Queen is Dead - A Film, TV and Culture Podcast

By Queen Is DeadTV & Film Film Reviews

Queen is Dead - A Film, TV and Culture Podcast episodes

April 24, 2024 Masaki Kobayashi's Anti-Samurai Trilogy | Harakiri | Kwaidan | Samurai Rebellion #121
Looking for your jidaigeki fix after the finale of FX's "Shōgun" (2024)?

Travel back to the 1960s and watch the jidaigeki phase of one of the most celebrated (and yet still somehow not as widely known) Japanese filmmakers, Masaki Kobayashi. All these films -- "Harakiri" (1962), "Kwaidan" (1964), and "Samurai Rebellion" (1967) -- take place in the Edo period (the early 1600s to mid-1800s) -- right after the explosive battles of the FX series.

In this very special episode, Dhruv and Amartya spend the first half-hour contextualizing the timeline for both those aware and unaware of Jidaigeki films. Then, they make their way through the staunchly anti-authoritarian (hence, anti-samurai) films of Kobayashi that, piece by piece, dismantle what they so proudly call their "code of honor."

Listen to the full episode for a detailed appreciation of Kobayashi's formal excellence, screenwriter Shinobu Hashimoto's mazey screenplays, and composer Tōru Takemitsu's violently unnerving scores—all discordant elements that, when played together, manage to shake the towering foundation of the spick-and-span Samurai.

TIME CODES

Masaki Kobayashi: [00:00 - 06:56]
Jidaigeki Films: [06:56 - 12:14]
Samurai History and Terminology: [12:14 - 27:14]
"Harakiri" (1962): [27:14 - 01:07:53]
"Samurai Rebellion" (1967): [01:07:53 - 01:27:42]
"Kwaidan" (1964): [01:27:42 - 02:07:05]

Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify and rate us if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!

Follow our Instagram page:

https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast

You can also follow us on Instagram at:

Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/
Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/

On Letterboxd at:

Dhruv: https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/
Amartya: https://letterboxd.com/amartya/
2 hr 8 min
April 19, 2024 The Imtiaz-Rahman Trilogy | Rockstar | Highway | Tamasha #120
In what is undoubtedly our most publicized episode, we -- Dhruv, Sanjeet (!), Varun, Aryan, and Prithwish -- discuss the three Imtiaz Ali - A.R. Rahman collaborations that make up the most “sufiyana” phase of the director’s filmography. We first discuss the exhilaration and exasperation of glorifying Ruminess in “Rockstar” (2011); then the exhilaration and exhaustion of Indianizing Stockholm Syndrome in “Highway” (2014); then, finally, the exhilaration and excessiveness of stylizing storytelling in “Tamasha” (2015).

Listen to the full episode to learn not only what we like/dislike about these individual films (disagreements and civil arguments aplenty) but also what we think of how Ali uses Rahman’s music in all three of these films to guide us through his soul-searching narratives.

TIME CODES

Matargashtiyan: [00:00 - 07:00]
"Rockstar" (2011): [7:00 - 53:05]
Understanding filmmaking: [53:05 - 57:00]
"Highway" (2014): [57:00 - 01:04:20]
Can an Imtiaz character consume Petrol?: [01:04:20 - 01:05:15]
Back to "Highway": [01:05:15 - 01:35:00]
“Tamasha” (2015): [01:35:00 - 02:21:00]
Khatam kahaani?: [02:21:00 - 02:30:26]

Follow our Instagram page:
https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast

You can follow us on Instagram at:
Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/
Sanjeet: https://www.instagram.com/pixel_baba/
Varun: https://www.instagram.com/varunonfilm/
Prithwish: https://www.instagram.com/little.lord_fauntleroy/
Aryan: https://www.instagram.com/aryantalksfilm/

You can also follow us on Letterboxd at -
Dhruv: https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/
Sanjeet: https://letterboxd.com/Sanjeet_Singh/
Varun: https://letterboxd.com/varunoakbhakay/
Prithwish: https://letterboxd.com/prito98/
Aryan: https://letterboxd.com/aryantalksfilms/
2 hr 31 min
April 12, 2024 Imtiaz Aaj Kal | Jab We Met Harry & Sejal | Love Aaj Kal 2009/2020 #119
In what is undoubtedly our most publicized episode, we -- Dhruv, Sanjeet (!), Varun, Aryan, and Prithwish -- discuss half of the peculiar filmography of Imtiaz Ali. The first half of this first part episode on the director is dedicated to "Jab We Met" (2007) and "Jab Harry Met Sejal" (2017) -- two films that share titles and character traits but tap into their respective romantic (and, perhaps, even toxic) impulses in distinctive ways. The exact format follows in the second half of the discussion, which involves the two "Love Aaj Kal" films.

Listen to the full episode to learn not only what we like/dislike about these individual films (disagreements and civil arguments aplenty) but also what we think of Imtiaz's films of "Aaj" (today) in relation to his films from "Kal" (past).

TIME CODES

Matargashtiyan: [00:00 - 07:55]
Imtiaz Kal, circa. 2000-2010: [07:56 - 30:29]
"Jab We Met" (2007): [30:29 - 01:09:22]
"Jab Harry Met Sejal" (2017): [01:09:22 - 01:53:27]
"Love Aaj Kal" (2009): [01:53:27 - 02:14:13]
"Love Aaj Kal" (2020): [02:14:13 - 02:31:11]
Imtiaz Aaj (aur Dibakar Banerjee Kal): [02:31:11 - 02:36:47]

Follow our Instagram page:
https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast

You can follow us on Instagram at:

Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/
Sanjeet: https://www.instagram.com/pixel_baba/
Varun: https://www.instagram.com/varunonfilm/
Prithwish: https://www.instagram.com/little.lord_fauntleroy/
Aryan: https://www.instagram.com/aryantalksfilm/

You can also follow us on Letterboxd at -

Dhruv: https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/
Sanjeet: https://letterboxd.com/Sanjeet_Singh/
Varun: https://letterboxd.com/varunoakbhakay/
Prithwish: https://letterboxd.com/prito98/
Aryan: https://letterboxd.com/aryantalksfilms/
2 hr 37 min
April 02, 2024 Michael Haneke - The Austere Austrian Auteur | Code Unknown (2000) | Caché (2005) | The White Ribbon (2009) #118
In this very special episode, Dhruv and Srilekha celebrate the thoroughly depressing and despairing films of Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke, who turned 82 a week ago on March 23rd.
We first discuss his exacting style that has inspired several high-profile European filmmakers (Ruben Östlund and Yorgos Lanthimos, the most famously known amongst them) to address themes of colonial guilt, fascism, racism, and class inequality in a similarly discomforting way. We then choose three films from his filmography that most overtly (but still mysteriously) engage with these themes — “Code Unknown,” “Caché,” and "The White Ribbon."

Listen to the full episode for our spoiler-filled thoughts on these three movies and brief discussions of “Funny Games” and “The Piano Teacher," which we use to introduce listeners to the director's chillingly unnerving worlds.

TIME CODES

Michael Haneke's Auteurism - [00:00 - 14:15]

"Funny Games" (1997) - [14:16 - 24:42]

"The Piano Teacher" (2001) - [24:42 - 33:44]

"Code Unknown" (2000) - [33:44 - 01:00:52]

"Caché" (2005) - [01:00:52 - 01:19:52]

"The White Ribbon" (2009) - [01:19:52 - 01:45:54]

Haneke & the Lineage of European Art Cinema - [01:45:54 - 01:53:56]

Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify and rate us if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people

Follow our Instagram page:
https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast

You can also follow us on Instagram at:

Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/
Srilekha: https://www.instagram.com/mitra__srilekha_

Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!

Follow us on Letterboxd at:

Dhruv: https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/
Srilekha: https://letterboxd.com/srilekha__mitra/
1 hr 54 min
March 24, 2024 Malayalam Movie Round-Up P1: Aattam & Bramayugam #117
In this episode, Dhruv and Amartya welcome Devi (@film.trance) back to talk about two Malayalam movies recently released on OTT: Anand Ekarshi's morally complex drama/thriller "Aattam" (on Amazon Prime Video) and Rahul Sadasivan's folk horror film "Bramayugam" (on Sony Liv).

Both films serve up narratives and, especially, aesthetic styles largely underexplored by contemporary Indian cinema. Reference points range from international—Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi and A24's elevated horror films—to local—legendary Malayalam filmmaker K.C. George and Rahi Anil Barve's "Tumbbad." But these films feel wholly original, either wanting to tackle thorny subject matters in contemporary society in thorny ways ("Aattam") or creating a new Old world whose order -- even in the wilderness -- eerily resembles that of our reality ("Bramayugam").

Listen to the full, spoiler-filled episode to know what we thought about each of these movies and how their superior quality makes Dhruv and Amartya want to tear their hearts out when they see contemporary B'wood movies.

TIMECODES

INTRODUCTION - [00:00 - 03:40]
"AATTAM" - [03:40 - 01:11:10]
"BRAMAYUGAM" - [01:11:10 - 02:21:00]

Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!
You can also follow our Instagram page:

https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast

Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/
Devi: https://www.instagram.com/film.trance
Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/
Follow us on Letterboxd at:

Devi: https://letterboxd.com/cinemamadhuram/
Amartya: https://letterboxd.com/amartya/
Dhruv - https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/
2 hr 21 min
March 17, 2024 Murder Mystery Mubarak | The Last of Sheila (1973) | Gosford Park (2001) #116
In our buildup to discussing Homi Adajania's "Murder Mubarak" on Monday (March 18, 2024), we -- Dhruv, Amartya & Varun -- discuss two similarly high-profile Hollywood whodunnits that have influenced Rian Johnson's "Knives Out" movies, which have subsequently become the template for any modern-day whodunnit mysteries. The rules of these game narratives may vary: if Herbert Ross' "The Last of Sheila" emphasizes its cynically overconstructed mystery mechanics, Robert Altman's "Gosford Park" undermines it. But they both use (or underuse) them to expose the rules (or lack thereof) of their respective wealthy societies in a way that goes beyond the fun mocking of the "Knives Out" films: the revelations elicit discomforting laughter that no amount of silliness can underplay.

Do listen to the full spoiler-filled episode to hear us talk about both these films! We also talk about the whodunnit plot mechanics, in general, and how these films, like "Knives Out," play around with them!

TIME CODES

Chit-Chat - [00:00 - 04:12]
Introduction - [04:13 - 09:03]
"The Last of Sheila" (1973) - [09:04 - 58:46]
"Gosford Park" (2001) - [58:47 - 01:47:48]
Previewing Upcoming Episodes - [01:47:49 - 01:53:16]

Follow our Instagram page:

https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast
Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!
You can also follow us on Instagram at:

Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/
Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/
Varun: https://www.instagram.com/cinephilestock/
Follow us on Letterboxd at:

Varun: https://letterboxd.com/varunoakbhakay/
Dhruv: https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/
Amartya: https://letterboxd.com/amartya/
1 hr 54 min
March 07, 2024 Dune Part Two - An Epic of Scale and Substance #115
In our latest episode, Dhruv, Amartya, Hemant, and Prithwish talk about Denis Villeneuve's latest science-fiction blockbuster, "Dune: Part Two" -- a film that Dhruv and Amartya were skeptical about because they disliked "Part One," and Hemant and Prithwish were excited for because they loved "Part One." Is there going to be a similar disagreement over "Part Two"?

It seems not! We are unanimously impressed by Villeneuve's second part of Frank Hebert's "unadaptable" book, looking at it through many lenses—auteurism, blockbuster filmmaking, narrative continuation, and adaptation—and finding it hard to fault much about it.

Listen to the full, spoiler-filled episode to hear us talk about "Part Two's" impeccable use of music and sound, its much-improved characterizations from "Part One," and, most importantly, its unexpected Bollywood connections.

TIMECODES

INTRODUCTION - [00:00 - 05:50]
DENIS VILLENEUVE - [05:51 - 19:12]
"DUNE PART ONE" - [19:13 - 27:01]
"DUNE PART TWO" (PI) - [27:02 - 01:30:46]
THE ZIMMER SHIMMER (ft. Hemant) - [01:30:47 - 01:39:21]
"DUNE PART TWO" (PII) - [01:39:22 - 02:15:26]
Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!
Follow our Instagram page:
https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast
You can follow us on Instagram at:
Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/
Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/
Prithwish: https://www.instagram.com/little.lord_fauntleroy
Follow us on Letterboxd at-

Prithwish - https://letterboxd.com/prito98/
Hemant - https://letterboxd.com/ganti117/
Dhruv - https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/
Amartya - https://letterboxd.com/amartya/
2 hr 16 min
February 11, 2024 The Classical, The Revisionist, and The Spaghetti Western | Stagecoach, Winchester '73, & Once Upon a Time in the West #114
In this very special episode, Amartya, Aryan, and Dhruv discuss the different styles of the Hollywood Western from its "birth" in 1939 to its "death" in 1968.
We begin by discussing John Ford's 1939 film, "Stagecoach," singlehandedly responsible for resuscitating the A-Movie Western for the talkies in Hollywood's Pre-War Era. It provides us with a broad template for archetypes and narratives that -- through repetition -- became movie conventions for reasons both good and bad. Fast forward to the Golden Era of the Hollywood Westerns, particularly the Post-War period -- and you see filmmakers like Anthony Mann beginning to question these conventions while still largely adhering to them in his 1950 film, "Winchester '73." The fondly remembered Spaghetti Westerns of the '60s push even further in this direction, with Sergio Leone's 1968 film, "Once Upon a Time in the West," simultaneously homaging the West and deflating America's constructed myths.
Listen to the full episode for our deep dive into each film and the historical context that defined their varied narratives and aesthetic styles!
TIME CODES
The Western and its Mythology - Archetypes, Narratives, and Aesthetics: [01:16 - 35:09]
"Stagecoach" (1939) : [35:09 - 58:11]
"Winchester '73" (1950) : [58:11 - 01:22:40]
"Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968) : [01:22:40 - 02:01:04]
The Western's Contemporary Manifestations: [02:01:04 - 02:19:40]
NOTE: The episode is in no way a complete summation of the countless films and directors whose works continue to influence Westerns today. It's intended as a (hopefully) informative celebration of a genre we love!
Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!
Follow our Instagram page:
https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast
You can also follow us on Instagram at:

Aryan: https://www.instagram.com/aryantalksfilm/
Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/
Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/
Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!
Follow us on Letterboxd at:
Dhruv: https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/
Aryan: https://letterboxd.com/aryantalksfilms/
Amartya: https://letterboxd.com/amartya/
2 hr 20 min
January 25, 2024 Killer Soup - Overflavoured/Undercooked or Deliciously Tasty? #113
Hello, Hello Hello,

In this new episode of QID, Dhruv, Sanjeet, Amartya and Srilekha, discuss the new Netflix show Killer Soup starring the very fantastic Konkana Sensharma & Manoj Bajpayee, directed by common favourite Abhishek Chaubey. Uncommonly, though, we came out with polarized views, with two of us loving the show’s darkly delicious tone and the other two bemoaning its unnecessary edginess.
Listen to the full episode to hear us discuss the show’s Coen-esque genre playfulness, and how it stacks up next to the slew of mediocre Indian web shows that have released in the past year.
1 hr 47 min
January 14, 2024 Best Indian Films of 2023 | Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare, Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, Sapta Sagardaache Ello, Jigarthanda DoubleX & many more! #112
In this annual year-end episode, Dhruv and Sanjeet welcome three returning guests -- Devi (@film.trance), Adithiyan (@curioseradithiyan), and Yadhu (@immersive_cinema) -- to discuss each of thier top 5 favorite Indian films (best is only for the title, it's always subjective!) from the past year. These include films from all Woods - Bolly, Tolly, Kolly, Molly!
The five extensively discuss films that overlap -- a LOT of time is dedicated to lavishing praise on "SSE," "Nanpakal," & "Jigarthanda DoubleX." But they also make sure to pinpoint films that stuck out for them individually -- like "Aachar & Co," "Chittha," "Song of the Scorpions," "Falimy," and plenty more.
Do listen to the full episode to know all the favorites (revealed via time codes also below!)! Let us know what you make of films included/excluded!

TIME CODES
"Ponniyin Selvan II": [02:42 - 10:17]
"Viduthalai Part I": [10:17 - 17:08]
"Purusha Pretham": [17:08 - 24:00]
"Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam": [24:00 - 32:53]
"Hostel Hudugaru Bekigiddare": [32:53 - 46:03]
"Falimy": [46:03 - 47:44]
"SSE Side A & B": [47:44 - 01:15:11]
"Aachar & Co": [01:15:11 - 01:19:44]
"Jigarthanda DoubleX": [01:19:44 - 01:34:48]
"2018": [01:34:48 - 01:47:31]
"Rekha": [01:47:31 - 01:51:32]
"Thankam": [01:51:32 - 01:55:22]
"Kathal & Kaathal - The Core": [01:55:22 - 01:57:33]
"Chittha": [01:57:33 - 02:04:46]
"Mahaaveeran": [02:04:46 - 02:10:02]
"Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani": [02:10:02 - 02:17:24]
"Three of Us": [02:17:24 - 02:20:29]
"12th Fail": [02:20:29 - 02:27:33]
"Stolen & Joram": [02:27:33 - 02:41:16]
"Aatmapamphlet": [02:41:16 - 02:44:45]
"Song of the Scorpions": [02:44:45 - 02:46:54]
Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!
You can also follow our Instagram page:
https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast

Adithiyan: https://www.instagram.com/curioseradithiyan/
Devi: https://www.instagram.com/film.trance
Yadhu: https://www.instagram.com/immersive_cinema/
Sanjeet: https://www.instagram.com/pixel_baba/
Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/
Follow us on Letterboxd at:

Adithiyan: https://letterboxd.com/curioseradi/
Devi: https://letterboxd.com/cinemamadhuram/
Yadhu: https://letterboxd.com/dehosure/
Sanjeet - https://letterboxd.com/sanjeet_singh/
Dhruv - https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/
2 hr 49 min