Films and Veganism: movie reference

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

October 08, 2014

This is the film that has been described as "Call of Duty/Halo meets Groundhog Day" for its utilization of elements that pertain to both a serious warfare video game and a comedic repetitive nightmare, which makes the film even more unique and interesting.

There are so many things that were done right in this film that I want to highlight and mention. Part of that brilliance are these subtle references that hint, symbolize, and remind us of the landings at Normandy that make the film seem as though its providing some type of historical allegory, but with a science fiction, slightly futuristic edge.

Edge of Tomorrow was released on June 6th, which interestingly enough, is the same day that the Normandy invasion of WWII took place, D-Day. The very beginning of the film reminded me and appeared as though the film setting was taking place in Europe during WWII.

When I first saw the trailer for Edge of Tomorrow, I actually I wasn't too keen on seeing it and thought it looked as though it going to be just like Oblivion. But when I actually went to see the film, I soon realized it was far from it. I called-off the film at first with the thought that it's just going to be another Tom Cruise action movie, and found that it is actually a lot more than that. There is a lot of substance, a great balance of genre, and great character development, which all work together to make it a film worth watching. It wasn't until I was informed about Emily Blunt's performance of the female lead, that I really became interested in seeing it.

"In these male-fueled genres, it's usually the woman who's holding the hand of the guy and he's running through explosions leading her, and I wanted to be doing the leading," Blunt said. "This was the extreme idea of what I ever thought I'd want to do." - Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt. Edge of Tomorrow. 2014.

I really loved and enjoyed seeing Emily Blunt's character, Rita Vrataski. She is the reason why I decided to see the film. It is a nice, refreshing change to see a strong female character in a prominent action role. But it's unfortunately still somewhat new and very uncommon to see a female (who is not the foremost lead in an action film) have a lot of screen time, great dialog, and that is a great character- rather than only being a good-looking female with empty lines and no meaning, which is what we usually see. But of course, because Vrataski is a strong character that fights hard and doesn't give a shit (as she does not subscribe to traditional gender roles and is unapologetic in her confidence and austerity), she is labeled as the "Full Metal...." The third word is not a term I condone nor am in favor of, but it just shows the sexism and disdain that she is targeted with because of her success and the intimidation of others.

Emily Blunt. Edge of Tomorrow.

I think this essential female character really makes the film complete and Blunt provides a pretty great description of her character:

"I never approached Rita as a female action character, I just saw her as this lethal powerhouse who was pretty much the toughest person I’ve come across. She wasn't this kind of butch woman, she had gotten to where she was by being savvy and intelligent and determined, and I think that’s what excited me – the spirit she had."
- Emily Blunt on Rita Vrataski

Another distinctive aspect of the film is the fact that both female and male characters work together, which is something audiences don’t might not to see very often. Too often films are either male or female or embellished with the female vs male conflict, so this film is distinct and refreshing in its portrayal of a male character who wouldn't have made it without the female. In most action films, the female is usually always either the trite 'damsel in distress' made to follow the guy and look pretty without a personality, dialogue, or purpose. In this film, it is Blunt that does a lot of the leading, and when Cruise's character learns from her, they both end up sharing the leadership roles.

Genre
This film utilizes the best characteristics from a good variety of movie genres. In other words, it has a lot of action, comedy, science fiction, a hint of romance. These genre elements are used so well in a way that nothing is either overdone or not enough.

Science Fiction
Anyone who is not interested in science fiction or any type of fictional work, will still enjoy this film. Often science fiction movies seem over exaggerated with terrible, overdone special effects, but Edge of Tomorrow is nothing like that. The science fiction factor of this movie is not corny or severely unrealistic, it is nicely balanced with all of the other aspects of the movie.

Action/Camera/Editing techniques

In terms of editing techniques, the slow-motion was not overdone and the special effects were fine. Neither one was made as though it were the primary focus of the film, which is a nice change from what audiences might be used to seeing in a lot of other action movies, an action movie without substance and an underdeveloped story line with nothing to show but slow motion and special effects. This film is not that.

The action in this movie is amazing, with incredible fight sequences. Below you can see scenes where we see Blunt's character in action- she literally slaughters enemy creatures with her colossal sword, takes them out shot by shot, punches them, and even does this running-jump-flip over kill. Once she trains and teaches Cruise's character, and once his character begins to really try at beating the enemy, he fights hard and as you can see in the image below, shoots out mimics (metallic alien creatures) while running across the pit. Those movements are awesome, especially considering the fact that the suits they're wearing are real and really heavy- weighing at about 85-100lbs (possibly more).

The fight sequences, editing and camera techniques are altogether precise creating a film worthy of our time, you'll be amazed without having to see it in 3D or Imax.

Tom Cruise. Emily Blunt. Edge of Tomorrow. 2014. Warner Bros. Pictures.

Comedy

It's funny and comedic in all the right scenes, yet doesn't overdo it to the point where it becomes corny or ridiculous. Instead, this film makes fun of its own absurdity, being the fact that Tom Cruise re-lives the same day over and over much like a video game.

Romance

There is a very nice, subtle romantic factor to this film, but it like every other aspect of the film is not over dramatized. There aren't any unnecessary or drawn-out explicit sex/love scenes. The romance aspect between the two characters also doesn't distract or deter the attention of audience from the main conflict in film.

Not to forget there is really great character development, not just for the lead characters, but also for all of the characters depicted in the film. Overall, one of the greatest aspects of this film is its precise balance of action, drama, comedy, and science fiction, elements in which are all well-presented in the film.

Emily Blunt. Edge of Tomorrow. 2014. Warner Bros. Pictures.

Edge of Tomorrow videos and images: Blunt, Emily. Cruise, Tom. Edge of Tomorrow. 2014. Liman, Doug. Warner Bros. Pictures. Film/Film Stills. Source: Edge of Tomorrow. 2014. Liman, Doug. Warner Bros. Pictures. Film.

comedy

Mean Girls: Learn from the Satire, Don't Repeat It.

September 25, 2012

Lindsay Lohan. Mean Girls. Dir. Waters, Mark. Screen. Fey, Tina. Paramount Pictures. 2004. Movie Poster.

From an observatory stand point I, as most people, have noticed the almost scary, crazed-obsession some youngsters seem to have on a certain teen comedy: Mean Girls. The strangest thing about this phenomenon is how some girls seem to really love this movie, yet never seem to learn anything from it. I'm not crazy about this movie and I don't necessarily like it, but I do appreciate the feminist effort satirically brought on by Tina Fey.

I imagine that the effort is to try to teach or encourage young women to stop and discontinue the internalized misogyny they inflict upon one another. Mean Girls is a movie that tries to convey this message with the use of satire through the weird-school chaos and overall silly comedy as a method of making fun of and addressing the messed up ways in which young girls AND even women, inflict and perpetuate this patriarchal, misogynist hate onto one another.

Tina Fey. Mean Girls. Paramount Pictures. 2004. Film Still.

I just can't get over the fact that no matter how many times girls watch this movie, many still fail to understand and actually gain something from the whole meaning of the movie, which is my motivation for creating this post. I am aware that this is a movie, it's satirical, it's entertainment to bring about laughter- yes. But at the same time, it doesn't mean there isn't an important message to be learned. It also doesn't mean that issues facing girls and young women in schools is getting any better either.

Rachel R. White even writes about this girl versus girl hate in her article asking "Why Do Girls Slut Shame Each Other?"

I also came across another great article that relates to this very issue, addresses the double standards, and how harmful its effects can be:

Girls are shamed for being sexual, and shamed for not being sexual—they’re insulted regardless of what they do or what they don’t do. Meanwhile, a boy who professes to have had many sexual encounters is called a player. This is praise (or, at the very least, not insulting in the same way words like slut and prude are meant to be). There is an obvious double standard. My age group assumes that calling a young girl a slut or prude is OK; but it is not OK. It is shaming and demeaning.

We are smashing the confidence of young girls each and every time we stand by and let them be called sluts.

There is a scene in the movie in which, writer and actress, Tina Fey tells all the girls that they shouldn't call each other these vile and offensive names, because it just gives boys a reason to think it's okay to call them such things. And that's true. Some guys who mistreat others in schools are too ignorant and unaware to realize what harassment and violence against women (and anyone) really is. These terms young women use to hurt one another are not okay nor excusable for anyone to use against as a verbal weapon. The way people treat and talk to each other today in society is not acceptable, it's completely disrespectful and ignorant. It is also not something that anyone should just have to deal with, but something we need to actively change. When we see someone exhibit disrespectful and violent (which can take place in both verbal and physical form) behaviors and/or attitudes, we need to say something or do something about it. We need not accept and excuse, thus, perpetuate that kind of behavior. Instead, we should do something, explain why it is not okay, and show alternative ways of dealing with any underlying conflicts. It is important that we take these actions to create positive change, educate others, and create a compassionate society.

This blog post was written during my last year of high school so keep in mind that this was created during 2012 when I was observing this behavior happen right before my eyes as well as in the media.