The Importance of Rey

TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd

I know so many different bloggers, writers, and publications have written on why Daisy Ridley's character, Rey, in the latest "Star Wars" film is groundbreaking and generally amazing, but I wanted to say my piece as well. I'm a relatively new "Star Wars" fan, but I've fallen hard and fast for the film series. It's hard not to love such iconic, game-changing films with characters you feel like you've known all your life. I don't understand how someone could watch "Star Wars" and not fall completely in love with any of the characters. Personally, my obsession with Han Solo has already gotten out of hand (Hand. Ha. "Empire" reference.). So when I went to see "The Force Awakens", I got all I could have ever wanted in a "Star Wars" movie, plus, a new personal hero. I watched in total awe with the rest of the eager movie-goers as Rey changed the game for women everywhere. We're introduced to Rey on her planet of Jakku, scavenging and riding her speeder. OH AND DID I MENTION THAT SHE BUILT HER SPEEDER FROM SCRATCH?? BECAUSE SHE DID. After rescuing BB-8, we see how incredibly selfless she is, despite being alone all her life. One of Rey's greatest moment comes when she hijacks the best ship in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, or "trash" as she calls it. Yes. A teenage girl piloting one of the most famous vehicles in pop culture history. THAT HAPPENED. Even Han was majorly impressed. Rey displays her allegiance to the light side of the force after being captured by the First Order and refusing to give up information to the powerful Kylo Ren. Finally, perhaps Rey's greatest moment: her epic lightsaber battle. The only other time we've even seen a woman use a lightsaber in the "Star Wars" film universe was a small glimpse of Aayla Secura in "Attack of the Clones". But here we get to see a young woman fight, and totally DESTROY her opponent in a lightsaber battle. Rey is here for generations of girls who will grow up believing in their own self-worth because they see women like her on movie screens. "Attack of the Clones" was released just ten years before "The Force Awakens" and in that short time, so much has changed. Ten years ago when I was a little girl, "Star Wars" wasn't marketed to me. People still thought of them as "boy movies". But ten years later, it's all about representation. "Star Wars" is for everyone regardless of race, gender, or age. Little girls are finally getting the "Star Wars" protagonist they deserve: an intelligent and confident young woman. She isn't indestructible, either. She has real feelings you can understand and relate to. She lets her emotions show, but she never lets them get the best of her. The protagonist of the biggest film franchise in the world is an engineer, a pilot, a scavenger, and, yeah, she's a woman too. That's pretty extraordinary, and I can't wait to see her legendary story as the new savior of the galaxy unfold. Help us, Rey. You're our only hope!

Simply Meant to Be: Tina Belcher and Every Boy She Sees

Bob's Burgers, let  me just say, you're the greatest. If you haven't binge-watched Bob's Burgers on Netflix yet, what the heck are you doing?! Also, I'm jealous because you get to discover the magic and wit of the show for the first time. If you've seen Bob you know the best part of the show is the kids. While Gene is full of double entendres, and Louise is  brilliantly manipulative, Tina is awesomely relatable. Tina's boy obsession distracts her at every turn. She's totally butt-crazy in love with pretty much every guy she sees. The way she falls in love everywhere she looks is pretty inspirational. She's no stranger to unrequited love (like all of us at some point, probably). No matter who turns her down, Tina knows where her true self-worth lies. You can't knock down Tina Belcher! Jimmy Jr., Turtle-Finger-Bite-Guy, Jonas, etc., none of them worked out, but Tina pushed on. She is unabashedly exactly who she is all the time. Her confidence hardly ever wavers. So, as I'm writing this I'm sort of realizing that Tina and "Every Boy She Sees" aren't meant to be, it's Tina and herself. As she once said,
"I don't need a boy to pay attention to me. I can pay attention to myself." All hail Tina Belcher, the queen of self love. 

I'm Back!!!!

Hi, I realize its been several eternities since I last posted here, and for that I apologize. I've been a little busy for the past couple of months with school and holidays and such which really isn't an excuse! So here I am again, ready to share with anyone out there my love for film and TV and whatnot. This up-coming week is exam week for me, so I'll try to post in between studying sessions! Once again, if you're reading this, thank you!