On this week's Queer Cinema Catchup, Allison and Joe interview writer and co-executive producer Andrea Ciannavei about the new Netflix's military comedy drama Boots starring Miles Heizer and based on the memoir The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White.

00:27 The Journey of 'Boots' from Memoir to TV Show

02:48 The Impact of the Writer and Actors' Strikes on Production

04:19 The Collaborative Nature of TV

06:56 The Writer's Room

13:41 Exploring Themes of Otherness and Belonging

30:52 Navigating the Tone of the Show

31:42 Character Development and Humanization

32:16 Creating an Ensemble Cast

33:50 Audience Empathy and Character Arcs

38:03 The Role of Themes in Storytelling

40:08 The Role of Editing in Storytelling

42:49 Complexity of Military Life and Character Building

53:26 Shoutout to the Writers and Crew

56:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Queer Cinema Catchup, Allison and Joe take a critical look at Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 film adaptation of 'Frankenstein' starring Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, and Christopher Waltz. They discuss the film's unique take on Mary Shelley’s classic novel; the thematic elements of desire, death, and disappointment; and the historical context of the Romantic and Enlightenment periods.

01:06 Personal Connections to Frankenstein

06:33 Discussing the Film Adaptation

08:28 Critique of the Film's Ending

11:09 Comparing the Film to the Book

33:24 Reflecting on the Creature's Appearance

34:00 Casting Choices and Their Impact

36:14 Exploring the Romantic Movement

38:20 The Enlightenment vs. Romanticism

53:00 Mary Shelley's Life and Influences

01:04:22 Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein

01:11:21 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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In this episode of Queer Cinema Catchup, Allison and Joe discuss the new Mae Martin Netflix series Wayward with staff writer Alex Eldridge. Their conversation covers the show's unique approach to genre; the importance of research and character to the writing process; queer representation within the world of the show; favorite moments and scenes; and where the story might be heading next. Eldridge also shares his personal journey toward screenwriting. Finally, Allison and Joe share their own thoughts on what got them hooked on Wayward and where they hope the show might go if renewed for another season.

00:00 Welcome to Queer Cinema Catchup

00:07 Special Guest: Alex Eldridge from Netflix's Wayward

01:24 Inside the Writer's Room

03:36 Crafting a Unique Genre Blend

04:29 Real-Life Inspiration Behind Wayward

10:15 Themes & Character Development

34:38 Queer Representation

50:04 Challenges in Writing the Show

52:17 The Leap

53:04 Unresolved Mysteries and Viewer Theories

55:06 Personal Reflections

56:43 Alex Eldridge's Career Journey

01:02:43 Advice for Aspiring Screenwriters

01:05:28 Deep Dive into Wayward's Themes

01:16:27 Comparing Wayward to Other Shows

01:25:21 Speculations and Theories about the Show

01:29:48 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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In this episode of Queer Cinema Catchup, Joe and Allison return to one of their favorite topics -- Taylor Swift -- to review her newest album 'The Life of a Showgirl.' They share their initial reactions; explore the album's perhaps overlooked lyrical depth; and contextualize Swift’s artistry within her broader career.

00:47 Previous Queer Cinema Catchup Music Reviews

01:06  'The Life of a Showgirl' Album Intro

01:41 Personal Listening Experiences

01:55 Analyzing Taylor Swift's Lyrics and Themes

03:34 Online Reactions and Personal Reflections

08:31 Unboxing Showgirl Merchandise

10:30 Track-by-Track Album Review

16:25: 'The Life of a Showgirl' Should be Considered First

20:05 'The Fate of Ophelia'

31:08 'Elizabeth Taylor'

38:24 'Opalite'

45:27 'Father Figure'

57:25  'Eldest Daughter'

01:01:04 'Ruin the Friendship'

01:07:11 'Actually Romantic': The Gayest Song on the Album?

01:10:06 'Wishlist'

01:14:13 'Wood'

01:15:51 'Cancelled!'

01:23:34 'Honey'

01:30:28 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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Welcome back to Queer Cinema Catchup! To kick of season two, Joe and Allison dissect the 2025 psychological drama thriller 'Lurker' directed by Alex Russell and starring Theodore Pellerin and Archie Madekwe. The movie explores the dark ascent of protagonist Matthew Morning as he transforms from awkward retail worker to dangerous member of pop musician Oliver's entourage. This episode focuses in on the film’s portrayal of obsession, male jealousy, queer desire, and the more disturbing elements of fame. Joe shares his anxious experience watching the film, while Allison reveals how a rewatch changed her initial perception. Key scenes like the charged recording studio encounter and the impromptu wrestling match are broken down beat by beat.

00:00 Introduction to 'Lurker': Expectations vs. Reality

01:01 Podcast Hosts Introduce Themselves

01:13 First Impressions and Viewing Experiences

03:38 Character Analysis: Michael and Oliver

10:40 Director Alex Russell's Background

12:37 Q&A Insights and Behind the Scenes

16:07 Music & Film Industry Realism in 'Lurker'

19:23 The Wrestling Scene

26:39 The Recording Studio Scene

30:08 Final Thoughts and Meta Interpretations

35:31 Comparing Characters Across Films

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In the season one finale of Queer Cinema Catchup, hosts Joe and Allison delve into the new romantic comedy 'A Nice Indian Boy,' directed by Roshan Sethi and based on Madhuri Shekar's acclaimed play of the same name, and interview the film's screenwriter, Eric Randall (48:10). Starring Karan Soni as Naveen and Jonathan Groff as Jay, A Nice Indian Boy explores the relationship between love, identity, family, and cultural expectations. The film premiered at South by Southwest in March 2024 and has garnered critical acclaim. Joe and Allison share their thoughts on the film's heartfelt portrayal of queer love, while Eric shares insights into the adaptation and writing process, the challenges of translating a play to the screen, and his journey as a screenwriter. Tune in for an in-depth discussion and an exclusive interview with the talented writer behind this excellent film.

00:00 Introduction to 'A Nice Indian Boy'

01:04 Meet the Hosts: Joe and Allison

01:27 Special Episode: Interview with Screenwriter Eric Randall (48:10)

02:28 Diving into the Movie: Initial Impressions

03:49 Exploring Themes: Family and Queer Identity

05:14 Cultural Context and Bollywood Influence

06:43 Character Analysis: Naveen and Jay

08:07 Romantic Comedy Tropes and Realism

11:15 The Impact of Family Dynamics

38:05 The Proposal Scene: A Turning Point

44:59 Rising Tensions and Jay's Realization

45:30 Jay's Emotional Struggles and Family Dynamics

47:01 Introduction to Eric Randall

56:33 Adapting 'A Nice Indian Boy'

59:02 Character Development and Personal Experiences

01:06:34 The Collaboration Process

01:13:32 Comedy and Improvisation in Filmmaking

01:24:17 Future Projects and Advice for Writers

01:29:39 Joe's Wedding Videographer Nightmare

01:39:09 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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In this episode of Queer Cinema Catchup, Joe and Allison delve into the 2016 Oscar-winning film 'Moonlight.' Joe experiences the film for the first time while Allison provides her take after a fourth viewing. They discuss the film's structure; key themes of masking and vulnerability; pivotal scenes; and some background information about the filmmaking process.

00:02 Intro to Moonlight

00:30 Oscar Fiasco and Initial Thoughts

01:08 Plot Overview and Key Themes

02:33 Character Analysis and Emotional Impact

03:37 Structure and Storytelling Techniques

05:23 Personal Reflections and Cultural Significance

08:47 Comparisons and Final Thoughts

33:10 Behind the Scenes and Filming Challenges

35:02 Exploring Barry Jenkins' Filmography

36:46 The Editing Process of 'Moonlight'

44:04 Personal Reflections re: Queerness, Masculinity, and Identity

59:12 Memory Lane

01:04:51 Final Thoughts on 'Moonlight'

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In this episode of Queer Cinema Catchup, Joe and Allison discuss the 2006 film 'Stick It,' exploring its themes, character dynamics, and queer undercurrents. They react to the rebellious protagonist, Haley Graham; her unique journey through the rigid world of elite gymnastics; and her interactions with her coach (Jeff Bridges) and teammates.

00:00 Introduction to 'Stick It'

00:43 Initial Impressions

01:29 Plot Overview and Character Analysis

03:16 Queer Themes and Gender Norms

04:50 Comparisons to Other Teen Movies

07:38 Gymnastics and Realism in 'Stick It'

09:49 Memorable Moments and Cultural Impact

22:34 Voiceover and Cinematic Techniques

31:17 Team Dynamics

32:01 Comparing 'Stick It' to Other Films

33:47 Character Analysis: Haley

35:46 Gender and Character Perception

40:01 Queer Representation

51:55 Sports and Personal Experiences

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In this episode of Queer Cinema Catchup, Allison and Joe dive deep into Peter Jackson's 1994 film, 'Heavenly Creatures.' They discuss the intense, imaginative, and destructive relationship between two teenage girls in 1950s New Zealand, focusing on themes of adolescent intensity; burgeoning queer identity; and the potentially dangerous allure of fantasy. Their conversation also highlights the remarkable performances of Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet in their film debuts, with analysis of significant scenes; the impact of social and familial pressure; and the depiction of queerness amidst a true crime narrative.

00:00 Introduction to Heavenly Creatures

03:39 Melanie Lynskey's Queer Filmography

05:26 Kate Winslet's Queer Filmography

10:54 Emotional Impact of Heavenly Creatures

16:37 Background and Analysis of the True Story

30:11 Juliet's Nightmare and the Murder

31:54 Exploring Queerness in the Film

33:50 Parental Concerns and Societal Pressures

40:23 Fantasy vs. Reality

50:26 Christianity and the Fourth Realm

01:04:14 Final Thoughts on the Film

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This episode of Queer Cinema Catchup is a double feature! Joe and Allison discuss the films 'Mysterious Skin' and 'Thirteen.' . Their discussion includes a comparative analysis of the two films; reflections on their own teenage experiences; and the cultural impact of adolescent-focused narratives in cinema. Please be aware this episode covers topics like abuse and drug use, which may be triggering.

00:14 Double Feature: Mysterious Skin and Thirteen

00:33 Trigger Warning

01:53 Quick Recap: Thirteen

04:34 Quick Recap: Mysterious Skin

05:28 Personal Reactions and Reflections

07:08 Themes of Influence and Vulnerability in Thirteen

09:33 Exploring Parental Dynamics

10:43 Psychological Impact of Abuse in Mysterious Skin

20:39 Queer Representation and Personal Connections

24:47 Middle School Memories and Snowball at Skate King

27:43 Snowball Memory and Conflicted Feelings

33:09 Representation of Youth in Film, TV, and Culture

42:36 Queerness in Coming-of-Age Stories

46:19 Chicken Soup for the Soul and Final Thoughts

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