Dakota wasn't great either but Anna is supposed to be awkward so it worked. I think with a stronger male lead, say Jax from sons of anarchy the chemistry would've been more explosive. (The casting was just kinda weird since you can't really have a sexual movie with two people who look bored.) All in all I gave it a 3 Bc at least couples can have a conversation about soft core S&M now that it's been 'mainstreamed'.
Also I didn't see any female abuse or degradation. I saw a young adult woman exploring (the full range and limits) of her sexuality thoughtfully and consciously. I find that some people have the Madonna/whore complex where a woman can either be a sainted mother on a pedestal or a 'whore' whom is asking for it. Many men and women seem surprised by fully integrated female sexuality where a 'good girl'/woman of principles can experiment with sexual acts deemed forbidden/dark/bad by insert patriarchal/religious group who also does said act in private-lol. Perhaps that's why English society had wives for heirs and mistresses for everything else and why some people still have people they marry and other people for a bit of fun. I'd rather marry someone I can have fun with... but that's just me:-P
Old Fashioned (2014)
Good date movie
Overall, I liked this movie. It has beautiful countryside,endearing themes and an overall serene feel. But I disagree with the gimmick marketing as a 'wholesome' alternative to 50 shades of grey. It does a disservice to a quietly cute film. (And denies obvious similarities between Grey and Clay-obsessive compulsive men over compensating for perceived "badness", control freaks with strict my way or the highway dating rules, etc...just with different extreme coping mechanisms.) Which brings me back to old fashioned. It explores these themes with humor and poise, willing to make playful fun of Clay's rigid hyper religiosity and very human journey. I think the grandmother summed it up quite well at the end because extremes of any sort are more about the past than the present moment. I loved when she told him to get over himself. This movie was worth the time if only to open a discussion about the purpose of dating, using compatibility tools, finding spiritual balance/spirituality in relationships and establishing intimacy.
Update: I didn't find it purposely misogynistic just focused the male lead. I duly note that some people were offended/insulted by the paternalistic overtones. That's pretty par for the course with faith based films. And to be fair western civilization was founded on those principles (so it's comfortable for most men and women). Take it with a grain of salt as a great conversation starter on a first date to identify belief system/value compatibility. Even if it means he/she thought it was a great movie and you felt like Clay was a self righteous jerk until the end.