Gal Pals Watch

Episode 25: Lez Bomb

What's that you say? You've watched Home Alone too many times and you really just wish there was an over-the-top family holiday dramedy with some lesbians? Well, 2018's Lez Bomb is for you! Alicia and Sarah are pretty impressed with the woman who wrote, directed, AND starred in this film, but they have some... feelings about the storyline(s). Happy Thanksgiving! (lol not in real life)

 

Things mentioned: 

Drunk Lesbians Watch Lez Bomb

Lez Bomb Film Review by Frank Scheck for Hollywood Reporter

Episode 24: But I'm A Cheerleader

 

YASS we're finally discussing this *classic* of the queer film canon! It's not even our first with RuPaul! But in this movie, RuPaul wears a t-shirt that says "Straight is Great," which is hilarious enough in itself. But if you come for that, stay for the ridiculous gender roles, the pastel colors, the WILD dialogue, Melanie Lynsky's New Zealand accent, Power Team Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall, the Queer Vigilante, and like everything else. But also, conversion therapy isn't funny. Except in this movie. Discuss.

 

Things mentioned:

Natasha Lyonne's NYT interview by Kathryn Shattuck

But I'm A Cheerleader Wikipedia page

Episode 23: Drifting Flowers

 

It's our first non-English-speaking film! Join Sarah and Alicia as they navigate this beautiful and at times confusing 2008 Taiwanese film featuring the cutest soft butches we've probably ever seen in film. Plus a lot of gender play! Worth it even though some of it makes no sense!

 

Things mentioned:

LGBT Rights in Taiwan

Episode 22: Hearts Beat Loud

 

Does your heart beat for amazing and adorable feel-good movies with some awesome queers who are played by queers? We  thought so! This movie rocks, in the cool sense and the music sense. We'll be keeping our eyes on Kiersey Clemons and Sasha Lane 5ever. Also this movie has Nick Offerman and Toni Collette and Ted Danson! Happy new year, ya gays!

Episode 21: Carol

 

This week we're making the yuletide gay! Join Alicia and Sarah as they discuss the best lesbian Christmas movie so far, which may or may not be outdone by that Kristen Stewart/Cléa DuVall movie that comes out sometime in the future. Happy Holigays!

 

Things mentioned:

Autostraddle's Mommi article

Kate McKinnon Carol parody

Carol Wikipedia page

Todd Haynes Wikipedia page

A really great Christmas movie flow chartfrom Autostraddle

Episode 20: The Truth About Jane

 

Hello dear friends, this week Alicia and Sarah are discussing the 2000 LIfetime movie The Truth About Jane aka When Stockard Channing Was Unreasonably Homophobic And RuPaul Was Unrealistically Friends With Boring White Ladies. CW for extreme homophobia and discussion of suicide, as well as the mention of The Children's Hour aka the most upsetting gay movie ever. Except maybe for Girl, Interrupted which was one of Sarah's Gay Awakening films. Alicia's was this one, so tune in to hear her thoughts all these rainbow-y years later! 

 

Things mentioned: 

Review from Variety by Laura Fries: https://variety.com/2000/tv/reviews/the-truth-about-jane-1200463969/

Episode 19: Battle of the Sexes

 

Hello, Power Gays. This one's for you. Join Sarah and Alicia as they gush over this 2017 near-perfect GAY film that features GAY Emma Stone, GAY fairy godmother Allan Cumming, GAY Natalie Morales, HETERO Larry King (both of the Larry's), GAY ASMR and GAY ice cream, among other powerful gay things. You're welcome.

 

Things mentioned: Perfect Heather Hogan's Perfect Article: https://www.autostraddle.com/battle-of-the-sexes-is-the-best-lesbian-sports-movie-youve-ever-seen-395804/

Natalie Morales on the 2018 OUT100 list: https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/2018/11/14/out100-2018#slide-39

Natalie Morales on Larry King LOLOLOL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFRL_9ntpJ0

Episode 18: Almost Adults

 

So, we know that Natasha Negovanlis and Elise Bauman (and Sarah & Adriana from The Gay Women Channel on YouTube) are lesbian darlings. But like, this movie is a huge disappointment? Join Alicia and Sarah as they dissect the many, many problematic and just annoying parts of this movie that was made in 2016 but feels like it belongs in the 90s. Not in a good way.

 

Things mentioned: The Gay Women Channel/Unsolicited Project: https://www.youtube.com/user/UnsolicitedProject

Episode 17: The Gymnast, 2006

 

Join Alicia and Sarah as they discuss the 2006 film The Gymnast, in which two jacked women have fabric-sex with their bodies! It makes sense if you watch it. Come for the misandry, stay for the knives and the corsets! And the gymnastics, obvs.

 

Things mentioned:

Dreya Weber Wikipedia page

AfterEllen review

Episode 16: I Can't Think Straight, 2008

 

Sarah describes this movie as Crazy Rich Asians + Notting Hill but with brown lesbians, and honestly do you need to know more? Join Alicia and Sarah as they discuss religion, class, tennis, sisters (like real sisters, not fake lesbian sisters), and how refreshingly obvious it is that a queer woman made this movie. Also, add it to the list of movies we like better than Imagine Me & You.

 

Things mentioned:

I Can't Think Straight Wikipedia page

NYT review