Movies
“500” Days of Summer - This film is a complete reversal of stereotypical gender roles. The guy is head over heals in love with the girl, and the girl wants to keep things casual and just isn’t that into him. Despite it’s effect, the director said he intended only to portray the ups and downs of a relationship, from a male prospective, not to make a statement about gender roles. This movie is smart, hilarious, and very well done. It was interesting to learn that the script was rejected by every single major studio, because it didn’t fit neatly into the romantic comedy category and wasn’t expected to be so well received. Also interesting, the movie went over better with guys and then girls during testing phase. It is refreshing to see a romantic comedy-type movie that shows us how confusing and far off gender stereotypes can be and to see the girl’s role as something other then the vulnerable, naïve one who gets hurt.
Nonfiction Books
When Everything Changed–The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to Present by Gail Collens, the 1st editorial page editor for the NY Times.
The Political Brain by Drew Westen. Explains why the fear tactics and negative ads used by the Republican party have been so effective and what the democrats can do to increase their success in campaigning strategy. Explains that people’s voting decisions are based more on emotion brought out by candidate then on rationality or competence. It was Bill Clinton’s and Barack Obama’s ability to arouse emotion that made them so successful.
The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker. Violence is more predictable then you might think. The book teaches readers how to follow your intuition and see the read flags that occcur before a situation or relationship become violent. Learn how to use your intuition in order to avoid abusive, violent people and situations. Great book, well written, incredibly worthwhile.
Fiction Books
Ishmael- An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit by Daniel Quinn. An award winning novel that will open your eyes to a new way of viewing our culture.
