Shows
Gal Pals WatchREWIND: Gal Pals Watch The Truth About JaneEpisode 113: REWIND: The Truth About Jane Hey y'all! Sarah & Alicia are taking a break this month to enjoy the PNW summer. Please enjoy this REWIND episode of Episode 20: The Truth About Jane from 2018! Ever wonder what Fortune Feimster & Alicia have in common? This film was the first lesbian-centered film they saw, and, needless to say, they were shooketh by its existence. Thanks, Lifetime!2025-08-0146 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch SallyEpisode 112: Sally Hi everyone! This month Alicia and Sarah watched the really amazing 2025 documentary, Sally, about Sally Ride, the first woman to go to space with NASA. She was awesome and complicated and smart and athletic and closed off and she put up with a lot of ridiculous shit. She rules and you should watch this! Further reading: Sally Wikipedia page Sundance interview with director Cristina Costantini by Lucy Spicer2025-07-0442 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Am I Ok?Episode 111: Am I OK?Happy pride month y'all! This month, Alicia and Sarah are talking about one of Tig's movies that she and a bunch of people are involved in, iykyk. It is called Am I OK? and it stars Dakota Johnson as an anxious lesbian coming out in her 30's. It is also about friendship and personal growth! This is a mixed bag but ultimately, we *are* ok. Further reading: Am I OK? Wikipedia pageAutostraddle review by Drew Burnett Gregory NYT Review by Alissa Wilkinson2025-06-0647 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch In The SummersEpisode 110: In The Summers Summer is just around the corner, so Alicia and Sarah are talking about the 2024 movie In The Summers which is a very great movie about summers and also family and stuff! Enjoy! Further Reading: In The Summers Wikipedia page2025-05-0238 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Signature MoveEpisode 109: Signature Move Hello, we hope you're hanging in there! This week Alicia and Sarah are talking about Fawzia Mirza's really great 2017 film Signature Move, which has lesbians (obvi), mother-daughter relationships, and lucha libre wrestling! It's a very fun time! Further Reading: Signature Move Wikipedia page2025-04-0431 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Puccini For BeginnersEpisode 108: Puccini for Beginners Hello! How is everyone hanging in there? Well today Alicia and Sarah talk about the second installment of their Maria Meggenti double feature, the 2006 film Puccini for Beginners. It's very 2006! So if you want to go back in time to when single white lesbians with one failed book under their belt had enough money to live alone in Manhattan and attend the opera, and when lots of things were awful but possibly less awful than today (?), this one's for you! Further reading: Puccini for Beginners Wikipedia page2025-03-0733 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love
Episode 107: The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love
Hello gays and theys! Today Alicia and Sarah are digging into a true 90s classic, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love, starring pre-L Word Laurel Holloman as a lanky kinda dirtbag-y lesbo in all the classic 90s teen lesbian garb named Randy. Randy is a high school student who lives in a house with three lesbians (one of whom is her aunt), with all the joy and chaos that brings. Evie is another teenager and the two of them, as the tit...2025-02-0736 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Sue Bird: In the ClutchEpisode 106: Sue Bird: In the Clutch
Hi sports gays, and all the other queers! This month Sarah got to talk about sportsball, specifically women's basketball, and boy did they like doing that! This 2024 documentary about WNBA and Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird has it all - drama, triumph, heartbreak, humanity! Alicia confirms that if you are not a basketball girlie this is still a great movie. Hope you enjoy :)
Further reading:
Seattle Times review by Chase Hutchinson
Sue Bird Wikipedia
2025-01-0252 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch - Interview with WHAT A FEELING filmmaker Kat Rohrer for SQFF!Episode 104: Interview with WHAT A FEELING filmmaker Kat Rohrer for SQFF!
Join Sarah and Alicia as they talk with filmmaker Kat Rohrer as they discuss Kat's film, which was chosen as a feature for the Seattle Queer Film Festival-- WHAT A FEELING!
WHAT A FEELING follows two middle-aged women, Marie Theres (Caroline Peters) and Fa (Proschat Madani), who meet in a lesbian bar one fated evening after Marie Theres' husband breaks up with her. The film tackles issues such as immigration, class, sexuality, and what it means to never give up.
2024-11-0131 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Wynonna Earp: VengeanceEpisode 102: Wynonna Earp: Vengeance
Hello and welcome to spooky season on Gal Pals Watch! Sarah is a real wimp with scary movies but luckily for them their favorite show Wynonna Earp, which kind of counts as spooky, just released a new movie/special on Tubi. Join Alicia and Sarah as they visit and revisit, respectively, the creepy, cozy, strange, wonderful world of Purgatory :)
Further reading:
AV Club review by Lisa Weidenfeld
Autostraddle's Valerie Anne and Nic recap
2024-10-0433 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
Episode 101: Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
Greetings, gays and theys! Today Alicia and Sarah talk about the very wonderful Netflix documentary about a Netflix special, Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution! This movie covers the making of the 2022 standup comedy special Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration, but it also goes deep into the queer comedy archives and interviews tons of comics and culture writers about the evolution and ups and downs of queer comedy in America since the 1920s. It is extremely entertaining and interesting! Have fun!
Further reading:
NYT Review by Chris Azzopardi
Net...2024-09-0637 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch It's Only Life After AllEpisode 99: It's Only Life After All
Hiya gays! Happy Pride! Today Alicia and Sarah talk about the very great 2023 documentary film It's Only Life After All, about none other than musical icons The Indigo Girls. This doc is so full of interesting things! It's the first 2+ hour movie Sarah has enjoyed in years. Enjoy!
Further reading:
It's Only Life After All Wikipedia page
NYT Review by Elisabeth Vincentelli
2024-07-0543 min
Interwoven from The Weave"Interwoven 8: Bridging Medical Writing and IT Recycling - Featuring Sarah Neilson and Dom Tyler"In this captivating episode of Interwoven, hosts Adam Roxby, & James Cracknell, dive deep into the fascinating worlds of medical writing and electronic recycling. James Cracknell sits down with Sarah Neilson, PhD, to explore her journey from scientific research to founding Green Pen Solutions, a medical writing business that's making waves in the industry. Discover Sarah's insights on resilience, AI's role in medical writing, and the thriving community support for freelancers.
Later, Dom Tyler joins the conversation to discuss his groundbreaking project with Junari, focusing on revolutionizing the IT asset disposal (ITAD) process. Learn about the challenges and triumphs in creating...2024-06-2139 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The Carmilla MovieEpisode 98: The Carmilla Movie
Hi vampire gays! Today Alicia and Sarah are talking about the 2017 film The Carmilla Movie -- yes, the very one based off of the 2014-16 web series that is very much of its time! It's very queer, and kind of confusing, but who isn't, ya know? Enjoy!
Further Reading:
The Carmilla Movie Wikipedia page
2024-06-0729 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Love Lies BleedingEpisode 97: Love Lies Bleeding
Hi guess what! Today Alicia and Sarah are talking about Love Lies Bleeding! Sarah is very excited about it! There is a lot to say! Love you bye!
Further Reading:
Love Lies Bleeding Wikipedia
Autostraddle Article
NYT Article
2024-05-0350 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Blue JeanEpisode 96: Blue Jean
Hi queeros! This month Alicia and Sarah are discussing the 2022 British film Blue Jean, which is, in fact, quite blue. Join us as we talk closeted anxiety, how unhinged it is to legislate against queer and trans people, extra bad stereotypes, and also how aesthetic this movie is.
Further Reading:
Blue Jean Wikipedia page
Chicago Reader Review
Los Angeles Times Review
Autostraddle Review
2024-04-0546 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Breaking the Ice
Episode 95: Breaking the Ice
Hello lovely listeners! This month we are back with another International Film: 2022's Austrian sports romance/family drama Breaking the Ice. This one is hard to find and the subtitles leave a little to be desired, but it is a banger, and not just literally! Tune in to listen to Alicia and Sarah talk about how they liked watching hockey in this, and about toxic team dynamics, and also about Macklemore (iykyk). Enjoy!
Further Reading:
The Playlist review by Christian Gallichio
Review by Tina Kakadelis
2024-03-0132 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Love, Classified & Interview with writer, Lynn Sternberger!
Episode 94: Love, Classified and interview with writer, Lynn Sternberger!
Hello lovelies! This month Alicia and Sarah had the supreme honor of talking to Lynn Sternberger, a very fun and cool Hollywood Writer who wrote today's film! Love, Classified is a lezzy Hallmark movie that is definitely the best thing Hallmark has ever made (biased opinion). We talk to Lynn about the process of writing the movie, what inspired it, her work in TV writer's rooms, her fated relationship with Melora Harden, *some* Hallmark devotees being so terrible it's funny, and more. It's a great ti...2024-02-0253 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Bottoms
Episode 93: Bottoms
Happy new year, queeros! If you want some bonkers gay shit to shore you up for what is surely going to be a bonkers shit year, may we suggest the 2023 film Bottoms? You've probably at least heard of this one, so join Alicia and Sarah as they discuss this silly little weird gay fight club movie that stars faves Rachel Sonnet and Ayo Edebiri, and new fave Marshawn Lynch, the football player. Enjoy!
Further reading:
Bottoms Wikipedia page
New Yorker review
Autostraddle review
2024-01-0537 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Christmas at the Ranch
Episode 92: Christmas at the RanchHappy holigays! This year the annual holiday movie adventure has led Alicia and Sarah to another movie from Tello's deep holiday romcom catalogue, Christmas at the Ranch. You probably know everything you need to know about the plot of this movie from the genre and title alone. We had some issues with this one, but like the movie itself, there's nothing too drastic or compelling. Enjoy your holiday fluff!
Further Reading:
Autostraddle review by Heather Hogan
Tagg Magazine review by Becca Damante
2023-12-0147 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Shiva BabyEpisode 91: Shiva Baby
Hello lovely queers! Today Alicia and Sarah are talking about the wonderfully claustrophobic 2020 film Shiva Baby. The movie takes place in a tight 72 minutes over the course of one afternoon, mostly at, you guessed it, a shiva. It revolves around Hot Mess Hot Bi Girl Danielle, who gets wrapped up in a TON of drama involving her sugar daddy, her ex-girlfriend, her parents, and a screaming baby. This movie is great and we also just found out they are making it into an HBO series, so yay!
Further Reading:
Shiva Baby Wikipedia page
Vulture review by Helen Shaw
N...2023-11-0351 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Healed -- Live at SQFF!Episode 90:Hello you beautiful gays! Join Sarah and Alicia for a very special live episode at the Seattle Queer Film Festival! We are discussing HEALED--a psychological thriller written by and starring Shantell Yasmine Abeydeera (Dating in Place), and co-starring Emily Goss (Dating in Place, Season of Love [which we covered in Episode 52]), and the SQFF 2023 Queer Luminary Award winner, Guinevere Turner (Watermelon Woman [Episode 33], Go Fish [Episode 46])! We also got to ask writer Shantell, 'Yaz', about her inspiration for the film, and a bit about the casting! This is definitely one you do not want to miss, so check out...2023-10-1936 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Nina’s Heavenly DelightsEpisode 89: Nina's Heavenly Delights
Hello lovely queers! Welcome to this month's podcast, wherein Alicia introduces Sarah to one of her favorite Lesbian Films, Nina's Heavenly Delights. This 2006 romcom was done dirty by critics and even its own producers but it's kind of a joy to watch, for the most part. It's real cheesy in the best way, with family drama, a cooking competition that needs winning, a quintessential early aughts GBF, and a good amount of kissing! Enjoy!
Further reading:
Nina's Heavenly Delights Wikipedia page
Pratibha Parmar Eye for Film interview with Amber Wilkinson2023-10-0635 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Everything Everywhere All At OnceEpisode 88: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Hi lovelies! Welcome to this month's episode, where Alicia and Sarah discuss the 2022 banger Everything Everywhere All at Once! This movie is hard to describe but you already know about it so it's fine. Join us as we talk about hot dog fingers, rocks with googly eyes, gender constructs, the everything bagel of depression, and the infinite limitations and possibilities of mothers and daughters. Enjoy!
Further reading:
EEAAO Wikipedia page
Autostraddle review by Drew Burnett GregoryGay Times review by Hollie Wong2023-09-0144 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch PassingEpisode 87: Passing
Hey lovely queers! Today Alicia and Sarah are back together talking about 2021's Passing, the adaptation of Nella Larson's 1929 novel of the same name. There's so much going on in this movie, none of which is explicitly gay per se, but all of which is very immersive and will make you think about the ways in which white supremacy and the racist and colonial American project harms us all! While not exactly upbeat, it's also not tragedy porn, but a nuanced portrayal of longing and human behavior under oppressive racialized structures, and it is very good. Plus it has...2023-08-0445 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch FoxfireEpisode 85: Foxfire
Hey queer cuties! This week Alicia and Sarah are digging into one of the greatest queer movies of all time that is not (but kinda is) explicitly queer: 1996's Foxfire. This movie launched Angelina Jolie's (tragically not gay enough) career! And also has so many great people in it including the Jennys: Jenny Lewis and Jenny Shimizu! The latter of which we all remember as being one of Angelina Jolie's queer flames, because they met on this movie! And that's just one of the many layers on this girl-gang cake. Join us as we discuss all the ways...2023-06-0254 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch D.E.B.S.Episode 83: D.E.B.S
Hiya gays! This month we are digging into the cult classic 2004 cinematic masterpiece (arguable), D.E.B.S! This was a formative film for Alicia, and Sarah had never seen it before, but boy is it of its time. Tune in to hear Alica and Sarah relive the disturbing moment that was the aughts and its glorification of uber-thin bodies; discuss the unknown line between camp and the male gaze; laugh about being a gay slut; and reveal the connection between this movie and Kid Rock (neither aged well). Hope you love it!
Further reading:
D.E...2023-04-0742 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Skate KitchenEpisode 82: Skate Kitchen
Hi sweet queeros! This month Alicia and Sarah are talking about a movie near and dear to Sarah's heart (and now Alicia's too): 2018's vibe-fest Skate Kitchen. This film is based on a real life girls skate crew in New York City and the way they ~vibe~ with each other and their sport. Also some stuff happens with like, coming of age and parental relationships and friendships and almost-romance-but-not-really. It's really good! And it has a spinoff show on HBO called Betty, which Sarah keeps bringing up. Enjoy!
Further reading:
Skate Kitchen Wikipedia page
NYT review (even thou...2023-03-0342 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Mars OneEpisode 81: Mars One
Hi queeros! Welcome back to the pod! This month we are discussing the 2022 Brazilian film Mars One, which can be streamed on Netflix. It follows a Black family in the early days after Bolsonaro's election, which is the background noise to their daily lives. The parents work in the service industry, the tween brother is a soccer prodigy but is actually interested in joining the now-defunct Mars One mission to colonize Mars, and the daughter is in law school and also hecka queer and wants to move in with her girlfriend. Tune in to hear how much both...2023-02-0332 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Elisa y MarcelaEpisode 80: Elisa & Marcela
Happy new year, lovely queers! To kick off the 2023 movie-watching season, this month Alicia and Sarah go back in time to turn-of-the-20th-century Spain, where these two teenage schoolgirls get really into towel play (i.e. they fall in love at school), and spend the rest of their lives either together or trying to be together. Elisa and Marcela's story is based on a true one which is pretty fascinating; they are known as the first same-sex marriage in Spain, 100 years before it became legal there. They achieved this by cross-dressing and lying to a priest, which i...2023-01-0742 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Under the Christmas TreeEpisode 79: Under the Christmas Tree
Happy holigays everyone! This year for our December episode we are talking about the very Lifetime Lifetime movie Under the Christmas Tree, which is the first Lifetime lesbian Christmas romcom (say it five times fast!). It stars queer lady darling Elise Bauman and Ricki Lake it takes place in Sarah’s home state of Maine, which is kind of exciting and makes it so that we can clear up some misconceptions about, for example, how far Augusta is from Camden (spoiler: not far!!). This movie is really low-stakes and ridiculous and that is what’s so f...2022-12-0333 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls & chat with director, Julianna Notten! - LIVE at the SQFF!Episode 78: Erin's Guide to Kissing GirlsHiiii lovely queers! Welcome to a very special episode of Gal Pals Watch: a live recording at the Seattle Queer Film Festival! We are talking about one of their 2022 youth features, the Canadian film Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls. Listen to Alicia and Sarah discuss positive and nuanced youth representation, how much Erin’s clothes are fashun, and then the writer and director Julianna Notten joins us for a conversation about making the movie and some behind-the-scenes stories! It’s a great time and we hope you enjoy :)Further Reading/Watching:Erin's Guide to Kissin...2022-11-0443 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch CrushEpisode 76: Crush
Hey queeros! Welcome back to our little lesbian-ish show, where this week Alicia and Sarah dig into a movie without much substance but a lot of charm -- Crush! This 2022 film is on Hulu and stars Rowan Blanchard and Auli'i Cravalho (who played Moana), and also Megan Mullally which is fun too. It's a ridiculous teen movie about art and romance and high school and sports and obvious mysteries, but you know what, the queers need that kind of fluff too. So join us as we discuss this silly little movie that ultimately was pretty fun. Ok thanks, l...2022-07-0130 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The Nowhere InnEpisode 75: Nowhere Inn
Hey hi hello! Remember a while back when the gay girl internet got really excited for a second about Dakota Johnson playing a version of Kristin Stewart in a movie with and by Annie Clark/St. Vincent and Carrie Brownstein? This is that movie, and it's on Hulu! It is... weird! Join Alicia and Sarah as they try to work through their confusion and their feelings, which are mainly neutral, spoiler alert. Also, happy Pride to all who celebrate!
Further Reading:
Nowhere Inn review in The Guardian by Phuong Le
Pitchfork review by Eric Torres
Nowhere Inn Wikipe...2022-06-0334 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Baka BukasEpisode 74: Baka Bukas
Good day, fair queers! Today on the pod we're discussing a film out of the Phillipines, 2016's Baka Bukas! This is billed as a romantic drama, and that's pretty accurate. It follows two early-20s friends working in the entertainment industry in different roles, one of whom is out as lesbian to everyone but this friend. Who then becomes the love interest. As you do. There's a lot of stereotypes in here, including a vapid GBF and some fashun, but Alicia and Sarah think it's a solidly okay film, and have some stuff to say about it...2022-05-0646 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The FalloutEpisode 73: The Fallout
Hello queeros, this month Alicia and Sarah are delving into a movie that will hit you in the absolute feels, fyi. The movie is The Fallout, starring the dancing Sia girl (sorry, that was reductive) Maddie Ziegler and the most amazing Jenna Ortega, and a lot of other really great people, about how a few teens cope after a school shooting. This one is heavy y'all, but the movie itself is more character-study-as-microcosm-of-this-truly-horrible-world-we-live-in-for-real than trauma porn, which is something we both appreciate about it. It's actually really good except for the fact that it's too real. Anyway you...2022-04-0145 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch So My Grandma’s a Lesbian!Episode 72: So My Grandma's a Lesbian!
Hi loves! This month, after a brief hiatus due to cHaOs, we are back and discussing a movie that requires very little brainpower to sit through! Titled So My Grandma's a Lesbian exclamation point, this Spanish movie follows some sweet older women who love each other in a very healthy way, in contrast to the shitshow of their surroundings, which include many people who are younger than them and yet much more Homophobic TM and/or wayyy to concerned about their conservative in-laws, in the case of Eva, the granddaughter. Anyway! This movie isn't e...2022-03-0427 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch SpencerEpisode 71:
Hello beautiful queeros and happy Valentine's Day! (we hate it, but we also love it) Unfortunately (for some of us, like Sarah) KStew is off the market, but that won't stop us from talking about her, and today we are discussing her latest gay Christmas movie, Spencer! It is not exactly an upbeat film, and is also not that gay, but it's gayer than you might think, both explicitly and subtextually (because KStew brings gay energy to everything she does, in a good way). Also, Diana is in some ways a gay icon. Anyway we had fun with this, and...2022-02-0448 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The NoviceEpisode 69: The Novice
Happy 69, queerz! This month we watch the new psychological sports thriller, The Novice, in which a college freshman is ~*very obsessed*~ with getting onto her school's varsity crew team. Some very disturbing obsessive thoughts and self harm in this one, so take care of yourselves if you watch it, but also it's pretty absorbing even if it's literally and figuratively dark as hell. There is a cute queer TA who we love (the main character is queer too btw), and Sarah recognizes the obsessive sports mindset a little too much and that is not great for them b...2021-12-0330 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch See You ThenEpisode 66: See You Then
Hey lovely queers! It's us, Alicia and Sarah! This month, we bought tickets to virtual screenings of some movies at LA's Outfest, and we love virtual screenings because we can "go to" tons of different festivals! This movie is one we saw via Outfest, and it stars Lynn Chen of Saving Face fame, which is tbh 99% of the reason we wanted to see it. This movie takes place over the course of one night (mostly) and involves a lot of ~*dramatic*~ dialogue which sometimes does not work for us, but we love to see a trans w...2021-09-0540 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Set It OffEpisode 65: Set It Off
Hi queeros! This month we're taking it back to 1996, to a movie that is not very gay but it does feature Queen Latifah in a queer role which is why we wanted to watch it! Tune in to hear Alicia and Sarah's thoughts about why this movie sad heist rather than fun heist, and how gay the character of Cleo is/is not?! In all seriousness, this film is not exactly fun to watch but remains timely (unfortunately) in its portrayal of police brutality and centers stories of working-class Black women, and is full of amazing p...2021-08-0643 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Dating AmberEpisode 64: Dating Amber
Hello beautiful queers! This month we’ve got a treat for all you 90s gays and everyone else too. We watched the cute little beard movie Dating Amber, which is set in Ireland in 1995. Tune in to listen to Alicia and Sarah talk about complicated romantic-ish relationships, cute gay kids, peer bullying, gay bars, the military, and that adorable lesbian sunset montage. It’s a really fun ride this month, enjoy!!
Further reading:
Final Draft blog post: https://blog.finaldraft.com/copy-of-david-freyne-final-draft-dating-amber
The Queer Review Articles: https://thequeerreview.com/2020/11/10/exclusive-interview-filmmaker-david-freyne-on-his-queer-comedy-dating-amber/
https://thequeerreview.com/2020/11/10/exclusive-interview-dating-amber-star-lola-petticrew/
Moviehole interview: https://moviehole...2021-07-0948 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The World To ComeEpisode 63: The World to Come
Hello lovely queers of the world! Happy pride month and all that. This month, Alicia and Sarah are talking about the Late 2020 Lesbian Period Drama (vol. 783 in the Lesbian Period Drama canon), The World to Come. It is winter in here, it's bleak! Get in but also stay away if you don't like Sadness! There are some redeeming qualities to this film for sure, but tune in to hear why it mainly threw us for a loop. Enjoy!
Further reading:
The World to Come Wikipedia Page
Mona Fastvold on Capturing Tragic Love in The World to Come...2021-06-0440 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt)Episode 61: Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt)
Howdy, beautiful listeners! We are back from a winter spent in survival mode, hbu? Shooting for the stars that we will be on a monthly recording schedule from here on out :) Today we start out with a lil update, including a discussion of our tagline and why we decided to change it. Then we get into the ~*cute*~ Australian film, Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt)! Which Sarah can only think of as Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's GAY Aunt), but it's fine. We saw this one "at" the Seattle Queer Film Festival, but if you live in...2021-04-0955 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Happiest SeasonEpisode 60: Happiest Season
Hello gays! We are back with a brand-new episode of the highly anticipated (and now highly debated) movie, Happiest Season, directed by Clea DuVall (of But I'm a Cheerleader fame). There are things we loved and things we did not love about this movie--we talk about those things around Sarah stanning KStew. We're so happy to be back! Stay safe!2020-12-111h 06Gal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Wild Nights with EmilyEpisode 59: Wild Nights With Emily
Hey all you beautifuls! We hope you are weathering this really wild and not great time. We're here this week with a movie that's the good kind of wild, Wild Nights With Emily. If you're stuck at home, which at this point I'm pretty sure we all are, and you can stream stuff, watch this!! It's so good! And then listen to us gush about how the oddball workings of Madeleine Olnek's (of Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same fame) mind worked wonders on this story of Emily Dickinson's life. Stay safe, y'all.
Further reading:
Wi...2020-03-2726 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Tell It To The BeesEpisode 58: Tell it to The Bees
Hi, 1950s lesbians! This movie is real bad but we watched it for you anyway! Taking place in postwar Britain and involving a lot of Lesbian Staring, a precocious skinny white kid, rape, racism, senseless magical realism, and weird CGI bees, this movie is not our favorite. But you can listen us get mad/laugh at it, and talk about how boring straights are!
Further reading:
Tell it to The Bees Wikipedia page
Fiona Shaw's article on how they made her gay ending into a straight ending2020-03-1329 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Princess CydEpisode 57: Princess Cyd
Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about wandering around the lush north side of Chicago in summer while your writerly aunt hosts literary soirées and a cute andro barista dances with you on a rooftop? Well then this movie is for you. We're talking about cute queer summer flings and annoying teens on this episode, enjoy!
Further reading:
Princess Cyd Wikipedia page2020-02-2823 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes Feeling HeartEpisode 56: Sighted Eyes, Feeling Heart
Helloooo literary lez's and otherwise identified queers! Have you read the book Looking for Lorraine by Imani Perry? Because you should. But you can also watch this pretty good, very PBS style doc about Lorraine Hansberry, aka one of the baddest/best humans ever to be too good for America. If you don't know, Hansberry wrote the 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun, which you probably read in high school, and was a huge hit and made into a movie. But tbh that was the least of her amazingness. She was a true queen. Also, she...2020-02-1430 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch RafikiEpisode 55: Rafiki
This week, we're headed to Nairobi, where two of the most lovable lesbian characters ever fall in love in a movie whose title translates to 'friend,' aka gal pal, obvs. We loved this movie, even though it has some serious homophobic violence, because it also has serious homophilic love. Enjoy, queeros!
Further reading:
Rafiki Wikipedia page2020-01-3135 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The Girl KingEpisode 54: The Girl King
We're going even farther back in time this week, queers! Last time, we went to the 1920s with Vita and Virginia. Now, we're going to the 1630s!! This movie made by a Finnish director, taking place in Sweden, and spoken in English for some reason, is about Christina, Queen of Sweden and First Names (that last part is not real). Queen Christina was A Gay but somehow got bought (not literally, but still) by the pope and is one of only two women buried next to a pope. Because patriarchy! And Catholicism! Same same. Christina is a...2020-01-1738 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Vita and VirginiaEpisode 53: Vita and Virginia
Hello and happy new year, cute queers! For our first episode of 2020, we're going back to the other 20's -- the 1920's! We watched the 2018 adaptation of one of the most epic literary love affairs to ever be super well-documented, namely that of Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf. And, well, it could've been better. Listen to us talk about what we liked and didn't like about this long-ass movie, teary-eyed Virginia, and some random CGI -- and get some rec's for books and letters to read instead! This particular love affair is exactly Alicia's wheelhouse, so th...2020-01-0325 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Season of LoveEpisode 52: Season of Love
Happy Holigays, y'all! This week, we're talking about the brand new shiny holiday romcom Season of Love, which was produced by (and is now streaming on) Tello Films! It's Love Actually but queer, so not like Love Actually at all. It's really cute and even though there is one very large plot hole that annoyed Sarah, the level of adorable Gay Cheese in this movie is exactly what your December heart needs. Trust us. Enjoy! (Full disclosure, we were invited to a screening if this movie, but opinions are our own)
Links and things:
Subscribe to the...2019-12-2035 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch ColletteEpisode 51: Colette
Welcome to France, y'all! This week, we're talking about the 2018 Keira Knightly biopic of early-20th-century writer Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette aka Colette aka Queer Writer Who Hates Patriarchy. Even though she was married to, abused, and exploited by her trash husband for many years, she eventually found her way to her best queer life. This life included writing a ton of novels (that were under her name) and being an artist and an all-around badass. Which she was able to do because of her class and race, kinda like Gentleman Jack and all those other rich white lesbians. But we st...2019-12-0633 minGal Pals WatchGal Pal Watch Interview with Danielle Earle!Episode 50: Interview with Danielle Earle!
Hey queeros! This week we have a very special episode, our second interview ever (check out our Pride month interview with Mandahla Rose in the archive!). This week, we're talking with filmmaker, writer, director, and producer Danielle Earle. Danielle has approximately 3,000 projects because she is extremely passionate about grassroots filmmaking and representation. And we are lucky that she is! You can find her on Instagram @de227, Twitter @PLSTREETTEAM, and on her website, PLEntertainment.com. We talk about some of the projects she's worked on in the past, including films and web series, and the many upco...2019-11-2224 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Anatomy of a Love SeenEpisode 49: Anatomy of a Love Seen
This week, we're talking about a meta movie that was honestly a little too meta. This 2014 movie about trying to film a lesbian love scene is high on Gay Melodrama and low on pretty much everything else. It's not the worst thing? But it's not the best. Join us as we talk about sex scenes, adolescent behavior that honestly is disappointing, being bored, fun panels at ClexaCon, and some queer animated shorts! Enjoy!
Further reading: Anatomy of a Love Seen Wikipedia page2019-11-0828 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Heavenly CreaturesEpisode 48: Heavenly Creatures
Happy Halloween, ya gays! This week, we've got a spooky little episode because it involves MURDER. But it's also true crime which makes it even scarier! We're talking about the 1994 Peter Jackson (yeah, that guy) film Heavenly Creatures, which was the first movie ever for both Melanie Lynsky and Kate Winslet! And boy howdy, it was a doozie. There's some psychological STUFF happening here that is equally disturbing and oddly beautiful. Well, until it gets out of control, then it's just disturbing. But the New Zealand accents will keep it charming. Fun fact, Sarah's mind is blown wi...2019-10-2545 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The FavouriteEpisode 47: The Favourite
Hey Gays! This week we're talking about the 2018 PERIOD DRAMA (get it?), The Favourite. It's about how gay Queen Anne and her handmaidens were. It's very 1700s. We think you'll like it. Get on your gay wigs and gather your gay racing ducks, and get ready for some dirty ole fun!
Further reading:
The Favourite Wikipedia page
Autostraddle review by Heather
Advocate review
Sarah's Book Corner rec: When Brooklyn Was Queer by Hugh Ryan2019-10-1138 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Go FishEpisode 46- Go Fish
Dear Queers, it is time. Time to discuss Kevin Smith's friend Guinevere Turner (sorry that was mean, she is not his friend, he is her friend, see Episode 43: Chasing Amy) and her ex-partner (they broke up during filming, a true Lesbian Drama!) Rose Troche's very 1994 film Go Fish! It's like that alien movie kind of (see Episode 29: Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same), except the main character is meaner and the audio is worse. But! It was a Very Important film of its time and there are some fond feelings to be had. 90s queers, here's loo...2019-09-2746 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The Journey/SancharramEpisode 45- The Journey (Sancharram)
This week, we're heading to a mansion in a beautiful Indian jungle, where a couple of young lesbians fall in love with each other amid scenes of rushing water and gorgeous verdant forest. It sounds like I'm being facetious in describing this but actually the scenery is stunningly beautiful, and this movie is really good! Except for, like, the homophobia and sexism.
The Journey Wikipedia page2019-09-1329 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch My Days of MercyEpisode 44- My Days of Mercy
Hello dear Gays, this week we're talking about that Ellen Page/Kate Mara movie you saw the trailer for and got really excited to see those two kiss, and then forgot about because it had basically no theatrical release. Which tbh is fine, because this movie isn't the best, and is very very sad, and does a solid low-medium job of discussing the death penalty in America, one of the last bastions of the death penalty. However, Ellen Page continues to be the best, even when she's mostly crying and otherwise sadly emoting with h...2019-08-3026 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Chasing AmyEpisode 43- Chasing Amy
Well y'all, we had to do it sometime. This week, Sarah and Alicia discuss the 1997 bro movie with a lesbian character, Chasing Amy. Tune in to hear some complaints! But also some actual discussion! The main thing is that no one likes Ben Affleck, can we all agree? And even though this movie is Lesbianism for Bros 101, the character of Alyssa actually has some agency, which is cool. Enjoy, queers!
Further reading:
Chasing Amy Wikipedia page
Buzzfeed article by Shannon Keating, Looking Back at the Sexual Politics of 'Chasing Amy' 20 Years Later
Oliver Lee Bateman's The Big I...2019-08-1643 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch High ArtEpisode 42- High Art
Hi dear queers, this one's another downer, but please don't go away! Alicia and Sarah still have positive things to say about this lesbian classic from 1998 in which Sad Artists are Addicted to Substances. It is very somber but also has some great acting! (except for Patricia Clarkson; what are you doing Patricia??) And Sarah recommends a book about recovery that is way more nuanced than this movie! Enjoy, gays!
Further reading:
High Art Wikipedia page
Roger Ebert review (do with this what you will)
Variety review by Emanuel Levy2019-08-0226 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Desi's Looking for a New GirlEpisode 41: Desi's Looking for a New Girl
Do you have serious 90s nostalgia and wish you could watch a movie that's a lot like Better Than Chocolate and The Watermelon Woman in its aesthetic but with no sex, no plot, and an almost entirely Latinx cast? Then this movie is for you! Alicia and Sarah discuss this kind of flat, but also in many ways kind of great, film that centers a lot of Dyke Drama and outdated relationship/gender norms but also a diverse array of Latinx queers in San Francisco. Plus, there's a bookstore involved, so you know S...2019-07-1927 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch BooksmartEpisode 40: Booksmart
This week, we're delving into one of the best movies of 2019- and that's like, objectively speaking! Literally everyone loves this film, and with good reason. And one of the two main characters happens to be one of the raddest high school lesbians ever to be on screen. Join us as we dig into the funny, the problematic (there's always some problematic stuff, nbd), the emotional, the beautiful, the *journey* of this wacky gay as hell mainstream gem.2019-07-0549 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch - Pride month special: MANDAHLA ROSEEpisode 39: Pride month special: MANDAHLA ROSE
That's right gentlequeers, this week we've got a Very Special Episode in which we talk to the one and only Mandahla Rose! If you don't know her(??!!), Mandahla is basically in all the good queer content from film to web series, including the upcoming web series BIFL, described as the queer Friends (yes please). You may recall our episode about her movie All About E last year. In this delight of an interview, we talk to her about representation, playing a nonbinary ace lesbian (hell yeah!), and she shares some truly wild stories about f...2019-06-2136 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Boys Don't CryEpisode 38: Boys Don't Cry
CW: Literally everything horrible you could think of
Hi y'all. As you likely know, this movie is really tough to watch and to talk about. It's based on the true story of a young trans man named Brandon Teena who lived in Nebraska in the early 90s, in the days leading up to his brutal murder. There's a lot to unpack re: the queer/trans tragedy trope, who gets to tell queer and trans stories, and how those stories get told. Alicia and Sarah try their best in this episode. Not much snark this week folks! T...2019-06-0736 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Antonia's LineEpisode 37: Antonia's Line
[CW for rape, suicide, and ableism] Did you like Chocolat but wish it had less Johnny Depp and more women's empowerment? Well, Antonia's Line definitely does not have Johnny Depp and does have slightly more women's empowerment, so it might be up your alley! This 1995 Dutch movie about 4 generations of women who don't need men at all (one of whom is so gay!!) won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and was described as a 'feminist fairy tale,' which is more or less accurate. Join Alicia and Sarah as they discuss this cool multigenerational family saga...2019-05-2430 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Summertime/La Belle SaisonEpisode 36: Summertime/La Belle Saison
This week we're continuing our little European tour with a French movie that has much gay! We're not going to lie, this is one of the whitest movies we've seen, which is saying something. But it also has a lot of Lesbian Drama TM, some very great sex and kissing scenes if you're int that, some #Cophine vibes, very pretty landscapes, second-wave feminism (we said it was white), French, and most importantly, Sarah's favorite trope: farm dykes! Join Alicia and Sarah as they dig into this 2015 film.
Further reading:
Summertime/La Belle Saison Wikipedia page
Cather...2019-05-1045 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The Night WatchEpisode 35: The Night Watch
Are you a Classic(s) Lesbian? If so, and even if not, you might be familiar with Lesbian Literary Icon Sarah Waters. Today Alicia and Sarah talk about the 2011 BBC movie adaptation of one of her beloved novels. It's got intrigue, it's got romance, it's got a cute soft butch in oversize clothes, it's got English accents, and it has a lot of gays! This one's for you, historical fiction fans.
Further reading:
The Night Watch Wikipedia page
Guardian review by Wollaston2019-04-2630 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch A Perfect EndingEpisode 34: A Perfect Ending
Hello, Gays, and we're sorry. This movie is problematic af and also terrible. But you can hear Alicia and Sarah talk about it anyway! And draw all the parallels between this 2012 trainwreck and previously-talked-about Elena Undone! Which was made by the same director, surprise! Plus Sarah is not done talking about her Very Gay AWP experience, so tune in for some literary story time.
Further reading:
Wikipedia page2019-04-1231 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The Watermelon WomanEpisode 33: The Watermelon Woman
Welcome, Queers of the World, to the pinnacle of Lesbian Filmmaking! Have you already had the pleasure of seeing Watermelon Woman? Have you heard of it but didn't really get the synopsis you skimmed that time six years ago? Are you out of the loop on this 1996 stunner of a Film? Please enjoy some minutes of gushing and discussion from Sarah and Alicia, who would both rank this Cheryl Dunye classic among their top 3 movies, if they had a list. And more importantly, watch this engaging, layered, funny, serious, got-it-all piece of art. Plus, Sarah makes...2019-04-0543 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch BoundEpisode 32: Bound
This week we're talking about Lesbian Classic Bound, which is a Wachowski film with a lot of Lesbian Sex and also so much violence that Sarah actually had to stop watching it and put her head between her knees! But we get into it anyway, and we hope you enjoy this *crisp* convo.
Further reading:
Bound Wikipedia page2019-03-2926 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch A Marine StoryEpisode 30: Marine Story
Do you have really complicated and/or negative feelings about the military? So do we! But we watched this installment of Dreya Weber and Husband Make Movies With Gay or Bisexual Women anyway! It is a real journey of a movie, but the best surprise is out lesbian actor Paris Pickard, whose cool level Sarah cannot get over. (Maybe it's the KStew vibes?) Join Alicia and Sarah as they discuss this 2010 movie that involves maybe too many things!
Things mentioned:
Wikipedia page
After Ellen review
Paris Pickard interview in Go Magazine2019-02-2245 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks SameEpisode 29: Codependent Lesbian Alien Seeks Same
Y'all, this black and white film from 2012 is WEIRD. But it's weird in gayest way! Do yourself a favor and grab all of your queer friends, make a *lot* of popcorn (you'll want it while watching the Jiffy Pop space ship fly around), and laugh your cute gay butts off. Then listen to Alicia and Sarah talk about it! Underrated, for sure!
Things mentioned:
Wikipedia page
Official website2019-02-1532 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The Miseducation of Cameron PostEpisode 28: The Miseducation of Cameron Post
We're finally doing it bbs! This classic novel was turned into a film in 2018, and Sarah and Alicia have a lot of feels about it! Tune in to hear us gush about how much the novel means to to us, how great the acting is in this movie, how sad is this world right?!?!, the perfection of Blessercize, and how freaking awesome Cameron Post is as a character. Also, we continue to stan for Sasha Lane. We're also ready for a sequel. Of the book, but also the movie. Enjoy!
Things mentioned: This *gem* of...2019-02-0849 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Elena UndoneEpisode 26: Elena Undone
This movie has the longest kiss in cinematic history, because queers be committed! Join Alicia and Sarah as they discuss this chaotic yet sexy 2010 romp involving a cute, pragmatic lesbian and a preacher's HELL TO THE GAY but in denial wife. Yep.
Things mentioned: Elena Undone Wikipedia page2019-01-2537 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Lez BombEpisode 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 Reporter2019-01-1839 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Drifting FlowersEpisode 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 Taiwan2019-01-0440 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch CarolEpisode 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 Autostraddle2018-12-211h 03Gal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The Truth About JaneEpisode 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...2018-12-1446 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Battle of the SexesEpisode 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_9ntpJ02018-12-0759 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Almost AdultsEpisode 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/UnsolicitedProject2018-11-3046 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The GymnastEpisode 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 review2018-11-231h 08Gal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch I Can't Think StraightEpisode 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 review2018-11-1655 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch and the Lez Represent Podcast Watch Saving FaceEpisode 15: Saving Face
This week, Sarah and Alicia have a special guest! Erica from LezRepresent Podcast joins us to discuss possibly the best lesbian movie ever made, Saving Face. Join them as they talk about the rare joy of positive representation/own voices storytelling, hot moms, subverted tropes and How to Awkwardly Eat Food: A Study On Wil.
Subscribe to Lez Represent! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/lez-represent-podcast-lesbian-lady-loving-queer-lgbt/id1308112009?mt=2
Find Erica on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LezRepresent
Things mentioned:
Saving Face wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saving_Face_(2004_film)
Alice Wu wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Wu
...2018-11-091h 02Gal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Mulholland DriveEpisode 14: Mulholland Drive
We're just going to be straight (ahem, gay) with you: this movie is messed up. But join Alicia and Sarah on their journey to try and make sense of this clusterf*ck of a film, rail on that patriarchy/White Art, appreciate Naomi Watts for who she is (which is only ever Diane?!), and hard thumbs-down this TRICK of a movie. Trick or treat! (The treat is last week's Better Than Chocolate).
Things mentioned:
Mulholland Drive Wikipedia (good luck): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulholland_Drive_(film)
David Lynch's 'Mulholland Drive' Explained by David Thomson2018-11-0246 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Better Than ChocolateEpisode 13: Better Than Chocolate
Have you ever had a sex dream that involved body paint that looked like chocolate but wasn't? Do you like butch/femme pairings? Are you obsessed with queer bookstores and/or questionable existential art? Then you'll love Better Than Chocolate! Except for its (many) problematic aspects! But seriously, this 1999 Canadian gay romp is an important part of queer pop culture history. It's definitely a product of its time, but it does have its surprisingly woke moments! Tune in to hear Sarah and Alicia talk about plot holes, dildos, art, trans representation, and moms. Enjoy!
Things mentioned:
Be...2018-10-2657 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Desert HeartsEpisode 12: Desert Hearts
This week, Alicia and Sarah dig into this crucial film in the lesbian culture canon, and Sarah is downright shocked at how GAY this 1985 movie is! Want to hear about women in love in the desert who don't die or end up with men? Think you'd never find such a thing in a movie made before 2018? WELL HERE YOU GO.2018-10-1943 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The FeelsEpisode 11: The Feels
We all know Constance Wu is amazing, but wouldn't she be even better as a lesbian? Well, in this movie, she is! Join Sarah and Alicia as they dive into this improvised ensemble dramedy in which a couple of engaged lesbians have a joint bachelorette party and one of them admits she's never had an orgasm! Hijinks ensue! We talk about relationships, communication, and how much we're obsessed with Ever Mainard (who plays Helen). Content warning for discussion of sexual assault and peeping toms.
Things mentioned:
Intrusions by Melissa Febos (Sarah recommends you read literally everything by Meli...2018-10-121h 01Gal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne ListerEpisode 10: The Secret Diaries of Anne Lister
This week, Alicia and Sarah talk about a BBC biopic about the OG 'modern lesbian,' Anne Lister! If you haven't heard of her, you're in for a treat. She was the smartest, out-est, gayest Victorian lesbian and this movie will make you laugh, cry, and say, 'whoa, what a great sex scene!' Here's to learning about our fore-queers, y'all!
Things mentioned:
Jeanette Winterson's blog post about Anne Lister
I Know My Own Heart: The Diaries, 1791-1840 by Anne Lister, edited by Helen Whitbread2018-10-0555 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Personal BestEpisode 9: Personal Best
Sports! This week, we're digging into the surprisingly good 1982 movie Personal Best starring Mariel Hemingway and Patrice Donnelly and some more dudes we hate! Of course Sarah is super excited about a movie involving runners who are queer women because that is her exact wheelhouse, but this movie has a surprising amount of nuance and interesting storytelling (even though it was, obviously, made by white dudes). It's still from the 80s so it has its problematic elements, but join Alicia and Sarah as they dive into this almost-forgotten classic to talk body diversity, the portrayal of intimacy, t...2018-09-281h 03Gal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Duck ButterEpisode 8: Duck Butter
Do you know what duck butter is? Neither did we until this movie, and we kind of wish we still didn't! But whatever, it's cool! This week, Alicia and Sarah discuss the 2018 film Duck Butter, co-written by and starring another one of Sarah's crushes, Alia Shawkat! Join us as we discuss manic pixie dream girls, cute freckles, millennial stereotypes, abusive relationships, and poop!
Things mentioned:
'Duck Butter' and the 24-hour 'for Real' Relationship by Manohla Dargis
Queery with Cameron Esposito, Alia Shawkat episode2018-09-2153 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The RunawaysEpisode 7: The Runaways (2010)
This week, Alicia and Sarah continue their tour of Sarah’s celebrity crushes with Power Lesbian Kristen Stewart in her role as another Power Lesbian, Joan Jett. Both Sarah and Alicia agree: this movie is 5/5 Totinos. Listen as they talk about the exploitation of women, the ways in which Kim Fowley was a monster of a human being, the visual and audio perfection of this movie, and everyone’s favorite curly-haired cutie Alia Shawkat!
Articles mentioned:
Joan Jett Q&A: What she thinks of 'The Runaways,' the film's lesbian scenes and Kristen Stewart by Jim Farber
Wikipe...2018-09-1454 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch All About EEpisode 6: All About E The important take away from this episode is that Sarah has a massive crush onMandahla Rose. Other things of note are that this movie is full of plot holes, there aresome very not great aspects of our main characters, and there’s a pretty fantasticlesbian sex scene! Enjoy friends!
The book Sarah talks about when she goes off on one of her many tangents: Marriage of a Thousand Lies by S.J. SinduFind us on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and at galpalswatch@gmail.com2018-09-071h 02Gal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch The Children's HourEpisode 5: The Children’s Hour
All the content warning dear listeners! This movie involves intense homophobia andsuicide.
Listen to Alicia and Sarah break down the 1961 film The Children’s Hour starringAudrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine, and some dudes neither of them care about!This is a tough movie but it has its redeeming factors. Well, it has one redeemingfactor, but you’ll have to listen to find out what! Ever wonder about the Hays Codeand/or the history of the weirdly enduring spot in pop culture that this story has?(It’s based on a 1934 play, which is based on a book...2018-08-3157 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Imagine Me & YouEpisode 4: Imagine Me and You
Ah, is there any more fluffy lesbian rom-com than Imagine Me and You? The answer is no because it’s pretty much the only one, which is may be for the best, but Alicia and Sarah have a lot of love for this movie and they’re here to share their thoughts! Take a trip down White Lesbian Nostalgia Lane with your hosts as they dive into this 2005 masterpiece heartwarming emblem of its time!2018-08-241h 05Gal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Mosquita y MariEpisode 3: Mosquita y Mari
Alicia and Sarah are back to discuss the 2012 gem of a movie Mosquita y Mari, in which two teenage girls quietly fall in love in Los Angeles while also navigating their family lives, friendships, school, and the world in general. Both Sarah and Alicia love this movie, so tune in to hear them talk about friendship and intimacy, stylistic choices, and how beautiful this entire film is.
Articles mentioned: Bravado and Caresses: Girls on the Way to Life by Stephen Holden
Interview with Aurora Guerrero–Writer/Director of Mosquita y Mari by Melissa Silverstein2018-08-1047 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch Below Her MouthEpisode 2: Below Her Mouth
In this episode, Alicia and Sarah share their strong opinions about the 2016 porn film Below Her Mouth. This is a controversial movie among queers, and Sarah and Alicia do not shy away! Is it another version of Blue is the Warmest Color? Is it a thinly veiled story of toxic masculinity? A realistic portrayal of lesbian sex? A movie about bathtubs? Is there a story at all?! Tune in to find out!
Articles mentioned: ‘Below Her Mouth’ Is What Lesbian Porn Would Look Like If It Were Actually Made By Lesbians by Jude Dry2018-07-2751 minGal Pals WatchGal Pals Watch DisobedienceIn this inaugural episode, Alicia and Sarah discuss the highly anticipated and poorly marketed Lesbian Drama™ Disobedience starring Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams! They gush about character development, the portrayal of sex (and bodily fluids!), the elements of the story they thought were unique/important/great/terrible, and about gay ladies. We all love gay ladies.
Links to articles mentioned: Sebastian Lelio’s Disobedience Is an OK Movie With Great Movies Hiding Inside by April Wolfe
I Needed to Know How Disobedience Ends, So I Read the Novel by Danielle Olive of The Radical Notion2018-07-1356 min