Estradiol Illusions

The Mandalorian Season 2 Recap (Episode 3)

Big character reveals! Baby Yoda stops eating the last of Frog Lady's eggs! What could be better?
Join ITM for a discussion of a vast improvement over last episode. Three episodes in, the plot is finally moving forward! Cozy up with a bowl of octopus chowder and tune in for some Star Wars analysis. 
Ian's episode 3 recap: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/11/the-mandalorian-season-two-recap-chapter-eleven/

Sidney Flanigan

We are delighted to welcome actor & musician Sidney Flanigan to the show. Sidney made her acting debut in the spectacular film Never Rarely Sometimes Always at Sundance, one of Ian’s favorites from the festival. Sidney’s band Starjuice just released a new EP “Reminders,” which can be heard of Spotify. Sidney talks about her experiences making Never Rarely as well as the challenges of recording music in the covid era.
Be sure to check out Starjuice on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3b4yx9xGEgYJW3Kp9kwZLO
Ian’s Sundance review of Never Rarely Sometimes Always: https://fansided.com/2020/01/25/never-rarely-sometimes-always-sundance-review/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cover art courtesy of Starjuice. Headshot by Victoria Stevens. 

No Ordinary Man

Today we are delighted to host Aisling Chin-Yee, Chase Joynt & Amos Mac, co-directors and co-writers of the fascinating new documentary No Ordinary Man to the show. The film chronicles the life and legacy of jazz musician Billy Tipton, whose death sparked a media firestorm after it was revealed that he was a transgender man. Aisling, Chase, and Amos share plenty of insights from their experience making the doc, an important piece of LGBTQ cinema.    
 
No Ordinary Man is part of DOC NYC’s exciting slate. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.docnyc.net/
 
Ian’s review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/10/no-ordinary-man/
 
Film poster courtesy of Parabola Films

Mandalorian Season 2 Recap (Episode 2)

Chapter 10, "The Passengers" was a bit of a mixed bag. The stellar action sequences were hindered by some pretty abysmal plotting and narrative choices. 
Are we supposed to care that Baby Yoda is casually eating the last of Frog Lady's eggs? Join host ITM as she breaks down this peculiar episode. 

Mandalorian Season 2 Recap (Episode 1)

Baby Yoda show is back! Join host ITM for an exciting recap of The Mandalorian's second season premiere, full of Tusken Raiders, Deadwood, and the return of fan favorite R5-D4.
Is Boba Fett going to be pissed that Raylan Givens borrowed his duds? Did Baby Yoda get enough blue milk? Do Krayt dragons dream of electric sandworms? Make yourself a nice bowl of spice melange and tune in to find out! 
Ian's episode one review: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/10/the-mandalorian-season-two-review-chapter-9/

Vote Joe Biden & 2020 Senate Analysis

Looking at you, unenthusiastic voters. Joe Biden is not a great candidate. This "decent" man has decades worth of indecent votes to his name, a shameful legacy that we shouldn't have to revisit in 2020. Alas, here we are.
Trump is infinitely worse. It's not even close. LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, healthcare, and the very future of our nation is at stake. Voting doesn't need to be fun, but you need to vote. Trump may never end if we don't put a stop to this American Carnage. 
Ian also dives into the state of the 2020 Senate race and why it's way closer than the mainstream media thinks. Please, please, please vote. We can't pack the courts without senators who will do the packing. 
Fuck Trump. Vote Biden. 

Michael Hurst

We are delighted to welcome Michael Hurst to the show for a wide-ranging discussion of his illustrious career. Michael is best remembered for playing Iolaus on Hercules: The Legendary Journey's & Xena: Warrior Princess, and for his directorial work on shows like Spartacus and Ash vs. Evil Dead. Ian & Michael talk at length about the influence that Hercules has had on the fantasy genre, opening the door for dozens of shows that followed.
Michael recently appeared in the New Zealand production Dead, a hilarious and tender buddy cop comedy. Dead premieres on virtual cinemas on September 25th, with a VOD release on October 6th. Full of LGBTQ themes and making great use of the beautiful New Zealand landscape, Dead is a perfect choice for pandemic viewing.
Ian's review of Dead: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/09/dead-is-a-hilarious-buddy-cop-comedy-with-a-ton-of-heart/
 
Headshot courtesy of Michael Hurst. Film poster courtesy of 1091 Pictures.

Jasper Mall

We are delighted to welcome Bradford Thomason and Brett Wittcomb, directors of the new documentary Jasper Mall, to the show. One of Ian's favorites at the Slamdance Film Festival, Jasper Mall charts a year in the life of the eponymous shopping center, struggling to keep up with a changing American retail landscape. Bradford & Brett share many insights from making the film, and the state of brick-and-mortar commerce. Jasper Mall is a must-watch for anyone feeling nostalgic for a time when we weren't all cooped up with nowhere to go.
The trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LWYYcg0nuA&t=9s
To learn more about the film and how to watch, please visit https://www.window-pictures.com/jasper-mall
Ian's pre-Slamdance review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/01/slamdance-review-jasper-mall/
 
Film poster courtesy of Jasper Mall. 

Amanda Jetté Knox

We are delighted to welcome author & LGBTQ activist Amanda Jetté Knox to the show for a wide ranging discussion. Amanda shares her thoughts on absurd gender critical talking points such as "lesbian erasure" and "transing children," while providing plenty of insight into the care and concerns that go into raising trans youth alongside a trans partner. Fully embodying the mantra put forth in her appropriately titled book Love Lives Live, Amanda's family is a shining example of how trans people can thrive in loving environments.
You can purchase Love Lives Here (highly recommended) wherever books are sold.
Be sure to follow Amanda on Facebook and Twitter, https://www.facebook.com/mavenofmayhem/ & @Mavenofmayhem
Photo courtesy of Amanda Jetté Knox
 

TTTE & Chill: James Goes Buzz Buzz

Ya boo snubs! Join Ian & Tarabelle for another edition of everyone's favorite Thomas the Tank Engine VHS recap show. James Goes Buzz Buzz introduces the first hand-drawn animation into the show, perhaps opening the doors for its later reliance on CGI. BoCo features prominently, coparenting Bill & Ben with his husband Edward. Gordon spends the night at the harbor, potentially stranding all the passengers from the main line with him. Did the Lady with the Green hat get home safe? Tune in to find out.
This collection includes the following episodes:
James Goes Buzz Buzz
One Good Turn
Bertie's Chase
Heroes
Bulgy
Wrong Road
Percy, James and the Fruitful Day
VHS cover photo courtesy of the Britt Allcroft Company

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Grab your Switch and your Nook Miles Tickets because we are going island hopping! Join ITM & special guest Natty Strange, comedian, organizer and coauthor of Pokey the Penguin, for a wide-ranging discussion on life in everyone's favorite quasi-capitalistic utopia.
Ian & Nat tackle the broader philosophical questions that ACNH. Are Tom Nook & Redd former lovers? Is Isabelle a neoliberal? Why doesn't Dodo Airlines chart mystery islands for return visits? What is Gulliver(varrr)'s deal? All of that and more! 
You can follow Nat on Twitter @nuns_on_film
Be sure to check out Pokey the Penguin's latest adventures by checking out Pokey's website https://www.yellow5.com/pokey/ & @pokeythepenguin
 
Cover image courtesy of Nintendo

Heather Reid, Musician & Cofounder of The Murmurs

Today we are joined by Heather Reid, cofounder of the iconic 90s duo The Murmurs. Heather talks about her impressive career and life as a lesbian in an era far less receptive to LGBTQ rights. Heather also talks about her recent projects, including a new single "Right Here Right Now," and the musical she's currently working on. A must-listen for 90s rock fans. 
 
Be sure to check out Heather's new video for "Right Here Right Now" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY6nVP6KZIE
 
To keep up with Heather, be sure to follow her website http://heatherreidmusic.com/ & on Twitter @Heathmusic
 
Photo courtesy of Heather Reid

Lendale Johnson, Professional Tennis Player & Actor

Today we are joined by Lendale Johnson, the first openly gay male professional tennis player & star of the upcoming series "Deuces & Love." Lendale talks about his experiences supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and participating in the recent protests. Lendale also shares his experiences acting in the pilot for Fox's Empire and how the intersection of tennis and acting inspired his new show. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion on LGBTQ representation in sports & show business.
To learn more about Lendale's career, please check out his website www.lendalejohnson.com
You can also follow Lendale on Twitter & Instagram @LendaleJohnson
"Deuces & Love" will premiere on Amazon Video later in 2020. Stay tuned for updates on Lendale's website & social media.
 
Photo credit: Robbin Phillips.
 
 

Legal Analysis of Trump's anti-LGBTQ HHS Rule

Today we are joined by Carl Charles, staff attorney at Lambda Legal, to discuss the ongoing case Whitman-Walker Clinic v. HHS, which centers around a recent rollback of LGBTQ healthcare protections within the Affordable Care Act by the Trump administration. Carl eloquently explains the case for a general audience and the dangers that this HHS rule presents to the LGBTQ community, particularly transgender individuals. This episode is a must-listen for people confused as to how such a rollback would be allowed after June's historic Supreme Court ruling.
 
To learn more about the case or to support Lambda Legal's great work on behalf of the LGBTQ community, please visit www.lambdalegal.org
 
Lambda Legal also posts great analysis on Twitter @lambdalegal
 
You can follow Carl on Twitter @oh_rarl
 
 
Photos courtesy of Lambda Legal
 
 

TTTE & Chill: Daisy

Woo-woo! Grab your milk van and be sure to follow fitter’s orders, because it’s time for another episode of Thomas the Tank Engine & Chill. Daisy doesn’t get many speaking roles in TTTE, but everyone’s favorite female diesel rail car made quite the first impression. This collection also includes the infamous “Whistles and Sneezes” saga, where Henry fends off some evil boys using only his stuffed up smoke box. Trevor also makes his debut, dreaming of uncomfortable subjects…
 
This collection includes the following episodes:
 
Daisy
Percy's Predicament
Whistles and Sneezes
Saved From Scrap
A New Friend for Thomas
Tender Engines
Percy Takes The Plunge
Photo courtesy of the Britt Allcroft Company

Everybody Wants Some!!

Join ITM for a solo episode on the 2016 Richard Linklater film, Everybody Wants Some!! Ian talks about the college coming-of-age comedy and the ways it reminded her of her own college experience. Nostalgia is a powerful, often toxic force that suffocates people in the past. Nostalgia can be a particularly perplexing force for transgender folk, parsing the good from the bad with the understanding that longing for ones memory is a dangerous proposition. 
 
Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/07/everybody-wants-some-presents-a-subtle-indictment-of-nostalgia/
 
Film poster courtesy of Paramount Pictures