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Ending the Superhero Gender Gap

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Following the release of the wildly popular and notably light on women “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and comments about Black Widow’s (Scarlet Johansson) “slutty” behavior, a slow backlash began to build. The hostile responses then crested after Wikileaks (say what you will, but at least they keep corporate America honest) released an email detailing the reasons Marvel Execs continue to pass on female superhero films. The controversy about gender biases in the film industry, and the comic book industry, is far from new, but well worth reexamining.

Now I know what you’re thinking: comic books can be sexist? Seriously? You mean with all the half-naked gals in spandex, the 60 or so years of “women in refrigerators,” and women used as eye candy damsels in distress? That stuff? No way is that sexist. Yes way.

In the email between Marvel executives Ike Perlmutter and Michael Lynton, they discuss the demerits of three critically panned and universally ‘meh’ superheroine films, “Electra,” “Catwoman,” and “Supergirl.” In it, they list some of the general budgetary concerns behind their lack of interest in creating new superheroine movies. Aside from saying “a very bad idea,” with regards to “Electra,” they mention little else.

One of the largest fallacies not addressed or not covered in the now-infamous email is the fact that, while a few ladies in tights films have been serious bombs, they’re greatly outnumbered by their male spandex counterparts. Their superhero brethren have contributed some of the worst stink bombs of the cinematic world: lest we forget the wretchedness of “Judge Dredd,” “Superman Returns,” “Steel” (thanks in part due to Shaq’s one small attribute—his acting ability), “Green Lantern,” “Daredevil,” and the list goes on and on.

Infographic designed by myself and my fiancee Kim McCauley

The real problem stems from Hollywood’s standard treatment of female roles. It’s not that female action leads don’t sell. Their dramatic and monetary power has been revealed in films “The Hunger Games” and “Underworld” series. And how quickly we forget classics like the original “Alien” and “Barbarella” (okay, bad example). What weighs down films, even those featuring extremely popular genre icons of any gender–but especially women superheroes–is this antiquated scripting which either camps up or dumbs down the story and characters.

This lack of quality characterization is evident in each of the films mentioned in the email and in every failed superhero film. Even the most easygoing movie-goer can smell a pathetic trope or hackneyed back story a mile away. And guess what, it’s bad writing, bad directing, and miscasting that always kills the beast. But there’s also something more fundamentally flawed at the heart of the superhero gender gap: male ego issues.

Theoretically speaking, women-in-tights films should have a lock on the male 13-55 demographic—what with attractive women in very very tight clothing, nonstop action and violence, and popular comic books as their source. And with many women and girls now reading comics, that’s another major audience group out there, waiting to fill movie seats.

So what’s the problem? Perhaps it’s similar to the issues many men still have with women in power. Whether a CEO, an athlete, or a female president, some men seem to be desperately afraid of women with power. Does it have something to do with being worried that the gasping remnants of those age-old myths about male superiority might just shrivel up the rest of the way and finally die? If so, don’t worry, gents. I’m sure we’ll still be able to corner the market on grave digging and mustache growing.

With the popularity of the superhero films in general, and with a “Supergirl” TV show in the works, the time is right for super-women to return to the limelight. With a halfway decent script, a solid director, and a little character development, boffo box office is sure to follow. What do you say, Marvel? It’s 2015. How about dropping the “Mad Men” act?

With a Creative Writing degree in one hand and an endless curiosity in the other, Andy dabbles in many creative fields. He's published blog posts, articles, hotel copy, fiction, and poetry professionally. Currently he dwells in Austin, TX, with his brilliant and understanding fiancee, Kim.

Gaming

Documentary Explores the Making of the Highly Praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for PS5

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Square Enix has launched a captivating documentary series that explores the intricate process behind the creation of the highly praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. In the first episode, titled “Shaping the World,” the developer delves into the process of reimagining the expansive PS1 map of the original game into a vast sandbox for the PS5. The film includes personal stories shared by directors Naoki Hamaguchi and Tetsuya Nomura, as well as other important members of the team.

This reimagining of the all-time PlayStation classic was truly enjoyable. In our review, we praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for its ability to enhance the already impressive combat system of Remake. The game truly shines in its portrayal of an iconic RPG setting. If you have a deep appreciation for the original PS1 game and found enjoyment in Remake, then Rebirth’s character-focused adventure will surely captivate you from start to finish.

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Gaming

Gran Turismo 7 for the PS5 and PS4 shows continuous improvement

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While Sony may not classify Gran Turismo 7 as a live-service game, the team at Polyphony Digital certainly approaches it with a similar mindset. The game continues to impress with every new update, and although v1.44 may be smaller compared to previous versions, it still manages to enhance the already extensive content of this simulation racer.

The update, now available worldwide, introduces three new cars: the Audi R8 Coupé V10 Plus ’16, the Lamborghini Urus ’18, and the Toyota GT-One (TS020) ’99. Furthermore, it introduces three fresh events to World Circuits, an extra menu to conquer in the GT Café single-player campaign, and a collection of livery stickers inspired by the upcoming Highspeed Étoile anime, set to debut next week in Japan.

If you’re not already acquainted with Highspeed Étoile, you can watch a trailer right here. “Sony has announced that a collection of 26 stickers, consisting of 8 title logos and 18 main character stickers, will be made available for a limited time,” stated Sony on the PS Blog. In addition, Fukushima will be included as a backdrop in the title’s beloved photography mode.

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Gaming

TopSpin 2K25 appears to be a standout title in the recent PS5 and PS4 gameplay showcase

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This author has consistently praised the realistic portrayal of tennis in TopSpin 4. After more than a decade, we are thrilled to witness the release of TopSpin 2K25, which expands upon the success of its renowned predecessor. This gameplay video provides a comprehensive overview of the features discussed in our recent preview while also incorporating relevant footage to enhance understanding.

The series’ swing system sets it apart from arcade-style games like Virtua Tennis, as it requires players to charge up their shots in a different way. In order to succeed, timing is crucial, and fortunately, a new meter above your player will assist you in achieving that. Surfaces have their own distinct characteristics, such as clay, where you’ll experience a noticeable amount of sliding.

The game ensures that every player has a distinct set of animations, adding a touch of individuality to each competitor. The courts, found in all Grand Slams, possess a remarkable amount of individuality and charm. It is mentioned in the video that with each in-game season, players can expect a plethora of additional content, such as animation packs. This indicates that there will be plenty to anticipate even after the game’s initial release.

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