Critical Hits & Misses #243

• In celebration of the casting announcement for the live action version of the film, Bitch Media discusses the incredible problems with the story of Disney's Aladdin, ranging from racism to cultural appropriation to colonialism to disturbing misogyny. Hold onto your hats, this poignant blog post is a doozy. 


• In happier news, NewsOK reports that the diversity of Marvel's Spider-Man: Homecoming was no accident, and that it was, in fact, quite integral to the making of the film. Someone in Hollywood seems to be getting it, finally!

For today's musical hit, we have "Transgender Dystopia Blues" from Against Me!

Today's critical rolls: So uhh, Disney movies have a lot of problems, for sure. When I was a kid I loved Aladdin and thought Jasmine was awesome. As an adult and a feminist, I understand now the massive problems in it. What other kids' media, Disney or otherwise, do you remember loving as a kid but now realize they are problematic?


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 #230

• Today in "This Is Why We Still Need Feminism" news: Bustle reported on a company that was hiring a female intern and decided to hold "a contest" for interns in bikinis. Sounds legit. Thanks to the internet's criticism, the contest was ended. Sometimes the internet can be used for good. 


• Well hell... it's about time. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, aka the Academy that gives out Oscars, appears to be making a genuine attempt at diversifying by bringing in more women and people of color. 

For today's musical hit, we have the official Hamilton version of "Immigrants: (We Get The Job Done)"

Today's critical rolls: Have you ever encountered sexism or racism (or some sort of prejudice) in the workplace? Whether it's happened to you or someone you know, if you're comfortable, let us know the story and what it was like.


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 #227

A cast that looks like this can make Hollywood some serious money, if they can just wake up...

• Today in "No Shit, Sherlock" Hollywood news: a top agency has put out a report that not only do non-white moviegoers buy a whole lot of movie tickets, but that films with diverse leads have been doing particularly well since 2014 (the scope of the study was 2014-2016). Can Hollywood finally put the tired notion of whitewashing everything to rest, please?


• The New York Times has a story on the never-ending phenomenon of men interrupting women. It's both enlightening and enraging. 

For today's musical hit, we have Trina and "If It Ain't Me"

Today's critical rolls: What was your weekend like? Do anything fun? Or was it too hot to do anything but stay inside? 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.