I am a complete movie buff. Personally, I feel that great movies have the power to inspire, invoke a plethora of emotions in you, and even make one want to be a better person. When I usually walk out of the cinema theatre (Now, it’s just Netflix and chill, thanks to the pandemic), I carry the essence of that movie with me and if it is a good one, it stays with me for a long time. But as a feminist, there are some movies that make me cringe while others make me ridiculously happy. So, I am here to talk about the best movies for women and the worst. Take a look.

SPOILERS Alert!

Movies That Didn’t Get Women Right

Cocktail

I don’t know what Imtiaz Ali was thinking, seriously! So, the film has two women, one Veronica (Deepika Padukone) and the other is super-sanskaari Meera (Diana Penty). Even Meera’s name oozes sanskaar, therefore, you obviously know how Veronica is. She is a chill, party-loving woman, who drinks and smokes occasionally. But, then enters our hero, Gautam (Saif Ali Khan). Okay, so amidst all this, Veronica helps Meera and lets her stay with her because Meera is bechari naari. Now, Gautam and Meera start dating but in the end, he falls for Meera. Because where there is sanskaar there is Pyaar apparently. What was the point of the movie? Was it be sanskaari or you won’t get the guy? Veronica was super-cool and amazing. But it was twisted into something very un-feminist.

Dabangg

There is no place for a woman in Salman Khan’s movies. They are just eye candies. And there is a scene in the movie where he threatens to slap her but hey, it was done lovingly. So, all good right? Anyway, it was Sonakshi Sinha’s big break but the only thing I remember from the movie is the dialogue, “Thappad se dar nahin lagta Saab, Pyaar se lagta hai.” because of all the memes and nothing more. If only Sonakshi’s character could have had a little substance because there was room for more.

Saaho

Saaho left me wondering why it was even made. Shraddha Kapoor plays a cop who is trying to catch a thief and there are plenty of twists and turns but Shraddha Kapoor looks like she is only there for dance numbers and to make the hero look good. If you remember the hit song from the movie psycho saiyaan. I feel that the writers midway forgot that Ms. Kapoor was supposed to be a cop. Happens. More so in Bollywood.

The James Bond Franchise

Our hero is, of course, Bond, James Bond while the actress is in the movie only to look sexy, wear skimpy clothes, and be objectified. Yes, also to have a brief affair with the hero and nothing more. Nada. And, if you remember in Skyfall when Severine dies, the only thing Mr. Bond says is, “that was a waste of good scotch.”

Little Mermaid

First of all, Ariel is only sixteen and trades her family, her life, basically everything for a pair of legs so she can make a guy, whom she’s never spoken to, in love with her because when she was recusing, she apparently fell in love with him. In one brief moment. Well, there is so much wrong with the story. Are we teaching our kids this? No Thanks!

Movies That Truly CeleBrate Women

Brave

Brave is definitely one of my favorite animated best movies for women ever! The protagonist, Merida is a brave daughter of the Scottish king and queen, who is one her way to carve her own path. But, on her way, she gets caught up with a witch and a beastly spell and has to use her courage to break it.

Shakuntala Devi

Shakuntala Devi is the biopic of our very own human-computer, Shakuntala Devi. The movie stars Vidhya Balan and tells us a wonderfully eccentric story of an intelligent woman who knew exactly what she wanted. It also gives us a glimpse of the relationship Shakuntala Devi had with her daughter and husband. While I was busy solving problems from her book during my class 12, I never knew how vibrant the woman actually is. Thanks to the movie now I know!

Chhapaak

Directed by Meghna Gulzar, this movie is based on the story of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. Deepika Padukone immerses herself in the role and there are times when you will catch yourself tearing. It is a touching story, heartbreaking, at the same time it gives us strength and inspires us to make the most of our lives, which we so often take for granted and neglect.

The Devil Wears Prada

Starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt, it takes us inside a glamorous world. However, we also see career-oriented women face the double standards thrown at them at various steps. It is definitely an enjoyable watch!

The Blind Side

Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is a homeless African-American teen who has no one nor is the system doing anything. Enter Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and her husband Sean (Tim McGraw). They are white Americans who have lived a privileged life and decide to take on Michael into their homes and become his legal guardian. It is absolutely heartwarming and you should give this movie a shot.

Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde takes the age-old notion that portrays blonds as ditsy and shows us that a woman can do anything when she sets her mind. Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) only wanted to become Mrs. Warner Huntington III, but her boyfriend dumps her because well she is “too blonde.” However, to win him back, Elle enrolls at Harvard but there, she finds herself and unleashes her own true potential, and realizes she doesn’t need her ex anymore. It is so much fun to watch.

So, if you are doing nothing this weekend, grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy movies from our best list!

The post Movies That Celebrate Women: Some Got It Right While Others Didn’t! appeared first on Bloomercraze.