Movie Review: Eclipse

Probably the one film of the Twilight saga that, at its core, had a good, Hollywood-esque story to work with: a love triangle, suspense, action and the return of our favorite evils - the Volturi (a.k.a. Dakota Fanning) and "Victoria." That said, this movie was pretty good. The best part may be the way it pulls viewers deeper into Bella's (Kristen Stewart) world, giving them a chance to learn more about both the Cullens and the wolves, or it may be the action/special effects. Sure there were the painfully awkward scenes as one comes to expect when watching any one of these films, but those were much more infrequent than in its predecessors. Plus, if you're looking for a new crush look no further than Riley, played by Xavier Samuel.
Best on-screen moment: Hilarity ensues when Charlie (Billy Burke) breaks up a near brawl between Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob (Taylor Lautner), prompting Jacob to explain what happened.

Take Back the Night - Calgary 2010

We’re excited to announce the official date and location of Take Back the Night - Calgary 2010. The program and march will be held at Connaught Park (11th St and 14th Ave SW). The park is centrally located, just north of 17th Ave and eight blocks south of the 10th St C-train station.

The march will take place on September 23 at 8:00 pm. Arrive early to participate in creative activities and to see our memorial. Here’s where YOU come in: We want to hear from feminist artists, writers, musicians and general creative types. This year’s theme is all about how we can impact our environments by protesting violence against women. Who better to envision a feminist future than artists? Email tbtncalgary@gmail.com if you’re interested in reading, creating art, performing, or if you have any other ideas you’d like to pitch!

Call for interviewees: women working in a male-dominated field

I would like to conduct interviews with women who are working in male-dominated fields, but I need your help in finding these women!

If you (or a woman you know) is working in a job such as welding, construction, garbage collection, or any other field that is heavily dominated by males, please let me know! Email yeahwhatshesaid@gmail.com and provide a brief description of the woman's job and her contact information.

Thanks!

Check it out: Noodles & Co. Fundraiser Tonight!

Today is the day! VIM Magazine is hosting our first fundraiser at Noodles & Co.on Grand River Ave. to help raise funds for the launch of our first issue. Please stop by between 4 and 9 p.m. tonight to help support the magazine (and pick up a delicious order of Penne Rosa or Pesto Cavattapi)! All you have to do is mention "VIM" when placing your order. Hope to see you tonight!

Concert Review: Backstreet Boys

A Backstreet Boys concert never fails to disappoint whether one is an old fan, a fan who never left or not really all that much of a fan. The boys' No. 1 worldwide hit "I Want It That Way" along with all 12 of the other radio-friendly songs released by the band in the 1990s and early 2000s provide enough entertainment for any audience. Regardless of the fact that you may not prefer pop music, there is no denying that its harmonies are infectious. Backstreet never fails to play all of their hits in some way, shape or form - though on this particular show they forewent performing the infamous hat dance during "All I Have to Give" for the first time ever. A special treat on the "This Is Us" tour came in the form of pre-recorded videos played during costume changes. For these, each Backstreet Boy re-created a movie trailer of one of their favorite films, turning them into "Backstreet" stories with their music as the soundtrack: The Fast and the Furious (Howie), Fight Club (AJ), Enchanted (Brian) and The Matrix (Nick).
Location: DTE Energy Center, 18 June 2010
Favorite Number: Opener "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" catered to the audience with excellent video typography graphics.

A Trend Worth Trying

Rompers, Jumpers, Jumpsuits, Onesies. Whatever you prefer to call them, they are a staple from the Seventies that are back in full force. While many people are still unsure about them, I think they are a trend worth trying on. Not only are they super comfortable, but they are an easy piece to throw on and wear all day. Versatile enough to wear from day to night, a simple shoe change can be enough to take a romper from flirty in the day to sexy at night. Whether a romper is strapless or long sleeved, printed or plain, there are a couple of things to keep in mind while trying to find the perfect one. First, remember that fit is key. Fit is always very important in clothing, but because a romper is one piece of fabric it is extra important it fits correctly. Second, if you are still not sure about the overall look of rompers, try one with loser shorts, like the one pictured. It will look like more of a dress from certain angles and it is a good way to break into the trend. Third, if you dare to be extra bold, go for one with capris or full length pants to really make a statement. Finally, make sure to personalize it. Throw on a fun hat, chunky necklace, bright lipstick, or whatever you love. Most importantly, just try on rompers to try something new. They’re fun and you may just find they are your new summer favorite.

Aqua Challis Romper, $68. Bloomingdale’s

Celebration In A Bottle!

Thanks to Deborah Lippmann, we have seen an outburst of glitter in nail polishes. In Fall 2009, she debuted Superstar, a chic copper flecked fudge sparkle shade in an effort to sophisticate the use of glitter for everyone, not just pre-teens. The fashion and beauty world were hooked and ever since, Lippmann’s dazzling colors have become a necessity backstage at Fashion Week.

Lippmann’s all time best seller, Happy Birthday, is an instant flashy accessory to any outfit. The unique graffiti of multi-colored glitter gives full coverage in just one coat. You can wear this sparkly glam of confetti alone or apply it over your favorite shade of polish to really make your nails pop with color. While the fun of a birthday might only come once a year, your nails can look celebratory any day.

Deborah Lippmann "Happy Birthday" glitter nail polish, $18. Nordstrom stores.

Monday's Show: Designer Vaginas and more!

Monday's show will feature a discussion on "Designer Vaginas" - a slang term for Vaginal Reconstructive Surgery, or plastic surgery "down there." According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, these surgeries have become the hottest trend in the field.



Related articles:

Meet the Genitailor - The Tyee.ca, 2005

Designer Vaginas - The Globe and Mail, 2005

Designer Vaginas - Salon.com, 2000





We'll also discuss a study from 2007 that was recently unearthed by two women from Bioethics Forum. In the study, a doctor from Cornell University defends the practice of surgically cutting girls' clitorises. He also used vibrators on girls as young as 6 in order to "test sensation in their nerves."



Related articles:

Bad Vibrations - Bioethics Forum, 2010

Cornell Surgeon Used Vibrator to Stimulate Six-Year-Olds - Jezebel, 2010





Finally, we'll briefly touch on the G8 summit, where "Maternal Health" was a signature focus when world leaders gathered this past weekend in Huntsville, Ontario.



Related articles:

Maternal Health: 10 Reasons You Should Care About the G8 Summit - Best Health, 2010

Women's health initiative fails to inspire - Ottawa Citizen, 2010

Gloria Steinem on The Colbert Report

Check out this 5 min video of Gloria Steinem on The Colbert Report.



Gloria schools Colbert on the actual goal of the feminist movement (FYI, it's simple ... "equality." As Gloria jokes, "I know it sounds radical, but that was it!"). She also discusses how women are paid 25% less then men, and that men who take on household and child-rearing responsibilities have better marriages, live longer and have better sex. Hell yeah!

Album Review: Bionic

We have always loved Xtina's ability to use her music as a form of empowerment for women. As a result, listening to any one of her albums makes girls (excuse me, women) feel pretty good (see "My Girls" of Bionic or "Can't Hold Us Down" of Stripped). However, while this album has its fun moments and truly spectacular vocals - never a surprise from this songstress - there are too many points where it lacks fulfilling lyrics or just gets a lil' weird (see "Sex for Breakfast").
Most notable tracks: "Glam," "I Hate Boys"

Concert Review: Dave Matthews Band

Sweet, sweet summertime concerts. This past Tuesday, I attended the Dave Matthews Band (DMB) concert in my home state and one of my favorite towns: Columbus, OH. It was outdoors at Huntington Park, which was a baseball stadium turned into a concert arena for the night. The weather was great, and so were my seats... well actually, there were no seats since we were right up front, though, this was perfect.

DMB took the stage around 8:30PM and played for a good two hours straight. The sound, band, and fans definitely made this an experience I will never forget. For those of you that are not well acquainted with DMB, they have been around for over 15 years and have produced seven successful albums.

Every night of the tour has a different set list, which makes fans anticipate the new songs Dave might throw at them during the course of the concert. On this specific night, they played several songs from my favorite album, "Busted Stuff" and their newest album "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King." Dave got the crowd pumped up by talking between every couple songs, and having the band play extra long versions of the songs, enhancing to the jazzy, acoustic rock.

If you're looking for a great summer concert to attend, DMB is definitely a great choice. Although, make sure you stay hydrated before the concert, because that summer sun can get the best of you while you stand in a crowd of hundreds of screaming fans. Check out their new album on iTunes, and especially my favorite album from 2002, "Busted Stuff."

--LK

Movie Review: Toy Story 3

Eleven years in the making, Toy Story 3 hit theaters this past weekend to soaring numbers. After making box office history and cementing themselves as the second highest grossing animated film of all time, with $109 million, it was easy to see why. The animated short "Day & Night," which preceded the film, was awesome. As was the film itself. Though it did end with the possibility of more, a prospect we would rather not see happen - too much of a good thing, in our opinion. Also, we would have enjoyed more scenes with the 3-peas-in-a-pod.
Best on-screen moment: Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles) as Mr. Tortilla Shell. Classic.

Album Review: Can't Be Tamed

On her new album 17-year-old Miley Cyrus is trying to break away from Disney... HARD. Honestly, we are loving every bit of it. It's hard to put a finger on why this girl would want to cover a Poison song (see "Every Rose Has Its Thorn") - it must be a family favorite - but somehow that does not take away from how pretty awesome this album is. She can't be tamed, y'all.
Most notable tracks: "Liberty Walk," "My Heart Beats for Love"

It's officially summer!

Kickoff the summer!


Plan a getaway! Find a perfect summer vacation destination that fits your lifestyle! You deserve a break from work and/or summer classes!

Are you a...
Fashionista? Plan a trip to New York City, the Fashion Capital of the United States!

Camper? Plan a camping trip in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Try a beautiful spot like Pictured Rocks (shown above):
http://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/index.htm


Fudgie? Drive across the Mackinac Bridge and take a ferry ride to Mackinac Island! It's known for its great fudge and has breathtaking views!

Beach Bum? Visit Traverse City, Mich., home to beautiful sandy beaches along Lake Michigan's shoreline, rated number 8 on AOL Travel's America's Best Beach Towns. Dine downtown or drive out on the peninsula for some wine tasting and cherry picking! The "Cherry Capital of the world" holds its annual Cherry Festival July 3-10.

Start planning and happy summer! 8-)


Lauren

This Week's Show: National Aboriginal Day

Monday June 21st (that's today!)is National Aboriginal Day and in honor of this, we are devoting tonight's episode of Yeah, What She Said to the many talented and influential indigenous women and women's groups of Canada and beyond. We will be spotlighting such individuals as Cheryl L'Hirondelle, Daphne Odjig, and many more. We'll be sharing music by some amazing artists as well (i.e. Tagaq, CocoRosie). Tune in! And remember, it's a full hour now, so you have time to settle in and get comfy with us!

Here are just a few links to some of the groups and individuals we will be chatting about.

Painter, Daphne Odjig

Multimedia/Visual Artist, Cheryl L'Hirondelle

Filmmaker, Cara Mumford

The Native Women's Association of Canada

Join us live at 8:00pm (MST) on CJSW 90.9 FM in Calgary, AB Canada and www.cjsw.com worldwide.

And be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode!

Album Review: Shout It Out

Hanson's 7th release has them testing the waters on a new style of rock: rhythm and blues. And you know what? It works quite seamlessly. Most people write these boys off as a result of their 1997 smash "MMMBop" but, in reality, Hanson is so much more than that. The band self-produces, self-writes, self-distributes (since their breakaway from Island/Mercury records) and self-plays every one of their tracks and have a much-hyped U.S. tour this summer with opener California-based Rooney. Check them out locally in Grand Rapids (Aug. 16) or Royal Oak (Aug. 17).
Most notable tracks: "Thinkin' Bout Somethin'," "Give a Little"

Since this is our first time reviewing anything, the ratings system is as follows: best = four kisses; worst = half a kiss.

Free Feminist Flick on Friday

Free feminist movie on a Friday night... sounds like a plan to me!



What? Born in Flames - a film by feminist film maker Lizzie Borden

When? Friday June 18, 6:30 p.m.

Where? The Good Life Community Bike Shop in Eau Claire Market (2 st and 3 ave SW)

Cost? Free!



More details about the film:

Born in Flames is a film by feminist film maker Lizzie Borden that takes place in a future dystopia where women have to create their own justice to get any justice at all.



The film is a cult classic with some great scenes that can empower women to fight for and find their liberation. There is a very famous scene where a woman is being assaulted by two men on the street when a bike gang of women come to her aide, scaring the men away.

Our show is now one hour!

For those who haven't noticed yet, Yeah What She Said recently gained an extra half-hour of air time! Our show now runs from 8:00 to 9:00 pm every Monday night.

We will be utilizing this extra half hour to bring you more awesome feminist stuff. We hope to focus on female musicians, local feminist/woman-related events in Calgary, and bring you more feminist news and headlines from around the world.

As always, we appreciate ideas and input from our listeners. If you have an idea for a show, or you know someone that we should interview, please contact us! Comment on our blog posts or email yeahwhatshesaid@gmail.com. We love to hear from you!

Tonight's Show: Review of Sex and the City 2

Tonight we review the movie Sex and the City 2. We'll discuss problematic issues from the movie, as well as feminist themes from both the movie and the televisions series.

Below are some links and videos to other reviews that we are referencing on the program. The video below from Feministing.com provides a good overview of some of the movie's more problematic themes.




Links to articles:

Operation Desert Togs - from the NY Times

Sex and the City's Women of Colour Problem - from Feministing.com

Feminist Review of Sex and the City 2 - from Feministreview.blogspot.com

Why the Sex and the City 2 reviews were misogynistic - from Guardian.co.uk

On Monday we're reviewing Sex and the City 2 - send us your reviews too!

On Monday June 14th we'll be reviewing the movie Sex and the City 2. We will discuss feminist themes from the movie and compare them to themes from the first movie and the television series. We would be happy to share thoughts and comments from our listeners and blog followers on the program. If you have thoughts on the movie (or thoughts on Sex and the City in general as it relates to feminism) then please post your comments below. You can also email your reviews to yeahwhatshesaid@gmail.com. We will incorporate as many of your comments/reviews into our show as we can!

Listen to our show on Monday June 14 from 8:00 - 9:00 pm on CJSW 90.9 fm in Calgary, or you can listen online at cjsw.com. And remember, we podcast too, so subscirbe already!

Polish Rapists Face Chemical Castration

I came across this article about Polish sex offenders via CBC this morning during my daily news check.

Turns out the article (which came up in my recommended reads) is from a while back, so I decided to hunt down a more recent update and found the following at NY Daily News:

Poland will use chemical castration on convicted child rapists once they finish prison sentence


Tuesday, June 8th 2010

Poland now has a harsh punishment on the books for perverts convicted of raping children or committing incest - chemical castration.

And that's after the sex fiend serves a prison sentence!

The new law, which went into effect Tuesday, states that anyone convicted of rape of a minor under 15, or a close family member, "can be obliged by a court ruling to undergo pharmaceutical and psychological therapy in order to reduce sex drive."

The Poles also increased prison terms for incest or the rape of a minor to three to 15 years from the current two to 12 years.

Also, the new law imposes prison terms of up to three years for anyone convicted of attempting to seduce a minor under 15 over the Internet.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk proposed putting chemical castration on the books in 2008 after the country was shocked by revelations that a 45-year-old man had held his 21-year-old daughter captive for six years and fathered her two children.

Hot! HOT! HOT!

I am totally loving this. For its June 2010 issue, French Marie Claire has gone curvy with editorials featuring plus-size models in lingerie and swimsuits! And just two months ago the magazine printed a totally non-airbrushed issue. I have a new found love for the French.



Aren't these pictures absolutely smokin' hot? The models look so healthy and beautiful!







Check out more hot pics from French Marie Claire here!



I would way rather see clothing, swim wear and lingerie modeled by the women above than this anorexic stick that's pictured below. (Image below is 19-year-old model Inna Pilipenko in clothing from Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen's brand The Row. This image is extra-disturbing considering that Mary-Kate Olsen struggled with anorexia herself).

Study suggests kids of lesbians have fewer behavioral problems

CNN Reports:

A nearly 25-year study concluded that children raised in lesbian households were psychologically well-adjusted and had fewer behavioral problems than their peers.



"This study shows that the 17-year-old adolescents who have been reared by lesbian families are psychologically happy and high functioning," said Dr. Nanette Gartrell, a Williams distinguished scholar at the UCLA School of Law. Restrictions of child custody and reproductive technologies based on sexual orientation are not justified, she said.

Children from lesbian families rated higher in social, academic and total competence. They also showed lower rates in social, rule-breaking, aggressive problem behavior.

The involvement of mothers may be a contributing factor, in addition to the fact that the pregnancies were planned, Gartrell said.

The children "didn't arrive by accident," she said. "The mothers were older... they were waiting for an opportunity to have children and age brings maturity and better parenting."

This also could have occurred because "growing up in households with less power assertion and more parental involvement has been shown to be associated with healthier psychological adjustment," Gartrell wrote in the study.

Read the full story.

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon - The University of Calgary's First Female President

The Spring 2010 issue of U magazine introduced Dr. Elizabeth Cannon as the University of Calgary's eighth president. The first woman to hold the top job, her accomplishments and qualifications speak for themselves; in addition to earning several awards and accolades, Dr. Cannon achieved her doctorate degree in geomatics engineering, and was appointed dean of the Schulich School of Engineering in 2006.

Although it is always exciting to see educated women in top positions, it is even more exciting when the accomplishments of these women speak specifically towards overcoming gender 'roles' and stereotypes in our society. Dr. Cannon has already begun to shatter these various stereotypes. Cannon has worked to attract more women into engineering by establishing programs such as the Cybermentor, an online system for Alberta girls between the ages of 11 and 18 in rural areas, which aims to mentor and connect them with science and engineering professionals in other communities. She has also established Explore IT, a program which works with other post-secondary institutions in Calgary to provide grade 9 girls with a day of information and activities surrounding the field of information technology. According to Dr. Cannon, “Both of these programs, in addition to our annual Women in Engineering Day, provide strong opportunities for young women to see what is available to them and for us to showcase role models and future career paths. And it’s working – 24 percent of our undergraduate students at the Schulich School of Engineering are female, which is the highest of all the major engineering schools in Canada (U magazine, 14). I have always been committed to encouraging youth to reach their dreams, with a particular emphasis on encouraging young women to pursue science and engineering careers. It’s very important that the next generation feel empowered to take on any career that they are passionate about and not be restricted to perceived gender stereotypes” (U magazine, 13).

I think there is a need for encouragement when it comes to women in science and engineering, especially when one considers the impact that historical events have had on women in this field. The Ecole Polytechnique Massacre in 1989 is just one extreme example; 25 year old Marc Lepine walked into the engineering school one morning and shot 24 women, fourteen of which died, and killed four men before killing himself. He specifically targeted women, claiming that he was ‘fighting feminism.’ Less extreme is the socially constructed belief that men are ‘better’ than women in the fields of math and science; I recently visited the Body Worlds exhibit in Calgary, and found a large poster explaining that men are more mentally apt than women at solving complex mathematical equations because the two genders primarily use different sides of the brain in thinking and rationalizing. I think it is fantastic that Dr. Cannon has been working to encourage young women to squish gender stereotypes and follow their dreams, and I can’t wait to follow her career as the U of C’s first female president.