A Piece of Pie: The Queer Film Podcast

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Welcome to A Piece of Pie: the Queer Film Podcast. Creator and host Brian Rowe welcomes a rotating cast of contributors to discuss/ review movies both new and old; giving them their own unique queer perspective. Podcasts will post bi-weekly.

Brian Rowe


    • Jun 20, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 7m AVG DURATION
    • 141 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from A Piece of Pie: The Queer Film Podcast

    The Matrix & John Wick

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2025 59:04


    Click here to send us a message!This week, Brian is joined by writer Sezin Devi Koehler, who quite literally wrote the book on Keanu Reeves. Her book, Much Ado About Keanu: A Critical Reeves Theory highlights the actor's legendary career. We take a specific look at The Matrix, a franchise created by trans women, and John Wick, an iconic character that, according to Sezin's theory, is very likely transgender himself. You can find a copy of her book here https://tinyurl.com/2tbpyex6

    Y Tu Mama También & Challengers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2025 54:28


    Click here to send us a message!

    Behind the Candelabra & Bohemian Rhapsody

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 78:56


    Click here to send us a message!This week we're taking a look at two very different queer icons. Musical geniuses Freddie Mercury and Liberace each got the biopic treatment in the 2010's, and each got very different treatment. Behind the Candelabra starred Oscar winners Michael Douglas and Matt Damon and was directed by Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh. Despite the pedigree, only HBO would release it. Bohemian Rhapsody, by contrast, despite a troubled production and a problematic filmmaker, somehow won four Academy Awards in 2019. 

    The Doom Generation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 68:29


    Click here to send us a message!This week we're joined by film scholar Syd Wrigley, who joins the podcast to discuss Gregg Araki's famed Teen Apocalypse Trilogy. Starting with Totally Fucked Up in 1993, he followed it with The Doom Generationin 1995 and finally Nowhere in 1997, the trilogy that would define a generation and stands at the center of the New Queer Cinema movement. Recently re-released via Criterion, these films are being discovered by a brand new generation, and Araki is only now finding auteur status. 

    1-800-ON HER OWN (with director Dana Flor)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 39:16


    Click here to send us a message!This week we have an interview with director Dana Flor discussing her new documentary, 1-800-ON-HER-OWN, an intimate look at singer songwriter Ani DiFranco ! And we're excited to announce a partnership with the filmmakers to bring the movie to Chicago! On April 13 at the #Music Box Chicago to catch the Chicago premiere in person! 

    Yentl

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 32:37


    Click here to send us a message!This week we're joined by writer Alonso Duralde, author of Hollywood Pride to discuss Barbra Streisand's directorial debut, Yentl. The story of a young woman who bucked convention, and gender norms, to follow her dreams. Progressive for 1983, the film was ahead of it's time, and is undergoing a queer reappraisal. 

    Oscars 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 77:28


    Click here to send us a message!We only have one tradition here at Piece of Pie, and that's our annual Oscar episode. We started this little podcast discussing the Oscars, and ever since we've made sure to cover them. This year Paul Klein and Chris Alexander join Brian to discuss queer representation at the yearly show, Conan O'Brien and more!

    All That Heaven Allows & Polyester

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 78:23


    This week we're joined by Chicago's Joan Waters, local drag queen and John Waters super fan, and we're taking a look at Polyester, John Waters' first studio film. With his biggest budget to date, Waters paid tribute to William Castle, and Douglas Sirk, two of his favorite filmmakers. Sirk directed the Rock Hudson classic All That Heaven Allows, a clear influence on queer filmmakers like Todd Haynes and Rainer Werner Fassbinder. So we paired it with Polyester as we take a look at the similarities, differences, and Sirk's continued influence in queer cinema. Say Hi!

    The People's Joker (with director Vera Drew)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 50:16


    Brian interviews filmmaker, writer and actor Vera Drew about her debut film, The People's Joker. Produced on a shoestring budget and released in secret while Warner Bros waged a legal battle, The People's Joker uses popular DC Comics characters to tell a truly unforgettable coming age of story. Say Hi!

    Wicked

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 33:19


    We're saying goodbye to a tumultuous 2024 by discussing one of the year's biggest, and arguably gayest, box office hits. From bookshelves, to Broadway and now to movie theaters, Wicked is a superhero tentpole movie for theatre kids, but is it any good? And how does it hold up taken next to the beloved stage play? Rob and Max join Brian to discuss all that and more! Say Hi!

    Terms of Endearment & Steel Magnolias

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 61:58


    Megalopolis

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2024 45:11


    Brian and Max went to the Alamo Drafthouse to catch one of the year's most talked about films of the year, Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis. Developed by Coppola over a course of 3 decades, Megalopolis finally hit screens in 2024. After standing ovations at film festivals, the film released to the public with mostly a shrug, but Brian and Max wanted to see it for themselves, and then recorded at a bar after the screening. Say Hi!

    Point Break & Speed

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2024 68:57


    By now, Keanu Reeves is an accomplished action star with two multi-billion dollar franchises to his name. But this week we're taking a look at the two movies that helped get him there, Point Break and Speed. He hit it big with these two films, and represented a shift away from the buff action heroes which drove the critics of the time to only one conclusion - he must be gay. Join us as we unpack two of the biggest hits of the 1990's; the queer coded Point Break and what was then seen as feminine features for a masculine action hero. Say Hi!

    Crash (1996) & Titane

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 68:16


    This week we're joined by "The Horror Dyke," Heather O. Petrocelli as we take a look at David Cronenberg and recent Palme D'Or Winner! In 1996, Cronenberg released the controversial Crash, about a man who seeks to reinvigorate his sex-life after a near-fatal automobile accident. We pair it with 2021's Titane, Julia Ducournau feminist body horror film that owes a huge debt to Croneberg's work, while remaining it's own truely unique vision. Say Hi!

    The Hateful Eight & Phantom Thread

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 74:08


    Our newest contributor Paul rejoins the podcast as Max and Brian revisit their series pairing off the films of Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson. We've skipped ahead a bit to land on their 70mm roadshow pictures, each auteur using their clout to shoot on film, on location. In doing so they crafted two of their most personal movies, with wildly varied results. Give us a listen as we continue to pit these two geniuses against each other!Say Hi!

    Smiley Face & Kaboom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 48:58


    This week we're taking a look at two films from Gregg Araki. One of the architects of the New Queer Cinema movement of the 1990's, Araki pivoted in the new century after finding critical success with Mysterious Skin. He followed up that award winner by pivoting to a stoner comedy that Max argues is worth revisiting every April 20. Say Hi!

    A Night to Remember & Titanic

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 54:43


    This week we're joined by film scholar Paul T. Klein, as he brings a queer appraisal to one of the biggest box office hits of all time, Titanic. What is it about this film that appeals to queer audiences? Is it Rose rejecting the life others want for her? Or did Cameron interject just enough Sirkian melodrama to appeal to our camp sensibilities? Maybe it was just Leonardo DiCaprio in his Twink era? We also take a look back at the 1958 classic, A Night to Remember, the film that inspired James Cameron. Paul joins Brian and Chris to discuss why this doomed ocean liner has captivated audiences for over a century. Say Hi!

    Stonewall & Pride

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 40:36


    Send us a Text Message.As we head into the final stretch of #Pride2024 we're taking a look at a couple of movies that attempt to dramatize the very concept. In 2014, action film director Roland Emmerich tried, and failed, to tell the legendary story of #Stonewall via a white-washed tale of privilege. A year later came a film called #Pride that tells the true story of a group of activists who find kindred souls in a group of coal miners and work to support their cause. Two true stories told in vastly different ways, each tell essential stories of queer history. 

    Pink Flamingos

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 49:48


    Send us a Text Message.We're celebrating Pride 2024 by introducing Pink Flamingos to a contributor who'd never seen a John Waters movie! This disgusting masterpiece has been grossing people out since 1972, long since becoming a beloved cult classic. With tongue firmly in cheek, Waters' film features violent SA, cannibalism and, yep, that famous ending with dog feces. How does it hold up fifty years after it's debut? You'll have to listen to find out. 

    The Talented Mr. Ripley

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 102:18


    Send us a Text Message.With the recent release of Ripley on Netflix, Brian welcomes Max and Nick to discuss all things Tom Ripley. Since the novel was released in 1955, audiences have been captivated by the murderous exploits of this charming sociopath. Every generation, filmmakers bring their own perspectives and a brand new actor to the role, as he gets gayer by the decade. Join us as we discuss the character, why does he endure, and why are audiences so enthralled by a queer murderer? 

    Midnight Cowboy & Beach Rats

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2024 78:43


    With celebrated out filmmaker John Schlesinger at the helm, 1969's Midnight Cowboy has entered the queer canon, flaws and all. We pair it up with 2017's Beach Rats from director Eliza Hittman. 

    D.E.B.S. & Bottoms

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 70:12


    We're joined this week by writer Casey Snow, who brings her love of the lesbian spy comedy D.E.B.S. and we pair it with 2023's hit comedy, Bottoms, starring Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennot. 

    Oscars 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 104:25


    We don't have many yearly traditions here at The Queer Film Podcast, but we always make time for the Academy Awards! It's our seventh annual discussion--despite what Brian says in the recording, mistakenly saying it's the sixth--and he convened with regular contributors Rob and Chris, to discuss predictions before the show and reactions after the fact. Join us as we celebrate yet another year of movies!

    The Love Witch

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 68:30


    Is the director of The Love Witch a cult visionary, or a TERF Tommy Wiseau? This week we're joined by Raphael Martinez, programmer at Facets and host of their monthly film trivia night, to discuss that exact question. And be sure to join us on February 29, 2024 as your host Brian co-hosts the trivia with Raphael as we give away prizes before a screening of the film in question! 

    Maestro & Rustin

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2024 69:37


    With Oscar season in full swing, Brian and Chris are once again looking at the Best Actor race. This year, Bradley Cooper and Colman Domingo are nominated for playing real life queer figures , and so too are Jodie Foster and Annette Bening. In an Oscar season that's largely been defined by snubs, there's also a record number of queer characters and stories this year. And of course, some painful snubs. 

    There Will Be Blood & Inglorious Basterds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 81:28


    We're revisiting our Quentin Tarantino / Paul Thomas Anderson series with two films that many would say are their respective masterpieces. After they spent the 90's being the gods of film schools everywhere, they entered the 21st century artists with something to say, each filmmaker forging seeking to forge a new path for their career. Or did they? Brian welcomes Max and Nick back to the show to discuss two modern classics, There Will Be Blood and Inglorious Basterds. 

    Heathers & Mean Girls (2004)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 81:22


    With a new Mean Girls in theaters, what better time to revisit the 2004 film that's become a classic. It's also one of our most requested movies to cover, so for those who've asked, your wait is over! We've paired it with the cult 1988 classic Heathers, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. Is Heathers a precursor to the Lindsay Lohan film or does it have more in common with Terence Malik's Badlands?

    The Long Kiss Goodnight & Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2023 55:01


    For our final episode of 2023, Brian and Max are celebrating a Shane Black Christmas!

    Interview with Chocolate Babies director Stephen Winter

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2023 33:37


    The Social Network & The Wolf of Wall Street

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2023 92:55


    Two of Brian's favorite filmmakers have movies coming out in the last few months of 2023, so for this episode we put on our Film Nerd Caps to revisit their earlier works. Chris from When We Were Young joins us again as we discuss David Fincher's The Social Network and Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street. 

    Christine & The Dead Zone

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 65:55


    Just in time for Halloween, Brian and Max return to discuss Stephen King adaptations! Back in 1983, when he was the hottest writer in the country, two auteurs tackled his bestselling novels! John Carpenter, fresh off a couple of commercial duds was looking to cash an easy check, while David Cronenberg was fresh off two of his biggest hits. Each filmmaker brings their unique style to King's macabre stories in the process crafting two of his most beloved adaptations. 

    Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed & Pillow Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2023 73:57


    When Rock Hudson died of AIDS in 1985, it shocked much of the world. In Hollywood, his homosexuality was an open secret, but to the rest of the world he was a charming, handsome leading man to the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Doris Day. This week, we're taking a look at one of the earliest face's of the AIDS epidemic and discussing the documentary, Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed and his most famous rom-com, Pillow Talk! 

    Pecker & Cecil B. DeMented

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2023 64:39


    For Pride month 2023, we're taking a look back at two of John Waters' later movies, Pecker & Cecil B Demented. One of our most iconic filmmakers, Waters at the end of the 20th Century had settled into a more grand statesman of cinema more than simply being a provocatuer. While he never loses his sense of humor, these two films feel more auto-biographical than his previous works, with Pecker focusing on a young photographer and Cecil B Demented following a gang of maverick filmmakers. Brian and Max discuss all this, plus a young Maggie Gylenhaal, praise for Christina Ricci and debate the term "ugly hot." 

    Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2023 45:27


    We're kicking off Pride 2023 with a look at the ABBA-centric sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again! Host Brian had never seen the original, much-less the sequel, but over the years, it's become a beloved new classic. So, Rob and Max agreed to show him the movie for the first time ever! 

    Knife + Heart

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2023 72:11


    This week, we're joined by special guest Kyle Turner, writer of the new book, The Queer Film Guide. Brian and Matthew welcomed him to discuss the new book, and one of his favorite entries, 2018's Knife + Heart. 

    Super Mario Bros. (1993) & The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2023 71:35


    In 1993, Hollywood adapted Super Mario Bros., then a hit Nintendo video game, into a live-action movie starring Bob Hoskins and Dennis Hopper. It was the first time a video game would make the leap to the big screen, but it certainly wouldn't be the last. In 2023, Nintendo tried it again, this time teaming with Illumination for an animated take on their most famous franchise. It took the world by storm, becoming one of the biggest hits of the year. This week, Matthew and Brian discuss the new release, and are joined by Max as we take a trip down memory lane and re-examine the 1993 attempt. It's weirder, darker and yes, gayer than you probably remember, but how do the two movies hold up? Join us as we discuss video game movies, Bob Hoskins' mustache and much more!

    Punch-Drunk Love & Jackie Brown

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2023 89:41


    We're re-visiting a project we started a couple years ago, pairing the films of auteurs Paul Thomas Anderson and Quentin Tarantino. We're picking up with Anderson's fourth film, the offbeat Punch-Drunk Love starring Adam Sandler and pairing it with Tarantino's third, Jackie Brown. Both films find the filmmakers in transition, dealing with critical acclaim and awards recognition by defying expectations and crafting quirky, unforgettable love stories. They're both outliers in their respective filmography's, but on this episode we suggest that maybe that needs to change.  

    Episode 104 - Oscars 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2023 89:01


    It's our fifth annual Oscar episode! Brian and Chris are talking about Hollywood's biggest night!

    Episode 103: Philadelphia & Dallas Buyers Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2023 90:44


    It's Oscar season, so we're taking a look at two controversial Academy Award winning movies! In 1993, Philadelphia was the first movie to address the ongoing AIDS crisis, winning Academy Awards and angering gay rights activists like Larry Kramer. Twenty years later, in 2013, Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto each won acting's top honor in Dallas Buyers Club, while angering the entire community. Brian welcomes Chris back to discuss landmark AIDS representation, and major steps backward. 

    Episode 102 - Fire Island & Bros

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2023 76:34


    Last year, the gay community was gifted not just one but TWO romantic comedies given release by major studios. Fire Island debuted on Hulu, while Bros was released to theaters, but both sought to bring a queer touch to the old rom-com formula. Fire Island is a modern adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" while Bros borrows from Nora Ephron and Woody Allen. We're joined by our contributors Rob and Lauren as we compare the two films and ponder why one gets so much right, while the other gets a lot wrong. 

    Episode 101 - The Whale

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2023 93:56


    Another year, another straight actor playing queer in a quest for Oscar gold! This year, it's Brendan Fraser, the erstwhile George of the Jungle, who turns in a rare dramatic performance in what is being billed as his big comeback vehicle. But was he ever a good actor in the first place? And why is he in a fat suit? Contributor Chris, from When We Were Young returns to continue the never-ending discussion of what happens when straight folks tell queer stories. 

    Episode 100

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 76:02


    We're celebrating 100 episodes! To commemorate, Brian asked his contributors to come on and discuss their favorite queer films. The results may surprise you!

    Episode 99 - Frosty the Snowman & Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2022 56:05


    This year we're celebrating the holidays by taking a look at two of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time! And for this one Brian and Matthew are joined by Derek, from the instagram account, Queer Cinema Archive, as we revisit these family favorites. It turns out both films are dripping with queer coding and stereotypes. Join us as we dissect these tropes, and how they're still doing damage today. 

    Episode 98 - The Ice Storm & The House of Yes

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2022 72:36


    This year we're celebrating Thanksgiving with Parker Posey, Sigourney Weaver and many more! Two films where dysfunctional families reconnect for a holiday weekend, The Ice Storm and The House of Yes! 

    Episode 97 - It Follows & X

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2022 100:24


    This Halloween season, we're taking a look at two recent horror films, 2014's It Follows and this year's sleeper hit X. Both films take the "sex is bad" trope so common in horror and use it not just for their final girl, but as motivation for the villains themselves! It Follows is the story of Jay, a woman who gets more than she bargained for after a one night stand, while X follows an adult film crew to a remote farm-house they've rented to film their latest movie, much to the chagrin of that farm's owners. Matthew and Brian paired these movies up for those reasons, and we found it opened up a much larger discussion on modern horror films such as Barbarian, Candyman, the new Scream entry and A24 as a brand vs A24 as a film studio. Beware of spoilers for those other films, and join us as we talk Ti West, John Carpenter and much, much more!

    Episode 96 - Dog Day Afternoon & I Love You Phillip Morris

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2022 87:55


    Our two movies this week are based on real-life criminals who went to great lengths for love and lived the catch-phrase "Be gay Do Crime." Dog Day Afternoon is frequently listed as one of the finest films of the 1970's, but ignores the fact it features Oscar nominees Al Pacino and Chris Sarandon playing a queer couple. In 2009, Jim Carrey played a leading man to love interest Ewan McGregor the subversive crime caper I Love You Phillip Morris. Brian and Chris are once again debating straight people playing queer, but Brian is far more forgiving when it's pitched just right. 

    Episode 95 - A Streetcar Named Desire & Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2022 77:40


    This week we're taking a look back to the 1950's, the Hays Code, and repressed homosexuality. Tennessee Williams won several awards for his works, including a Pulitzer and a Tony, but when Hollywood came calling, they had some changes they needed to make. For this episode, we're joined by Chris and Rob to discuss Williams' provocative plays, Hollywood adaptations, and Paul Newman's steely blue eyes. 

    Episode 94 - Hairspray (1988 & 2007)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2022 88:38


    In 1988, John Waters, the Sultan of Sleaze himself, released what might be called his sweetest movie, Hairspray. Starring Ricki Lake, Sonny Bono, and Divine, it was the first time a Waters character had a conscience, and set out to do the right thing. It retains a lot of his sensibilities, but it can easily be seen as his attempt at a Hollywood ending. It worked, because the film became a cult classic and eventually would be turned into a hit Broadway musical, and then of course, Hollywood adapted the musical for the screen in 2007. It polishes off some of the rougher edges, casts John Travolta as a woman, Michelle Pfieffer as a racist and Zac Efron as, what else, but a teen heartthrob. For the first time ever, we've paired a movie and it's remake to look at what makes each of them work and where they fall short. Matthew joins Brian as they discuss all this and more!

    Episode 93 - Top Gun

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2022 46:36


    To celebrate the upcoming sequel, we asked contributor Rob to check out the original 1986 Top Gun. starring the new minted superstar, Tom Cruise, in what would become a template for his early characters. Is it a queer classic with  homoerotic overtones or too mired in its own fake masculinity?

    Episode 92 - Romeo + Juliet & 10 Things I Hate About You

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2022 100:33


    Writer and contributor Lauren Emily Whalen returns to the podcast to discuss her new novel, Take Her Down, a YA re-telling of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar! To commemorate it's release, she agreed to discuss two of our generation's most beloved Shakespeare adaptations; Romeo + Juliet and 10 Things I Hate About You. 

    Episode 91 - Shortbus

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2022 96:07


    To celebrate the arrival of Shortbus to digital platforms, after being hard to find for over a decade, we are taking a brand new look at John Cameron Mitchell's followup to Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Contributor Matthew joins Brian to watch this overlooked gem for the first time. 

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