You've got to manage, I won't sympathize anymore.
I went and saw "Sucker Punch" last night with the family.
You know, I initially had quite high hopes for the movie. Zack Snyder (at least in my mind) certainly can deliver the goods in terms of style and entertainment value. Both "300" and "Watchmen" -- the first two films that come to mind when I think of Snyder's work -- were certainly enjoyable ( Read more... )
You know, I initially had quite high hopes for the movie. Zack Snyder (at least in my mind) certainly can deliver the goods in terms of style and entertainment value. Both "300" and "Watchmen" -- the first two films that come to mind when I think of Snyder's work -- were certainly enjoyable ( Read more... )
I don't think that the costuming thing as a gripe is odd at all. It's very cheesecake fanservice that's completely ridiculous. To be completely fair though, I've seen about the same and worse in comics. I get why it'd be a gripe, but it wasn't one of mine. Was too busy raging about rape and exploitation.
I think you could indeed say that sexuality itself becomes a weapon. You can certainly extrapolate that from the film, since Baby Doll's dancing (which we never see, but based on what we know from dialogue and character reaction) is what distracts people, slows down time, and facilitates the shift between worlds. The problem there is that the characters only demonstrate what you might call the kind of emancipated sexuality (i.e. confidence, rather than the actual practice of sex acts) to pull off those costumes whenever they're in the third level. Anywhere else, they and their sexuality is simply exploited in rape fantasy everywhere else.
...I seriously want to see a movie where a chick kicks all kinds of ass, wielding a katana and decked out in jeans, hoodie, and sensible shoes. HOLY CRAP I WANT THIS.
This could be in part because of an original thing I keep toying with where the heroine is essentially an ass-kicker and name-taker. Former soldier, still got those killer instincts, and prefers her boots to heels.
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I complain about a lot of meaningless crap. Ah well.
... Now if cheesecake makes sense within context? Boom.
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You know, you mention video games and it reminds me of this.
I don't think it's meaningless crap at all. This is all about gender issues are hugely important, and I think that we as a culture need to keep talking about them. They shouldn't, and can't be, swept under the rug.
Now you've got me curious. Under what circumstances have you seen something where cheesecake makes sense in the context? First thing that comes to mind (for me) is Emma Frost, who is a highly sexual character, but OWNS that. She's confident in her own sexuality and responsible for it herself. That could be stretching it a bit (it could just be the guys at Marvel being all 'how much clothing can we NOT make Emma wear?'), but hey. I'm still up to hear what you have to say on the matter.
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I'm afraid that my perspective on this is warped by being a bitter repressed shut in.
Context may not have been the way to put it... Also keep in mind that I wrote most of this while being paid to watch a 20 something bartender jump around in a sports bra on 'minute to win it.' Very Subtle NBC.
Don't get me started on Telemundo. It's like. I'm at work. I really don't need to have an erection right now. Okay?
As I said, makes sense in context might not have been the best way to put it. Though I am with you on your Emma Frost example. ... Even so, there are stil a few WTF moments with her. I dunno.
The example I thought of. Bonne Jenet. SNK Fighting games. Cheesecake as hell sexy pirate outfit. Now. 2D Fighting games, the plot is basically 'see that guy? Kick him.' right?
Well. What we have here is a young lady, late teens or early twenties. Decides that the excesses and decadence of British aristocracy isn't for her and decides to do something about it. She raises a crew and becomes a robin hood style pirate. Part of the ruse? Using her family connections, showing up at the poshest parties, and distracting the hell out of everyone while the crew 'her Liline Knights' rob the hosts blind.
So. In that case, sexy pirate outfit works? I guess? ... Ummm. Swoon.
On the other hand I think of the second female lead in Grandia 3. ::: Googles::: Dhana.
The outfit works, due to established context. Desert nomad? I can see it. The heart shaped pendant right above her... Ahem. Is a little much. But it's fine.
However? Her rack? I CANNOT suspend disbelief that she can actually run while carrying that much weight up front. It's clearly supposed to be cheesecakey but, baby girl? I hope your spine is reinforced with steel because that just looks painful.
I'm afraid that I'm a tad hypocritical here. Am I okay with it if It's a character I like?
I mean. It's a conflict between my higher reasoning and my base instincts. A touch of cognitive dissonance?
RE: Gender roles in games? That's another long conversation.
Oddly enough I find a lot of the games I play don't fall into that bullshit 'man = heavy armor badass, woman =healer/support' cliches.
Back to SNK Fighting games. Whip.
Modestly dressed. Boots not heels, tremendously badassed.
Her relationship with her whip is a bit WTF, but still. Young, female, badass. Not a cheesecake pin up queen.
And, yes. The team I usually play as in The King of Fighters XI is Whip, Bonne Jenet and Idol Singer/TPTK Athena Asamiya.
Athena was a much more respectable choice before they caved to the perv fans who wanted to see her in the school girl outfit. Ah well. Still totally bad ass..
Further examples? I was going to point out Claudia from Romancing SaGa because she is an unstoppable killing machine. But The entire female cast in any game Akitoshi Kawazu has ever directed? Total bad ass.
... I could keep going, but this is a wall of text.
So. Yes. I am crazy.
Or something.
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Whip's costume in particular interests me. It's almost military, actually. There's something about martial-style dress that seems to give a sense of authority, and it works there. You don't really get a sense of her figure at all beneath the clothes, and so you've got to pay attention to her face. She seems a figure that demands respect.
...of course, then we have the whip thing you refer to. Which I'm torn about whether I want to know more about or not.
Overall? It's nice to know that there are badass chicks with practical costumes out there, and who use cheesecake as a weapon (Bonne Jenet seems a fantastic example). After writing this comment, I find more than ever that I want to write that female character in my brain who manages to kick ass in tactically appropriate clothing.
I'm totally okay with walls of text, for the record. More stuff to think about.
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Nope. Nothing wrong with rambling on about fictional characters I'm sort of in love with. Nothing at all odd about that.
Right in one. Very military. I skipped the long introduction because her backstory is a bit. Wait What?
Then again, the entire series is very Wait, What? And I need to head off to work shortly. So. Short version without getting into the origins of the series and so on.
Former assassin / active mercenary / black ops, initially fighting against the cartel that created her and spent a decade or so experimenting on her and her little brother. Ends up balancing her military career with her new found bizarre familial (Brother, His canadian cyborg friend, The 12 year old girl who was created in a laboratory specifically to kill her brother) obligations.
Awesome.
The odd relationship with her whip thing comes from the slight WTF that is one of her win poses, In fact, found seven pages of her sprite animations if you'd like to see what I'm talking about. the third animation on page one, where she wraps it around her arm and kisses it. Just a bit WTF.
Then now that I think of it, out of context, the other win pose, (first animation second row, page one) looks like she's using it as a prop penis... which is also a bit off.
Ah well.
Also three pages of Bonne Jenet. I think I wouldn't like her as much if the personality didn't come across in her sprites. IE: Always fluffing her hair when crouching, the 'come hither' hand motion while backing away, the blown kiss while dashing back (and as the coup de grace in her areal super which is unfortunately not pictured.)
If that makes sense.
Gotta go to work.
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