Movies That Made Us Gay – Details, episodes & analysis

"I may be a drape, but I love your granddaughter. And if that's a crime, I'll stand convicted, ma'am." We watched "Cry-Baby", directed by John Waters, with our friend and rockabilly expert Janelle, and there's nothing the matter with our faces - we've got character! Listen, John Waters movies are camp, trash, queer, drag, cinema classics, and "Cry-Baby" is a prime example. Johnny Depp broke out of TV jail (it was the late 80's/early 90's) and jumped onto the big screen in the first of his quirky character choices playing Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker. Cry-Baby and his gang of "drapes" are played by the coolest group of weirdos this side of "Pink Flamingos." We spend a good deal gushing over how cool the gang is, including a sizable moment dissecting Traci Lords' voluminous hairdo. Waters' knack for casting is ever-present, featuring the likes of Susan Tyrell, Iggy Pop, Joe Dallesandro, Troy Donahue, and the feature debut of one Patricia Hearst. Get transported with us to Baltimore of the early 1960's and watch Johnny Depp in 501's (and a good portion in just tighty-whities) strut around with juvenile delinquents, squares, and a cast of colorful outcasts.

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Bluesky: @MTMUGPod.bsky.social

Scott Youngbauer: Twitter @oscarscott / Instagram @scottyoungballer

Peter Lozano: Twitter/Instagram @peterlasagna

"Professor, my dreams grow darker. Does evil come from within us, or from beyond?" We watched a double feature of the original "Nosferatu" from 1922, directed by F.W. Murnau, and the most recent version, "Nosferatu" from 2024, directed by Robert Eggers, and we may need to sleep with the lights on. The original "Nosferatu" is the archetype for not only modern vampire movies but for horror movies in general. Count Orlok, as portrayed by Max Schreck (yes, it's his real name), is so iconic that it's become part of vampire lore. The Eggers film took this century-old material and made it so spooky, so creepy, and so modern that it's sure to endure for just as long. Lily-Rose Depp is a revelation as Ellen Hutter, and Billy Skarsgård is securing himself on the Mount Rushmore of modern horror. Nicholas Hoult and Aaron Taylor-Johnson are easy on the eyes, but the grotesque, eerie performances by Depp and Skarsgård seal the deal. 

Thank you for listening, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review us on Apple Podcasts!

www.patreon.com/moviesthatmadeusgay

Facebook/Instagram: @moviesthatmadeusgay

Bluesky: @MTMUGPod.bsky.social

Scott Youngbauer: Twitter @oscarscott / Instagram @scottyoungballer

Peter Lozano: Twitter/Instagram @peterlasagna

"Fair is fair! We didn't start this, we didn't mean it to happen, but we're not giving up until you pay. FAIR IS FAIR!" We watched "The Legend of Billie Jean" with Jesse Krempel, the wonderful host of "Cult Cinema Circle," and we need to make an appointment with our hairstylist. This often overlooked gem from the 1980s chronicles outlaw teens on the run from the cops, their parents, and a sleazy businessman while going "viral" in a pre-social media world. Billie Jean, played by a drop-dead gorgeous Helen Slater, and her brother Binx (teeny-teen Christian Slater - no relation) run afoul of some local dirtbags who then steal and trash Binx's prize Honda Elite scooter. The stakes are actually sort of low - but it's the principle of the matter which makes Billie Jean and company local folk heroes. In a key moment, Billie Jean chops off her hair after being inspired by Joan of Arc; she is giving us some Vidal Sassoon, Sally Hershberger realness that would make Miss Tyra Banks herself proud. The kids in this movie are so '80s it would make the costumers on "Stranger Things" heads spin, and the soundtrack features the absolute BANGER "Invincible" by the legendary Pat Benatar. Stay tuned for the latest Weekly Rewind at the end of the episode!

Thank you for listening, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review us on Apple Podcasts!

www.patreon.com/moviesthatmadeusgay

Facebook/Instagram: @moviesthatmadeusgay

Bluesky: @MTMUGPod.bsky.social

Scott Youngbauer: Twitter @oscarscott / Instagram @scottyoungballer

Peter Lozano: Twitter/Instagram @peterlasagna

"I do wish I could chat longer, but... I'm having an old friend for dinner. Bye." We watched "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991) with our friend Donovan Marcotte and we may or may not have polished off an entire bottle of chianti. What can we say about this iconic '90s psychological thriller? This movie really launched an entire genre in movies and TV and the Brian Fuller produced Hannibal television series, but we're here to talk about the iconic Jonathan Demme directed film. Nothing quite screams "why are you like this?" more than adult gays reflecting on watching this film WAY too early and loving every minute of it. We're not saying this movie warped us but wer're not, not saying it. On a film appreciation level, this movie ticks all the boxes (Oscar Sweep) but on a queer level... I mean Jodie Foster is Mother. Yes this movie has some outdated and problematic depictions of queer and in particular trans characters and we definitely address that. Hopefully the antiquated language and depictions of the LGBTQ community don't put too much of a damper on our discussion of this classic movie. Besides, it's still scary as hell and we would be remiss if we didn't mention THE song of the season - "Goodbye Horses" by the late great Q Lazzarus. If you ever want to creep out a dinner party, slip that banger into your playlist. You're welcome.  

Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

www.patreon.com/moviesthatmadeusgay

Facebook/Instagram/Threads: @moviesthatmadeusgay

X (Twitter)/Bluesky: @MTMUGPod

Scott Youngbauer: Twitter @oscarscott / Instagram @scottyoungballer

Peter Lozano: Twitter/Instagram @peterlasagna

"This road never ends. It probably goes all around the world." We talk about the lost boys of the Pacific Northwest, and finally get to Gus Van Sant's "My Own Private Idaho" with our friend Marlene Stang. This movie was formative to all three of us, but we also take a deep dive into our thoughts on River Phoenix and what his work meant to us as young people. River's performance as a narcoleptic gay street hustler on a quest to find his lost family really hit us in the feels upon this latest re-watch. Not to get too existential, but as we age we're relating to these kids a bit differently than when we first watched in our early teens. That street life is looking less romantic, and more chaotic these days. But it's really River and Keanu's performances as our two leads that stuck out then and hold up to this day - the pathos in the famous campfire scene is heartwrenching. We already knew River was a powerhouse actor in his short time with us, but Keanu really holds his own in their scenes together. "Whoa" indeed. This film may take a few detours with its Shakespearean dialogue that comes and goes and some truly dark turns here and there, but Gus Van Sant was really out here in these streets making a touching, often gritty, queer love story in the early '90s. We can't help but to Stan.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

www.patreon.com/moviesthatmadeusgay

Facebook/Instagram/Threads: @moviesthatmadeusgay

X (Twitter)/Bluesky: @MTMUGPod

Scott Youngbauer: Twitter @oscarscott / Instagram @scottyoungballer

Peter Lozano: Twitter/Instagram @peterlasagna

"To repress one's feelings only makes them stronger." We watched Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" with our friend Nikolas Romero this week and our backs hurt just watching these stunts. Suffice it to say that we've been obsessed with Michelle Yeoh for over two decades and this movie is a huge reason why. She's been having a moment with her Best Actress Oscar win, but we've been on board this whole time. Chow Yun-Fat may be playing the greatest swordsman in China but its Yeoh and Ziyi Zhang's characters who walk away with the entire movie. Jen (Zhang) and Shu Lien (Yeoh) are really schooling us on gender roles in traditional society and their fight scenes are some of best we've seen.  We also live for Jen's scorned master Jade Fox (Pei Pei Cheng), flying in and out of fight scenes like a wicked witch.  Martial Arts movies may traidionally be a male dominated genre, but Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon shows it doesn't have to be that way.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

www.patreon.com/moviesthatmadeusgay

Facebook/Instagram/Threads: @moviesthatmadeusgay

X (Twitter)/Bluesky: @MTMUGPod

Scott Youngbauer: Twitter @oscarscott / Instagram @scottyoungballer

Peter Lozano: Twitter/Instagram @peterlasagna

"Hey, I lost my eye for this gang, remember?" We watched "Switchblade Sisters" (1975) with our friend Ben Cheaves and we're Jezebels - remember that name! All we can say is thank you to Quentin Tarantino for breathing new life into this girl-gang expoitation masterpiece. We can see how this one could have easily fallen into obscurity, but Tarantino's re-release in 1996 kickstarted its cult status. Lace (Robbie Lee) leads the Dagger Debs - the baddest girl gang in town (maybe L.A., maybe NY, we'll never know) - and her whole world gets thrown into dissaray with the arrival of Maggie (Joanne Nail) the tough girl from the other side of town. The ensuing events are truly Shakespearan with Lace's tough as nails second in command Patch (Monica Gayle) turning in an epic performance filled with jealosy and rage. Many of the actresses were plucked from X Rated and grindhouse movies and the average age of these "high school" characters makes the cast of "Grease" look age appropriate. It adds to the charm! If you listen to our Pod then you know we're going to spend a whole lot of time breaking down exactly where these locations were in the grimy, hollowed out Los Angeles of the 1970's, cause that's how we roll. Switchblade Sister's wasn't winning any Oscars (or any other awards) but it knows exactly what it's selling and it's delivering at all times.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

www.patreon.com/moviesthatmadeusgay

Facebook/Instagram/Threads: @moviesthatmadeusgay

X (Twitter)/Bluesky: @MTMUGPod

Scott Youngbauer: Twitter @oscarscott / Instagram @scottyoungballer

Peter Lozano: Twitter/Instagram @peterlasagna

"No lady is dangerous if you know how to handle her." It's the long awaited Pedro Almodóvar movie on the podcast, and there's no other place to start but with his breakout Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown from 1988. We welcome Jose Gallegos - expert in all things Almodóvar to discuss the intricacies of this icon of Spanish Cinema. The plot is almost too dense to water down into a description, but Almodóvar films are all about vibes - and this movie is a vibe. The color pallete is filled with signature bright primary colors and the set design is over the top and bordeline cartoonish - yet it's that artifice that gives this film its memorable aura. The comedy of errors and manners throughout becomes so manic that its quieter moments really spotlight the acting and the tightly written script. Frequent Almodóvar collaborator Carmen Maura delivers a memorable performance, but we can't get baby Antonio Banderas out of our heads. Don't worry, we didnt forget about Rossy de Palma serving face, fashion and attitude. From neurotic best friends, terrorist attacks, metnal institutions and spiked gazpacho - it's enough to make anyone have a nervous breakdown. 

Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

www.patreon.com/moviesthatmadeusgay

Facebook/Instagram: @moviesthatmadeusgay

Twitter: @MTMUGPod

Scott Youngbauer: Twitter @oscarscott / Instagram @scottyoungballer

Peter Lozano: Twitter/Instagram @peterlasagna

I did not lift my skirt, It TWIRLED Up! You only remember the bad stuff don't you?"  We watched "Postcards from the Edge" with Friend of the Pod Joshua Clement and we could use a stiff drink.  From the novel of the same name by Queen Carrie Fisher, this semi-autobiographical film tackles the drug and alcohol use of struggling actress Suzanne Vale (Meryl Streep) and her recovery via her actress mother from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Doris Mann (Shirley MacLaine).  It was never a secret that these roles are thinly veiled allusions to their real life counterparts Carrie and her larger than life mother - the incomparable Debbie Reynolds. In a ultra-meta version of life imitating art, Miss Reynolds herself is said to have lobbied for the role of Doris Mann, but was told by director Mike Nichols she wasn't "right for the part." Iconic. Meryl Streep is wonderful as always as the ever-on-edge Suzanne but for our money, the stand-out here is really Shirley MacLaine. Give us the full length Doris Mann movie! This cast is so packed with heavy hitting cameos we can barely count (Gene Hackman, Richard Dreyfus, Rob Reiner) but the supporting cast is pretty stellar. Annette Bening as a horny day player is super charming and Dennis Quaid as the philandering producer… I mean Dennis Quaid's abs in 1990 generate enough sexual energy to power a small nation.  If you weren't already aware of Carrie Fisher's prowess as a writer, watch this movie. The sheer amount of sarcasm and wit packed into 100 minutes is a hint of the talent hiding in a teeny space princess. "What if you had a mother like Joan Crawford or Lana Turner? These are the options? You, Joan or Lana?"

Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

www.patreon.com/moviesthatmadeusgay

Facebook/Instagram: @moviesthatmadeusgay

Twitter: @MTMUGPod

Scott Youngbauer: Twitter @oscarscott / Instagram @scottyoungballer

Peter Lozano: Twitter/Instagram @peterlasagna

"Darling. Could you, like, chill for a sec?" We watched "Freaky Friday" (2003) with friend of the pod Devin Lotfi and we want to get a little ear-stud right... there. Man oh man, this movie is fun! Lindsay Lohan and Queen Jamie Lee Curtis are having a blast and it shows on screen - the two are at their best in scenes with each other. We spend some time talking about the 1976 original with Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris, and even the oft forgotten Disney Channel Original Movie (or DCOM if you're nasty) from 1995 with Shelley Long and Gabby Hoffman, but this Mark Waters classic is really the one that has aged like fine wine. Will we ever get a "re-quel" with Jamie Lee and Lindsay? We can only hope. Did Chad Michael Murray's career come to an all-too-abrupt halt? Maybe. Are the early-aughts fashions both great and terrible? Absolutely. Listen, Lindsay is showing that early promise everyone always talked about, Jamie Lee is swinging for the fences with her comedic choices and director Mark Waters would team up again with Linds the following year to give us the utterly homosexual classic "Mean Girls." You're welcome! Now excuse us, we have to apply a hydrating face mask - we look like the Crypt Keeper!!

Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

www.patreon.com/moviesthatmadeusgay

Facebook/Instagram: @moviesthatmadeusgay

Twitter: @MTMUGPod

Scott Youngbauer: Twitter @oscarscott / Instagram @scottyoungballer

Peter Lozano: Twitter/Instagram @peterlasagna