What 'New Moon' taught Hollywood
Will Tinseltown take female audiences — and "fangirl" bloggers — more seriously after they drove "New Moon" to record box-office?
Kristen Stewart as Bella Swann in the movie Twilight: New Moon
(Summit Entertainment)
The critically savaged vampire sequel, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," sucked up $140.7 million at the box office this weekend, the third biggest opening ever, behind "Dark Knight" and "Spider Man 3." What's noteworthy: The vast majority of ticket buyers were female — a demographic usually "overlooked by studios — and the movie's pre-release buzz was driven by "fangirls" (the female equivalent of the male movie-nerd bloggers who have proven their ability to make or break a film). Will this change Hollywood's sexist strategies?
This is a game-changer: "New Moon"'s message isn't exactly pro-female, says Melissa Silverstein in WomenandHollywood.com, but "the fact that a film fueled by woman power and starring a woman" has done so well at the box office is a "huge triumph." If the studio execs fail to tap into this neglected market, "their shareholders should have them fired."
"'New Moon' brings a new dawn to Hollywood"
Fangirls have spoken — but the movie is directed by a man: On one hand, "New Moon" offers proof positive that fangirls can drive a box office smash all on their own, says Kate Harding in Salon. On the other, the first Twilight installment was made by a female director. Disappointingly, the producers "seem to have ignored any lessons the first film offered about the capabilities of a female director."
"Could 'New Moon' be a feminist triumph"
Too bad it's an anti-feminist movie: Even as the film is "breaking box office records," its undermining feminist values, says Katherine Spillar in The Huffington Post. "Both tween girls and their moms are swooning" over characters based on retrograde "gender stereotypes": "testosterone-driven" males and passive lovelorn females. Women shouldn't be too happy about "New Moon"'s success.
"'New Moon,' same old sexist story"
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9 Comments
Posted by DJ, Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 7:27 am Women are inevitably confused because our culture is confused. For centuries, they were told to stand by their man and be seen, not heard. Then came the 70's and they were told to be strong. Now you have nutcases like Sarah Palin and Ann Coulter who make large sums of money touring to tell women to be stayathome moms. I'm just glad I'm not a woman. Couldn't handle the pressure. I feel bad for my daughters, but I hope things will make sense by the time they're adults.
Posted by Johnny Reb, Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 11:42 am This is nothing to do with women and to blame them for this cinematic shart's success is demeaning and insulting. This is about Hollywood catering to the LCD, especially children since they're far more fickel and obsessive than adults. Dark Knight, Spiderman, Iron Man, Transformers, Titanic...the list goes on. All awful, stupid movies but huge hits because they appealed to teens. Unless they're stupid, adults recognize their money is valuable and won't waste it on such drivel. Focus on children and idiots and you're guaranteed success.
Posted by Katie D, Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 12:53 pm I enjoyed these books for the story they told and what they mean to me as an adult woman. I will continue to support these books/movies and for people to judge me and say I am stupid or an idiot is just nasty and rude. Why do we all judge one another for the things we like? Why do we not let happiness and love spread to one another. A friend of mine at work has no idea what Twilight is all about but he supports me and thinks its great that I have something that means so much to me. Thanks Daniel for understanding what others can not. :
Posted by Aaron, Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 12:58 pm Seems to me the traditional values espoused in the film are striking a chord in this female population we have. Maybe the comment above about the 70s is on target... except that is misses the point that the message sent back then is wrong and is causing the confusion in the womens today. Perhaps the sentiment over time immemorial is correct, and we really have done a real disservice to ourselves by trying to make men and women seem equal. They are different in the core and that is that.
Posted by TwilightNewsSite.com, Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 1:47 pm Actually, the film made 275 million this weekend, worldwide. In the U.S. alone, it made 132 million. In the Twilight series, the characters are thematically punished or punish themselves for their irresponsibility. The books and film show the problems that come with the behaviors that are being attached by commentators. Perhaps they should try reading the books, before they criticize them.
Posted by Sara, Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 2:27 pm ALL people are different, and as soon as we recognize that, it will be better. Some are smarter, less fortunate, positive, negative, shorter, taller, thinner, fatter, athletic, scientific... it is called VALUING DIVERSITY. God did not make us all equal or the same, because so many different things need to be done. If all of us were alike, wouldn't that suck? Sometimes women do incredible things. What is so amazing about that? There is no message for Hollywood. If they think there is a ''message,'' they will formulize this and make re do's 4ever
Posted by Milton, Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 2:29 pm Ain't that the truth? Hollywood is lazy and constantly looks at making SAFE movies and tv. once they get the formula, WHACK. we see it over and over. someone went off the reservation with this movie, and they don't need to hear a message. they will duplicate this, too many times.
Posted by bon, Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 5:43 pm Do these reviewers not remember Titanic? Those sales were fueled by gazillions of girls watching the film over and over again.
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