Virtual Idols in K-Pop: Can They Take Over the Genre?

Women's History Month is a time to celebrate the resilience, achievements, and stories of women who have shaped history and continue to inspire change. One of the best ways to honor this month is through film, a powerful medium of storytelling that highlights the struggles, triumphs, and contributions of women from all walks of life. 

Whether it's about the life of trailblazing leaders, documentaries shedding light on critical women's issues, or tales of strength and perseverance, these films offer insight, empowerment, and inspiration. Here’s a list of must-watch movies that capture the spirit of Women's History Month!

Erin Brockovich (2000)

"Erin Brockovich" is a biographical film directed by Steven Soderbergh that tells the true story of American paralegal, consumer advocate, and environmental activist Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts), who uncovers a major environmental scandal involving the contamination of a California town's water supply by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Despite lacking formal legal training, her relentless pursuit of justice led to one of the largest class-action lawsuits in American history. The film also features Albert Finney as Ed Masry, Erin's employer and supportive attorney.

The film received critical acclaim, earning five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director (for Steven Soderbergh), and Best Original Screenplay (for Susannah Grant). In addition, Julia Roberts won the Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Critics' Choice, and Screen Actors Guild awards for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich.

Why you should watch it: "Erin Brockovich" showcases the power of perseverance and the impact one woman can have in advocating for environmental justice and corporate accountability and standing up for marginalized communities.

Where to watch it: AppleTV

Running Time: 2 hours, 6 mins

She Said (2022)

"She Said" is an American drama film directed by Maria Schrader that chronicles the investigative journalism of Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan) and Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan), two reporters from The New York Times who exposed Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein's history of sexual misconduct and ignited the #MeToo movement.

The film received critical acclaim, with Carey Mulligan earning a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Additionally, the screenplay by Rebecca Lenkiewicz was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the BAFTA Awards and other awarding bodies.

Why you should watch it: "She Said" shows the courage and resilience of women who broke their silence, leading to a significant cultural shift towards accountability and justice in cases of sexual harassment and assault. It highlights the vital role of investigative journalism in amplifying women's voices and effecting systemic change.

Where to watch it: Netflix, AppleTV, Prime Video

Running Time: 2 hours, 9 mins

Hidden Figures (2016)

"Hidden Figures" is an inspiring biographical drama directed by Theodore Melfi that tells the true story of three African-American women — Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) — who worked as mathematicians at NASA during the 1960s Space Race. Despite facing racial and gender discrimination, their groundbreaking calculations played a crucial role in launching astronaut John Glenn into orbit.

The movie received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (for Octavia Spencer), and Best Adapted Screenplay. It also won the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, along with many other prestigious awards.

Why you should watch it: "Hidden Figures" highlights the resilience, intelligence, and determination of women who broke barriers in a male-dominated field. It also sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of women, particularly women of color, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Where to watch it: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon, AppleTV

Running Time: 2 hours, 7 mins

The Help (2011)

"The Help" is a period drama directed by Tate Taylor based on Kathryn Stockett's 2009 novel of the same name. Set in Jackson, Mississippi, during the 1960s, the film follows Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan (Emma Stone), an aspiring journalist who decides to document the experiences of African-American maids working for white families. She collaborates with Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer), two maids who courageously share their stories to shed light on the racial injustices of the era.

The movie received critical acclaim and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Viola Davis. Octavia Spencer, for her portrayal of Minny Jackson, snagged the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. "The Help" also earned the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Why you should watch it: "The Help" highlights the strength, resilience, and solidarity of women challenging societal norms and fighting against racial discrimination. It shows the vital role women have played in advocating for social change and equality.

Where to watch it: Disney+, AppleTV, Prime Video

Running Time: 2 hours, 26 mins

He Named Me Malala (2015)

"He Named Me Malala" is a documentary directed by Davis Guggenheim that provides an intimate portrait of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist who, at the age of 15, was targeted and shot by the Taliban for advocating girls' education in Pakistan's Swat Valley. The film delves into Malala's life before and after the attack, showcasing her unwavering commitment to education and her rise as a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

The documentary was shortlisted for the Best Documentary Feature category at the 88th Academy Awards and received a nomination for Best Animated Special Production at the 43rd Annie Awards. It also won the Best Documentary in the Golden Trailer Awards and Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards, along with other accolades.

Why you should watch it: "He Named Me Malala" is a must-watch as it highlights the extraordinary courage and resilience of a young woman standing up against oppression. Malala's story shows the vital importance of education for girls and the impact of one's voice in advocating for women's rights.

Where to watch it: AppleTV, Prime Video

Running Time: 1 hour, 27 mins

A League of Their Own (1992)

Want a good laugh? "A League of Their Own" is a sports comedy-drama that is, well, a league of its own. Directed by Penny Marshall, the film is based on the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) that emerged during World War II. It follows Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) and her younger sister, Kit Keller (Lori Petty), who are recruited to play for the women's baseball team Rockford Peaches, managed by Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks). Along with their teammates, Hinson and Keller both navigate the challenges of proving that women also belong in professional sports. The cast also includes Madonna as "All the Way" Mae Mordabito and Rosie O'Donnell as Doris Murphy.

The film received critical and commercial success and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. It also earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical (Geena Davis), along with other nominations and awards, and has since become a beloved classic.

Why you should watch it: "A League of Their Own" highlights a pivotal moment in sports history when women proved that they could compete at a professional level. It’s a story of perseverance and sisterhood, empowering women to break barriers.

Where to watch it: AppleTV, Prime Video, Netflix

Running Time: 2 hours, 8 mins

Period: End of a Sentence (2018)

Pressed for time? "Period: End of a Sentence" is a short watch you should consider this month. Directed by Rayka Zehtabchi, this documentary film explores the stigma surrounding menstruation in rural India. It follows a group of women in Kathikhera, a village near Delhi, as they learn to operate a machine that produces low-cost, biodegradable sanitary pads. This initiative not only improves menstrual hygiene but also empowers women to achieve financial independence and challenge societal taboos.

The documentary received critical acclaim and won 13 awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) at the 91st Academy Awards and the Audience Award for the Opening Night Films at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY).

Why you should watch it: "Period: End of a Sentence" features the intersection of women's health, education, and empowerment. It showcases how grassroots initiatives can challenge deep-seated taboos and drive social change, emphasizing the importance of menstrual equity in the broader context of women's rights.

Where to watch it: YouTube (free), Netflix

Running Time: 25 minutes, 30 seconds

In case you haven’t heard already, music icon Taylor Swift is re-recording her first six albums to own her masters. In other words, to own the original recordings of her beloved creations. 

When fans first heard about this in 2019, they expected to get an updated version of the albums with some minor changes. But the artist gifted us with an explosive B-side by including several unreleased tracks that didn’t make the final cut during its original recording sessions. These so-called songs “From The Vault” gave us further insight into her mindset while she was recording these albums all the while taking us down memory lane as we revisit the songs we grew up with — from her country days with “Fearless” down to her 80’s influenced pop record “1989.”

Additionally, Taylor invited collaborators on these revamped albums, featuring pop and country artists like Keith Urban on “Fearless,” Ed Sheeran on “Red,” and Fall Out Boy and Paramore’s Hayley Williams on “Speak Now.” These tracks gave the albums new life, catapulting Taylor to the top of the music industry and proving that her music is timeless and will always have a place in everyone’s hearts and playlists.

With four Taylor’s Version albums already released, we’re listing down some of the standout vault tracks that rounded out the stories of each of these albums and showcased the icon’s impressive songwriting talent. Although we believe every vault track deserves to be pored over, here are ten of our favorites ranked:

#10 “Foolish One” (Speak Now)

We’re calling this track the rational sister of “Sparks Fly” and “Enchanted” because while the latter tracks sing about falling in love with reckless abandon and painting love as this wonderous, magical thing, “Foolish One” is that friend who tells you to wake up and face reality because the man you want doesn’t want you back. Ouch!

“I’ll get your longing glances, but she’ll get your ring” really hits hard for a country track written by a 19-year-old. Might even be more scathing than “Dear John.”

#9 “Message In A Bottle” (Red)

It was reported that this was one of the first songs Taylor wrote for the “Red” album which proves that she was ready to crossover to pop since the early beginnings of this era. 

It’s a love song with a catchy chorus and vocal shifts and rifts. It’s giving “Starlight” and “22” vibes, and we think it would’ve perfectly fit in the original record. But oh well, at least we have it now. Better late than never, right?

#8 “Now That We Don’t Talk” (1989)

This electro-pop bop truly embodies the “1989” sound. In the song, Taylor calls out an ex-boyfriend after their split, and how he seems to have changed so much she barely recognizes him anymore. 

This track would’ve been ranked higher on this list if it was longer. It’s pretty short, just under two and a half minutes. And just when you’re getting into it, the song abruptly ends, leaving you wanting more!

#7 “Is It Over Now?” (1989)

This track was co-written with Jack Antonoff who is known to have worked the magic on some of the best Taylor Swift songs ever like “Getaway Car,” “Cruel Summer,” and “Out of The Woods.”

Taylor recalls a messy split on this track — rumored to be from Harry Styles. There are quite a few references on this song that confirm that rumor such as “blue dress on a boat,” which refers to that viral boat photo of her in the British Virgin Islands, and “your new girl is my clone,” which may be referencing Kimberly Stewart, who has quite the resemblance with the pop star and whom Harry dated shortly after their split. The tea is definitely piping hot with this one, but more importantly, it’s a fantastic pop track!

#6 “I Bet You Think About Me feat. Chris Stapleton” (Red)

We always thought “Red” was a transition album where Taylor began to experiment with genres and slowly brought out a more pop sound which eventually gave birth to “1989” two years later. But “I Bet You Think About Me” is as country as country gets!

It’s not surprising that it got left in the vault, most likely to make room for her more experimental tracks like “State of Grace” and “I Knew You Were Trouble” but this brutally honest and biting song calling out a former flame for letting go of the best thing that has ever happened to him is honestly so good it’s impossible to leave it out of this list.

The music video marked the directorial debut of actress Blake Lively, who is a close friend of the singer, and featured “Whiplash” actor Miles Teller. The MV is a comical interpretation of the song as Taylor tries to sabotage the wedding of her ex-boyfriend. 

#5 “Timeless” (Speak Now)

This “Speak Now” vault track concluded the re-recorded album where Taylor sings about the type of constant love everyone hopes for. It’s a little reminiscent of “Mary’s Song Oh My My My” from her debut album, which narrates the story of childhood lovers and features that melancholic sound of country guitars and horns that was a signature in her songs during her country days. 

In “Timeless,” Taylor was inspired by her late grandparents’ story and yearned for the same kind of love — the love that never ages and only grows deeper as the years go by. It’s a hopeful track that beautifully concludes the album, and we dare say, a good counterpart to “Long Live,” which was the last track on the original record. 

#4 “Better Man” (Red)

“Better Man” is undoubtedly one of the best breakup tracks she has ever written, but it was a song sung from the perspective of someone much older than her age back when she was recording “Red,” which made sense as to why she gave the song to the country band “Little Big Town.” The song was unsurprisingly a hit, even winning Best Country Dup/Group Performance at the Grammy Awards in 2018. 

Taylor’s vocals and lyrical talent shine through in this, highlighting her emotional intelligence and how wise she was beyond her years. Taylor collaborated with Aaron Dessner on this track, whom she also worked with on “Cardigan.” Aaron added some strings into the song that elevated that classic country music storytelling. 

#3 “Slut!” (1989)

Taylor has been infamous for writing songs about her exes and turning them into mega hits. The media loved following and criticizing her relationships which she made fun of with her “1989” single “Blank Space” — a satirical take on her public image as a so-called “serial dater.” 

When she announced “Slut!” as one of the “1989” vault tracks, Swifties expected a revenge song for critics who slut-shamed her back in that era, but instead, we got a vulnerable, synthy slow jam that took Instagram and TikTok reels by storm. 

“In a world of boys, he’s a gentleman” is practically every girl’s theme song now. 

#2 “Mr. Perfectly Fine” (Fearless)

We’re not sure why this was cut from the album in the first place when it would’ve been a sure radio pop hit following her sophomore album’s successful singles “Love Story” and “You Belong with Me.” It’s almost criminal how she kept this song from us for this long. Not to mention, how iconic it would’ve been if she had released this song while the wounds were still fresh from her controversial breakup with singer Joe Jonas — who, rumor has it, is “Mr. Perfectly Fine.”

This song embodies Taylor’s signature witty lyrics and country-pop sound and checks all the marks on what makes her songs so catchy and popular. It’s also honestly brutal as Tayor drags her former flame for acting superior after the split and always wanting to come out on top to maintain his image. We love it so much and we can’t stop singing it!

#1 “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” (Red)

It may not have been a single on the album, but it had been a favorite among fans even before the ten-minute version was released. The original recording was already longer than most of her tracks, but since Taylor mentioned that she had to cut down half of the song in an earlier interview, fans have been clamoring for the full version, which she generously gave them in the re-recording of “Red.”

And safe to say, nobody was prepared for this mammoth of a heartbreak song that expanded a heartbreaking story of love and betrayal. Taylor used her songwriting skills to tell a reckoning tale through heartfelt lyrics that put you in the moment these scenes happened. We especially loved the vivid variations of the chorus, which took listeners on a journey and tangled them inside the emotional turmoil Taylor was feeling at the time she penned the track. 

Lyrics like “You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath” and “So casually cruel in the name of being honest” really put Taylor’s feelings into perspective and how that almost cathartic fade-out ending told us a lot about how she felt in the aftermath: how broken and lost she had been. Taylor even wrote and directed a short film about it, which starred Sadie Sink and Dylan O'Brien. 

Although many may argue, we believe this version is the artist’s best song yet.