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“Whiskey and Popcorn” Podcast co-hosts transcend platforms and lend their voices to Echo’s pages By Laura Latzko
Tuesday Mahrle (left) and Kaely Monahan. Photo courtesy of “Whiskey and Popcorn.”
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helma and Louise, Bonnie and Clyde, vodka and soda, Jay and Silent Bob, Batman and Robin, peanut butter and jelly, Hall and Oats. The greatest duos of all time can exist independently of each other, but totally shouldn't. According to ranker.com, these are combinations and famous duos whose whole value is greater than the sum of their parts. To that list, Echo Magazine is proud to add “Whiskey and Popcorn,” a podcast dedicated to all things film, and co-hosted by another dynamic duo: Tuesday Mahrle and Kaely Monahan, who we like to think of as our very own Siskel and Ebert. Since April 2017, the Phoenix Film Festival to be exact, Mahrle and Monahan have been reviewing the latest films coming to theaters, discussing movie trends, sharing 38
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their experiences at festivals and screening events – occasionally have a drink while doing so (for more on the podcast’s name, visit echomag.com/ wiskey-and-popcorn). So, when an opportunity to bring them onboard as Echo’s newest contributing film correspondents, we didn’t have to think twice.
Character Context In the world of film critics, Mahrle and Monahan stand out as two opinionated female voices in a male-dominated industry. “I feel that does a disservice to people who enjoy critical reviews because if you’re only hearing from straight white men, that can be a problem,” Monahan explained. “They may rip something apart that we like, and that has happened … I think it’s important to have our voices heard.
I like the podcast format, too. You’re hearing the passion, the disgust, the uncertainty in our voices.” Monahan brings her experience as a straight cisgender movie buff and Mahrle brings her LGBTQ savvy from her pansexual point of view to the show as the duo delve into issues of race, sexuality, class and gender. Most importantly, both critics agree, is their ability to remain aware and upfront about where they stand within the larger discussion. “I have to be aware of my biases. I have to be aware of the way I look at that film, and I try to bring that to the review,” Monahan said. “We also recognize the importance of these films and that they need to be talked about.” Mahrle only discusses being pansexual on occasion, usually when reviewing LGBTQ films. She said thus Feature Story