Fangirl Talk: Why Every Guy Should Watch Agent Carter

Posted in Fan GirlTalk, Uncategorized by Whitney Weldon

It’s a truth rarely acknowledged that if you’re a lady in any industry, even when you win, sometimes you just can’t win. And for all it’s glamour, show biz is no different. (Don’t believe me? Then tell me, Where’s Rey?)

And while there does seem to be a general upswing for the portrayal of women in pop culture, “better” should never be mistaken for “good”. I can count on one hand the number of well-rounded, realistic, inspiring females in film or TV that aren’t also overly sexualized and whose character arc doesn’t ultimately lead her on a quest for romantic fulfillment. Calling a woman in TV “complicated” is shorthand for saying that she has a dark past. Calling her “strong” is another way of saying she’s emotionally unavailable. These have become the hallmarks of an empowered and sexy woman on TV.

When viewed as a whole, the representation of ladies in TV can seem pretty bleak. Luckily, there are some shows that are getting it so right, it’s hard not to feel optimistic. Enter ABC’s Agent Carter.

If you aren’t watching the second season premiere of this Marvel spin-off tonight, you’re either not aware of just how good it is, or (frankly) a dude. Or possibly, you’ve been scared off by accusations of skewed gender politics (side note: it’s a show about a working woman in the 40’s. The fact that she’s surrounded by white men is just an accurate reflection of the time). Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) is exactly the kind of hero prime time needs. She’s carving her own path in a male dominated industry.

And she’s doing it better than most of the males dominating that industry.

She’s got an infallible sense of self…

And self worth.

Her hotness…

Is the least interesting thing about her.

The real tragedy of Peggy Carter’s situation is that her struggles with being looked over, objectified, underestimated, and undervalued aren’t specific to the 1940’s. Perhaps the reason this show has resonated with audiences and critics is because, almost 100 years after the ratification of the 19th amendment, it’s still easy for women to feel like an accessory. So if you’re still not watching this show, you might want to rethink your stance on Agent Carter. Watch it because it’s well-written. Watch it because it’s good TV. Watch it because it explores the conflict between perceived weakness and inner strength. Or maybe watch it because Peggy Carter has a wicked right hook.

You’ve been warned.

–Whitney Weldon

18Jan2016

The Fangirly Show: Episode #6 Fangirling Over the Best of 2015

Posted in Books, Choice Picks, Movies, Music, The Fangirly Show, TV, Uncategorized by Ellen Lloyd

Ellen and Whitney go through their favorites of 2015, everything ranging from books to music, movies and TV, performances and scenes. We’ve got you covered. Will Ellen go a full hour without talking about Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? (Don’t count on it.) Will Whitney be able to overlook the swooniness of Oscar Isaac? (Don’t put money on it.) But still listen to find out.

You can listen and subscribe HERE on iTunes or you can go HERE to listen and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

14Jan2016

Whitney’s Official 2016 Oscar Snubs

Posted in Fan-Rants, Uncategorized by Whitney Weldon

There are plenty to choose from, right? Ridley Scott, Star Wars, Michael B. Jordan, Idris Elba. The list of Oscar snubs, as it does every year, goes on. My diplomatic response would be that the Academy simply can’t accommodate and acknowledge all the great work that was churned out this year. My unfiltered Fangirl answer would be, did The Revenant and Fury Road really, really deserve 12 and 10 nominations, respectively? It’s a subject that’s certainly up for debate. But I’m not here to talk about the Academy’s apparent inability to spread the love. No, I would instead like to focus on the few specific snubs that really bring out the Troll in me.

3) Crimson Peak for Best Cinematography

It’s pretty obvious that this movie wasn’t for everyone. But no matter what you thought about this Guillermo Del Toro horror set in a repressive, Victorian hell-scape, you must admit that it was beautiful to look at. As a genre, though, horror rarely gets any props at the Oscars, mad or otherwise, so this snub wasn’t at all surprising. I had hoped, however, for some kind of honorable mention. Something like “Best Use of Tom Hiddleston’s Shapely Hind-Parts in a Drama”. Just a suggestion.

2) JJ Abrams for Best Director

This is mostly wishful thinking. I just hoped that after all the garbage that has been slung at this genuinely wonderful movie, it might have been recognized with a nom somewhat more meaningful than “Best Film Editing”. JJ Abrams gave us a Star Wars that was steeped in action and humor and nostalgia and feminism, and in return received a whole lot of internet bitching and a truck-load of broken box office records. We audiences are nothing if not inconsistent.

1) Charlize Theron for Best Actress

You would think that at least one of the ten nominations doled out to Fury Road would have gone to the performance that made the movie what it was. Theron’s Furiosa was easily the most moving and complex performance in an action movie, well, ever. I bet this pointed snub has left her pretty inconsolable right now.

See what I mean?

–Whitney Weldon

8Jan2016

Fangirly Crush of the Week: Oscar Isaac

Posted in Crush of the Week, Uncategorized by Whitney Weldon

You’d be hard pressed to find someone who’s having a better year than Oscar Isaac. Seriously. Starring roles in some of the biggest movies of the year, Star Wars and Ex Machina, not to mention landing the role of the titular Big Bad in the new X-Men movie, Apocalypse. As if that weren’t enough to give a person all kinds of happy, he gets to look like this…

And this…

And sport fresh moves like these…

It seems unfair that one man should be imbued with so much raw sex appeal. Apparently, in an effort to keep him humble, Hollywood has seen fit to cast him in roles that demand full blue mutant prosthetic makeup or require him to parade as a perv who keeps a robotic harem in an underground bunker. But by all accounts, Oscar Isaac is a lovely human IRL who utterly deserves his Fassbender-esque rise to stardom. Mr. Isaac, we salute you!

-Whitney Weldon

28Nov2015

Fangirly Crush of the Week: Michael B. Jordan

Posted in Crush of the Week, Uncategorized by Whitney Weldon

If your dad is anything like my dad (I’m taking the liberty of assuming that he is), then he’s got a weird thing about Rocky. You know, he bought the collector’s edition Blu-ray box set of the first three movies. He has “Gonna Fly Now” on his iPhone to be played before a big meeting or when he’s alone in the car (as if you didn’t know). His idea of hijinks was to shout “Adrian!” at the top of his lungs outside your bedroom door. It’s a burden shared by Millennials the world over.

That being said, when my dad insisted our family go see Creed,the Rocky reboot for a younger, pop-culture inundated generation, I went along, totally of my own volition. Aside from being a shockingly wonderful movie (more on that later), it gave me the chance to objectively evaluate the acting talents of one Michael B. Jordan. By which, of course, I mean I spent two hours doing an involuntary Kristen Wiig impression.

My squees were heard ’round the world.

Michael B. Jordan has been a source of ongoing angst for us here at Fangirly since Chronicle and Fruitvale Station. Thanks to Creed, the situation has devolved further into a condition I like to call Fan-Madness. But seriously, who’s gonna blame us?

In addition to being one of the dreamiest boats in Hollywood, Michael B. Jordan has delivered some amazing performances in the last few years, with only a few notable exceptions (cough, Fantastic Four, cough). And though his place in the Fangirly Hall of Fame is secure, we encourage him not to rest on his shapely laurels. If that means that he keeps making movies that include scenes like this…

then so be it. That seems to be testing very well over here.

–Whitney Weldon

9Nov2015

The Fangirly Show: Episode #4 Fangirling Over Girl Power

Posted in The Fangirly Show, Uncategorized by Ellen Lloyd

Ellen and Whitney get deep into it while discussing strong females on TV and movies, diving into which shows are doing the ladies proud and which have some explaining to do. How are gender politics affecting fandoms? And is SNL doing right by its ladies? Plus, a rapid fire game of Either/Or to get to know us better. Star Wars or Star Trek? Friends or Seinfeld? Listen to find out!

You can listen and subscribe HERE on iTunes or you can go HERE to listen and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

20Aug2015

Fangirly Presents KNOCK IT OFF HENRY CAVILL!

Posted in Uncategorized by Whitney Weldon

Hey. Hey you!

Yes you. I want you to knock it off.

Is that a yes or a no? How about you talk with your mouth, not your piercing blue eyes.

EXCUSE ME?!

Hey, don’t look at the red monster, look at me!

What, you think you’re cool because you have a bunch of Muppet friends? LOOK AT ME!

Better. Now can you please KNOCK IT OFF?

Buddy, you are swiftly approaching my very last nerve.

Is this FUNNY TO YOU?!

OH YEAH?!!?

…whatever…

Oh yeah, it’s like that.

This has been Fangirly Presents Knock it off, Henry Cavill.

–Whitney

3Aug2015

Fangirly Presents Who Wore it Better: Summer Reboots

Posted in Fangirly Fashion Police, Uncategorized by Whitney Weldon

This summer gave us more sequels and reboots than we knew what to do with. Scratch that, we know exactly what to do with them. The Fangirly Fashion Police are standing by to determine who’s hot and who’s not from some of the biggest summer blockbusters, then and now.

Mad Max:

Tom Hardy v. Mel Gibson

I guess this one boils down to preference; do you want your Max dressed like A Guy on a Buffalo or Dystopian Edward Scissorhands? Mel surely gets points for showing us that road warrior couture didn’t need to sacrifice form for function, but I think this one goes to Tom. At least Hardy Boy’s outfit didn’t make me wonder about the chaffing potential of a full leather jumpsuit in a post-apocalyptic desertscape.

Fantastic Four:

Michael B. Jordan v. Chris Evans

This was very close. I wasn’t a dyed in the wool fan of the original Fantastic Four franchise, and I’ve got some reservations about the upcoming reboot. Artistic merit aside, I think I’m going to give this one to Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm. My bias is well-documented, and I like my superhero costumes to look as flamboyant and impractical as can be; Michael B. Jordan’s look is a little too utilitarian for my taste. I mean, look at all that ventilation. A hero should be ready and willing to sweat it out for the sake of fashion. Score Evans!

Poltergeist:

Kennedi Clements v. Heather O’ Rourke

Uh, both? Neither? I’m not sure whether to judge based on respective cuteness or creepiness. Obviously, both of these women know how to work a look. Clements and O’Rourke successfully took these outfits from jammy to whammy, and never have banana bangs looked so on-point. Unfortunately, Heather O’Rourke’s full-length sleepwear is nothing short of iconic, so this one goes to Carol Anne. It’s an ensamble that really says, “I’m hereeeeeeee”.–Whitney

3Aug2015

Choice Picks: The Entertainment Podcasts You Should Be Listening to (According to Whitney)

Posted in Choice Picks, Movies, Music, TV, Uncategorized, Web by Whitney Weldon

My name is Whitney, and I work… in an office.

Everyday presents a new challenge.

And my co-workers are great.

In general, it’s just a really fulfilling way to make a living.

But sometimes, even your dream job can be invaded by occasional moments of tedium and drudgery. I know it’s hard to believe that ennui can set in when you’re making 300 copies of a 90 page, 2-sided insurance document, but it can happen. To combat that, I developed a passionate relationship with podcasts and I’d like to share with you what I’ve learned. Here are the top five podcasts to get you through the workday, according to me (aka The Final Word).

5. The Black List Table Reads

I like to believe that one day, technology will provide me a way to sit at my desk and watch movies all day while appearing only marginally unproductive. The Blacklist Table Reads is the closest thing we have in 2015. It’s essentially a recorded table read of awesome unproduced scripts, performed by some surprisingly big names. Paul Sheer, June Diane Raphael, Rose McIver, and Parminder Nagra are just a few of the many voices you’ll recognize. If you have even the remotest interest in movies, Black List Table Reads should be a safe bet for you.

4. Science V.

Ok, this one isn’t, strictly speaking, an entertainment podcast. It is, however, absurdly entertaining. This show takes popular science fads and pins them against hard scientific data. Before you panic, it’s not remedial Statistics. The format is really engaging and host Wendy Zukerman feels like a BFF waiting to happen. So far, the show has tackled e-cigarettes, race, the female brain, and lots more. Season one just concluded, but that means all of season one is locked, loaded, and ready to binge.

3. Mystery Show

This one is slightly harder to synopsize. It’s sort of like if Veronica Mars were a Wes Anderson movie. It’s a show that ostensibly solves a weekly mystery, but the mysteries are less whodunnit and more “exactly how tall is Jake Gyllenhaal?”. Not kidding about that. It’s laughably addictive. Just trust me.

2. This is Actually Happening

Another entertaining, non-entertainment podcast. I stumbled across this one by accident and became hooked, in spite of myself. It’s people, just ordinary people, sharing stories. The stories themselves can often be hard to listen to, and a few are admittedly very disturbing. It’s sort of like being at a sleep over, post-3 am. You know, when everyone is talking and sharing intimate details about themselves, and suddenly someone tells the most insane, personal, unbelievable anecdote and no one ever mentions it again? It’s like that.

1. Pop Rocket

Pop Rocket is my salvation. Everything I need, I can get from one weekly dose of this show. It’s a round table homage to all things pop culture, hosted by the ineffably charming and hilarious Guy Branum. Every panelist has a particular area of expertise: Guy the Comedian, Wynter Mitchell the Media Strategist, Oliver Wang the Academic, and Margaret Wappler the Journalist. They are all so well spoken, so smart, and so distinctive that they warrant a dedicated Fangirly post of their own (but who has THE TIME?). Point is, you could spend your day trying to make small talk at dinguses with whom you share a work-space, or you could listen to interesting people talk about their passions. I leave it to you.

-Whitney

26Sep2014

Fangirly Spotlight: The Genius Responsible for THIS

Posted in Uncategorized by Whitney Weldon

Every day on my way from Human Development 1500 to Math 1040, I pass this informative but super forgettable sign.

But not today. Some brilliant weirdo, in a fit of genius, turned this ordinary construction sign into something magical…

I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you do. I do know that every moment we are not best friends is a moment wasted.

–Whitney

14Aug2014

Summer Movie Chutes and Ladders!

Posted in Cinema Chutes and Ladders, Uncategorized by Whitney Weldon

I did not end up seeing very many movies this summer. In part, because I’ve just been way too busy having a fun, sexy, Newport Ad summer…

…And also because I just haven’t been that spoiled with choice. It’s no ancient Chinese secret that this has just not been the summer for movies. I did see a few, though, so I thought I’d play a game of Cinema Chutes and Ladders with some of this summers releases.

Chute: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Ok, I’m going to say something that is going to sound kinda mean, but is only meant to be constructive: The entire film felt like a really, outrageously expensive piece of Peter/Gwen fanfic. Oh jeeze, that looks just as mean on paper as it did in my head. But the truth is, when you center the entire script of your Big-Budget Superhero Blockbuster on your leads perpetual game of relationship ping-pong, your story is going to suffer. And suffer it did. Everybody knows that Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield have bananas on/off screen chemistry. Doesn’t mean we want to watch a movie about it.

Ladder: Edge of Tomorrow

There really are not words to express how little I cared about seeing Tom Cruise’s latest attempt at career dialysis. I figured it was just another two-hour excuse to eat buttered popcorn, watch Tom gaze steely-eyed into the face of danger, and flirt with his under aged, underwritten leading lady. I’ve probably been more wrong before, but nothing immediately springs to mind. Edge was surprisingly funny, inventive, and (whoa!) kind of female driven. Emily Blunt’s character is allowed to be a hero in her own right, and not just as Cruise’s best girl. Not to mention that this is probably one of my favorite Tom Cruise performances EVER. I mean it. He’s smarmy and self-deprecating, and gives us a compelling hero to root for.

Ladder: Snowpiercer

It’s really is hard for me to put into words how I feel about this movie. If you (understandably) assume that my enthusiasm for this one stems from a longstanding and ever increasing Chris Evans crush, I totally get it. But in reality, once I saw the trailer back in May, I knew I was going to see it one way or another. It just looked so different from anything else we were likely to get this summer. And because I ABSOLUTELY refuse to dole out any spoilers on this one, all I will say is that I walked out of that movie theater shaking. It was disturbing and violent and sad and exciting and (once you got over being disturbed, grossed-out, sad, and excited) pretty funny. Just, go see it. For me. Please. Don’t be a weirdo. Just go. Now. Thank you.

Ladder: Belle

This one pretty much has all the makings of a super-cute chick flick: Racism, sexism, capitalism, imperialism. All the isms. Joking (briefly) aside, this movie is balls-to-the-wall wonderful. Also, hey there Sam Reid. We’ve never met before, but I like everything about you. Including, but not limited to, your face, your eyes, your voice, your smile, and your formidable acting chops. The ladies of the American Colonies salute you, sir.

Chute: Begin Again

Oh boy. I guess I know where they were trying to go with this one. I mean, it’s like Once, but in New York, right? I guess you lost me when Kira Knightly announced that Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and that song from Casablanca were her guilty pleasures. No. Those are the songs you pretend are your guilty pleasures when a cute boy is going through your iTunes library. Honestly. You know what’s a pleasure to feel guilty about? “Having Fun” by Britney Spears. The only thing you have to feel guilty about is not fooling anyone.

Ladder: Guardians of the Galaxy

Every time I try to think of a way this movie could have been better, I get nothin’. Soup to nuts, one of my new favorite movies of all time. Chris Pratt slays the competition in the Most Boffable Man of the Summer 2014 race. And while I loved B Coop as Rocket the Raccoon, I think I prefer him in his 20 piece suits.

Kidding. Love you, Coop.

What do you think? Did I miss any?

–Whitney

14Aug2014

Another Fangirly Birthday Tribute: Happy Birthday Eric!

Posted in Uncategorized by Whitney Weldon

August is something of a Birthday Blitz for our family. At least four of us get a little saggier during this particular summer month, one of which being my favorite/only brother, Eric! As older brothers do, he taught me so much about life, love, and how to sneak into the house at 5 AM through an open window. To honor that, I’ve made a list of all the little gems I’ve gleaned from stalking him over the last couple of decades.

5) Never, EVER confess to anything, especially when you have been caught red-handed. If people respect one thing, it’s a person who does not know when they have been made.

4) Choose good, positive heroes and mentors.

3) Beware of the Establishment.

2) A smile is your greatest asset

*Fun Fact: Here is a picture of his actual smile. Don’t look for too long, or you will ruin your night vision.

(I think it took hours to coax that out of him).

1) Remember that a little humility can get you far…

…But also know where your strengths lie.

Oh Eric, how I love you so. I’m sorry this kind of turned into a roast. The truth is, you are the best brother a lady could ask for, and I hope that 27 is good to you.

Happy Birthday, ya mook.

Love, Whitney

20May2014

Run-On Sentence Reviews: Godzilla

Posted in Movies, Run-On Sentence Reviews, Uncategorized by Ellen Lloyd

You may or may not remember that I was pretty excited to see this movie and blot the 1998 monstrosity from my memory and I am happy to say that this didn’t disappoint and that while I can recognize some of the criticisms that are out there, I would like to point out that this is still a Godzilla movie and you can’t expect an Oscar worthy film from a Godzilla movie and that this gets as close to greatness as I think may be possible because it has some great performances and one that is not so great from Aaron Taylor-Johnson who unfortunately is supposed to be carrying this movie but it’s okay because Godzilla himself more than makes up for it with his general bad-assery (even if he is a fat American Godzilla) and, yes, it may have have been nice to get him in there a little earlier but in the end, I appreciate the slow burn leading up to his triumphant reveal.

Verdict: If you are going to see it ever, I say see it in theaters and get the full effect.

– Ellen

9May2014

Fangirly Crush of the Week: Adam Pally (again)

Posted in Uncategorized by Whitney Weldon

I can stay silent no longer. The truth is, I’ve wanted to renew Adam Pally’s “Crush of the Week” status ever since his character Peter Prentice was introduced during this latest season of The Mindy Project. This is due to not only his stone-cold sex appeal…

but also to the fact that Peter is an almost exact reprisal of his Happy Endings character, Max. Ok yes, Max was unambiguously gay and Peter is a raging hetero, but their respective dating philosophies are basically identical-

The addition of Peter Prentice is really what made this season of Mindy what it was. That, and also the writing and acting and the rest of the supporting cast. Otherwise, this season was Full-Pally. And because he was our favorite part of our new favorite show, we (me) felt the need to salute him once more. Objections? Anyone?…

I thought so.

-Whitney

14Apr2014

Fangirly Crush of the Week: Colin Jost

Posted in Crush of the Week, TV, Uncategorized by Whitney Weldon

So much has happened the last few months- unrest in Eastern Europe, Kate Middleton’s first ever fashion misstep, ect.- that we here at Fangirly have been neglecting our duties. In the flurry of movie premiers, award show stumbles , and diplomatic crises, we forgot to take a moment to geek out over SNL’s new head writer and Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost. He’s got the doofy good looks of a passable TV nerd and the biting wit that makes us hope this could be the start of a whole new SNL. Colin Jost, we salute you.

-Whitney

9Apr2014

Web Bytes: Tonight Show Lip Sync Battle with Paul Rudd

Posted in TV, Uncategorized, Web, Web Bytes by Whitney Weldon

This week has been rough. I inadvertently made a twelve-year-old boy cry in public (a proud moment for both of us). I just realized that my library books are so overdue, I think it might be punishable by law. And, the cherry, I read that Kim and Kanye may have to call off their wedding, for which we’ve all been breathlessly waiting. HOW MUCH MORE CAN THE HUMAN SPIRIT ENDURE? Anyway, whenever I turn this particular shade of blue, I like to watch clips of The Tonight Show to remind me of how beautiful the human experience can be. Ladies and probably more ladies, I give you the Tonight Show lip synch battle with Paul Rudd.

And because I am a generous soul…

-Whitney

Fangirly

Where smart girls go stupid for pop culture

Category Archives: Uncategorized

Fangirl Talk: Why Every Guy Should Watch Agent Carter

The Fangirly Show: Episode #6 Fangirling Over the Best of 2015

Whitney’s Official 2016 Oscar Snubs

Fangirly Crush of the Week: Oscar Isaac

Fangirly Crush of the Week: Michael B. Jordan

The Fangirly Show: Episode #4 Fangirling Over Girl Power

Fangirly Presents KNOCK IT OFF HENRY CAVILL!

Fangirly Presents Who Wore it Better: Summer Reboots

Choice Picks: The Entertainment Podcasts You Should Be Listening to (According to Whitney)

Fangirly Spotlight: The Genius Responsible for THIS

Summer Movie Chutes and Ladders!

Another Fangirly Birthday Tribute: Happy Birthday Eric!

Run-On Sentence Reviews: Godzilla

Fangirly Crush of the Week: Adam Pally (again)

Fangirly Crush of the Week: Colin Jost

Web Bytes: Tonight Show Lip Sync Battle with Paul Rudd