The Fighter: "The Pride Of Lowell"

The Fighter is a true story about boxing brothers Mickey Ward (played by Mark Wahlberg) and Dicky Eklund (Oscar-winning performance by Christian Bale) in the 1990s. At the beginning of the film both are going in opposite directions. Mickey is an up-and-comer training to become the next champion, while Dickey is addicted to crack and living off of his past fights. Both men pride themselves on their masculinity due to the physically demanding nature of their sport. Boxing takes a backseat, however, throughout much of the story as most of the actual conflict in the movie deals with Mickey and his family problems.

The Bechdel Test: "Women In Movies"

The Bechdel Test is an examination of female presence in movies. It was popularized in 1985 by comic artist Alison Bechdel. She sets up three simple rules that a movie has to adhere to in order to pass the test. The rules are: (1) it has to have at least two women in it, who (2) who talk to each other, about (3) something besides a man. While the exam does not mean that a film is good or bad or even sexist, it just demonstrates how male-centric business in Hollywood and media can be. The test shows that masculinity is changing and that it is hard to remove it from long standing institutions.

Spike TV: "Get More Action"

Spike TV, formerly TNN, is a television channel that is specifically catered toward men. The channel focuses on hyper-masculinity through its focus on "violence, toughness, aggression, and dangerous behavior.” They specialize in shows like Tattoo Nightmares and Deadliest Warrior. They also have professional wrestling and MMA fighting. It presents masculinity an ideal purely focused on violence. Even the show about auctions is named Auction Hunters. Spike TV is a medium through which old-fashioned masculinity reaches men who long for the “good ol’ days” of a homogenous masculine power.

Tyler, The Creator: "I Hope You Answer"

 

Tyler, The Creator is a rapper with a devoted cult following. His third album, Wolf, was released in early 2013 and was well-received by critics. Although he has long been known for shocking lyrics, Tyler actually makes a departure from graphic songs and touches on more emotional topics in Wolf. He has been criticized in the past for using homophobic slurs and for making sexist comments, but fans know that it’s all an act intended to mess with society. As mentioned in a previous post, introspective rap is not new; it has been popularized in recent years. Two examples Tyler’s loneliness and the impact it had on his masculinity are the songs “Answer” and “Lone”.

Axe: "Even Angels Will Fall"

Axe is a company that sells men's grooming products. Their target audience is usually young men from the ages of 14 to 25. Axe provides any kind of toiletry product from body wash and shampoo to deodorant and cologne. For years their commercials have specialized in selling the desired effects of their products, but not the products themselves. They essentially proclaim to consumers that if they buy Axe they are buying masculinity in a can. They make young men believe that manliness can be bought at their local pharmacy.

The Wrestler: "I'm An Old Broken Down Piece Of Meat"

Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler is the story of Randy “The Ram” Robinson (played by Mickey Rourke), a washed-up professional wrestler well past his prime. When he was at the peak of his popularity in the 1980s, he was loved by all wrestling fans for his reckless behavior, an example of violent masculinity. Now in his 40s, he lives in a trailer park and does small shows on weekends to make ends meet. After he gets a heart attack due to the strain wrestling and steroids have put on him over the years, he decides to fix his relationship with his estranged daughter. The Wrestler is a thoughtful film about the results of a lifestyle of the pressure of overt masculinity.

Parks and Recreation: "If It Doesn't Have Meat, It's A Snack"

NBC’s comedy Parks and Recreation has a strong female character as a protagonist named Leslie Knope. However, two supporting characters serve as examples for the wide spectrum of masculinity. One is Ron Swanson, a hard-liquor drinking, mustached libertarian. The other is Tom Haverford, a fine-suit loving, wanna-be entrepreneur. While both are completely different embodiments of what they believe masculinity is, they manage to coexist and bring a balance to Leslie Knope’s, and the show’s, life.

Fight Club: "Things You Own End Up Owning You"

1999’s Fight Club is considered one of the greatest movies of all time. Its style, story, and characters are all incredibly memorable. Its protagonist, Tyler Durden, is one of the most popular characters in film history. The film is about how Tyler and the film’s unnamed narrator create a fighting club that grows into something neither of them had anticipated. The movie is filled with ideas that are open to interpretation, but the one that is most important is the theme of the deterioration of man in society.