Critical Hits & Misses #328

• Some people out there have complained about Thor: Ragnarok's Valkyrie, played by the fabulous Tessa Thompson, being a male-coded character. Stitch's Media Mix has an excellent post about those people aren't just sexist... they're racist to boot. 


• In between all the rage we're feeling (and a lot of relief that this shit is FINALLY being aired out, for the sake of the victims) about the epidemic of sexual harassment coming out Hollywood, the news industry, the stand-up industry, one thing we haven't really talked about is how to deal with the pain and disappointment that comes from finding out that someone you worked with/loved/admired/were a fan of turned out to be a gross person. Sarah Silverman covered this on her show when she discussed the allegations against Louis C.K., asking can you love someone who did bad things? This excellent opinion blog over at CNN examines the pain, and why the Matt Lauer case in particular felt like a betrayal. 

For today's musical hit, we have Daniel Caesar and "Freudian, A Visual"

Today's critical rolls: I don't know about you, but I've had a lot of disappointment come at me in droves of late with all these sexual harassment scandals, and I DO feel betrayed by artists and newscasters that I've previously admired. Have any of these recent allegations caused you to feel conflicted or disappointed and not sure what to do about the art some of these people have produced?

Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #327

You, Mr. Yates, are a ridiculous rape culture-y muggle that needs to STFU

• This is why Hollywood is getting wrecked by all these sexual harassment scandals: because assholes like Fantastic Beasts 2 director David Yates still say dumb shit like this in defense of wife beaters like Johnny Depp and think it's perfectly okay to say dumb shit like this. *cough* Alleged wife beater, I guess. 


• The Arrowverse is a little less skivvy these days, now that the WB has fired Executive Producer Andrew Kreisberg for gross behavior towards women, in order go foster a safer and happier work environment for cast and crew. Good call, WB. 

For today's musical hit, we have Pitbull and "Por Favor"

Today's critical rolls: Did you watch the Arrowverse Crossover this week? If so, what did you think? If not, are you planning on watching it?

Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #323

• Uproxx reviews the first four episodes of Hulu's new Marvel adaptation, Runaways. It's spoiler-free, so don't worry if you read it before you get to see the series.


• She's not wrong: Natalie Portman points out that Hollywood's rampant sexual harassment problem stems from the fact that there aren't many women working on sets and especially in suits at the higher levels of the industry. Yup. 

For today's musical hit, we have Theophilus London and "Why Even Try"

Today's critical rolls: Are you excited about Runaways? Or maybe there's another original series out of the streaming services--Hulu, Amazon, Netflix--that you're excited about instead? Let us know!

Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #311

• The shit is just not stopping. Goddamn, Hollywood, you have a lot of roaches that are scattering with all these lights turning on. Sigh. Here goes: filmmaker Brett Ratner has been--you got it--accused of sexual harassment by six actresses. 


• Disney throws its considerable weight around just because it can, this time in the form of setting down a bunch of unusual and not-great conditions for theaters to show Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Way to go Darth Vader on an already-struggling industry, Disney. Sheesh. 

For today's musical hit, have some N.E.R.D. and Rihanna, with "Lemon"

Today's critical rolls: Happy Hump Day and All Soul's Day! Halloween is over and we're zooming right along towards the busiest shopping season! Are you a Black Friday shopper? Will you be scoping out the deals (assuming your country does Black Friday at all), or do you prefer to craft gifts perhaps?  

Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #308

These kids are the freaking best

• In case you were hiding out because the world is awful, recent allegations have really blown the top off the major problems that Hollywood has with sexism and sexual harassment. Barely had Hollywood begun to process the mess that was Harvey Weinstein, when a bunch of women came out with allegations against director James Tobak. Get your shit together, Hollywood.


• It is here! Get ready to revisit the Upside Down, because Stranger Things 2 is live! The Recode blog gets you in the mood with a look at the first season and what we might expect from the second (no spoilers for season 2).

For today's musical hit, I'm not sure I'm ready for Taylor Swift in all her mostly naked cyborg glory in her newest video, "...Ready For It?"

Today's critical rolls: TGIF! What's on the agenda this weekend? It's the weekend for Halloween parties, are you heading to one? If not, what's going on?

Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #304

• As if Carrie Fisher (aka Princess Leia) wasn't badass enough already, a radio station in Phoenix learned about how Fisher defended her friend Heather Ross from a predatory producer by sending a cow's tongue and a threat to said producer. Like holy shit?


• Everything is awesome, because LEGO will soon be producing a new set of the famous children's toy that features 4 badass female NASA scientists. I'm throwing money at the monitor right now and it's not doing anything...

For today's musical hit, we have Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You"

Today's critical rolls: What other women do you think LEGO needs to make sets for? Or maybe instead of specific historical figures, you'd like to see LEGO produce more women in certain careers?

Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #303

• According to this article on Forbes, the Hollywood sex abuse won't end until we get more films by women, for women. We completely agree. 


• And in more Hollywood sex abuse news, Kevin Smith has pledged that all future profits for Weinstein-produced films will go to Women in Film. Something we can definitely get behind.

For today's musical hit, and because why not, we have Imagine Dragons and "Whatever It Takes"

Today's critical rolls: We definitely need more films by women and for women. What other stories/movies/adaptations would you like to see directed by women (and maybe, what women directors do you have in mind?)


Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #302

• Cuz, you know, Hollywood sucks to work in for women, Amazon Studios executive Roy Price has resigned due to sexual harassment claims. The silver lining in all of this, however, is that the recent wave of visibility for victims of sexual abuse was made possible by the Weinstein scandal. May this result in justice for the victims, and in a better Hollywood all around. 


• Did you see the wonderful new trailer for Black Panther? If you didn't, you should. Go check it on Youtube, we'll wait. Okay, now check out this important Rolling Stones article on why black superheroes matter and why Black Panther is revolutionary. 

For today's musical hit, we have Bishop Briggs and "River"

Today's critical rolls: Happy Hump Day! How is your week going?


Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #301

Apologies for missing CH&M yesterday! I've been on vacation and it slipped through my radar! 

• Well, most of feminists and movie buffs have probably been watching the slow train wreck that has been the end of Harvey Weinstein's career in Hollywood as a producer. Actress Alyssa Milano discusses with Entertainment Weekly the three things that Hollywood needs to change after this gross mess. Yeah, shit needs to change. Now. 


• And because comics are totally not ever political, the writers of Green Arrow are taking aim at the headlines created by Trump's first year in office. Oliver Queen (in the comics) has always been a fervent mouthpiece for liberal politics, so this should come as no surprise!

Today's Google doodle is celebrating the life of Selena Quintanilla, and in that spirit, today's musical hit is Selena's "Dreaming of You"

Today's critical rolls: What are some of your favorite politically-inclined comics (either heroes, or individual issues/run, or a particular series)?


Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #235

Photo credit: College Humor's "Which is Nerdier" video

• In keeping with the theme of equal pay in Hollywood (as posted in yesterday's CH&M), Emma Stone tells Variety that her male co-stars have taken pay cuts so that she could receive equal pay. 


• And today in Dumb Geek News, an actual fight broke out over the debate on whether Star Trek or Star Wars is better, choke holds and all. Get a grip, nerds! It's ok to like one or the other, and it's ok if you like both! That goes for your Marvel and DC geeks too!

For today's musical hit, we have The Julie Ruin and "I'm Done."

Today's critical rolls: Star Trek or Star Wars? Marvel or DC? Hunger Games or Divergent? What do you think of competing fandoms, and have you ever encountered a rabid fan (or maybe you are one yourself!) and had to deal with it (online or in person). Let us know!


Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #226

Alison Brie in Glow

• The Atlantic reviews Jillian Tamaki's new collection of illustrated stories, Boundless. Tamaki has done X-Men comics and worked with Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. She's an amazing talented artist; check out the review, and check out her new book too!


• The Independent interviews Alison Brie, who talks about Glow, Bojack Horseman, and discusses how Hollywood is leery of taking risks with women actors. 

For today's musical hit, we have Ellie Goulding and "Something In The Way You Move"

Today's critical rolls: I'm going to be seeing Stephen Amell (of Arrow) at a convention this weekend, and I am totally fangurling out. If you could meet your favorite actor/actress, what's the one question you would ask them, given the chance?


Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #208

• Over at the National Post, Hope Nicholson chronicles female comic heroes, many of which you know, and some of which you don't. I'm always down for some female heroes! 


• And at Variety, Kirsten Dunst and Sofia Coppola discuss feminism in general, sexism in Hollywood, and their feminist Beguiled remake. 

For today's musical hit, we have Ani Difranco and "Both Hands"

Today's critical rolls: What are some of your favorite female heroes, in any genre or media?

Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.