Mommy Talk Show Candid Conversation with a TV Mom
Lately, I’ve been on a new movie “kick.” I love seeing movies at an affordable price with our family. But they must be quality movies. In case you missed it, I recently wrote, 3 Emotional Family Lessons from A Quiet Place. I also loved the superhero blockbuster that showed me Dark Skin and Natural Hair are the Beauty Standards of Wakanda. 
I’ll do my best not to share any spoilers from my experience seeing Oceans 8. I purchased my own tickets. My affiliate links are below.
When I saw Ocean’s 8 starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson and an all-women led cast, I immediately noticed a connection with the women of Black Panther.
First, let me start with Black Panther. There’s a scene where Okoye (the army general) and Nakia (the Wakanda loyalist and T’Challa’s boo) have a disagreement on what should happen after Killmonger takes over as King. They do something you hardly ever see women characters do on-screen.
They hug.
They talk.
They respectfully disagree.
They move on with their lives.
No one threw a chair.
No one called the other a Bitch.
No one tried to steal each other’s man.
The level of non-pettiness from the women of Wakanda was a breath of fresh air. Maybe because I live in Atlanta where the Real Housewives of Atlanta antics have turned me off to watching the show ever again. Granted, it’s a reality TV show. But you get my drift. Even though Girls Trip had hints of women’s empowerment, I warned my Mother of the sexual content before she watched it. The character is Girls Trip also had an epic meltdown before they regrouped to become lifelong friends again.
When I saw Ocean’s 8, I was struck by the togetherness of the lady robbers. Yes, they’re breaking the law. (Let’s look past that.) But when they hit a snag for the diamond heist, these women do what needs to be done.
They talk.
They adapt.
They problem-solve.
They pull together.
No one threw a chair.
No one called the other a Bitch.
No one tried to steal each other’s man. (Well, not steal him for good anyway).
Dear Hollywood,
I’d love more movies where women get along, don’t fight or curse. Where women get the job done and pull for each other.
Where I can show my son how women are strong physically and mentally.
Sincerely,
An Almost 45-year-old Boy Mom
Talk back to me below: Do you notice how women are often portrayed as petty and catty in TV & film? Why do you think Hollywood gives us those themes? Which movies do you like that go against that notion?
If you’d like my spoiler-free review of Ocean’s 8 along with a special message for Anne Hathaway fans, you can catch it on the Mommy Talk Show Facebook page. I’ve also shared it below.
Why I can’t watch these reality Housewife shows…they show women at their worst. Great post.
I love the similarities between the movies and your review really makes me want to see Ocean’s 8… And this is coming from someone who would rather have a root canal than sit in a theater, but I’m going and it’s mostly in part to this post. Thanks!
I really love this post. One of my favorite parts of Black Panther was the strong female presence, and that’s exactly why I’m excited to see Ocean’s 8, as well.
I really had to think about a positive movie that showed a good image of women. Avatar comes to mind. Thanks for sharing your take on Oceans 8.
Housewives have really not done much for the vision of women and their attitudes. These movies are much better images of us and we could learn from them.
Totally agree. Most movies depict women as “nagging, unreasonable, always bitching with one another” kind of roles. Black Panther was different. Powerful women who are thinkers and doers. Looking forward to Ocean’s 8. That would be another awesome movie.
I want to see Oceans 8, it sounds like a lovely film. I always admire seeing a group of women working together and getting stuff done. This sounds awesome! I still have to see Black Panther too!
We want to watch Ocean’s 8. I like it from the all-star female cast. I think it’s great to have that many well-known female actors on one show.
I love the fact that more and more women have been put into more powerful roles in movies, especially Ocean’s Eight and Black Panther. Can’t wait to Ocean’s 8!
I love, love, love your comparison! I am so excited for Ocean’s 8 to come out because I think the cast is absolutely wonderful. I’m a huge Mindy Kaling fan.
I am totally with you on this! I hate how negative relationships between women are often portrayed on screen. With these two films, maybe Hollywood is finally taking notice that this is something us females would love to see more of.
I love this! Seriously, as women in the real world – we should be backing one another up and supporting one another rather than tearing each other down. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a fun movie to watch with the girls!! I can’t wait!
I saw your honest online review of Oceans 8 on you Facebook. Well I am definitely still going to see this and I am happy you are seeing the correlation of Black Panther and Oceans 8 of female commardorie because I do think we need to see this more in media. Everyone is not always bickering and fighting with each other.
I can’t wait to see this movie! I didn’t notice the connection or had with black panther but you’re right it does. I love the great relationship between the women. They are positive healthy relationships even during time of conflict.
I really love this and it was definitely great to see a group of women who weren’t what we’re used to seeing in the media. Women can be all the amazing things we are and still get along, not demean one other, and show respect. I love it!
I really want to see this movie. I love it when women aren’t portrayed as sex objects or catty in movies. We need more of that in hollywood.
My friends and I always say we’d never be cast on a reality show because we love and respect each other too much. I’m craving movies where women support and uplift each other
I didnt make the connection in Black Panther but you are so right! Hollywood cares about the money so if we support movies/show that display women in this light and don’t support movies/shows that depict us in ways we don’t agree with, the tide will turn.
I’ve found that I’m drawn to reality television like The Mole – which doesn’t come on anymore – but I’m looking forward to seeing Oceans 8 because so many of my favorites are in it!
I love your take on the connection between the two movies. I loved Ocean’s 8 for the reasons you mentioned. And totally agree about Girls Trip which I loved but it definitely went down the big dramatic blow up formulaic story telling before we get to the lets be friends. And I am no fan of the housewives franchise. Of course it’s popular because of the manufactured drama.
This is such a great comparison, and I love that you did a positive comparison of women. I’ve already seen “Black Panther” and I’m seeing “Ocean’ 8” today so I can’t wait to really put your comparison’s into perspective.
I haven’t seen Oceans 8 yet but I loved Black Panther and I am so here for all female casts. And yes to the no fighting and throwing chairs. I just can’t deal with that petty tv nonsense.
Maybe I will check out Ocean’s 8. I wasn’t giving it much thought, but just maybe.
I seriously can’t wait to see Ocean’s 8. I am a fan of most of the women in the movie. I am glad you were able to see comparisons between the women in Ocean’s 8 and Black Panther.
Okay so now I know I need to see Ocean’s 8. I love this connection. Women supporting and encouraging women needs to become the norm.
I really like all of the actresses in “Ocean’s 8” and I loved Black Panther, so after reading about the parallels I’d like to watch the movie and decide. I’ve never seen Rihanna as an actress so I want to see how she does.
I was totally here for the sisterhood in Black Panther. I also want to see Ocean’s 8, I think I’ve only seen one of them in the franchise. However, I am here for the girl power and I’m a fan of these ladies.
I can’t expect for all representation to not be petty, but that would also not be real. But there definitely is an issue with balance in media. The scales are tipped way over to the petty, and I truly don’t see that in my daily life.
Oh, this is good. If I’m totally honest, I still haven’t seen either movie (I am so behind in the theater world!), but I appreciate this so much. I also wish there were more movies like this!