As Mike notes, this is a very interesting point to bring up.  I would argue however that ScarJo's dynamic with men in this movie is NOT intended to represent the "normal," interaction/struggle that an average woman faces.  I think this is primarily due to her backstory relevant to the movie.  She's not being introduced to Nick Fury, Iron Man, and Hawkeye, she's known them for quite some time.  SO for them, they are very familiar with her abilities, and are less likely to view her as a sexual object, nor would I doubt that they fail to take her seriously.  The Avengers that do meet her in this movie, are kind of the tp of the spear in terms of intergender politics.  There's Banner, who is an intelligent and thoughtful man, who has a strong female in his life in the form of Betty, so he would probably have an evolved view.  Then there's Captain America, who's own story would suggest that he judges a persons strengths and abilities not on the exterior, but interior (who also fought alongside a strong woman in WWII).  And finally Thor, who was taught humility and in fact earned his way back to Godhood (which is what his movie was TRYING to do at least) by a mortal woman (never mind the fact that Sif kicks all sorts of ass up in Asgard). 

So what you have in the Avengers, is not your average idiot male (and I do think most men are idiots to a degree, myself included) talking to ScarJo's chest everytime she makes a point.   You have in many ways, the BEST of our gender being represented, and I think that's the point.  I've seen similar situations in my own life, and I'm happy to provide an example.

My mother was an executive in the Aerospace industry in the 80's/90's.  She made a name for herself by being part of the team in the QA division of Martin Merrietta (now Lockheed/Martin) by essentially exonerating MM's from any fault in the Challenger disaster.  This earned her a HELL of a lot of respect from her peers.  Her all male, older, largely sexist peers.  Once she had proved her salt, everyone took her seriously, and in fact stood up for her.  Keep in mind my Mom is an attractive blonde who was under 30 at the time.  Now amongst her colleagues, she was treated largely in the manner that you're describing ScarJo in the Avengers.  But whenever she had to travel internationally, or when people from other divisions would come to work over projects with her, THAT is when the sexism creeped it's ugly head. 

In summation, no ScarJo isn't treated like most women you know.  Because that movie operates, by design, in a rarefied environment that leans toward an ideal depiction of intergender relations, as most Whedon films are wont to do.

Hmm, an awesome camerawork thread and NO ONE has posted the 3:30 minute long ONE'ER from I AM CUBA?  Don't worry, I'll save you.

ENTIRELY hand held and hand cranked.

There was a Jiu Jtsu tournament I was in several years back and I had made it to the semi finals against some dude.  We had a fucking WAR.  Tons of reversals, tons of near submissions.  At one point I had him in a neck crank and he was literally about to tap when the ref informed me no neck cranks were allowed.  After a rest we went back at it.  He did this jumping guard pass that caused an accidental head butt and knocked me half out.  We restarted it, and time ran out as I had a kneebar on him, but he was up by 2 points.  I never this dude's name but after the match we were so fucking exhausted we just hugged for like a minute straight.  I lost, but to this day its one of my proudest fighting moments.  Never saw him again but for 10 minutes he was my warrior brother who one day will join me in Valhalla, or something.

I came out of the Bank of America on Sunset and Vine once to find a homeless woman bent over the trashcan rummaging through food.  She was wearing short terri cloth shorts, and lets just say her figure wasn't flattering to begin with, especially since half of her ass crack was visible.  The part of me that still is a 12 year old shit head trying to impress the awful kids in his school screamed loud enough to echo inside my skull, "PANTS HER!"

I was so shocked that by my own evil that I gave her 40 dollars. She was shocked to, and before she could say thank you, I high tailed it back to my office.

Have you ever pantsed anyone?

When I'm eating, I'll lance something with my fork, and regardless of what it is, I give it a couple small shakes, as if it's dripping wet and I'm shaking off excess sauce or something.  It could be rice, or piece of chicken, or a hunk of butternut squash DRY AS A BONE, and I still shake it a couple times.  Drives my wife NUTS.

Last time you accidentally really offended someone and felt bad about it.

Am I the only one totally fine with this?

"She's always welcome but her boyfriend is a fucking toilet, and I never want to see him again."  To my friend whose boyfriend is a toilet, instead of my wife.

Worst fight with parents?

jump to 1:45

I'll send out a separate email for out of towners once I get streaming info.

OK, any local DiF'ers that want to help out, I'm having a pre-pro/brainstorming session at Laser Fist HQ (aka, my guest house) this Thursday, Jan 24th at 8:30 pm pst.

I'm going to see if there is a way we can set up web streaming for out of town volunteers.

Finally saw Zero Dark Thirty.  I have to say my reaction is a similar brand of luke warm as Teague's.  Still articulating my thoughts.

Do so!  I am permitted to brainstorm, so use this as brainstorm space.