The Best Space Film Ever Done

If you follow me on Twitter, you might have noticed my rants about the movie Gravity (which my head insists on calling Graffiti for some reason) a while back. I didn’t like the film, but that’s not unusual with me and current Hollywood films. However, it then won the Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation and I wondered if I had watched a completely different film than everyone else. Because really? A film whose only merit is its visual effects is considered an outstanding dramatic presentation? Weak story, no-dimensional characters, and a Perils of Pauline ending that is just a joke are apparently amazing cinema nowadays. You even have someone like James Cameron saying “I think it’s the best space film ever done…”

Weekly Linkroll

Another Sunday is well under way. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone who’s into that. I’m still processing the verdict in the Steubenville rape case and wondering at the insanity of the news coverage of it all. Those poor rapists and their ruined lives. The pity party going on for them is just outrageous.

Well, you know what? If you don’t rape people, you don’t ruin your life. Pretty simple. Maybe try that the next time the option presents itself.

Anyway, let’s see what else happened on the internet this week.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Artist Lee Moyer discusses sexism in cover art, prompted by questions from Jim Hines. An interesting read.

Pope Francis Vs. Black Francis
Well, the Catholic Church has a new pope who took the name Francis. It was only a matter of time. Thanks, Mother Jones, for doing it first.

The Rhetorical Power of Pig Pain
Shakesville’s super takedown of Richard Dawkins’ assholish tweeting about abortion this week. FYI: fetal pain is a myth. This guy is supposed to be a scientist?

Sir Patrick Stewart: ‘Violence Against Women Is Learned’
Patrick Stewart talks personally about domestic violence for Amnesty International. Wonderful and heartwrenching.

The Art Of Asking: For Writers And Storytellers
Chuck Wendig at Terrible Minds ponders AFP’s amazing TED talk. What does it mean for writers?

Dad hacks Donkey Kong for his daughter; Pauline now saves Mario
Ars Technica on the latest Donkey Kong hack. I heard about this on NPR earlier this week. Neat!

Happy St. Urho’s Day, 2013
I like this idea for a holiday better than St. Patrick’s Day, really. Bug Girl’s Blog gives us the lowdown.

What if “it” REALLY were an inside job, not a terrorist attack?
Teacherken over at Daily Kos has the inside scoop. The truth seems pretty clear.

Weekly Blogroll

Another week’s gone by, so it’s time for the latest roundup of web links I want to share with you.

Ye Oldelympics Medal Table
The 2012 Olympic medal count based on the borders of old empires. A history geek kind of thing.

78 Inspirational Quotes To Start Your Fire
Danielle LaPorte posts some of her favorite inspirational quotes. There are some good ones in there. My favorites are probably these two (at least right now they are).

Outsiders: What About The Women?

So, I’ve been pondering my intro outsider post. As you may have noticed, the only women in my list of favorite outsiders were all Whedon creations. Why is that? Why am I struggling so hard to find other outsider hero types who are women?