Lara Croft As The Final Girl

Clive Thompson, over at Wired, takes a look at the appeal of playing as Lara Croft ... and doesn't focus on her physical assets. From the article: "The Final Girl theory emerged in 1985, when Carol Clover -- a medievalist and feminist film critic -- was dared by a friend to see The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Back then, most feminist theorists loathed slasher films, and regarded them as classic examples of male misogyny. It wasn't hard to figure out why: Thousands of young men were trooping into theaters to cheer wildly as masked psychos hacked apart screaming young women. That really didn't look good. But as Clover sat in the theaters, she noticed something curious. Sure, the young men would laugh and cheer as the villain hunted down his female prey. But eventually the movie would whittle down the victims to one last terrified woman -- the Final Girl, as Clover called her. Suddenly, the young men in the audience would switch their allegiance -- and begin cheering just as madly for the Final Girl as she attacked and killed the psycho."

Comments

Feminists of the world unite!

[Jakuta]

In the kitchen!
Guys keep scratching yourselves while wearing the stained wife beaters with holes.
Enough of the ism's, men and women are both sexual creatures and what sells is sex. Men, we know that we are craven sexaholics, no need for miss ovbious to point it out. Women you know you are domineering sex peddlers, you've been taught from a very young age to use your weapons. Can't we all just agree to disagree and let bygones be bygones?
Stereotypes hurt everyone but truthfully, appealing images sell for both men and women.

Re:"Medievalist and Feminist Film Critic"

[July 21, 2006]

Shut the fuck up. Reading your half-assed opinion on the subject is of no value. Your basic premise is that the "extreme feminists" do not represent the majority of those who call themselves feminist. But you offer nothing to back that up and to quell the simple fact that a lot of what has been identified as feminist literature goes quite beyond the sexes merely being equal.

In the simplest of terms (for you and your lousy wife to get your tiny little minds around), you've offered no proof that the majority of feminists don't hold the extreme views. You have merely decreed it. And since you're just some asshole on Slashdot, you've proven nothing.

I can also conclude that you don't know a fucking thing about logic and debate.

Have a nice divorce, moron!