Women Taking Over the Television*

Now that we are well into 2015, many of our favorite television shows are returning for new seasons or mid-winter premieres. Many of these shows have female energy exuding from the cast and their respective storylines. One might say this year in television has been the “Year of the Woman.” According to The Atlantic, “strong female characters on network TV make up a sizable chunk of the pie…and network tv is becoming the land of women.” This trend is extremely significant, because women are not simply in the shows as side characters, but taking lead roles, dominating casts, and holding positions of authority with their roles.

Nicole Beharie as Lt. Abbie Mills in FOX's "Sleepy Hollow"

On the Fox Network, “Gotham” and “Sleepy Hollow” made mid-season returns earlier this month. Still in its first season, Gotham is a notable show, particularly for comic book fans, giving viewers a two-fold look into the origin story of Bruce Wayne long before he becomes the “Dark Knight,” while also introducing many of Batman’s supporting characters. Although the show is centered on the rise of Gotham City Police detective Jim Gordon, several of the show’s women hold positions of power. Whether it is night club owner and mob boss Maria Mercedes “Fish” Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith), or Selina “Cat” Kyle (Camren Bicondova), a clever homeless youth who has an intriguing influence and connection with young Bruce Wayne, or Captain Sarah Essen who is Jim Gordon’s boss in the Gotham City PD, women are not just sidekicks or eye-candy, but equals to their male counterparts. Staying with this theme of women in power, “Sleepy Hollow” employs a woman of color in the lead role. This casting is significant considering the original story of Sleepy Hollow does not include any women of color, so this series is a modern-day retelling of the 1820 Halloween short story that adds color to the storyline. Juilliard-trained actress Nicole Beharie (42, Shame) who plays Lieutenant Abbie Mills, an FBI-trained officer, provides a commentary that one might call the driving force in the future of understanding the new Sleepy Hollow. Shows like “Gotham” and “Sleepy Hollow” provide a fresh scripted story that helps to balance out the reality shows.

Viola Davis as Annalise Keating in ABC's "How to Get Away With Murder"

Flipping through the TV guide, I realized that the ABC network seems to have the largest number of shows returning as well as some new additions to their line-up, such as the new series “Marvel’s Agent Carter,” where audiences get to see one of the original comic book heroines in her own lead series. This should be interesting and entertaining as we get to see a stylish action heroine rule the television screen. One of my personal faves premiered yesterday with the return “TGIT” (Thank God It’s Thursday). Creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes takes over Thursday nights with her female-dominated shows. “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” are veterans in Rhimes’ Thursday group, and her newest creation “How to Get Away With Murder” is well on its way to obtaining that same acclaim. Viola Davis plays hard-core, high-profile law professor Annalise Keating, commanding the attention of audiences such that Davis won the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama, being the only African American nominated, and beating out some tough competition. A well-deserved winner, Davis exudes the confidence and humility of a sage actress. During her acceptance speech, she thanked the writers, producers, and creators for “thinking that a sexualized, messy, mysterious woman could be a 49 year old dark-skinned African American woman who looks like me.” Her observation is significant in indirectly calling Hollywood out on its historical (and contemporary) racism, and ageism as well. Davis stated it best: “It’s a victory for people of color, it’s a victory for actors who aren’t ‘fresh-faced and in their 20’s.’” All in all, both Nicole Beharie’s and Viola Davis’ characters offer invigorating alternatives to the typical Jezebel or Mammy figures placed on African American women in television.

Women are not just dominating traditional TV networks, but they streaming onto internet channels as well. With the complete third season of “House of Cards” returning to Netflix on February 27th , we not only get to watch Golden Globe winner Kevin Spacey reprise his role as the ruthless, cunning Congressman turned Commander-in-Chief Francis Underwood; additionally, we get to tune in to his secret weapon, his gorgeous, ambitious, and equally conniving wife, Claire (Golden Globe winner Robin Wright). This Summer on Netflix, audiences will be able to watch the ladies of Litchfield prison return to our computer screens in season 3 of the SAG award winning (Outstanding Performance by an ensemble in a comedy series) “Orange is the New Black.” Hopefully, we will get to see more of “Crazy Eyes” (Uzo Aduba) too!

Netflix shows (l-r) "House of Cards" starring Robin Wright as Claire Underwood and "Orange is the New Black" with cast members Laura Prepon as Alex Vause and Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman.

There is lots of exciting television coming in 2015, full of leading ladies reminding viewers that they’re not going anywhere! Whether defying the odds, winning high-profile cases in fashion-forward styles, or saving lives, the strong women are here to stay! So whether you tune in to NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, HBO, or Netflix, there is a plethora of television shows to choose from for your viewing pleasure.

So what will YOU be watching this 2015??

*As seen also in The Berkeley Graduate

"Won't Back Down" ... Does it Make the Grade??

Inspired by true events, here is a story of two dedicated and passionate mothers (Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal), one who is also a teacher, who just want what is right for their children as well as the children that they serve in the local Pittsburgh school. Both women face a prevailing and deep-rooted bureaucracy, in which they must risk their careers and their livelihood to make a difference in the education system and for the future of their children.

Entering the film, it has a somewhat central focus on a young elementary school girl named Malia Fitzpatrick (Emily Alyn Lind). Malia is a girl who is struggling in school because she suffers from dyslexia. However, her mother Jamie (Maggie Gyllenhaal), is convinced that her daughter can learn, but that the school she attends is not investing the time to actually teach her. And once she learns how Malia is being secluded and reprimanded for falling behind, instead of being given opportunities to catch up, Jamie takes matters into her own hands. Soon Jamie’s frustrations and complaints lead her to Nona Alberts (Viola Davis), a teacher who spends much of her off-time making sure her own son stays on track, because the school is failing him as well.

As a team, Jamie and Nona come together to devise a plan of action to transform the school. In their quest to unite the community and neighborhood parents, both run into some resistance from fellow teachers, administration, and the school board. Fighting to make a change takes a toll on both women personally and professionally, but against all odds the duo dedicate long days and sleepless nights to make a change for this one particular school.

Both Davis and Gyllenhaal do a pretty decent job of balancing each of their character’s roles. Each actress plays a strong-minded and beleaguered woman who will stop at nothing to reach the end goal. Davis, in particular, cleverly utilizes her body language to convey pride in her work along with the exhaustion that comes with it. And Gyllenhaal pulls off a spunky and eager single mother who makes no excuses and works hard to survive and make the ends meet for her family. In addition to a strong main cast, the supporting cast brings an additional dose of character poise. In an antagonistic role Holly Hunter who plays a Teacher Union administrator offers a true dose of reality. Also child stars Emily Alyn Lind and Dante Brown (Cody Alberts) deliver a child-like innocence that is convincing and refreshing.  The bravery that each of these characters embodies is quite incredible. Whether they were for the creation of a new “dream” school, or whether they stand by the principles laid out in the Teacher’s Union each party stood their ground. Regardless of what side you take one could be compelled to go either direction.

Despite this being a compelling film with good intentions, Won’t Back Down does offer somewhat awkward character moments and a few trivial storylines. This was probably done to add another dimension to the film. Overall, Won’t Back Down is just many other reform stories that we have seen before in many previous films. Even with this being an enjoyable film, I begin to wonder if Hollywood is capable of creating an original story and not a modern day version of Waiting for Superman. However the film is fitting and appropriate considering the recent Teacher’s Strike events in Chicago, IL. 

This film offers a clear message that even with struggles, success can still find its way through. And herein lies an amazing story of what happens when a community commits to a predicament and takes every measure to find a solution. By the end of the film, you can’t help but feel motivated by the strong will and passion that comes from the characters and the story they put on the screen. Won’t Back Down is the type of film that brings an extraordinary message of empowerment and determination, as well as the ability to wake up the sleeping masses. All in all, this film that exhibits what true parenthood, friendship, courage, and hope is through the eyes of dedicated parents, teachers, and community advocates from across the nation. In essence, they “Won’t Back Down!”

Rating: 7.5 out 10 stars

"The Help"...Stuck on the Fence

Now let me first start out by saying that going into this movie was somewhat of a difficult task. Considering I know and have seen someone personally (my grandma) who is "the help" I had to be as objective as possible. My mindset was, here is another movie that is trying to make things right. So taking all anger and emotion out of my system (well as much of it as I could), I stepped into the theater and watched the film.

The Help provides the viewer with a beautiful yet harsh reality of history that still exists today, just not at the same level. Maybe one day it will cease to exist, but until then, we must march forward. Here is a flick that shows us a bird's eye view of the "Junior League" as well as the central focus "The Help". Not everyone is fortunate enough to sit on their porches and "sip mint juleps" and talk about what dress they are going to buy tomorrow, some folks do not have that luxury and still have to work for a living.

To a degree one could say that this film was put out for white folks to apologize to blacks for the poor treatment that was done to them. And then some might say, this was film to shed light on a dark past, unfortunately but from whose perspective. The Help is not all sad there are moments where you will laugh, for different reasons, and some times that will empower you to another level. Even with a predominately all-female cast I think there is something that even men can take from it. There is this appreciation for those who struggle for what is right and do not give up. That's a lesson that anyone can apply to their life.

From beginning to end there is no denying that you will feel some tension, and there will be times you will want to jump through the screen, but that just let's me know I got some work to do to make this picture right. One thing this movie does that is right on the money, is that it will make ALL feel uncomfortable and awkward, and that is a good thing. People should be able to critically think about this time in history and WANT to do something about it, genuinely!! Even the characters, who you wish to hate the most, provide a bit of solace. As a human it just makes you look within your self and say, "is this how I want to end up".  In the end you just want to feel sorry for them.

One gripe that I do have is the way they glazed over certain historical events within the film. For example, a simple one minute discussion each of the Medgar Evers shooting/killing and the "March on Washington" just was not sufficient. I'm not asking for the film to deviate from the original focus, just a little more highlighted time. Both events played a major role in the United States particularly African Americans. And to just brush over them, almost makes the events seem irrelevant. Hollywood is not perfect, but there is always room for improvement.

Special props should be given to Octavia Spencer (Minnie) and Viola Davis (Abigal), you can feel their happiness, their anger, their passion. Here are two actresses who know how to shine and shine bright. Although they are playing "the help" both characters take us into another world that we may have never ventured into. It takes a lot of bravery and courage to step into a role such as this, but each played the role effortlessly. Another person who brought their 100% was Ms. Cicely Tyson. In my sole opinion she could do no wrong in my book, hopefully she will get he just due. In addition to Cicely Tyson, Sissy Spacek does an awesome job of playing a concerned mother who only just wants what is best for their children, even if it is not the path you would personally want to take.

I can see how this will get a lot of Oscar buzz, and yes I would be happy if Viola or Octavia were to win, but I can't help but think it's another Gone With the Wind moment. (sigh)

All in all, The Help is a tear jerker and if nothing else exposes a reality that should have been brought to the light a long time ago. Now don't get me wrong I would have preferred it from another perspective, but the world has not come to an end yet. In a weird sort of way I am glad I did not read the book first, because, the book would be floating through my head non-stop. And I am still hesitant to read it now, considering it took 59 attempts before the book got published (food for thought). I do not feel strongly enough to say boycott the film, I just feel as though when going into this film be cognizant that it is a film based off of a book, and that this reality does exist.


Rating: 3 out 5 stars

Viola Davis to star as Shirley Chisholm!!

You can't beat having an Oscar nomination (Doubt), a second Tony award (Fences), and starring roles in some high profiled films, until you grab that role of a lifetime. Currently actress Viola Davis is being courted to star in the biopic role of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress and the first major-party black candidate for President of the United States.
The New York Daily News states that producers Bryan Gambogi and Grant Anderson of Creative-Monster Productions are bringing the life of Brooklyn Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm to the silver screen - and they want Davis to play the lead role.

The yet-to-be-titled feature, which is being written by Camille Thomasson, will tell the story of Chisholm's rise to become the first black woman to serve in Congress, as well as her historic 1972 run for the White House. "Chisholm was a riveting politico," Gambogi says. "I've been watching vintage TV clips and am enthralled by her presence and eloquence."

The South Carolina native will next star in DreamWorks Studios bigscreen adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel The Help.