Maid to Order

Here I go again being all randy on Hump Day (again I literally never say this IRL, I promise!). Now, I would first like to acknowledge that I am very late on this. Like extremely, extraordinarily late. Like a literal decade late. BUT, a good picture is a good picture. (Also, I already declared any day with Blanchett a good day, so you're welcome.) So when I was alerted that images like this existed of course I decided to pass them along in case you, like me, had somehow not seen them back in 2014.

Long story short, Cate Blanchett, Isabelle Huppert and Elizabeth Debicki all starred in the stage production of “The Maids,” which ran both in Sydney and in a limited engagement in New York 10 years ago. Cate and Isabelle play sisters and maids for Elizabeth’s socialite character who plot to kill her. But plot, smot. Let’s make up our own stories to these photos because, HELLO. Anyway, as I said any day with Blanchett is a good day – even belatedly and especially in a maid’s outfit. Add in Elizabeth and Isabelle too? Well, better late than never.

My Weekend Crush

We’ve all been giving our cable and streaming services a workout during these – as what every single commercial on TV keeps telling us are – unprecedented times. Now, more than ever – as every one of these damn ads keep reminding us – we are looking for distraction from our sad realities. If only for a little while. So, again, to celebrate the start of Pride Month please enjoy all of the queer media I’ve enjoyed through all of this. Perhaps in at least what we’re watching we can be – again as they can’t stop saying in these ridiculous ads – all in this together.

“The Half of It,” Netflix

The long (long, long, long, long, long) awaited cinematic follow-up for “Saving Face” director Alice Wu debuted while most of us were all still safely sheltering in place. This is a sweet teen story of sticking out and sticking up for our true selves grows on you with each watch. It’s a very solid if at times achingly earnest look at teenage love from a viewpoint so rarely seen in mainstream cinema. While the story has some tonal issues – it can veer from almost campy teen satire to sincere spiritual philosopher in a flash – it’s innate sweetness wins out in the end. And I am always going to relate to a story about a nerdy Asian-American girl who realizes she is gay while living in small-town America. Always.


“Vita & Virginia,” Hulu

This stylish retelling of the love story between writers Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackfield-West plays more thirsty than romantic. While there is admirable chemistry between its stars Elizabeth Debicki (as Virginia) and Gemma Arterton (as Vita) – I mean at least the ladies have The Look down – the passionate story can get tripped up in its own theatrical telling. There’s some style over substance happening, for sure. But at least Elizabeth and Gemma know how to telegraph their desire – and flat-out lust – for each other effortlessly. In fact it’s these looks that are the films strongest suit. And, while this may make me sound like an old fogey shaking my fist at those kids on the lawn, I was also put off by the film’s insistane that this period drama should be set to a relentless EDM beat. I was not expecting this literary longing to be set to techno, but here we are.


“Never Have I Ever,” Netflix

Yes, I know, another teen comedy. But this sweet (I know, another sweet thing, but I’m gravitating toward sweet stuff – OK?) comedy series from Mindy Kaling is another example of why our diversity is our strength. The show centers around a 15-year-old Indian-American teen girl dealing with the sudden death of her father, the cultural pressures from her family, and normal teenage dramas. But instead of being just another teen show, it’s a very funny and very smart and very refreshing take on the universal horror of being a teenager in America. Plus, there’s a lesbian storyline which I wish there was more of, but then I always wish there was more gay stuff. Always.

“Tommy,” CBS

So, I’ve decided “Tommy” was trying to be the “West Wing” of police shows. The series about the first female police chief for the city of Los Angeles, played by Edie Falco, who also happens to be a lesbian wants to make liberal folks feel good about law enforcement – like what Aaron Sorkin’s hit drama did for politics. It was admirably acted, though its emotional arcs were uneven. And, not to sound like a broken record, but there needed to be way, way more gay stuff.

So, what LGBTQ stuff have you been watching? Share, kittens, because we’re stronger united – as every corporation won't stop telling us. Happy safe and healthy weekend, all.

Book Smart

[Find bigger version here]

Look, we all know Carol Aird is The Smoulder Stare Queen of the Lesbians. But goodness if Elizabeth Debicki’s Virginia Woold and Gemma Arterton’s Vita Sackville-West aren’t giving it the old destined to be taught in college literature classes try. This exclusive clip from their upcoming film “Vita & Virginia,” which opens Friday, certainly makes me want to be a fly on that wall. Or, you know, Virginia’s cigarette.

Literary Fuck Thursday

Well, now, doesn’t this look just – scrumptious. The last of the Carol Effect movies to make it to the big screen is finally here. And while I know not to get my hopes up for a happy ending with “Vita & Virginia” (given the real-life history of its subjects Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West), I can’t help but feel all swoony about this none the less. Literary lesbianism, period costume, ladies kissing ladies? Well, call it the “Gentleman Jack” Effect, but my expectations are not low – to say the least.

When Vita Met Virginia

Hey, remember when I wrote about that trio of lesbian films with high-profile casts coming to a movie screen near (well, I hope near) you? Well, they’re really happening. While we may all still reeling from The Great Spit Debate of the fall, another film has revealed a far less controversial first impression.

The new film “Vita & Virginia,” starring Elizabeth Debicki as Viginia Woolf and Gemma Arterton as Vita Sackville West, looks to be a beautiful period and luxurious (or at very least luxuriating) piece from its first production still.

Set in the literary world of the 1920s, it chronicles the relationship between the two women. The film is described as a “timeless love story, told in a contemporary style, about two women who smashed through social barriers to find solace in their forbidden connection.”

I don’t know what else they will be smashing, ahem, but I certainly hope it is not this lovely vintage ride.