Holly L. Derr

March 25, 2013

Feminism, the Internet, and the Imagination

To think it thinkable shortcuts no work and shields one from no responsibility. Quite the contrary, it may be a necessary prerequisite to assuming responsibility, and it invites the honorable work of radical imagination. — “On Being White,” by Marilyn Frye This paper was originally presented as part of WAM! LA’s 2013 Conference. 30 years…

March 25, 2013

10 Funny RapIST Jokes

Trigger Warning: Rape I went to a comedy club last night. I’ve been before, so I knew what to expect: Lots of penis, and penis of poor quality at that. To keep myself from getting too annoyed, I thought it would be fun–or at least distracting–to count sexist jokes. About two minutes in we got…

February 27, 2013

Dammit Mamet

Warning: This post contains language which may be considered profane, sexist, ironic, feminist and/or totally quotidian. Oh Mamet. Mamet Mamet Mamet Mamet Mamet. Fuuuuucking Mamet.”Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting. In his tail? In his tongue.” Ask almost any theater practitioner what they like about David Mamet and they’ll tell you:…

February 18, 2013

Feminist Face-Off: Beautiful Creatures vs. Twilight

It’s hard not to make the comparison: two supernatural teen romances, both adapted from Young Adult novels, both involving a Romeo and Juliet-like attraction between a human and a superhuman. For feminist spectators, the popularity of such genre films warrants an investigation of their depiction of gender roles. So how do the two films stack…

January 31, 2013

Internet Dating: A Play, Part Four

Part Four (see here and scroll down for Parts One – Three) Lights up on a bar. Woman has revealed the contents of her baggage, the suitcases, travel bags, makeup kits, gym bags, hat boxes, and a trunk on wheels. They were all full of books. Except the hat box. The hat box contained a…

January 26, 2013

Internet Dating: A Play, Part Three

Part Three Lights up on a bar. A Woman enters carrying suitcases, travel bags, makeup kits, gym bags, and hat boxes, and pulling a trunk on wheels. She situates herself and her baggage at the bar. Bartender appears. Bartender: What can I get for you? Woman: New screen name. Bartender: No more TK421? Woman: Nope.…

January 22, 2013

Guillermo del Toro’s Mythical Mamas

Cross posted at Ms. For horror fans, January is both a blessing and a curse. Christened “Hollywood’s dumping ground,” January is where movies go to die. With everyone’s attention focused on awards season, or so the thinking goes, studios can afford to release films from which they do not expect much profit, many of which…

January 18, 2013

this whole idea of “internet plays”

So this whole idea of “internet plays” is evolving in ways that bear explanation. The posts I have written in dramatic rather than narrative form, such as “Internet Dating: A Play,” and older posts like “A Woman and Her Doctor,” are intended to serve the same function as a “creative non-fiction” blog post. My hope…

January 10, 2013

Internet Dating: A Play, Part Two

Part Two A Woman leans against a bar, drink in hand (gin martini, dirty, extra olives). Other Women and Men mill about, flirting. Man wearing fedora approaches. Man: Hi there … (peering at nametag) … TK421. Want to get a drink sometime? Woman: (Toasting.) Well, I’ve got a drink. Thanks. Man: WHY DON’T YOU JUST…

January 9, 2013

Internet Dating: A Play

Part One A Woman leans against a bar, drink in hand (gin martini, dirty, extra olives). Other Women and Men mill about, flirting. Man approaches. He speaks with an Italian accent. Man: Hey there … (peering at her nametag) … TK421. Wishing you a very lovely beautiful day as you are. Woman: Okay. Thanks. Leans…