The Open Queue

Open Queue productions, LLc

A podcast where we talk about entertainment, pop cultural and the daily life of navigating the entertainment industry as a creative.

  1. 22/12/2025

    Rewind & Rejoice: Christmas Classics, Resolution Myths & Year-End Reflections

    Deck the halls and grab your headphones! Hosts Shaka Omari and Charles Malone are bringing some seasonal heat to The Open Queue. In this festive deep dive, they’re finally settling the ultimate industry debate: Is Die Hard truly a Christmas movie, or just a holiday heist? But it’s not all tinsel and carols. Shaka and Charles pull back the curtain on navigating a creative career during the winter hustle, sharing raw insights on industry challenges and how to set goals that actually stick for the New Year. Whether you’re here for the spirited holiday film rankings or the career-changing inspiration, this episode is the perfect blend of festive cheer and professional fire.

    52 min

  2. 10/12/2025 · BONUS

    Netflix and Rule Them All?: Mergers, Monopolies & the Future of Entertainment

    "In this episode of Open Queue, we dive into the monumental acquisition of Warner Brothers by Netflix for a staggering $83 billion. We explore the implications of this merger on the entertainment industry, discussing potential layoffs, the concentration of intellectual property, and the future of creativity in a tech-dominated landscape. Join us as we analyze the balance between business and art, and what this means for the future of streaming and traditional media. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the evolving dynamics of Hollywood."

    13 min

  3. 08/12/2025

    The Cinematic Soul Search: Unpacking the Genius of One Battle After Another

    Welcome to "The Open Queue," where hosts Shaka Omari and Charles Malone pull back the curtain on the creative industry's daily life, from pop culture highlights to profound entertainment analysis. In this episode, the queue is buzzing with debate over Paul Thomas Anderson's latest masterpiece, "One Battle After Another." Shaka and Charles unpack the film's sheer artistic brilliance, exploring its rich themes of liberation and self-discovery. But they don't stop there. They confront the ultimate industry question: Where does the fine line between uncompromising art and commercial necessity truly lie? A must-listen for cinephiles, creatives, and anyone ready for a thought-provoking discussion that celebrates the power of storytelling while challenging its business model.

    42 min

  4. 24/11/2025

    Soul Food and Family: A Thanksgiving Special

    Join us in this special Thanksgiving episode as we dive into the heart of family traditions, cherished memories, and the movies that bring us together. From the classic warmth of "Soul Food" to the unexpected twists in "The Oath," we explore films that capture the essence of the holiday season. Reflect on gratitude, family dynamics, and the cultural significance of gathering around the table. Whether you're a fan of heartwarming tales or spicy comedies, this episode offers something for everyone. Tune in for a heartfelt discussion that celebrates the spirit of Thanksgiving.

    52 min

  5. 19/11/2025 · BONUS

    The Unexpected Gem: Chad Powers Finale

    In this episode of The Open Queue, hosts Shaka Omari and Charles Malone dive into the captivating world of "Chad Powers," a show that has taken the streaming world by storm. Join them as they explore the unexpected twists and turns of this six-episode series, discussing the character arcs, emotional stakes, and the unique challenges of the streaming format. From the underdog journey of Chad Powers to the cliffhanger ending that left everyone wanting more, this episode is a must-listen for fans of compelling storytelling and dynamic character development. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with insights, spoilers, and a touch of humor.

    25 min

  6. 11/11/2025

    Game Time: The Best of Sports Movies and TV

    Join hosts Shaka Omari and Charles Malone on The Open Queue as they dive into the world of entertainment and pop culture. This episode explores the best of sports movies and TV, featuring discussions on the latest MMA biopic starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and the beloved series Ted Lasso. Discover the creative challenges behind iconic films like Jaws, and enjoy a candid conversation about the joys and struggles of filmmaking. Whether you're a sports fan or a film enthusiast, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the stories that inspire us. Tune in for insights, laughs, and a celebration of creativity.

    51 min

  7. 28/10/2025

    Cuffing Season, Cinema, and Compromise

    Send us a text Love doesn’t care about your boxes—but your boxes care a lot about love. We dive into the romance surge shaping film and TV, then get spicy about A24’s The Materialist: gorgeous images, heavy longing, and a pace that dares your attention span. Does a love‑vs‑security triangle work if the characters feel emotionally numb? We unpack why chemistry needs timing, why “attributes” aren’t intimacy, and how representation rings hollow when New York City is diverse in background shots but narrow at the center. Then we shift to Forever, a Judy Blume adaptation that actually breathes. Young love collides with ADHD, viral shame, and real parenting—stern yet soft, especially through a Black father who models boundaries without breaking his kid. We talk about what the show gets right: the difference between effort and neurology, how social media amplifies stakes, and why TV’s longer runway often builds better romance than a two‑hour film can. We also revisit Love & Basketball with older eyes, naming both the magic and the mess. From Definitely, Maybe to The Big Sick and But I’m a Cheerleader, we share the rom‑coms that still land—and what they teach about maintenance, compromise, and the myth of the perfect plan. The thread through it all: love is work, not a checklist. If your “non‑negotiables” are really armor, you may be protecting yourself from the very thing you want. Enjoy the conversation, then tell us your GOAT romance or the one hot take you’re ready to defend. Subscribe, leave a rating, and share this with someone who needs a little hope—and a nudge to drop one box on their list.

    1h 1m

  8. 14/10/2025

    From Highest to Lowest: Creativity vs. Conglomerates

    Send us a text The headlines won’t stop: a rumored Paramount–Warner tie-up, whispers that Oracle could take over TikTok. We dig into what consolidation really does to creativity—why too many layers stall bold ideas, how “safe bets” become a reflex, and where small studios and scrappy teams still break through. From there, we pivot to the power of personal taste: a child’s K‑pop phase that becomes pure joy, and Demon Slayer’s Infinite Castle as a reminder that great craft cracks open empathy, even for villains we’re primed to hate. That empathy thread leads us into Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest. We wrestle with the film’s split identity: a rich tribute to New York and Black culture—yet undercut by a score mixed so loud it bulldozes nuance. We unpack the central dilemma (pay to free your driver’s kidnapped child or protect the company), the social-media engine that turns a crime into clout, and the line that anchors the film: “All money isn’t good money.” There’s praise for Denzel Washington and Jeffrey Wright, debate over stage-play choices on screen, and a candid look at how monologues and cameos affect pacing and tone. We widen the lens to A24: can the indie king scale into music, theater, and maybe games without sanding off its edges? We highlight favorites—from Ex Machina and Green Room to Minari, Past Lives, and Everything Everywhere All at Once—and the studio’s knack for pairing culturally specific stories with universal stakes. Then we get practical: festival strategy beyond blind submissions, shorter theatrical windows and word-of-mouth runs, co-productions, and decentralized funding models that are quietly shipping real films. Underneath it all is a simple choice creatives face daily: guard your taste, or let the market make it for you. If this conversation hits your brain and your gut, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review. Tell us: which indie film deserved more love, and where do you think the line is between growth and selling out? Your take might fuel our next deep dive.

    52 min
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About

A podcast where we talk about entertainment, pop cultural and the daily life of navigating the entertainment industry as a creative.

Information

  • Creator
    Open Queue productions, LLc
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Open Queue productions, LLc
  • Show Website
    The Open Queue