Out Takes

29 Dec 2015

Star Wars vs. Christmas: the ultimate battle?

Arts, TV & Film

This week on Out Takes we take a look at 2015’s most anticipated theatrical release: Star Wars. It’s broken every box office record to date but why is it so popular? And, more importantly, can we queer it?

To help us understand this far away galaxy we’re joined by JOY’s own Sonja Hammer from Sci-Fi and Squeam and Jimmy Twin, self-professed sci-fi geek and author of Frankie. We discover that there really is something decidedly queer about Star Wars after all: the sense of escape it encourages, its aesthetic of pastiche, its potential for reinterpretation and reappropriation and, perhaps above all, its message that the force is with us.

Next, we get in the festive spirit and turn our attention to films that really are as camp as Christmas!

We look at the best, the worst, and the gayest Christmas cinema. From Judy Garland singing ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ to Divine screaming for cha cha heels; from Kathy Griffin as the ghosts of Christmas past to Whitney in The Preachers Wife.

They might be saccharine and you’ll either love them or hate them but these films will definitely get you in the spirit.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:36 — 21.8MB)

Subscribe or Follow Us: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | Deezer | RSS

17 Mar 2026

Oscars Recap 2026

TV & Film

For this Out Takes Extra, we got together 24 hours post-Oscars for a debrief and to see if any of ...

17 Mar 2026

2026 GLAAD Media Awards, A Nice Indian Boy interview encore and our Oscar predictions

TV & Film

With Awards season wrapping up for another year, we thought we’d celebrate some of the winners at this year’s GLAAD ...

10 Mar 2026

Melbourne Women in Film Festival 2026, The Moment and A Friend of Dorothy

TV & Film

For this Out Takes, we welcomed the return of the Melbourne Women in Film Festival. Running from March 19–23 across ACMI ...