Rivalry. Jealousy. Competition. Foundation-wear on a rolling trolley. The dolly zoom. Whigs & Tories. Big beds and bloomers and wicked candlelit trysts. Just what *doesn’t* this lush and beautiful period piece have? Well…a male lead. That’s right. We said it. And what’s more, we’re here to talk about it. At length. Please join us in the East Gallery. Link to all 12 episodes of “The First Churchills” 1969 BBC https://youtu.be/zhniu4qFtqQ and additional link for the scene in this series: Anne and Sarah’s last meeting https://youtu.be/jZ1VSW5fnf0

To kick off Pride month, the first film in our Pride series is Dirk Bogarde's 1961 film Victim. This film was written and directed for the purpose of social justice and awareness in the UK at a time when same sex relations between men was a criminal and jail-able offense. 90% of all blackmail cases before the decriminalization Act in 1967 pertained to extortion of Gay men. We highly recommend this film. You will find nuanced performances set against a noir--sequence setting. This was a great pick (Thanks, Beth!) for our first film of Pride, and it yielded a thoughtful discussion. 🌈 You can watch it for free here: https://youtu.be/s2xUteY_emM. Also available on Amazon. Some informative links: Steve Dryden article https://www.bl.uk/lgbtq-histories/articles/a-short-history-of-lgbt-rights-in-the-uk Also Dirk Bogarde documentary 2001 https://youtu.be/adoKWuYvXQY

Please join us for our discussion of one of the most beautiful celluloid valentines to art, artists and all things sensuous. Or sensual. Both of those things. We love this film and we love the unexpurgated diaries of Anaïs Nin that inspired and informed the film. Beth poured herself a large glass of wine (she thought it necessary). RIP Fred Ward. You were born to play Henry Miller. You are greatly missed. You can watch the entire film for free here: https://ww1.soap2dayhd.co/film/henry-and-june-18600/ We encourage you to do so! And here's a little music (Je M'Ennuie) to get you in the mood: https://youtu.be/DugAwcM5XVI

We had so much more to say about Joan Crawford and Faye Dunaway. Beth will use any excuse to talk about Barbara Stanwyck. We open up about certain Supreme Ct drafts. Sam’s opinions on scrubbing powder are publicly vindicated.

Oh boy. This is our second film for Mothers of May. In this case, dysfunctional mothers of May. How could we NOT look at this campy classic from the 80s??

For May we’re celebrating mothers in film! There are SO many great films out there, and we’re starting with a superb treatment of Carrie Fisher’s eponymous autobiography Postcards from the Edge. The chemistry between Meryl Streep and Shirley MacClean truly captures the essence of Carrie Fisher’s competitive yet ride or die relationship with her mother Debbie Reynolds. Carrie also wrote the screenplay, and I know if she’s watching from above (may she rest in peace) she will enjoy our valentine to this fantastic and re-watchable film. Please join us as we discuss the film and also wax philosophic about mother/daughter relationships.

Please join us as we discuss one of our favorite films: Concussion. NOT to be confused with a 2015 film by the same title (that one is about football injuries). In our discussion of Concussion 2013 we hope to inspire you to watch this movie. It is a sublime indie film that is funny, sexy, touching, and ultimately extremely satisfying. We are delighted to add this film to our repertoire.

The full episode for our discussion of Concussion (2013) will be posted on April 28! We LOVE this film. It truly is unique.

We just had to get a few things off our bosoms. Receive our love, our walk of shame, our redemption, and our absolution. We recorded on 4/20 and speak of things one might celebrate on that day.

You made it! Now we will exhaust all reserves of stamina to deliver the final part of our Caligula discussion!