pop culture
Female pop-culture icons, women in the media and the depiction of women in the entertainment and pop culture sphere.
Semiotic Analysis of Emma Stone’s Revlon Advertisement & Its Sociological Effects
Advertisements have a powerful impact on the way we subconsciously view ourselves and the world around us. Effective advertisements, especially visual ones instill emotions and ideas into their audience regarding themes such as gender, body, and consumption. If we understand how advertisements manipulate us, we will become better able to identify the manipulating elements and avoid becoming brainwashed.
Revisiting the gypsy that I was
"As the light hits you, as you shift along the floor..." These opening lyrics from the enigmatic Kate Bush's "Oh To Be In Love" instantly transport me back almost 40 years ago to the night I met my first love, or so I thought.
Shirley T GPublished 15 days ago in Viva
Kicking Sass and Taking Numbs
Kicking Sass and Taking Numbs Ode to the Kick-Ass Heroines of Yesteryear and Today By R.C. Mantley Kick-ass heroines are all the rage these days. From Olga Kurylenko (Sentinelle, Netflix) as the brooding, pill-popping, Special Forces operative who is determined to avenge the rape of her sister. To Queen Latifah, as the latest incarnation of an ex-CIA operative named McCall—in her case, Robyn McCall—who is an Equal Opportunity Avenging Angel otherwise known as The Equalizer, now doing her shtick on CBS Television. But no matter the guise or who plays the role, or where these Idols of the Cave flicker, the tradition of the nose-busting, butt-whupping, take-no-prisoners distaff destroyer is alive and well— kicking. Or nannu, nannu, as Robin Williams as Mort, from Mort and Mindy, would say.
R.C.MantleyPublished 18 days ago in Viva
To The Cheesy, the Love-Struck and the Naïve
I always had this innocent, chivalrous, heroic view of love. Probably it was because I was raised by a very conservative and religious family and that most of my upbringing was in one of those far-flung areas where tightly-knit communities thrived away from the “liberalistic” influence of the big cities. But don’t get me wrong! Now at 33, happily married and blessed with one child, I think I now possess a more mature, yet probably still flawed, perspective about love.
Louie Jhon LunariaPublished 19 days ago in VivaWill 'Sports Illustrated' Feature a Swimsuit Model with Down Syndrome?
Mikayla Holmgren, a young woman from Minnesota, has announced that she sent her audition tape to Sports Illustrated magazine. She hopes to be chosen for the magazine’s next Swimsuit Issue.
Cassandra AndersonPublished 20 days ago in Viva
Dear Wonder Woman
Do you remember when you were small and felt like you were so weak and incapable? Have you ever had a moment where you faced a situation and thought, “I don’t have the strength for this”? It’s easy to see you on screen and think that you have it all, but I’m sure you’ve struggled too. You wouldn’t be called Wonder Woman otherwise; your very name speaks to a legacy of triumphing in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Jillian SpiridonPublished 23 days ago in Viva
#2 Trending Music Video on YouTube
Right now this video is trending on YouTube as #2, but should it be trending?? Our world has changed so much in the course of 20 years. We have seen smart phones be invented and taken to an all new level. We have seen flat screen TV's become the size of an entire wall. If we want, we could have a movie theater in our own home. The TV's are just that big.
Alicia LeneaPublished about a month ago in Viva
Pepe Le Pew Is the Mascot of Sexual Harassment: A Retrospective on Growing up With Rape and Consent Culture in 80s Pop Culture
Anyone familiar with Pepe Le Pew from the Looney Tunes cartoon menagerie will get the same image in their head. A male skunk merrily bouncing towards a terrified female black cat who had the misfortune of somehow getting a white stripe painted along her back. The premise: Pepe thinks she is a female skunk now, which apparently makes it okay to relentlessly harass her, despite the most desperate of refusals and uber-clear non-verbal cues from the cat. Each episode is the same: Pepe nonchalantly stalks her for the whole show, flirting with a French accent, tries to hold her against her will and kiss her, while the cat scrambles out of his arms time and time again, scrambling for sanctuary from her insistent, clueless pursuer. It doesn't help that Pepe is a stinky skunk whose scent wilts flowers as he walks by. Occasionally, the cat will retaliate by laying in wait around a corner with a large mallet, or maybe perhaps rig up an Acme anvil to drop on Pepe’s head. Even after being smashed in the head by the cat, Pepe doesn’t get it. He smiles and says in his thick faux French tones, “flirt.”
Richard Wright, MAPublished about a month ago in VivaPolish Barbie and a Deeper Authenticity
Growing up, it was easy to know the things I thought I wanted: a dog of my own, pointy crayons, stuffed animals, a diary with a lock and key, and real Barbie paper dolls. Of course, I look back on this grand desire of wanting authentic Barbie paper dolls and I know why. Who wouldn’t? This wonder woman with the impossible figure, perfect hair, and such a vast array of careers that she alone could blow up LinkedIn? Barbie was, and very well might still be, the paragon of Cool and Smart. A model of Beauty and Sophistication. Fun and Adventure. Confident and Talented. What’s not to want?
Kennedy FarrPublished 2 months ago in Viva
Cuz I'm My Own Soulmate
Thick. Sassy. Gorgeous. Those were my first thoughts as I watched her music video for "Truth Hurts" with my sister. My second thought, I want to be her when I grow up.
L. M. WilliamsPublished 2 months ago in Viva
10 Things Lara Croft Taught Me as a Woman
"In our darkest moments, when life flashes before us, we find something; Something that keeps us going. Something that pushes us." -Lara Croft
Leah HarrisPublished 2 months ago in Viva
Happy Single's Awareness Day
As soon as a new year rolls around I metaphorically (ok. . . maybe not completely metaphorically) fist bump the air and got all these good feels about how this year is gonna be my year and I'm gonna get this banging body and then it's suddenly February and UUUUUGGGGGHHHHH *insert full body cringe*. Hearts and flowers and pink and it's like the mind of a five year old girl who loves mermaids and unicorns threw up EVERY WHERE. You can't go into any store or restaurant or anywhere really that other human beings frequent without being reminded that that dreaded day is coming up and once again you are alone this year despite telling yourself that things were going to be different (but if we're being honest with ourselves we knew deep down that that guy from Hinge wasn't really going to work out in the end.) And nothing reminds you more that you still have that holiday chub like the skimpy lingerie that you won't be using on your not date. Or the fact that you don't have anyone to buy that lingerie for because you don't have a date that's going to buy you over priced chocolates and try too hard at an overcrowded restaurant with crappy food.
L. M. WilliamsPublished 2 months ago in Viva
