Early 'Twilight' Twitter Reactions!

Movies like this are pretty insulting to me. Is this the only thing available to women? I'm 25 and am actually embarrassed for anyone older than me who's swooning over Edward. Gee, I thought the epitome of manliness was someone who didn't flirt so precariously with femininity? Not to mention the movie AND the books are terrible. I tried reading the book but couldn't finish it because the writing was so awful. Meyer is a junkie for the same adjectives and whoever shot this film needs to have his camera taken away from him.

Protip, women: If you think all men should be like Edward and can't find something else to swoon over, read "Madame Bovary". You might learn a lesson from that book.

And you don't think that Bond movies are "highly stylized and unrealistic expectations" of relaionships with women that objectify those women and that no woman can ever possibly live up to? Do men who go to see the Bond movies get called sexually frustrated in the media? It's not fair treatment, even if it is understood. It's all just escapism, living fantasies through a movie. Men do it, women do it, just don't wink at the men and degrade the women for it.

the objectification issues are the same. all i'm saying is that men objectifying women is a topic of conversation in the media (whether applied to outright porn or other objectification), whereas the objectification of men by women doesn't appear to be addressed anywhere.

of course, none of this applies to vampires who are natural objects of objectification for humans, regardless of gender.

So much for reviewing the movie and comments that my teenager would enjoy reading and I wouldn't mind her reading.

Uhuner how dare you come on here and say that! for those of you who dont know im his mother well i was his mother until my rebirth into big Kennie its ok Uhuner mommie (imean daddie still loves you) NOW GO CLEAN YOUR ROOM! AND PUT MY OLD WOMAN PANTIES BACK IN THE TRUNK YOULL GO BLIND DOING THAT!

So whats your point? Are you saying that this whole unbalanced sexual representation is another side effect of a patriarchal society that suppresses women and flaunts men as superior?

Thanks for the honey comment, sugar :) I was just curious if that was your explanation for the scenario you present, because it seems so simple and doesn't explain anything at all really. You say that men won't go to movies that are "sexual outlets" for women, but that women go to the ones for men. Why is that? How is it that the patriarchal society that promotes masculinity is able to force women into seeing movies that, by your logic, they wouldn't want to see? I'm not saying you're wrong, and if I came off as patronizing then I apologize, but I was really just curious as to how that explanation would apply? Sexism certainly exists, and the patriarchal society that I described above is not something I deny, but again, I just don't see how that explains movie going decisions. It certainly could explain why movies are made (male dominated society focuses heavily on producing films catered to its own desires and not those of the "minority") but why do women flock to "male" movies whereas men avoid "female" movies?

I don't believe that as a woman, I am forced into seeing films that represent male fantasies. They are stories with a potential value in enlightenment or entertainment. That they are 'male' is not an issue for me, as I personally feel most of us possess qualities that are traditionally both masculine and/or feminine.

However, most 'general' movies tend to usually be from a male perspective and are the bulk of representation. What separates this statement from what was said before is that not *everyone* seems to be comfortable w/acknowledging their duality. Why can women wear pants, but men can't wear skirts? Why can women be tough, but men can't cry? (meaning: socially acceptable)

Often when there is a film with a traditionally feminine perspective you will immediately hear the cries of it's value or intelligence being questioned by the 'male' side of the aisle. Even insinuating that watching such a film makes one a wuss or just not serious about real film. It also seems important to not 'be like a woman'.

Now I say this as a bit of a hypocrite, as I am so not a fan of romantic comedies -- they are just too formulaic for my tastes. However, erotica that appeals to the pull/push of submission (from an actual female perspective, not just exhibitionism) has just as much culturally appeal and weight as say, a super awesome sword fight.

Twilight may be a story with teenagers and girly swooning galore, but I hestitate to dismiss it just because it would be dunno, macho to do so.

p.s. just a gut reaction: Female centric film might sexualize a male character. Maybe watching that makes some men squeemish?

Very interesting points. Thanks for the feedback. Now, just to spark a little bit more a discussion; wouldn't your argument show a society that (at least in this respect) is more oppressive to men? As you say, women are free to wear pants and enjoy more traditionally masculine activities, but if a man were to attempt to do the same he would be shunned. So women have a greater range of culturally acceptable behaviors, whereas perhaps men have a greater opportunity to be truly successful at the things they are allowed to do? Hope that came off right.

Having said that, I totally agree that its ridiculous for something to immediately be questioned or derided simply for being more feminine. Each work should be judged on its own merits, and more traditionally feminine movies shouldn't have a greater hill to climb to be considered "good movies/books/paintings/etc." than their "male" counterparts.

Women do have more freedom to express themselves within some level of emotional capacity. In some ways we have more leeway but are also judged more harshly. Our edge on freedoms are tenuous. You can find our supposed dominance in roles in fashion. Men wear homogeneous suits that are both comforting and restrictive, while women are free to express themselves and/or are expected to make themselves a living work of art. I'd rather have the breathing space to dress as I wish, and at the same time the whole thing can be quite a drag. Men who aren't rock stars are still discouraged from dressing too 'fancy', but I still think some of that is pressure from within guyland to not 'be like a woman'.

Honestly, it does irk me to see how the media tears young women up for supposed fashion faux paus, etc. You can see them even now shaping the story for future 'Miley Cyrus Out Of Control' smear jobs, whereas the Jonas Brothers will not have their private lives and decisions raked over the coals to the same degree. Which example is "more free"?

My father once made the comment that women were given the sweeter end of the deal and said "look at all these Mother images that glorify women". I pointed out that he had just used the perfect example as to the high cost of being a woman. Said, "Dad, you realize the common inverse of the Madonna is the Whore? Wow. Two whole categories."

It seems that we build monuments to ideals and in the past you either fit or you didn't, but luckily that is mostly changing. Like Tina Fey sez, woman still can't be president. Maybe in 8 or 12 years from now it will be accepted, so I still have hope.

In film we also a have some work to do. I am inspired by the recent successes of emerging women like Diablo Cody and (not so "emerging") Sophia Coppola, who write from a female perspective and get that tasty, mainstream respect. (although I often wonder if their attractiveness plays a factor in this success. Not to say they are not talented, because they are, but am looking forward to a woman that looks like many male directors gain serious public attention. Off the top of my head, only Philippa Boyens of the LotR franchise comes to mind and even she lost a massive amount of weight in her more public life, but I digress.)

(Although the incoming reviews don't look promising) Catherine Hardwicke, the director of Twilight, is very talented but it still didn't change a lot of the preconceived judgment w/r/t this being "light-weight" fare (as well as the genral 'girly' theme).

I also hope that both men and women will one day be free to express themselves in ways that don't question their judgment, sanity, or the weight of their artistic seriousness. However, now I am so babbling... :)

Hey, I meant to check and see if you responded earlier, but I've been so busy lately that I didn't get the chance. Great post. That gave me a lot to think about, so I thank you for taking the time to put it down. Its been an interesting conversation for me, so I appreciate you putting down your opinions thoughtfully and respectfully. All too often discussions online about these sorts of subjects turn into a chance for people to throw out anonymous insults at one another and never say anything meaningful. I don't really have anything to add to what you said, but I just wanted to say I appreciated you taking the time to say it :) Cheers.