To be interesting, a story, whether in print form or a TV show or movie, needs a plot.
A plot requires a conflict.
There are basically seven kinds of conflict.
1. Person vs. Fate/God
This category could be considered part of conflict with self or with society (many people count only four types of conflict, including those two and conflict with another person or with nature). That’s a valid argument, as one confronts fate as part of an internal struggle and religion is a construct of society, but explicitly naming fate (Oedipus Rex) or God — or the gods (The Odyssey) — as the antagonist is a useful distinction.
2. Person vs. Self
A person’s struggle with his or her own prejudices or doubts or character flaws constitutes this type of conflict (Hamlet).
3. Person vs. Person
Any story featuring a hero and a villain or villains (The Count of Monte Cristo) represents this type of conflict, though the villain(s) is/are often representative of another antagonist in this list, whether a villain is in essence an alter ego of the protagonist (thus representing the conflict of person versus self) or stands in for society.
4. Person vs. Society
When the protagonist’s conflict extends to confronting institutions, traditions, or laws of his or her culture, he or she struggles to overcome them, either triumphing over a corrupt society (Atlas Shrugged), rejecting it (Fahrenheit 451), or succumbing to it (1984).
5. Person vs. Nature
In this conflict, the protagonist is pitted against nature (Robinson Crusoe) or a representation of it, often in the form of an animal (Moby Dick).
6. Person vs. Supernatural
Superficially, conflict with the supernatural may seem equivalent to conflict with fate or God, or representative of a struggle with an evocation of self (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) or nature (The Birds). But this category stands on its own feet as well.
7. Person vs. Technology
Humanity’s innate skepticism about the wonders of technology has resulted in many stories in which antagonists use technology to gain power or in which technology takes over or becomes a malign influence on society (Brave New World).
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Men like action films, and tend to the sort of plots that involve physical violence. I get tired of these, because nowadays, it is always about special effects so much that the goals of the protagonist are meaningless.
There are clearly conversations between men in films that do not involve women.
Women, on the other hand, are more interested in relationships, and relationships involve men and discussing men.
Men and women do not think the same way, so women frequently discuss men with other women.
I don't see this as unusual. Women are concerned with nurturing, family and children.
Men generally dislike "chick flicks". The worst of these are easy to miss: they have the words "Marriage, wedding, bridal" in the titles. There are good films that are more appealing to women than to men: Sophie's Choice, Erin Brokovich, North Country are three that I really liked.
