Tag Archives: Jennifer Tilly

13 Queer Female Sex Scenes We’re Very Thankful For

One of the least argued lesbian stereotypes out there is that we, as lesbians, enjoy a good lesbian movie. The problem is, they’re so few and far between, that we end up watching so many more bad movies, and that sort of sucks.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for lesbian movies with amazing sex scenes, this handy list should help. Let us know in the comments if there’s one you think we’ve missed!

Ruby Rose and Christina Ricci in Around the Block

This is one of those random ‘remember when that happened?’ things that only lovers of Australian cinema or under-the-radar lesbian movie scenes will have noticed; back in the depths of 2013, Ruby Rose and Christina Ricci got it on

Karyn Dwyer and Christina Cox in Better than Chocolate (1999)

Better than Chocolate happens to be a personal favorite of mine (and not because my high school crush turned me onto it). No, the chemistry between Maggie and Kim (Dwyer and Cox, respectively) can be felt from the very first day – and it mirrors that type of whirlwind romance we all secretly wish we could get in our lives, peppered with some brutal reality. Oh, and there’s a sex scene with paint that results in some glorious and slightly awkward wall art. What more do you need?

Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis in Black Swan (2010)

Let me repeat: Natalie Portman. Mila Kunis. Sex scene. You’re welcome.

Laurel Holloman and Nicole Ari Parker in The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love (1995)

It’s not too often that we see girl-on-girl sex scenes in movies that aren’t just two highly feminine characters, and personally, I think that’s probably part of why I adore Better than Chocolate so much. But, TITAO2GIL, as I shall call it now, shows a super cute (and super young) Holloman, long before her days on The L Word, with the popular girl from school – and an adorable, amusing, and totally relatable “first time” sex scene ensues.

Susan Sarandon and Catherine Deneuve in The Hunger (1983)

Move over, Twilight – bisexual women had their vampire-human love triangle desires quenched way earlier. This movie follows Miriam (Deneuve) and John (David Bowie), both vampires, and their torrid love affair with the human Dr. Sarah Roberts (played by Sarandon). Of course, when you’ve got vampires, and women who love other women, there’s going to be some happy lesbians in the crowd, am I right?

Angelina Jolie and Elizabeth Mitchell in Gia (1998)

Usually, TV movies and lesbian storylines don’t really mix (well, until much more recently). But Gia tells the mostly-true story of lesbian supermodel Gia Carangi, played by young Jolie. Mitchell plays her long-time partner in the film, and the sex scenes (which are actually surprisingly graphic, for a TV movie) are sure to draw you in. If you haven’t seen this one yet, make sure you add it to your own personal list!

Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly in Bound (1996)

Some types of movies have an implied quota for sex scenes. The 1996 mob thriller Bound definitely delivered – and then some. It won a GLAAD Media Award the next year for Outstanding Wide-Release Film – which is no surprise, given the reputation set by writer-slash-director team Andy and Lana Wachowski (the same Wachowskis who later worked on the Matrix trilogy). This movie is definitely a modern classic, and the chemistry between Gershon and Tina is clearly visible. If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure you do!

Elena Anaya and Natasha Yarovenko in Room in Rome (2010)

Let me put it this way: This movie is called Room in Rome. And it’s about strangers… in a hotel room. In Rome. It’s already implied that there is going to be sex, but the way the two end up falling into a much deeper connection makes it magical, and pretty much guarantees that you’re going to want to watch it again and again.

Necar Zadegan and Traci Dinwiddie in Elena Undone (2010)

What do you do when you, the pastor’s wife and stay-at-home-mother, fall in love with a gorgeous lesbian actress and have to juggle the complexities of discretion? Well, that’s what this movie is about, and as you might guess, there’s quite a bit of sexual tension, eventually culminating in hot, passionate sex. Because how else would the movie move forward?

Ruth Vega Fernandez and Liv Mjönes in With Every Heartbeat/Kyss Mig (2011)

I hate to admit that I have not actually seen this movie yet (but it is on my “To Watch” list for this year, I promise!). This one tells the story of Mia and Frida (Fernandez and Mjönes, respectively) who start an inconveniently-timed affair – one which starts at the engagement party of their parents. To each other. Making them soon-to-be step-sisters. Now, I’m not sure about you, but that sounds like it has the potential to go catastrophically bad… And I am definitely interested.

Sheetal Sheth and Lisa Ray in I Can’t Think Straight (2008)

I mean… Have you seen either of these women? No further explanations necessary.

Avalon Barrie and Lyudmila Shiryaeva in Summer Lover/Sappho (2008)

This film covers the taboo love affair between newlywed Sappho (played by Barrie) and Helene (played by Shiryaeva) while the former is on her honeymoon. I know, I know, the “let’s cheat on my new husband with a woman” trope is overdone, and quite frankly, I agree. But these women are gorgeous, and realistically, her husband is actually kind of a jerk, so… I guess we’ll look past it this one time.

Valeria Solarino and Isabella Ragonese in The Sea Purple/Viola di Mare (2009)

Okay, I like a little realism and relatability in my movies (except my horror movies – please keep those as far away from real life as possible, please!). Whether it’s a realistic representation, such as butch queer characters, or historical representations – I’m in. The Sea Purple is a semi-true story about gender roles in the 19^th century, and the complexities of falling for your childhood best friend. Sigh. Please tell me I’m not the only one who’s been there before.

5 Classic Lesbian Screen Gems

The Killing of Sister George (1968)

One of the greatest – but also most shocking – sapphic screen gems. Beryl Reid portrays George, the cigar-sucking dyke who loses everything before entering into an inadvisable femme-dyke-butch love triangle. The film did terrible business when it came out but has become a cult classic, thanks partly to that X-rated scene.

Another Way (1982)

The time: 1956. The place: Hungary. Two journalists who are campaigning against the corrupt communist regime fall deeply and desperately in love. The first Hungarian film to openly deal with LGBT issues, Another Way caused something of a stir.

Paris Was a Woman (1996)

An insightful documentary all about the bohemian Sapphos who lived in Paris’ chic Left Bank during the early 1900s. You’ll learn a lot about lesbian legends from Collette to Djuna Barnes, Gertrude Stein to Alice B. Toklas.

Bound (1996)

The Wachowksi siblings’ high-octane lesbo-crime-noir-caper written by feminist intellectual Susie Bright. All the masculinist conventions are subverted in this intelligent and wickedly funny story.

Dyketactics (1974)

Barbara Hammer’s explosive short film is a product of its times: liberated lesbians dance naked in a field while psychedelic music plays. Hammer went on to be probably the greatest of all LGBT avant-garde directors and is highly acclaimed for Born in Flames (1983), Desert Hearts (1985), and Go Fish (1994).

Spotlight | Jennifer Tilly keeps playing her cards right

Jennifer Tilly is a cult actress known for her several sexually charged characters. Many movie goers also recognize her squeaky voice from animation films. (Her high-pitched voice also helps her get rid of telemarketers – they think she’s a little girl.)

Tilly is another straight girl enjoying huge campy LGBTQ following. Lesbian women tend to randomly propose to her. Gay guys tag along as she goes out to party. Once Tilly made a heartwarming comment on her popularity among sexual minorities:

”A gay fanbase is the best kind to have, because on a whole they are very strong, intelligent and educated. And they are usually loyal and adoring. They are not afraid to run up and throw their arms around me, and tell me how much they love me. After all, everybody needs love.”

Sassy on the screen

In the ’80s and early ’90s Tilly played various small Hollywood and TV roles. Most notable was her performance in Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway (1994) which earned her nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

In 1996 Tilly launched herself to permanent gay fame by playing an on-screen lesbian relationship with her co-actress Gina Gershon in The Wachowskis’ violent heist movie Bound. Afterwards, there was no turning back.

Tilly added another character in her personal parade of sexually charged deviants as she played Jo, a pregnant stripteaser and part-time dominatrix, in the erotic drama Dancing at the Blue Iguana (2001).

Could you love a murderous monster doll?

Jennifer Tilly’s reputation as a veritable camp star was cemented by one of the campiest horror franchises of the past 25 years, Chucky. I’m sure you all know the supernatural animated doll on a murder spree. Since 1999 Tilly has played Chucky’s bride in three separate movies. It might not be the most brilliant concept in the history of cinema, but the films have eager cult following.

Real-life poker queen

Perhaps you didn’t know that these days Tilly is as much a professional poker player as an actress. In 2005 she won World Poker Tour Ladies Invitation Tournament in Los Angeles. By July 2012 her live tournament winnings were said to exceed $590 000.

Today Tilly focuses more on her poker career than acting and gets smaller roles than what we think she should. But rest assured: we will keep seeing more of her awesomeness on the big screen as well.