Clearing The Q
117 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingJoin Hosts Mike and Zak on a journey through the fabulous, whimsical, and sometimes demented world of Film making. Explore movies that you may or may not have heard of with two opinionated indie filmmakers who have no shortage of opinions about the craft. Clearing the Q is a conversation about movies, with people who live and breath them. A proud new addition to the Nerd Camp Network, brought to you by the DIY gumption of the Clearing the Q Youtube Channel and our friends from the Camp Nightmare Podcast.
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Episodes
Episode 104: What are we Watching? (So many Emotions)
July 03, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBMike and Zak have been talking talkin about movies for SO LONG and they're getting all emotional about it! this episode they cover Inside Out 2, the Bikeriders, and Kinds of Kindness. As Always: tune in next week for a much better episode.
Episode 103: The Holy Mountain
June 26, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 70.1 MBIt’s a classic counterculture arthouse tilt-a-whirl of a feature length film, and whether you love it or hate it, you cannot deny its impact on cinema and art of the ensuing decades. What can be said about this movie that hasn’t already been said? Tune in to find out!
Episode 102: What are we Watching? (Max Attacks)
June 19, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 47.9 MBRecurring guest on the podcast Max Minkowitz fill in for Zak this week for a very fun and tangential edition of the Clearing the Q Podcast. Max gets the ball rolling with his thoughts on Big Trouble, Little China, before Mike expounds upon his numerous opinions on the Fellowship of the Ring. Then the boys discuss the undersung Collateral, and they wrap things up with a good ol gush about Hulu's latest period piece and adaptation of a popular work of historical fiction: Shogun. Dedicated epis...
Episode 101: What are we Watching? (Dry Takes)
June 12, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 48 MBToday we start things off with a little chat about Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls, and then Paul Verhoeven's Starship Troopers. Then we talk a little bit about Lisztomania, and we wrap things up with more talk about Mad Max Fury Road. Nothing From the Theaters this week folks!
Episode 100: Highlander
June 05, 2024 16:00 - 1 hour - 80.3 MBConnor MacLeod discovers that he is an immortal being when he survives a fatal wound during his first battle in the scottish highlands and is outcasted by his clan. He is then confronted and trained by a fellow immortal being in the ways of how best to defend himself from others who will come seeking his power. But that was over a century ago! Connor now lives under the guise of an antique merchant, but still gets into the occasional swordfight with aforementioned immortal beings which of co...
Episode 99: What are we Watching? (Apocalypse Wow)
May 29, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBMike and Zak have had 99 whole episodes worth of opinions y'all. Today they're gonna talk at you about Furiosa and the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. That's it. That's the whole thing folks.
Episode 98: Sound & Fury
May 22, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 62.1 MBWhat happens when a muscle car driving samurai takes on the two war criminals responsible for killing their family in an apocalyptic wasteland? If you said a sexy dance number with robot minions, gassed up topless Geisha, and blindfolded muscle mommies and daddies, then you win a fine fat fair-day goose! But I guess that’s really just the main story arc of this batshit crazy anthology style anime music video, in the style of gotham knight and the animatrix. Music written and performed by Stu...
Episode 97: What are we Watching? (Apes and Angst)
May 15, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 45.6 MBMike is hung up on the planet of the apes movies, and Zak wants to talk about Zendaya and Detective Pikachu (the actor, not the movie) This one goes hard.
Episode 96: Redline
May 08, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBRacing is without a doubt the most popular sport in the galaxy, and it all comes down to one remarkably dangerous circuit called the REDLINE. Join a cast of drivers so eclectic that they Wacky racers of hana-bar-bara a run for their money, as they risk life and limb for the glory of being the fastest racers in the galaxy. Did you ever watch the Phantom menace and think: This whole podracing thing is probably the best thing this movie has going for it. I wisht they’d make a movie about this,...
Episode 95: What are we Watching? (STFUD)
May 02, 2024 03:00 - 1 hour - 49.2 MBThis Week Mike and Zak are back talking about what they’ve been putting their eyeballs on lately, keeping it loose and playing it fast. We get things going with a little chat about Civil War, and then roll on to Zak’s thoughts on Hundreds of Beavers. Then the boys discuss the cinematic adaptation of Speed Racer, and then they bring things home with a chat about the Big Lebowski.
Episode 94: What are we Watching? (Kong gets Fisted)
April 17, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 46 MBMike and Zak are overjoyed to welcome back to the podcast recurring guest Max Minkowitz to talk about stuff he's been putting his eyeballs on. We get things rolling with our thoughts on Late night with the Devil, then move on to Monkey Man, before following up with Birth, and then we finish things up with Godzilla X Kong!
Episode 93: Monkeybone
April 10, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 72.5 MBWhen Cartoonist Stu Miley ends up in a coma he is transported to nightmarish limbo realm where comes face to face with the embodiment of his own creation, the horny and bombastic Monkeybone. The two embark on a mission to return Stu's trapped spirit to his body, but when it becomes apparent that Monkeybone has an ulterior motive, Stu must find a way to return to the world of the living as save his fiance from the demented clutches of his own warped creation.
Episode 92: What are we Watching? (Wish I was a Lesbian)
March 20, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 48 MBThis week's what are we watching Mike and Zak share their feelings about Love Lies Bleeding, the Problemista, Perfect Days, and the American Society of Magical Negros. All these movies are worth a watch, but some more than others, listen to find out which ones!
Episode 91: Brazil
March 13, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 79.9 MBSam Lowry never aspired to anything greater than the simple banality of a job in the records department, until a promotion to the Information requisitions department could put him in touch with the literal woman of his dreams. In the cold and uncaring world gone utterly mad with bureaucratic regulations, Sam comes face to face with the bitter consequences of a system devoid of empathy as he investigates a clerical error that resulted in the execution of an innocent man. It's 1984 with a dark...
Episode 90: What are we Watching? (Only Tepid Takes)
March 06, 2024 08:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBToday the boys Start with a big ol gush over the new Dune Movie, then Zak talks up the Netflix series House of Ninjas before Mike brings us home with a scathing review of Argyle. Nothing but Tepid takes this week folks.
Episode 89: Bringing Out the Dead
February 28, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 80 MBFrank Pierce is a man haunted by the Ghosts of his past. Making a living as an EMT in New York during the 90s, Frank struggles to find ways to cope with the highs and the lows of a job that he cannot quit or get fired from. This dark and oddly beautiful film from director Martin Scorsese explores the moral relativism that goes hand in hand with being a compassionate member of a society that has little to no safety net for those who are most vulnerable.
Episode 88: What are we Watching? (Trololololol)
February 21, 2024 08:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBIt's that time again! Mike and Zak talk about what they've been putting their eyeballs on! This week Mike starts off with his Tepid take on Sometimes a Think about Dying and it's awkwardly dark humor. Next up Zak likewise gripes about his less than stellar opinion of Lisa Frankenstein. Then Mike gushes over the unintentionally humorous hot mess that is Madame Web, and finally Zak brings it home with some ruminations on Robot Dreams, a sleeper in the oscar nominations for best animated fil...
Episode 87: Vampire's Kiss
February 14, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 72.9 MBLiterally Editor and rapacious womanizer Peter Lowe has a one night stand with a woman who may or may not be a vampire, his career, his sex life, and his very identity begin to crumble around him. Is he the victim of the machinations of a wicked Vamipress, or is he slowly slipping into a delusional mania brought on by schizophrenic hallucinations and a textbook case of Renfield syndrome? Who’s to Say? Certainly not us!
Episode 86: What are we Watching? (Upwards of Dollars)
February 07, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 44.5 MBit's that time again, where Mike and Zak get in front of some microphones and share their thoughts on some movies they've seen recently. This week the boys start things off talking about Miyazaki's newest film; The Boy and the Heron. Next up Mike shares his thoughts on Johnathan Glazer's Sexy Beast, before Zak gets in a few words about the Oscar nominated Maestro. Then Mike Warps things up with a little gush over a favorite of his that will almost certainly earn itself it's own dedicated epi...
Episode 85: Radioland Murders
January 31, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBWhen Chicago radio station Wailin Broadcast Network (WBN) tries to become the fourth national radio station, a series of catastrophes unfold during their first live broadcast, including but not limited to murder most foul! It’s up to Roger Henderson, a writer who’s going through a separation with his wife Penny over an illicit affair, to find out who done it, clear his own name, and somehow patch things up with Penny who has enough problems of her own being the Assistant Director of the unf...
Episode 84: What are we Watching? (Overalls of the Bourgeoisie)
January 24, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 52.5 MBKicking off this year's first episode of What are we Watching with some of the leftovers of yesteryear. Zak begins with some of his thoughts on the Zone of Interest, and Mike keeps the bummer tone rolling with his ruminations of the Iron Claw. Followed by Zak's Heated defense of the new Wonka musical and Mike brings us home with a bittersweet sendoff for this atrocious chapter of the DC cinematic universe and his scathing review of Aquaman 2. As always, thanks for listening, and Tune in next...
Episode 83: My Life as a Zucchini
January 17, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBSince we were on a break during this years holiday season, Zak and Mike are beginning this new year with the spirit of giving, doing the usual movie swap they do during Xmas. This week Zak showed Mike My Life as a Zucchini. When a 9 year old boy accidentally kills his mother, he is brought to an orphanage where he meets a collection of adorable misfits and learns that not all change is bad.
Episode 82: 2023 A year in Review
January 11, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 76.7 MBWith 2023 in the rearview join hosts Mike and Zak as they talk about their favorite movies from this past year. The boys share their top 5 and then roll into some honorable mentions. Hope your new year turns out to be full of wonder and joy!
Episode 81: Angels with Dirty Faces
November 22, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBRocky Sullivan and Jerry Connolly were two kids from the wrong side of the tracks, who scratched out a living as thieves, until their path diverged after a heist goes wrong. Rocky becomes a textbook recidivist, in and out of prison for the next 15 years for various crimes that earn him a kind of infamy in the criminal world, while his old friend Jerry becomes a priest, devoted to helping boys just like himself stay out of the life of crime. After doing a three stretch to take the wrap for hi...
Episode 80: Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
November 08, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 68.4 MBIn a world where Humans and Cartoons live side by side, Part time Private investigator and full time drunk Eddie Valiant is hired to investigate the wife of Cartoon Star Roger Rabbit. After showing the poor toon some photos of his aforementioned wife, Jessica, playing “pattycake” with Famed Producer Marvin Acme, Roger goes ballistic and disappears into the dark alleys of tinsel town. The following morning, Eddie learns that Marvin Acme has been Murdered and Roger is the primary suspect, but ...
Ep 79: What are we Watching? (Better Late than Never)
November 03, 2023 01:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBBetter late than never, eh? This week Zak kicks things off with his thoughts on the Cult Classic the Decent, a movie he believes receives the proper amount of appreciation given its difficult first and third acts. Then Mike follows up with some rumination on Ed Harris’s Appaloosa, a competent western, but nothing to write home about. Then Zak Explores the Surprisingly fun movie by the infamous Richard Stanley Dust Devil. And Finally Mike and Zak both gush over Eastern Promises a movie that m...
Episode 78: Brain Damage
October 25, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBA powerful Parasite known as Aylmer attached himself to what appears to be a feckless NY nobody named Brian (I say that because we don't actually get to know him at all before Aylmer attached himself to our protagonist.) The chemical the Ageless parasite release into Brian's brain is something like LSD mixed with Heroin, but it comes with a price. Brian must help Aylmer feed, and what could an ancient parasite possibly be hungry for? Why brains of course! Brian's life slowly falls apart as a...
Ep 77: What are we Watching? (Mid-Takes)
October 18, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 48.2 MBThat's Right Folks, We're doing two in a row this month! WHY?! Because Our lives are busy and we're changing some things about the format of our in-depth movie breakdown episodes, and experiencing some growing pains you might say. We appreciate you baring with us, and promise we will get back to delivering the kind of content that brought you here to begin with. For now though, please enjoy a Spoopy edition of What are we Watching? Where we talk about that new Exorcist movie, a forgotten gem...
Episode 76: What are we Watching? (Expendabullshit)
October 11, 2023 07:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBJoin Hosts Mike and Zak for some quick thoughts on what they've been watching these days! First up Zak shares his feelings on the Outlaw Johnny Black, a new Blacksploitation movie by the legendary Micheal Jai White. Followed by Mike's harsh review of Expendables 4. The onto a much ore lighthearted conversation about Frank Henenlotter's Frankenhooker, and then we wrap things up with some praise over Kenneth Branagh's latest adaptation of Agatha Christie's murder mysteries staring as the belo...
Episode 75: the House that Jack Built
October 04, 2023 07:00 - 2 hours - 99.8 MBJoin hosts Mike and Zak as they ring in the Spooky season with a Heady flick about a Serial killer brought to you by Lars von Trier: The house that Jack Built. And oh what a house it is! An unrepentant narcissist who fancies himself something of an Artist, but the works with materials that are somewhat unethical. Jack, played by Matt Dillon recounts 5 formative incidents in his life along his path to becoming a serial killer known as Mr. Sophistication and that leads ultimately to his own p...
Episode 74: What are we Watching? (Tune in Next Week for a Much Better Episode)
September 20, 2023 07:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBThis week on the bimonthly edition of the Clearing the Q podcast affectionately referred to as "What are we Watching?" Mike insists that he doesn't want to review My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, and then proceeds to, for about 10 minutes. After that, Zak praises the wacky antics of the new coming of age film Bottoms, from the same people who brought you Cocaine Bear. Then Mike and Zak gush over their favorite Miyazaki film Princess Mononoke, and then the boys wrap things up with their thoughts o...
Episode 73: American Psycho
September 13, 2023 07:00 - 2 hours - 90.4 MBJoin hosts Mike and Zak for the first installment of Serial Killer September, coming out of the gate with some hot takes on a beloved classic from the turning of the century. A Bitingly sarcastic indictment of the philosophical shift in American that grew out of the “greed is good'' propaganda shoved down our throats by Wallstreet in the 1980s, American Psycho will make you laugh about as often as you cringe away from the violence and sexual perversions perpetrated by the main character Patr...
Episode 72: What are we Watching? (Mutants, Aliens, and the Tism)
September 06, 2023 07:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBMike and Zak have returned from the cinema to discuss some recent releases that impressed, surprised, and even delighted. First up, the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie gets a lot of praise but still a wag or two of the proverbial finger. Second, Landscape with Invisible Hand, which sounds like a pretentious art house movie, but it's actually an offbeat comedy about classism and Aliens. Lastly hear how the Equalizer 3 is paced and shot like a horror film and Denzel is Michael Fucking M...
Episode 71: The Farewell
August 30, 2023 07:00 - 2 hours - 87 MBBilli, A struggling young woman learns that her Grandmother has stage four cancer and that her family is gathering in China to be with her one last time. However, in Chinese culture it is common for people who receive terminal diagnosis to be kept in the dark about the severity of their condition, at least until things become impossible to ignore. So the family is using the wedding of Billi's cousin Hoa Hoa as an excuse to gather everyone together. The film explores a good deal of the cultur...
Episode 70: What are we Watching? (the Peewee Tulpa)
August 16, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 42.4 MBThis week we’re showing some love to one of Zak’s favorite childhood influences, and one of the all-time greats of comedy, RIP Paul Rubens. Join us as we explore some fond memories of Peewee’s Big Adventure, one of Tim Burton’s First Feature length films. Then get into some Netflix and Thrills as we break down some of our favorite things about They Cloned Tyrone. Followed by Zak’s Tepid review of Moon Garden, and Mike’s Joyous gush over the Haunted mansion. Listen to us talk about movies, an...
Episode 69: The Green Knight
August 09, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 82.2 MBIt's August, and you know what that means, it's A24 month! We had so much fun with it last year that we wanna do it again this year. in Honor of the Little studio that could, we're talking about one of Mike's Favorite films of 2021, that's right, we're talking the Green Knight. This genre bending thought piece is as immersive as it is beautiful. Based on one of the oldest surviving manuscripts of Arthurian Legend, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, this is a strangely contemporary tale of a yo...
Episode 68: What are we Watching? (Talk to me, Barbenheimer)
August 02, 2023 07:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBLots of Stuff in the cinema to see lately, Barbie and Oppenheimer being two of the biggest opening weekends this summer, so join hosts Mike and Zak as they amble through their thoughts on both of these seemingly decisive films. Then wrap things up with their feelings on an A24 Australia flick that is way better than it has any business being: Talk to Me. If you have not seen these movies, it may behoove you to skip this episode until you have, because, while we don't get too spoilery, we do ...
Episode 67: eXistenZ
July 26, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 81.5 MBJoin hosts Mike and Zak as they explore David Cronenberg's 1999 existential thought piece, eXistenZ. When an assassination attempt fails to kill the world renowned game designer Allegra Geller, she must escape the machinations of her business rivals, as well as the persistent attempts on her life by a group of militant extremists. To make matters worse, the only extant copy of her new game is trapped on a game pod that is slowly dying. With the help of her somewhat neurotic security guard, T...
Episode 66: What are we Watching? (Big Budgets and Unicorns)
July 19, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 50.9 MBCome join hosts Mike and Zak as they recount a couple of recount their thoughts and feelings on their recent Cinematic excursions and finish things up with a bit of a stroll down memory lane. Both Mike and Zak have a LOT to say about the new Indiana Jones movie, and Zak gushes briefly about the joyride that is the new Mission Impossible movie, then Mike and Zak both share their opinions on The Last Unicorn, a lesser known animated feature from the early 80s with music by America and an impre...
Episode 65: Galaxy Quest
July 12, 2023 14:00 - 2 hours - 106 MBJoin Hosts Mike and Zak as they explore one of the greatest star trek movies ever made. That's not a typo, Galaxy Quest is so good the Trek community adopted it as cannon. Listen to the exciting tale of this film's conception, production, and reception and all the glorious hiccups along the way. When the cast of a Popular Sci-fi show are invited to take on their roles in real life by a group of Aliens that have modeled their entire civilization after what they believe are "Historical Documen...
Episode 64: What are we Watching? (Wes Anderson's Nopenhimer)
July 05, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBThis week Mike and Zak take some time to really unpack their feelings on Wes Anderson in general, but specifically on his newest film Asteroid City, a movie about a play that could be accused of putting a hat on a hat, but isn't that Wes's "Thing?" Followed by Zak's take on an A24 film in theaters now, Past Lives, and Mike wraps things up by ruminating on a blast from the past know as Taking Lives.
Episode 63: the Venture Bros. (Patreon Teaser)
June 28, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBJune has been Totally devoted to some Patreon Content Teasers and this episode is no different. Take a peak behind the paywall this week and get a taste of the sweet sweet content Card Carrying members of the Queue Crew are going to be enjoying on a monthly basis. That's right, a little tryz before you buyz to incentivize you to enjoy us criticize the serialized and televised shows that inspirationalized us one up on timez. first up it's the Venture Bros. so if you like what you heard here, ...
Episode 62: What are we Watching? (Multiverse of Badness)
June 21, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBJoin Mike and Zak and Special guest Max Minkowitz to talk about Superhero Movies! What?! We NEVER talk about those! Spoilers the Flash is a bit of a mess and Across the Spiderverse is arguably the best Spiderman movie, if not the best superhero movie to date. Come listen to us shout at each other about it!
Episode 61: Cats Sip'n'Watch
June 14, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 81.6 MBAre you Drinking alone, like a social reject? Do you like watching films worse than a student project? Then have a sip and tune in, join your pals Mike and Zak. We had Mike's girlfriend help us, but I doubt she'll be back. We're watching Cats with the coolest of Crews, why that's you! Yes I said we are watching Cats, watching cats with our friends the Queue Crew. Watching Cats while we drink up a brew. Watching Cats cause it's something to do. Wont you get drunk and observe this monstrosity ...
Episode 60: What are we Watching? (Cartoons is money too guys)
June 07, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 43.1 MBJoin hosts Mike and Zak as they chat about the stuff they've been putting their eyeball on. Does Mike Harshly criticize another movie made for children? Yes... Yes he does. Is the Little Mermaid good? Yes. Could it be Better? Also, yes. Zak also talks about the New BlackBerry movie and defends Fool's Paradise against the haters. Then Mike and Zak gush about how good Into the Spiderverse is. NOT Across the Spiderverse... not yet anyway ;P
Episode 59: Afro Samurai
May 31, 2023 07:00 - 2 hours - 105 MBTwo Legendary headbands worn by the worlds two greatest fighters, the number one may only be challenged by the wearer of the number two, but the number two may be challenged by all who think themselves worthy. Afro Samurai, a man ruled by his desire for revenge wears the Number Two headband and kills his way to the man who took the number one headband from his father, and in doing so falls victim to an endless cycle of revenge and turmoil. They call him the Demon that would challenge a God. ...
Episode 58: What are we Watching? (Another Marvelous Rundown)
May 24, 2023 07:00 - 52 minutes - 36.4 MBIs it just me, or have we NOT talked about superhero movies in like a month or two? No? More like a few weeks then, right? Days? Well anyway, we’re talkin’ ‘bout that there Guardians of the Galaxy talkie that’s all the rage! Join hosts Mike and Zak as they explore why ending cycles of trauma can hurt so good! followed by Mike's rundown of Rock and Rule, an animated feature from the 1980s about a Rock God who wants to summon a demon and rule the world. It's where Heavy Metal meets A Goofy Mov...
Episode 57: Paprika
May 17, 2023 07:00 - 2 hours - 95.8 MBPsychoanalyst Astuko Chiba and her alter Ego Paprika have been using an experimental device called the DC mini to dive into her patients' dreams to help them unpack whatever their subconsciousness is attempting to work out in their Recurring dreams. However, her world is thrown into chaos when the DC mini is stolen during the final phases of testing and people start acting really strange. Paprika must team up with some unlikely characters to solve this mystery and stop the world of dreams fr...
Episode 56: What are We Watching? (Growing to Full Power)
May 10, 2023 07:00 - 47 minutes - 33 MBThis Week Mike and Zak Return from excursions to the Cinema, and share their thoughts on a few flicks soon to be part of your favorite streaming platform that your ex had which you probably still have the password to. Renfield is a joy, shocker, and Nick Cage's performance as Dracula did everything but disappoint. Mike flexes his Nerd-cred in a review of the Dungeons and Dragons movie, and Zak explores his feelings on the newest edition to the Evil Dead Franchise. All in all, this is a short...
Episode 55: Dead Leaves
May 03, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 80.8 MBWhen a woman with a red circle around her eye and guy with a television set for a head wake up naked in the desert, they must fight, fuck, and fenagle their way to whatever answers they can find about their mysterious past. Their search takes them beyond the earth's atmosphere to the Dead Leaves Corrections Facility on the partially destroyed moon, and after a good deal of hyper-stylized violence and over the top action sequences they uncover a plot set in motion by a scandalous villain who ...