Trans People Films to Spit in Transphobic Eyes

    This week three films about trans people recommended by transgender friends of ours and one film by a trans woman. We discuss these films in broad terms for general viewers with the hope that will help them be seen by more people and for those viewers to begin larger dialogs. We are not the people who should, or even really could, have a more in depth discussion about them. Trans rights are human rights. 

     Boys Don't Cry- inspired by the true story of Brandon Teena, a trans man who tried to find himself and love but instead was brutally murdered by two cishet male acquaintances. 
     Black Lizard (1968)- Sanae is kidnapped by the notorious criminal mastermind Black Lizard. Her father enlists the help of master detective Kogoro Akechi to bring her home. Twists, double crosses, disguises within disguises, a brilliant lead performance, and multiple abrupt love stories make this a tragically overlooked classic.
     Funeral Parade of Roses- Eddie works as a host at Genet night club. Leda is the club's managing "lead girl" and begins to suspect that Eddie is sleeping with the owner, who also happens to be Leda's partner, to move up the ranks. Leda is correct. There are also flashbacks of murder, film students, and documentary interviews with the cast as their real life selves. A brilliant art film that smears lines and disregards conventional narrative for a fascinating meta look at the Tokyo scene it was created in.
     Solomon Kane- Based on the pulp character created by Robert E Howard. The Devil comes to claim the soul of Puritan and privateer Solomon Kane. Kane flees to a remote monastery but is soon set on his path of redemption. A path that will carve a bloody trail all the way back to his childhood. 
     All that and a far from gentle reminder that trans rights are human rights. We condemn the attacks on this simple truth, not just the current massive push at local and national levels across the globe but those through out history. 

Episode 250- Trans People Films to Spit in Transphobic Eyes (OR... JK Blocks Us)

Fields of Dream

     A student's unique part-time job and a man's odyssey to fulfill his dreams.

     When his uncle dies, New Jersey grocer, Harold Bissonette comes into enough money to move his family across country and buy a California orange grove. Will his dreams of an improved life come true or will his wife and children send him into a spiral of alcoholism and despair? Maybe It's a Gift after all?
     Lucy works two jobs and a side hustle being a test subject to pay her tuition and rent. When a highly paid opportunity appears, she jumps at the chance. When that leads to a better paid but without a regular schedule job, Lucy finds herself flush. The job just happens to be voluntarily drugging herself to sleep and spending the night being groped by men. A different version of Sleeping Beauty.
     All that and Craig suffers, Tyler becomes the night, Dave gets a clue, and Kevin considers running away to join the circus.

Episode 249- Fields of Dream

Penultimate Guitarfighter

     This week- a pair of disputes that range from the domestic to the pangalactic. Both of which were turned into off-Broadway musicals for the 2004 theater season. 

      Saloonkeeper Vienna's volatile relationship with the local yokels is quickly approaching critical. As a defensive measure she hires on a former lover and multiple discipline virtuoso, Johnny. Will this be enough to calm the waters, kept at a rolling boil by unable to deal with her feelings local rancher Emma Small? Or will this be the last duet for Vienna and Johnny Guitar?
     Alex dreams of life after the Starlite Starbrite trailer park he has spent his life in. Alex's only escapes are his dreams of college and the arcade game outside the local convenience store. When he breaks the high score, he soon learns it is all true and the Ko-Dan Armada is threatening all peaceful planets of the Rylan Star League. With only his navigator, Grig, can Alex save The Frontier and stop the power mad Xur? What hope can there possibly be when you are The Last Starfighter?
     All that and Craig almost achieves enlightenment, Kevin fills in some gaps, Dave looks down on their life choices, and Tyler feels the force flow through him- it isn't as fun as expected. Join us, won't you?

Episode 248- Penultimate Guitarfighter

Dial-a-Surf

    This week a master experiments with their art and a dude goes to the beach.

     When former professional tennis player Tony learns of his wife's affair with a crime fiction writer, he concocts a scheme that would make Agatha Christie herself take some notice. Leaning on a fellow Cambridge alumnus, he rolls his plan into motion. Unfortunately, events take a turn. Can Tony salvage his scheme? Will the incredibly disinterested police inspector solve his tangled puzzle? To find out- Dial M for Murder.
     Billy wants to be a kite surfer. To help him achieve this dream, all of Texas passes the hat and raises enough money to get him to a competition of questionable prestige. En route he picks up a pretty hitchhiker and sparks fail to ignite. Soon stakes happen and there's a mean Frenchmen and 2 Chainz and other people. Non of it matters as long as Billy can Send It!
     All that and Tyler reevaluates a superhero of biblical proportions, Kevin doesn't like a joke, Dave tried to silence a radio, and Craig finally begins his long gestating plan of global domination. Join us, won't you?

Episode 247- Dial-a-Surf