Queen is Dead - A Film, TV and Culture Podcast

Queen Is Dead
  • 4.7 (3)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Biweekly

क्वीन इज डेड. Movies, the universe and everything. We come to pop culture with an Indian perspective and want to share it with the world. These are the voyages of the podcast Queen is Dead!

  1. 4d ago

    Digger (& Verity) : or, How We Need to Learn to Stop Worrying and Love Cinematic Catastrophes #199

    Cris, Varun & Ashwin wanted to talk about "Digger" & "Verity" during Dhruv's beloved Spooktober. But two of them bailed out for NO VALID REASON WHATSOEVER, so Dhruv had to subject himself to the horrifically unfunny catastrophe that is Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu & Tom Cruise's "Digger." Arijit joins Dhruv and Cris on this episode to push back against their uncompromising hatred towards "Digger" and its brand of -- in their words -- "unfunny, anti-intellectual postmodernism." Unsurprisingly, the internet discourse surrounding "Digger" is also widely discussed, with Dhruv and Cris doing their level best to convince Arijit why most of the film's (re)appraisals don't hold up. All in all, an extended discussion about (& around) the film -- which, I suppose, is considered a win for the film's intentions, regardless of its actual (cinematic) qualities. Conversely, Cris then -- briefly -- trashes Michael Showalter's "Verity" for not being very trashy. Listen to the full episode to hear a lot of (hopefully) informed bitching and (hopefully) productive discourse. You are most welcome to tell us if it wasn't informed or productive -- we will not quote it back to you and say that you're wrong for thinking so because we intended it to be otherwise! Major spoilers for "Digger" & "Verity"! TIMECODES Introduction: [00:00 - 04:39] The "Digger" Takedown - [04:39 - 24:27] The "Digger" Defense - [24:27 - 32:30] The "Digger" Debate(s) - [32:30 - 01:15:19] The "Verity" Rant (ft. Cris) - [01:15:19 - 01:36:49] Outro - [01:36:49 - 01:39:19] 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: ARIJIT: https://www.instagram.com/_tentinquarantino_/. CRIS: https://www.instagram.com/criscritiques/. DHRUV: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/. You can also follow us on Letterboxd at - ARIJIT: https://letterboxd.com/nostradamus/. CRIS: https://letterboxd.com/crislim/. DHRUV: https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/.

    Digger (& Verity) : or, How We Need to Learn to Stop Worrying and Love Cinematic Catastrophes #199

  2. Oct 1

    Primetime Predators and The (Un)Productive Discomfort of Voyeurism #198

    You know how this looks, right? To navigate the tricky minefield that is Lance Oppenheim's narrative feature film debut "Primetime," Hemant and Cris take the help of David Osit's documentary "Predators" (2025) and introspect on the culture that produced Chris Hansen's "To Catch a Predator" and the consequences (or lack thereof) that came of it. What follows is a careful investigation of the relationship between morality and law, reality and fiction, documentary and narrative filmmaking. Osit and Oppenheim's intentions, methods, and worldviews are contrasted to make sense of how one approaches sensitive topics and critiques or indulges in society's worst impulses. For spoiler-free thoughts, check the time stamps below and trigger warnings for discussion of CSA. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TIME CODES Introduction - [00:00 - 15:45] "Predators" - [15:45 - 01:06:48] "Primetime" (Spoiler-Free) - [01:06:48 - 01:27:02] "Primetime" (Spoiler-Filled) - [01:27:02 - 02:16:30] Outro - [02:16:30 - 02:24:10] You can also follow us on Letterboxd at - HEMANT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/ganti117/⁠⁠⁠. CRIS: https://letterboxd.com/crislim/.

    Primetime Predators and The (Un)Productive Discomfort of Voyeurism #198

  3. Sep 23

    Resident Evil and The Death of Elevated Horror? #197

    "Resident Evil" has been rebooted maybe a few too many times; Cris, Amartya, and Ashwin discuss if Zach Cregger's run with the iconic gaming franchise will finally make it stick. Debate ensues on the merits (or lack thereof) of Cregger's earlier work and the 'elevated horror' genre as such—including major disagreements over "Weapons"—which is followed by surprising consensus on his ability to handle a much less complicated take on the survival horror genre. Attempts are also made to settle the age-old video game adaptation discourse. For spoiler-free thoughts, check the time stamps below but listen to the full episode for our take on the film's Themes™ and our predictions on the future of cross-genre storytelling. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TIME CODES Introduction - [00:00 - 03:56] Zach Cregger and Spoiler-Free Thoughts - [03:56 - 41:28] Spoiler-Filled Thoughts on Resident Evil - [41:28 - 01:11:40] Outro (& Other Game Adaptation) - [01:11:40 - 01:26:11] You can also follow us on Letterboxd at - ASHWIN: https://letterboxd.com/ashwindev/. AMARTYA: https://letterboxd.com/amartya/. CRIS: https://letterboxd.com/crislim/.

    Resident Evil and The Death of Elevated Horror? #197

  4. Sep 12

    David Lynch's Mulholland Drive | The Strange Story (Part 7) #196

    Cris is joined by Dhruv, Hemant, and returning guest Devarsi on a tour of LA as they talk all things Hollywood through David Lynch's most well-known and celebrated text—Mulholland Drive. Listen to the full episode to hear them try to find new ways to approach a film that has been talked about endlessly. Discussions on queerness, naive optimism, and film theory ensue, meaning the usual fare. Spoilers, of course, for "Mulholland Drive." TIME CODES Introduction : [00:00 - 04:00] "Mulholland Drive": [04:00 - 1:19:35] Outro: [1:19:35 - 1:28:17] TEXT REFERENCED REPEATEDLY HERE "Room to Dream" (David Lynch & Kristine McKenna). 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: CRIS: https://www.instagram.com/criscritiques/. DHRUV: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/. DEVARSI: https://www.instagram.com/devarsighosh/. You can also follow us on Letterboxd at - CRIS: https://letterboxd.com/crislim/. DHRUV: https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/. HEMANT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/ganti117/⁠⁠. DEVARSI: https://letterboxd.com/d2dag/.

    David Lynch's Mulholland Drive | The Strange Story (Part 7) #196

  5. Sep 1

    One Night Only and Two Better RomComs #195

    Cris and Varun sit down to thrash out the remaining life from the new ‘sexy-but-sex-negative’ rom-com “One Night Only”, directed by “Easy A” helmer Will Gluck and starring Monica Barbaro (“A Complete Unknown”, “Top Gun: Maverick”) and Callum Turner (aka Mr Dua Lipa of “Masters of the Air” and “Rose of Nevada” fame). After they are done belting the new release for its many crimes, the duo turn affectionate as they talk up a favorite romcom each, Ali Abbas Zafar’s “Mere Brother Ki Dulhan” (Cris) and Peyton Reed’s “Down with Love” (Varun). TIMECODES Initial Prattle - [00:00 - 09:53] “One Night Only” - [09:53 - 01:31:17] “Mere Brother Ki Dulhan” - [01:31:17 - 01:41:14] “Down with Love” - [01:41:14 - 01:57:43] Closing Thoughts and Khatam - [01:57:43 - 02:06:09] 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 Letterboxd at - CRIS: https://letterboxd.com/crislim/. VARUN: https://letterboxd.com/varunoakbhakay/.

    One Night Only and Two Better RomComs #195

  6. Aug 28

    Denis Villeneuve's French Canadian Films | Before the Dunes (Part 1) #194

    It's never nice to talk about a director whom you thought you loved but -- upon rewatching their films -- you realize you maybe don't... This is the (unfortunate) framework for QID's first episode (of 3) on director Denis Villeneuve before he became THE Denis Villeneuve responsible for helming the Dune franchise (culminating with "Dune Part Three" in December), and thereafter, directing the latest iteration of 007. Dhruv and Cris (for whom most of these films are first watches) are less than enamored by Villeneuve's French Canadian films -- especially "Polytechnique" and "Incendies" -- that catapulted him to becoming one of the most celebrated filmmakers working in Hollywood today. So they contemplate the value (or lack thereof) of his refined style -- and why Cris, at least, prefers shabbiness of his earlier work ("August 32nd on Earth" & "Maelström") heavily inspired by the French New Wave. Listen to the full episode to hear Dhruv rant about "Maelström" and the French New Wave, though. And then Cris talk extensively about how much Denis Villeneuve actually improves on the source material "Incendies" is adapted from. MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ALL 4 FILMS DISCUSSED! TIME CODES Introduction - [00:00 - 22:52] "August 32nd on Earth" - [22:52 - 41:56]  "Maelström" - [41:56 - 59:16] "Polytechnique" - [59:16 - 01:43:54] "Incendies" - [01:43:54 - 02:29:30] Outro - [02:29:30 - 02:39:54] 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: CRIS: https://www.instagram.com/prdscris/. DHRUV: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/. You can also follow us on Letterboxd at - CRIS: https://letterboxd.com/crislim/. DHRUV: https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/.

    Denis Villeneuve's French Canadian Films | Before the Dunes (Part 1) #194

  7. Aug 19

    The Sunny-Santoshi Reunion of Batwara 1947 & Why It Doesn't Work Now | Ghayal, Ghatak & Damini #193

    Co-fathers of “Queen is Dead,” Sanjeet and Hemant, join Varun for an episode on the collaborations between Rajkumar Santoshi and Sunny Deol. Beginning with the newest – “Batwara 1947” – this trio discusses the mechanism of filmmaking adopted by a pure 90s filmmaker thirty-six years after his debut feature, and how his direction of Sunny Deol has changed over time.  Joining the Partition drama on the menu are the revenge drama “Ghayal”, the social melodrama “Damini”, and the social actioner “Ghatak”. TIME CODES Introduction - [00:00 - 24:00]  “Batwara 1947” - [24:00 - 01:24:46]  Sanjeet’s Bigger Question - [01:24:46 - 01:48:27] Closing on “Batwara 1947” - [01:48:27 - 01:58:00] “Ghayal” - [01:58:00 - 02:18:29] “Damini” - [02:18:29 - 02:35:58] “Ghatak” - [02:35:58 - 02:49:20] Outro - [02:49:20 - 02:51:06] 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 Letterboxd at - SANJEET: ⁠https://letterboxd.com/sanjeet_singh/. VARUN: ⁠https://letterboxd.com/varunoakbhakay/.⁠ HEMANT: ⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/ganti117/⁠⁠.

    The Sunny-Santoshi Reunion of Batwara 1947 & Why It Doesn't Work Now | Ghayal, Ghatak & Damini #193

  8. Aug 11

    David Lynch's The Straight Story | The Strange Story (Part 6) #192

    Dhruv and Cris convene ten months late (oops) to unusually calmly discuss Lynch's most "experimental" film (which was his only film to be distributed by the Walt Disney Company and get a G rating): "The Straight Story." Listen to the full episode to hear us be normal for once(?) as we talk about the slow pleasures of America's (rotting) rolling pastures and questions of mortality that hit a little too close to home. Spoilers, of course, for "The Straight Story." TIME CODES Introduction : [00:00 - 03:00] "The Straight Story": [03:00 - 50:20] Outro: [50:20 - 55:37] TEXT REFERENCED REPEATEDLY HERE "Room to Dream" (David Lynch & Kristine McKenna). 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: CRIS: https://www.instagram.com/prdscris/. DHRUV: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/. You can also follow us on Letterboxd at - CRIS: https://letterboxd.com/crislim/. DHRUV: https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/.

    David Lynch's The Straight Story | The Strange Story (Part 6) #192
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4.7
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क्वीन इज डेड. Movies, the universe and everything. We come to pop culture with an Indian perspective and want to share it with the world. These are the voyages of the podcast Queen is Dead!

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