Yay real women

Pandagon links to and comments on a

list of 10 movies that have female characters that aren't unbelievable icons of strength or bumbling idiots or some other stereotype but actual well-written, believable characters

We also learn about something called

The Mo Movie Measure: It’s and [sic] idea from an old Dykes to Watch Out For cartoon. The character “Mo” explains that she only watches movies in which 1) there are at least two female characters with names, who 2) talk to each other sometime in the course of the movie, about 3) something other than a man. It’s amazing how few movies can pass the Mo Movie Measure.

Yeah. Roxanne could pass, but My Best Friend's Wedding couldn't.

Some good choices on the original list, and in Amanda's addition and comments from other Pandagon readers. I've certainly got no problem with:

Ripley in Aliens
Auntie Mame in any version except "Lucy's Folly."
Kind of surprised to see Catwoman in Batman Returns on the list--kinky sexy, sure, but...
Annie in Bull Durham (that name sounds familiar...)

And I like the argument the original list makes for

Star Wars (1977) In The Empire Strikes Back, Princess Leia's tough talk is just that -- talk -- because, like the rest of America, she's falling for Han Solo. In Return of the Jedi, she's a longhaired love slave in a chain mail bikini, with very little to do but wait for her rescue. But back in 1977, when Leia bravely faced off against Darth Vader, she was the brightest of heroes. Even as a captive, pint-sized princess with cinnamon buns for hair, she showed little girls a new of idea of what a princess could be: defiant, politically able, impervious to torture, and, if that weren't enough, the best shot in the rebel forces. It was a promise no movie heroine has matched since -- not even Leia herself.

So who would I add? Well, apart from Stephanie in Grease 2 and Mabel in The Pirate Movie...no, I'm kidding.

Holly Hunter in Thirteen, and Broadcast News, and Living Out Loud, and Home For The Holidays...I like Holly Hunter's work a lot. Have I mentioned that to you?

Anne in The Fisher King (that name sounds familiar...)

Veronica in Heathers

Sera in Leaving Las Vegas

Emily in Morgan Stewart's Coming Home, a guilty pleasure.

Jordan in Real Genius

Ladies, anyone on your lists?