Critical Hits & Misses #281

• We mentioned yesterday how Colin Trevorrow's firing from Episode IX of the Star Wars franchise signals that minority directors may not have much of a chance at getting a foot in the door at Lucasfilm. This article from Vulture examines why Trevorrow was ousted.


• Selena Gomez recently went public with the knowledge that her health has been great, and in this interview with People, she discusses internet haters, why she waited to go public and why she did go public, and how she's dealing with it all. It's a pretty good snapshot of the kind of stupid bullshit celebrities (and especially women, to be frank, whose bodies always seem to belong to everyone else) have to deal with because they are in the public eye.  

For today's musical hit, we have Lindsey Stirling and "Brave Enough"

Today's critical rolls: Free-For-All Thors Day! Discuss what you wish!


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Critical Hits & Misses #242

• So Disney has announced some of the cast for the upcoming live action remake of Aladdin. Mena Massoud will take the lead role of Aladdin/Prince Ali, while Naomi Scott will play Jasmine. And, curiously, Will Smith will do the iconic Robin Williams role of the Genie. 


• Bitch Media reviews Rough Night, a Hangover-style comedy starring women, and specifically discusses one of the most egregiously glaring issues in the film: the fat-shaming. This one might be a hard read for some folks, but it's worth talking about how Hollywood--and America--can't seem to get over the inherent "joke" of fat bodies. 

For today's musical hit, we need some Lindsey Stirling goodness in our lives, so here's one of her latest, "It Ain't Me"

Today's critical rolls: Will Smith as the Genie? In one of Robin Williams' most iconic roles? What do you think? Is there someone else you would rather cast in Aladdin?


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 #221

• This week in body and fat shaming: feminist and writer Roxane Gay had to endure quite the humiliating experience in Australia during her book tour to promote her new book Hunger. Gross. 


• The Hollywood Reporter discusses how tv's new wave of feminist badass characters is failing to represent women over 40 fairly. The story discusses how women characters on tv over 40 tend to be a dysfunctional hot mess. 

For today's musical hit, we have The Julie Ruin and "Oh Come On"

Today's critical rolls: Happy Friday! What's on your agenda for the weekend?


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 #214

• Today in Bullshit Women In The Have To Deal With: Halle Barry had a cheeky reply for all those people who thought the 50 year old actress might be pregnant because of an apparent bit of belly in public. Seriously, can't a lady have some freaking steak and fries without everyone commenting on her body? Even if she was pregnant, why does everyone have the right to comment on female bodies?


• Vox has a solid article on Catherynne Valente, a writer whose latest book Refrigerator Monologues is about comic heroines who have been "fridged." She has a lot to say in this interview, about feminism, Red Sonja, and the oppression of women writers. 

For today's musical hit, we have Bebe Rexha and "The Way I Are (Dance With Somebody)"

Today's critical rolls: There are so many women characters that have been fridged, across all genres and media types, women sacrificed so that the male story arc could "grow." What are some that have infuriated you?


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 #210

• Today in Marketing Fails and Let's-Give-Little-Girls-The-Wrong-Message: Salon has the story on Chloe Grace Moretz's new kids movie, Red Shows & the 7 Dwarfs, which as you can see from the poster above, has a really fucked up message in its marketing. It should be noted that Moretz and the movie's producers are more than a little pissed. 


• We don't normally cover foodie culture here on this blog, but this story has more to do with cultural appropriation than it does food. The Portland Mercury has a story about the opening of a Mexican food truck by two ladies who are distinctly not Mexican. How they learned their craft is rather predatory and gross. 

For today's musical hit, we have Andra and "Why"

Today's critical rolls: Do you have any favorite female artists (that includes fan artists on DeviantArt, etc)? Share with us!


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.