HEY THAT MOVIE IS TOTALLY GAY
Jun. 10th, 2025 06:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rmdHere's a random and utterly incomplete list of some queer movies where there's a happy ending. Sometimes after lots of violence, sometimes after doomful awkwardness, and sometimes just happy.
Pride (based on a true story)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_(2014_film)
(Paramount+, Kanopy)
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Priscilla,_Queen_of_the_Desert
(Amazon Prime, Peacock)
30 years after the movie, folks managed to track down the actual bus used in filming:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/apr/11/the-30-year-hunt-to-find-the-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-bus-my-jaw-was-on-the-ground
But I'm a Cheerleader
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/But_I%27m_a_Cheerleader
(Paramount+)
Everything Everywhere All At Once
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everything_Everywhere_All_at_Once
(availble for digital rental etc, possibly not included on any streaming service's subscription at the moment)
The Kids Are All Right
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kids_Are_All_Right_(film)
(availble for digital rental etc, possibly not included on any streaming service's subscription at the moment)
Bound (The Wachowskis first directing credit, before The Matrix. Content note: the film earns its R rating with sexual content but also with some very intense moments of violence.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bound_(1996_film)
(Paramount+, Kanopy)
The Birdcage
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birdcage
(Amazon Prime, Peacock)
Happiest Season
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiest_Season
(Hulu)
Desert Hearts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Hearts
(Max, Criterion)
Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredibly_True_Adventure_of_Two_Girls_in_Love
(Netflix, Kanopy)
Go Fish
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_Fish_(film)
(Amazon Prime, Kanopy)
Here's some queer movies I haven't seen that I keep meaning to check out that I think are probably in the same category or at least aren't too doomful, maybe?
Ammonite
Booksmart
Bottoms
Bros
Carol
D.E.B.S.
Fire Island
Love Lies Bleeding
Moonlight
My Own Private Idaho
Nyad
Power of the Dog
Red, White, and Royal Blue
Rustin
Saving Face
TransAmerica
Will & Harper
Pride (based on a true story)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_(2014_film)
(Paramount+, Kanopy)
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Priscilla,_Queen_of_the_Desert
(Amazon Prime, Peacock)
30 years after the movie, folks managed to track down the actual bus used in filming:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/apr/11/the-30-year-hunt-to-find-the-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-bus-my-jaw-was-on-the-ground
But I'm a Cheerleader
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/But_I%27m_a_Cheerleader
(Paramount+)
Everything Everywhere All At Once
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everything_Everywhere_All_at_Once
(availble for digital rental etc, possibly not included on any streaming service's subscription at the moment)
The Kids Are All Right
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kids_Are_All_Right_(film)
(availble for digital rental etc, possibly not included on any streaming service's subscription at the moment)
Bound (The Wachowskis first directing credit, before The Matrix. Content note: the film earns its R rating with sexual content but also with some very intense moments of violence.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bound_(1996_film)
(Paramount+, Kanopy)
The Birdcage
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birdcage
(Amazon Prime, Peacock)
Happiest Season
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiest_Season
(Hulu)
Desert Hearts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Hearts
(Max, Criterion)
Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredibly_True_Adventure_of_Two_Girls_in_Love
(Netflix, Kanopy)
Go Fish
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_Fish_(film)
(Amazon Prime, Kanopy)
Here's some queer movies I haven't seen that I keep meaning to check out that I think are probably in the same category or at least aren't too doomful, maybe?
Ammonite
Booksmart
Bottoms
Bros
Carol
D.E.B.S.
Fire Island
Love Lies Bleeding
Moonlight
My Own Private Idaho
Nyad
Power of the Dog
Red, White, and Royal Blue
Rustin
Saving Face
TransAmerica
Will & Harper
Book Review
Jun. 9th, 2025 09:33 pmkenjariThe Familiar
by Leigh Bardugo
This surprising novel is set in 16th century Spain, where both King Phillip and the Inquisition rule. Luzia is a conversa kitchen scullion who can do magic, creating milagritos, or little miracles, such as unburning a loaf of bread or mending a torn gown. When her ambitious employer discovers Luzia's ability, Luzia is plunged into the dangerous games of the nobility. In the process of being prepared for a tournament of miracle workers, Luzia meets Santangel, an immortal, cursed man tied to Victor de Paredes, who hopes Luzia and her powers can set him free.
The Familiar had a lot of twists and turns, never going quite where I expected it to. It's in some ways a cautionary tale about the dangers of power, ambition, and desire, but also a triumphant tale of how those with little can still win. Luzia has her own ambitions and desires for a better, easier, and more luxurious life, which occasionally make her reckless in the face of the dangers of her position. Nonetheless, I found her very sympathetic. What she wants is ultimately simpler and more honest than the desires of her more aristocratic patrons. She wants power not for control over others, but for the lifestyle it can buy her. The ways in which she grew into her power and finally learned to negotiate its dangers were quite satisfying.
by Leigh Bardugo
This surprising novel is set in 16th century Spain, where both King Phillip and the Inquisition rule. Luzia is a conversa kitchen scullion who can do magic, creating milagritos, or little miracles, such as unburning a loaf of bread or mending a torn gown. When her ambitious employer discovers Luzia's ability, Luzia is plunged into the dangerous games of the nobility. In the process of being prepared for a tournament of miracle workers, Luzia meets Santangel, an immortal, cursed man tied to Victor de Paredes, who hopes Luzia and her powers can set him free.
The Familiar had a lot of twists and turns, never going quite where I expected it to. It's in some ways a cautionary tale about the dangers of power, ambition, and desire, but also a triumphant tale of how those with little can still win. Luzia has her own ambitions and desires for a better, easier, and more luxurious life, which occasionally make her reckless in the face of the dangers of her position. Nonetheless, I found her very sympathetic. What she wants is ultimately simpler and more honest than the desires of her more aristocratic patrons. She wants power not for control over others, but for the lifestyle it can buy her. The ways in which she grew into her power and finally learned to negotiate its dangers were quite satisfying.
boring knee update
Jun. 8th, 2025 07:23 pmredbirdMy right knee is healing, and stretching worked significantly better than yesterday. I even did a few carefully selected PT exercises this afternoon.
I can do more things standing up, and walking around the apartment is easier. However, I seem to have been leaning too much on the other leg, because my left knee started to hurt earlier. Not badly, but enough that I am putting the cane aside for the moment.
update Monday, 6/9: my knees feel mostly OK today. I am still being careful about walking a lot or standing too long. I just got the mail, figuring the two steps down to the mailboxes would be a useful check of how I'm doing. It was doable, but did hurt a little; I'm glad I decided not to go out. (The sidewalk is down another half dozen stairs, which are a bit more difficult than the ones inside, but the main thing is that this way I only had to climb back up two stairs.)
I heard from the GI doctor's office this morning, and have an appointment Friday at 10:30, which will be telemedicine. I hope my knees will be feeling a lot better by then, but if she had wanted to see me in person, I would have called a lyft and taken the quad cane with me just in case.
I can do more things standing up, and walking around the apartment is easier. However, I seem to have been leaning too much on the other leg, because my left knee started to hurt earlier. Not badly, but enough that I am putting the cane aside for the moment.
update Monday, 6/9: my knees feel mostly OK today. I am still being careful about walking a lot or standing too long. I just got the mail, figuring the two steps down to the mailboxes would be a useful check of how I'm doing. It was doable, but did hurt a little; I'm glad I decided not to go out. (The sidewalk is down another half dozen stairs, which are a bit more difficult than the ones inside, but the main thing is that this way I only had to climb back up two stairs.)
I heard from the GI doctor's office this morning, and have an appointment Friday at 10:30, which will be telemedicine. I hope my knees will be feeling a lot better by then, but if she had wanted to see me in person, I would have called a lyft and taken the quad cane with me just in case.
Meanwhile in cross stitch land
Jun. 7th, 2025 04:03 pmdianec42As it was written in the spreadsheets, so it has come to pass.
New project: Upon A Star by PigeonCoop Designs from the book Cross Stitch In The Forest.
Have I learned my lesson about dark Aida, many similar shades of one colour, and fractional stitches? No. Have I learned to check HOW MUCH of each shade I'll need when using threads from my stash? Also no.
Floss toss to confirm I still like the colors:
The first few stitches.
First project to clear off the backlog: 1960s mod lady for the cover of my sewing notebook. There will be text "Sewing Notes" vertically in the blank area on the right. I did the French knots for the eyes a while ago and they have gone horribly wrong - the knots have both pulled through to the back! Lesson learned, don't do french knots as part of a tour of traveling backstitch. I am just going to do new knots over the top of them.
Bonus, I found the missing small Permin kit tucked away in the folder with the mod fashion lady! I guess this was my emergency backup stitching when we moved. Way to go, Past Diane! You put it in a safe place all right.
New project: Upon A Star by PigeonCoop Designs from the book Cross Stitch In The Forest.
Have I learned my lesson about dark Aida, many similar shades of one colour, and fractional stitches? No. Have I learned to check HOW MUCH of each shade I'll need when using threads from my stash? Also no.
Floss toss to confirm I still like the colors:
The first few stitches.
First project to clear off the backlog: 1960s mod lady for the cover of my sewing notebook. There will be text "Sewing Notes" vertically in the blank area on the right. I did the French knots for the eyes a while ago and they have gone horribly wrong - the knots have both pulled through to the back! Lesson learned, don't do french knots as part of a tour of traveling backstitch. I am just going to do new knots over the top of them.
Bonus, I found the missing small Permin kit tucked away in the folder with the mod fashion lady! I guess this was my emergency backup stitching when we moved. Way to go, Past Diane! You put it in a safe place all right.
(no subject)
Jun. 6th, 2025 11:13 amvvalkyriI haven't read any dreamwidth for a little bit, but over on Facebook I think there's only one non-jewish person I've seen say anything about the fire attack in Boulder on mostly elderly people walking in solidarity with hamas's hostages.
I don't have time to write it right now but I definitely want to write more.
This one's about right: gift link:nytimes - Jews Are Afraid Right Now
And this one is every time I read it a slight bit more infuriating, because it came out in an email blast from new republic, and barely manages to accept that nobody deserves to be hit with a flamethrower, but instead spends all its time on why the act was the opposite of politically useful, as well as a bunch of time on what awful Netanyahu is doing. Violence against Jews is tragic and undermines the Palestinian cause
Readers may remember an essay back in 2021,
Dear American progressives your Jewish friends are terrified by your silence, in which the author knows how so much of the time it seems especially in progressive spaces any attack on Jews is met with discussion of the Middle East.
Anyway, I'm out of time and finding that last reminds me I need to figure out an alternative for pocket.
I don't have time to write it right now but I definitely want to write more.
This one's about right: gift link:nytimes - Jews Are Afraid Right Now
And this one is every time I read it a slight bit more infuriating, because it came out in an email blast from new republic, and barely manages to accept that nobody deserves to be hit with a flamethrower, but instead spends all its time on why the act was the opposite of politically useful, as well as a bunch of time on what awful Netanyahu is doing. Violence against Jews is tragic and undermines the Palestinian cause
Readers may remember an essay back in 2021,
Dear American progressives your Jewish friends are terrified by your silence, in which the author knows how so much of the time it seems especially in progressive spaces any attack on Jews is met with discussion of the Middle East.
Anyway, I'm out of time and finding that last reminds me I need to figure out an alternative for pocket.
So much DCish...
Jun. 6th, 2025 12:12 pmvvalkyriVeterans Rally today at 2EDT on the Mall near Air and Space, so nearest Metros are L'enfant and Archives. It's also live streamed Unite4Veterans.org, and they've got the Dropkick Murphys.
Later today a vigil at WWII. Stuff with Cliff Cash the rest of the weekend, like at FOX 'news' and Heritage. And Non-cooperation training with FreeDC tomorrow.
Later this evening, I just noticed there's celebrating nonmonagamy with World Pride. I think I'm pretty much missing world pride?
Tomorrow, the World Pride parade. 50501 is walking in it. Acro at Franklin Park to watch the parade. I'm sure all sorts of really cool stuff in the evening.
Sunday, some sort of Pride March to the Lincoln.
Here, we will go to Food Bank in an hour ish, not sure for the evening. There's a kink place if you wanted to drive like over an hour and have sweetie be bored and I'm not exactly sure what I was supposed to do.
Tomorrow and Sunday nights I'll be mostly on my own because EverQuest. I do know a couple people in the city, but I think both of them are busy sunday. And borrowing a car I've only driven across town to drive well over an hour feels weird anyway.
We've watched a few episodes of The Last of Us. Last night we watched Constantine.
Wednesday evening into yesterday was very very nice.
There's been a lot of very very nice. Including shower time.
I attended a webinar by one of the people whose research gets us that 3.5% figure for how much of the population on resisting authoritarianism. Just got the recording and additional resources. I feel vindicated in my insistence for the last however many years that divesting oneself of anyone the other side of Center is incredibly unhelpful and one should only do for one's own sanity. Because you need to build Bridges and connections on values.
It's Moon time so there's only so much seducing I'm trying this morning anyway. We will have the house to ourselves for at least part of tomorrow, tomorrow morning at least. Need to figure out what's manageable.
Running out of time. Need to get some coffee into me.
Later today a vigil at WWII. Stuff with Cliff Cash the rest of the weekend, like at FOX 'news' and Heritage. And Non-cooperation training with FreeDC tomorrow.
Later this evening, I just noticed there's celebrating nonmonagamy with World Pride. I think I'm pretty much missing world pride?
Tomorrow, the World Pride parade. 50501 is walking in it. Acro at Franklin Park to watch the parade. I'm sure all sorts of really cool stuff in the evening.
Sunday, some sort of Pride March to the Lincoln.
Here, we will go to Food Bank in an hour ish, not sure for the evening. There's a kink place if you wanted to drive like over an hour and have sweetie be bored and I'm not exactly sure what I was supposed to do.
Tomorrow and Sunday nights I'll be mostly on my own because EverQuest. I do know a couple people in the city, but I think both of them are busy sunday. And borrowing a car I've only driven across town to drive well over an hour feels weird anyway.
We've watched a few episodes of The Last of Us. Last night we watched Constantine.
Wednesday evening into yesterday was very very nice.
There's been a lot of very very nice. Including shower time.
I attended a webinar by one of the people whose research gets us that 3.5% figure for how much of the population on resisting authoritarianism. Just got the recording and additional resources. I feel vindicated in my insistence for the last however many years that divesting oneself of anyone the other side of Center is incredibly unhelpful and one should only do for one's own sanity. Because you need to build Bridges and connections on values.
It's Moon time so there's only so much seducing I'm trying this morning anyway. We will have the house to ourselves for at least part of tomorrow, tomorrow morning at least. Need to figure out what's manageable.
Running out of time. Need to get some coffee into me.
weird power outage, and knee update
Jun. 5th, 2025 09:10 pmredbirdWe had a *weird* power outage today: most but not all of the apartment lost power. Mercifully, we did not lose power to the study, where I've been sitting quietly in the air conditioning all day (the high was 35C/95F). Our first thought was that something weird had happened to our apartment's power. Cattitude spent some time on the phone with the management company, which sent a technician. The technician looked things over and told us to call Eversource.
Some piece of their equipment broke, leaving 37 customers without power, according to the outage map, including us and our upstairs neighbors who also had power in part of each apartment. It took them several hours to fix, but fortunately we got our lights back before it was entirely dark out. The oddest-feeling bit of this was realizing that I could plug my phone in to charge, in the middle of a power outage.
I have been doing almost nothing today, to avoid straining my knee*. It's feel better now than last night, but still not great, and I'm having trouble using the quad cane correctly: even moving slowly, my foot and the cane are landing with one an inch or so ahead of the other (sometimes the foot is forward, sometimes it's behind). Tomorrow is supposed to be a lot cooler, but I'm still planning to stay home, and hopefully do some stretching.
* Yes, I buried the lede in yesterday's post, because the googly-eyed train was more interesting.
Some piece of their equipment broke, leaving 37 customers without power, according to the outage map, including us and our upstairs neighbors who also had power in part of each apartment. It took them several hours to fix, but fortunately we got our lights back before it was entirely dark out. The oddest-feeling bit of this was realizing that I could plug my phone in to charge, in the middle of a power outage.
I have been doing almost nothing today, to avoid straining my knee*. It's feel better now than last night, but still not great, and I'm having trouble using the quad cane correctly: even moving slowly, my foot and the cane are landing with one an inch or so ahead of the other (sometimes the foot is forward, sometimes it's behind). Tomorrow is supposed to be a lot cooler, but I'm still planning to stay home, and hopefully do some stretching.
* Yes, I buried the lede in yesterday's post, because the googly-eyed train was more interesting.