Why the Flick?

Pride Month may be ending, but our joyful subtheme continues for one more episode—only this time we’re swapping a gay fight club for a gay nightclub with The Birdcage (1996). Starring comedic geniuses Nathan Lane and Robin Williams, this beloved farce remains as hilarious as ever thanks to its sharp wit and surprisingly pointed social commentary. On top of its unforgettable performances, the film was also ahead of its time in the way it challenged misconceptions about the LGBTQ+ community and paved the way for more playful queer representation. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, we’re diving into it all while putting a spotlight on the funniest one-liners, Val’s villainy, and the power of drag.

Resources
https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/08/movies/film-review-la-cage-aux-folles-but-in-south-beach.html
https://www.today.com/popculture/nathan-lane-says-robin-williams-protected-interview-oprah-winfrey-rcna76537
https://deadline.com/2024/06/nathan-lane-robin-williams-advice-coming-out-birdcage-1235975010/
https://people.com/nathan-lane-robin-williams-the-birdcage-incredibly-generous-exclusive-8661593
https://people.com/nathan-lane-wasnt-brave-enough-to-come-out-when-the-birdcage-was-released-11945651
https://www.slashfilm.com/1801031/why-gene-hackman-starred-the-birdcage/
https://flaszonfilm.com/2026/02/02/the-birdcage-at-30-cultural-de-escalation-through-exposure-therapy-and-points-of-no-return/
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210310-the-birdcage-at-25-a-pioneering-moment-in-mainstream-cinema

It’s time for Pride Month and this year we’re putting the spotlight on joyful LGBTQ+ stories, starting with Bottoms (2023). From Shiva Baby creator Emma Seligman with acting duo Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri, this female-led flick is both an ode to and fresh take on the raunchy teen comedy. Thanks to its absurdist tone and neverending visual gags, the story flips the genre on its head by centering queer characters who start a fight club to win over their cheerleader crushes—all while tackling conversations on coming of age and female solidarity. This episode, we’re along for the ride as we discuss our favorite jokes, the standout soundtrack, and all the gloriously chaotic fighting.

Resources
https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/bottoms-review-rachel-sennott-1235550522/
https://www.indiewire.com/features/craft/bottoms-emma-seligman-editing-improv-1234902688/
https://people.com/marshawn-lynch-took-role-in-bottoms-for-his-queer-sister-exclusive-7964651
https://mashable.com/article/bottoms-makeup-natalie-christine-johnson
https://clutchpoints.com/entertainment/bottoms-stunt-coordinator-deven-macnair-exclusive-interview
https://filmmakermagazine.com/121937-interview-emma-seligman-bottoms/
https://www.vulture.com/article/bottoms-emma-seligman-rachel-sennott-ayo-edebiri.html

The time has come for us to sadly close out Ani-MAY-tion Month so we’re ending on the perfect note with our final pick: The Last Unicorn (1982). Based on the acclaimed story by Peter S. Beagle, it’s a cult classic that mixes '80s dark fantasy with '70s medieval revival in a way that gives peak weirdness. But despite its strange visuals, this Rankin-Bass and Top Craft (pre-Studio Ghibli) collaboration is a celebration of animation brought to life with a soundtrack by America and legendary voice acting from Mia Farrow, Christopher Lee, Jeff Bridges, and more. For the final episode of our themed month, we’re embarking on a quest through book vs movie comparisons, mortality themes, and our dangerous boobs era.

Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Unicorn_(film)
https://www.slashfilm.com/751443/turns-out-the-last-unicorn-is-a-secret-studio-ghibli-film/
https://gamerant.com/last-unicorn-studio-ghibli-connection/
https://collider.com/what-did-peter-s-beagle-think-of-the-last-unicorn-movie/
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/06/christopher-lee-obituary-peter-s-beagle
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8prJxxf

There’s something about stop-motion animation that’s equal parts beautiful and creepy so naturally we made sure to fit this art style into our Ani-MAY-tion Month lineup. And no movie captures those cozy-yet-nightmarish vibes better than Coraline (2009). A debut feature from the newly formed Laika and directed by animating legend Henry Selick, it was a labor of love that expanded the medium to a vibrant 3D world for the first time ever. Featuring a spooky backdrop, this flick also earns its reputation as the perfect gateway into horror for any little goth at heart. In our second theme pick, we’re doing our best to unravel the mysteries behind Other Mother’s origin, jumping mice, and those terrifying button eyes. Plus, one of our cohosts might finally be over their lifelong claymation phobia.

Resources
Hand-Making Coraline: Behind LAIKA’s First Feature
Animating Coraline - Behind the Scenes
Hand Made in 3D: Behind the Scenes of Coraline
Biggest Smallest World: Behind the Scenes of Coraline
https://collider.com/coraline-3d-animation/
https://oregonconfluence.com/2020/10/12/how-the-classic-oregonmade-film-coraline-came-to-be-set-in-ashland-or/
https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/52484-dakota-fanning-is-the-voice-of-coraline
https://coraline.fandom.com/wiki/April_Spink

We’ve been cooking on our next theme for a while now, listeners, so when the time finally came around we knew we had to unveil Ani-MAY-tion Month. For the next four weeks, we’ll be immersing ourselves in the world of animated cinema and there’s no better place to start than with The Prince of Egypt (1998). One of Dreamwork’s first projects, this flick brings the Passover story to life in the grandest, most epic way possible, complete with a banger soundtrack and top-tier voice cast that includes the likes of Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Tune into our newest episode of Why the Flick? as we dive into the film’s stunning visuals, its Exodus adaptation, and the high-stakes of sibling rivalries.

Resources
Jews on Film: The Prince of Egypt w/ Stephanie Butnick
The Prince of Egypt VFX Featurette
https://www.filmsound.org/studiosound/postpro.html
https://www.cinemantics.org/p/why-the-prince-of-egypt-is-the-best
https://www.cloudypicture.com/p/the-prince-of-egypt-and-the-power
https://www.filminquiry.com/animation-sensation-the-prince/