Queen is Dead - A Film, TV and Culture Podcast
240 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago -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!
Homepage Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Masaki Kobayashi's Anti-Samurai Trilogy | Harakiri | Kwaidan | Samurai Rebellion #121
April 24, 2024 16:54 - 2 hours - 100 MBLooking 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 ...
The Imtiaz-Rahman Trilogy | Rockstar | Highway | Tamasha #120
April 19, 2024 16:42 - 2 hours - 207 MBIn 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 storytel...
Imtiaz Aaj Kal | Jab We Met Harry & Sejal | Love Aaj Kal 2009/2020 #119
April 12, 2024 12:06 - 2 hours - 125 MBIn 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 discu...
Michael Haneke - The Austere Austrian Auteur | Code Unknown (2000) | Caché (2005) | The White Ribbon (2009) #118
April 02, 2024 17:35 - 1 hour - 90.4 MBIn 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 ...
Malayalam Movie Round-Up P1: Aattam & Bramayugam #117
March 24, 2024 12:59 - 2 hours - 112 MBIn 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 ...
Murder Mystery Mubarak | The Last of Sheila (1973) | Gosford Park (2001) #116
March 17, 2024 11:54 - 1 hour - 259 MBIn 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" und...
Dune Part Two - An Epic of Scale and Substance #115
March 07, 2024 23:03 - 2 hours - 112 MBIn 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 throug...
The Classical, The Revisionist, and The Spaghetti Western | Stagecoach, Winchester '73, & Once Upon a Time in the West #114
February 11, 2024 16:52 - 2 hours - 115 MBIn 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...
Killer Soup - Overflavoured/Undercooked or Deliciously Tasty? #113
January 25, 2024 00:11 - 1 hour - 146 MBHello, 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 h...
Killer Soup - Overflavoured/Undercooked or Deliciously Tasty?
January 25, 2024 00:11 - 1 hour - 146 MBHello 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 ...
Best Indian Films of 2023 | Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare, Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, Sapta Sagardaache Ello, Jigarthanda DoubleX & many more! #112
January 14, 2024 12:15 - 2 hours - 137 MBIn 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," & "Jigarthan...
Cinema of Rajkumar Hirani
January 08, 2024 12:30 - 1 hour - 95.7 MBIn this very special episode specifically designed to counteract the negativity spread by two QID members on our YouTube Livestream, Dhruv and Aryan — two self-proclaimed Hiranites — talk about the director’s pre-“Dunki” and “Sanju” output to celebrate his contribution to contemporary Indian cinema. Aryan does bring up “Dunki” sadly to begin our discussion. But we swiftly move away from it to discuss the gloriously heartwarming, crowd-pleasing pleasures of the Munnabhai films, “3 Idiots,” an...
Cinema of Rajkumar Hirani #111
January 08, 2024 12:30 - 1 hour - 95.7 MBIn this very special episode specifically designed to counteract the negativity spread by two QID members on our YouTube Livestream, Dhruv and Aryan — two self-proclaimed Hiranites — talk about the director’s pre-“Dunki” and “Sanju” output to celebrate his contribution to contemporary Indian cinema. Aryan does bring up “Dunki” sadly to begin our discussion. But we swiftly move away from it to discuss the gloriously heartwarming, crowd-pleasing pleasures of the Munnabhai films, “3 Idiots,” an...
The Great, Good, and Garbage Men of Bollywood in 2023 | Animal 🤬| Sam Bahadur 🥱| 12th Fail 🥲 #110
December 13, 2023 18:10 - 2 hours - 125 MBTaking a cue from recent Bollywood releases, we have decided to leave our latest episode unedited. So get ready for the most extensive discussion on Sandeep Reddy Vanga's hollow provocations in "Animal," the most accurate Sanjeet impression (courtesy Aryan) as we collectively gush about Vidhu Vinod Chopra's uplifting "12th Fail," and the most detailed breakdown of Meghna Gulzar's insipid "Sam Bahadur" by a podcast regular who has a personal connection with the subject matter. Providing nece...
Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon (The Spoiler-Filled Discussion)
December 09, 2023 13:35 - 1 hour - 92.2 MBAway from MAMI contamination, Dhruv and Sanjeet invite Varun and Hemanth to discuss "Killers of the Flower Moon" in full. Everything from specific problems with perspectives to why those problems are not actually major problems are discussed and debated here. Do listen to the full episode to get a detailed breakdown of what we thought of the film's narrative choices, lead performances, and Martin Scorsese's special appearance! Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the p...
Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon (The Spoiler-Filled Discussion) #109
December 09, 2023 13:35 - 1 hour - 92.2 MBAway from MAMI contamination, Dhruv and Sanjeet invite Varun and Hemanth to discuss "Killers of the Flower Moon" in full. Everything from specific problems with perspectives to why those problems are not actually major problems are discussed and debated here. Do listen to the full episode to get a detailed breakdown of what we thought of the film's narrative choices, lead performances, and Martin Scorsese's special appearance! Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the p...
The Serial Killer Obsession | Se7en | Zodiac | Red Rooms #108
November 22, 2023 10:35 - 1 hour - 264 MBIn this somewhat unplanned continuation of our David Fincher "The Killer" obsession, Amartya, Dhruv, and Srilekha discuss two of the director's widely acclaimed serial killer films -- "Se7en" (1995) and "Zodiac" (2007) -- that shine more light on the psyche of those pursuing the killer than the killer himself. Thanks to another podcast regular -- Simon Ezra (@thebongcinephile) -- our Fincher trail also extends to Quebec, Canada. The final film discussed in this episode is Pascal Plante's "R...
Mumbai Film Festival - MAMI | Part 4 | Ghaath | Indi(r)a's Emergency | Priscilla #107
November 21, 2023 20:39 - 50 minutes - 46.4 MBIn QID’s last part from the MAMI series, Sanjeet, Aryan, and Dhruv talk about what they watched on Days 6, 7 & 8 of MAMI. Short, non-spoilery discussions on Vikramaditya Motwane's new documentary “Indi(r)a's Emergency”, Sofia Coppola's "Priscilla", "Ghaath", "La Chimera" and many more. Also features, Dhruv discussing his sickness and how MAMI is responsible for it, Aryan's generic socio-political mumbo-jumbo, and Sanjeet literally falls asleep during the discussion. Chapters Intro — [00:...
David Fincher's The [Stone-Cold] Killer | Neo-Noir & Le Samouraï #106
November 13, 2023 18:00 - 1 hour - 226 MBIn this unexpectedly topical (it's Noirvemeber!) episode, the QID gang talks about the recently released David Fincher film on Netflix -- "The Killer," starring Michael Fassbender. Rather than just talk about what we liked and disliked about the film, we use its release to look back at the neo-noir film that continues to inspire auteur-driven assassin projects -- Jean Pierre Melville's "Le Samouraï" (1967). Listen to the full episode to -- first -- hear Amartya geek out about neo-noir films...
Mumbai Film Festival - MAMI | Part 3 | Joram | Rajat Kapoor | Fallen Leaves #105
November 12, 2023 02:19 - 1 hour - 90 MBIn QID’s third in-person recorded episode, Sanjeet, Aryan, and Dhruv talk about what all they watched on Day 3, 4 & 5 of MAMI. Short, non-spoilery discussions on “Joram”, "Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa", "Fallen Leaves", Gujarati critical darling "Kayo Kayo Colour" and many more. Also features, Dhruv discussing his sickness and how MAMI is responsible for it, Aryan's generic socio-political mumbo-jumbo, and Sanjeet falls asleep during the discussion. Chapters Intro — [00:00-5:30] Sanjeet & ...
Mumbai Film Festival-MAMI | Part 2 | Kennedy | Maestro | Stolen #104
November 06, 2023 21:48 - 1 hour - 89 MBIn QID’s second in-person recorded episode, Sanjeet, Aryan and Dhruv talk about what all they watched (and stupidly missed) on Day 2 & 3 of MAMI.Short, non-spoilery discussions on “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Green Border,” “Stolen,” and “Maestro.” Long, non-spoilery discussion on Anurag Kashyap’s “Kennedy.” Also, featuring a one-sided argument about why watching films on a laptop is better than watching films at the NMACC from the Balcony. Chapters Intro — [00:00-3:30] Anatomy of a Fall — [03...
Mumbai Film Festival - MAMI | Day 1 | Killers of The Flower Moon #103
November 02, 2023 21:58 - 1 hour - 118 MBIn QID’s first in-person recorded episode, Sanjeet, Aryan, and Dhruv talk about their film festival experiences, why MAMI provides ammunition for the “Cinema is Dead” argument, and their non-spoilery thoughts on the first films they watched at MAMI. (Sanjeet and Aryan decided to include “Killers of the Flower Moon” as part of the discussion. That’s what we debate about most in the episode.) Listen to the full non-spoiler episodes to also hear our thoughts about Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Evil D...
Mumbai Film Festival - MAMI | Part 1 | Killers of The Flower Moon #103
November 02, 2023 21:58 - 1 hour - 118 MBIn QID’s first in-person recorded episode, Sanjeet, Aryan, and Dhruv talk about their film festival experiences, why MAMI provides ammunition for the “Cinema is Dead” argument, and their non-spoilery thoughts on the first films they watched at MAMI. (Sanjeet and Aryan decided to include “Killers of the Flower Moon” as part of the discussion. That’s what we debate about most in the episode.) Listen to the full non-spoiler episodes to also hear our thoughts about Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Evil D...
Mumbai Film Festival - MAMI | Part 1 | Killers of the Flower Moon #103
November 02, 2023 21:58 - 1 hour - 118 MBIn QID’s first in-person recorded episode, Sanjeet, Aryan, and Dhruv talk about their film festival experiences, why MAMI provides ammunition for the “Cinema is Dead” argument, and their non-spoilery thoughts on the first films they watched at MAMI. (Sanjeet and Aryan decided to include “Killers of the Flower Moon” as part of the discussion. That’s what we debate about most in the episode.) Listen to the full non-spoiler episodes to also hear our thoughts about Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Evil D...
Halloween Special : Japanese Horror #102
October 31, 2023 10:51 - 1 hour - 152 MBIn this special Halloween episode, Dhruv, Amartya & Simon discuss the explosion of Japanese horror in the late 90s and early 2000's. We discuss their diverse styles that all talk about the alienation caused by the internet boom thematic elements. Do listen for an in-depth & spoiler-filled discussion of all three films! **Apologies for some of the background noise in the episode** Follow our Instagram page: https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast You can also follow Simon: https...
Leo - A History of Violence on Steroids? #101
October 20, 2023 22:45 - 1 hour - 123 MBIn this new episode, Amartya and Sanjeet discuss the new Lokesh Kanagaraj film "Leo", starring Thalapathy Vijay, among other stars. We discuss what we liked/disliked in the film, championing the film for its decision to move away from the generic star vehicles that have been popular recently in Tamil and Telugu cinema. Kanagaraj's 5 film career so far has been driven by his unique directorial sensibility, but does the aesthetic of his universe still work for this film? Listen to the full...
Is Leo, Lokesh Kanagaraj's best?
October 20, 2023 22:45 - 1 hour - 123 MBIn this new episode, Amartya and Sanjeet discuss the new Lokesh Kanagaraj film Leo, starring Thalapathy Vijay among other stars. We discuss what we liked/disliked in the film, while also, championing the film as it in many ways moves away from the generic star vehicles that have been very popular, mostly in Tamil/Telugu cinema. Lokesh Kanagaraj's 5 film career so far has been driven by his sensibility, but does the aesthetic of his universe still work? Listen to the full episode to hear ab...
Jafar Panahi's Post-Arrest Cinema -- Revealing Ecstatic Truths
October 11, 2023 10:56 - 1 hour - 79.3 MBIn this very special episode, Dhruv, Aryan, and Ashwani welcome Amith -- handler of the now inactive Mactacritic page on Instagram -- to celebrate the works of arguably THE essential filmmaker of our times, Jafar Panahi. The Iranian filmmaker, already known internationally for his docu-fiction work before his arrest, molded that aesthetic in defiant, perceptive, and self-reflexive ways post-arrest. The objective -- continue to reveal stories about people around him, which meant turning the c...
Jafar Panahi's Post-Arrest Cinema -- Revealing Ecstatic Truths #100
October 11, 2023 10:56 - 1 hour - 79.3 MBIn this very special episode, Dhruv, Aryan, and Ashwani welcome Amith -- handler of the now inactive Mactacritic page on Instagram -- to celebrate the works of arguably THE essential filmmaker of our times, Jafar Panahi. The Iranian filmmaker, already known internationally for his docu-fiction work before his arrest, molded that aesthetic in defiant, perceptive, and self-reflexive ways post-arrest. The objective -- continue to reveal stories about people around him, which meant turning the c...
“Khufiya” — VB Puppeteers a Shayarana Spy #099
October 06, 2023 19:17 - 1 hour - 102 MBIn this episode, Dhruv and Sanjeet welcome back QID OG Hemant to talk about Vishal Bharadwaj’s latest espionage thriller recently released on Netflix — “Khufiya.” Starring Tabu, Ali Fazal and Wamiqa Gabbi, Bharadwaj’s latest project promises to be both moving and thrilling. But is it? Listen to the full episode to know our thoughts on the film! After the initial, spoiler-free discussion, we delve into specific things we liked/disliked about “Khufiya,” and how both its narrative and formal e...
Khufiya — VB Puppeteers a Shayarana Spy #099
October 06, 2023 19:17 - 1 hour - 102 MBIn this episode, Dhruv and Sanjeet welcome back QID OG Hemant to talk about Vishal Bharadwaj’s latest espionage thriller recently released on Netflix — “Khufiya.” Starring Tabu, Ali Fazal and Wamiqa Gabbi, Bharadwaj’s latest project promises to be both moving and thrilling. But is it? Listen to the full episode to know our thoughts on the film! After the initial, spoiler-free discussion, we delve into specific things we liked/disliked about “Khufiya,” and how both its narrative and formal el...
“Khufiya” — VB Puppeteers a Shayarana Spy
October 06, 2023 19:17 - 1 hour - 102 MBIn this episode, Dhruv and Sanjeet welcome back QID OG Hemant to talk about Vishal Bharadwaj’s latest espionage thriller recently released on Netflix — “Khufiya.” Starring Tabu, Ali Fazal and Wamiqa Gabbi, Bharadwaj’s latest project promises to be both moving and thrilling. But is it? Listen to the full episode to know our thoughts on the film! After the initial, spoiler-free discussion, we delve into specific things we liked/disliked about “Khufiya,” and how both its narrative and formal e...
Wes Anderson's Dahl Houses & Asteroid City #098
October 03, 2023 15:25 - 2 hours - 102 MBIn this episode, Dhruv, Amartya, Shashwat, and a special new guest -- Srilekha Mitra (writer for High on Films, Youth Ki Awaaz, The Red Sparrow, and other publications) -- talk all about the delightfully artifice-laden worlds of Wes Anderson. First, we discuss Anderson's auteurism, discussing its value (or lack thereof) in today's filmmaking world for audiences and critics alike. Then, we go beyond praising the infinite layers of surface beauty that cover his 2023 output to talk about th...
Wes Anderson's Dahl Houses & Asteroid City
October 03, 2023 15:25 - 2 hours - 102 MBIn this episode, Dhruv, Amartya, Shashwat, and a special new guest -- Srilekha Mitra (writer for High on Films, Youth Ki Awaaz, The Red Sparrow, and other publications) -- talk all about the delightfully artifice-laden worlds of Wes Anderson. First, we discuss Anderson's auteurism, discussing its value (or lack thereof) in today's filmmaking world for audiences and critics alike. Then, we go beyond praising the infinite layers of surface beauty that cover his 2023 output to talk about th...
Sujoy Ghosh's Jaane Jaan & The Problem with Adaptations | Q & A
September 26, 2023 09:15 - 1 hour - 187 MBIn this impromptu episode, Dhruv listens to Amartya vent about the recently released Netflix thriller starring Kareena Kapoor, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Vijay Varma -- "Jaane Jaan." An official adaptation of Keigo Higashino's "The Devotion of Suspect X," Ghosh's film deviates significantly from its source material, squandering the novel's tragic emotionality without adding anything significant of its own to Higashino's story. Listen to the full episode for a spoiler-filled discussion of "Jaane J...
Sujoy Ghosh's Jaane Jaan & The Problem with Adaptations | Q & A #097
September 26, 2023 09:15 - 1 hour - 187 MBIn this impromptu episode, Dhruv listens to Amartya vent about the recently released Netflix thriller starring Kareena Kapoor, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Vijay Varma -- "Jaane Jaan." An official adaptation of Keigo Higashino's "The Devotion of Suspect X," Ghosh's film deviates significantly from its source material, squandering the novel's tragic emotionality without adding anything significant of its own to Higashino's story. Listen to the full episode for a spoiler-filled discussion of "Jaane J...
Jawan - The Angry (Old) Man in a New, Massy Bottle | Review w/ Curioser Adithiyan #096
September 10, 2023 18:09 - 1 hour - 69 MBIn this (much longer than planned) discussion of SRK's latest blockbuster, "Jawan" (2023), we spend half the episode setting up multiple contexts that help us each inform our disparate reactions to the film. Amartya, Aryan, and Dhruv talk about the Bollywood context -- the Angry Young Man films of the 70s, SRK, and the industry today. And our special guest, Adithiyan (@curioseradithiyan on Instagram), provides the bulk of the material to set up the Tamil Film Industry context -- from the 60s...
Jawan - The Angry (Old) Man in a New, Massy Bottle | Review w/ Curioser Adithiyan
September 10, 2023 18:09 - 1 hour - 69 MBIn this (much longer than planned) discussion of SRK's latest blockbuster, "Jawan" (2023), we spend half the episode setting up multiple contexts that help us each inform our disparate reactions to the film. Amartya, Aryan, and Dhruv talk about the Bollywood context -- the Angry Young Man films of the 70s, SRK, and the industry today. And our special guest, Adithiyan (@curioseradithiyan on Instagram), provides the bulk of the material to set up the Tamil Film Industry context -- from the 60s...
Best of the Year 2023 (so far) #095
September 04, 2023 11:51 - 1 hour - 88.4 MBIn this episode, Sanjeet, Dhruv, Aryan, and returning guest, Shashwat discuss their three favorite films of the year (up till and including July). Not limited to any particular language or industry, this discussion gives you a wide variety of films from all over the world that fascinated us in ways that we had not anticipated. Check out this episode to know more. Follow our Instagram page: https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast You can also follow us on Instagram at: Shashwat: htt...
Best of the Year 2023 (so far)
September 04, 2023 11:51 - 1 hour - 88.4 MBIn this episode, Sanjeet, Dhruv, Aryan, and returning guest, Shashwat discuss their three favorite films of the year (up till and including July). Not limited to any particular language or industry, this discussion gives you a wide variety of films from all over the world that fascinated us in ways that we had not anticipated. Check out this episode to know more. Follow our Instagram page: https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast You can also follow us on Instagram at: Shashwat: htt...
The Friedkin Connection #094
August 25, 2023 13:57 - 1 hour - 247 MBIn this special episode, Amartya and Dhruv remember William Friedkin -- the great American director who recently passed away at the age of 87. First, we discuss our introductions to his filmography, simultaneously elaborating upon his status as a critical 70s New Hollywood filmmaker. Then, we take a deep dive into 5 of his films, some seminal from the 70s -- "The French Connection" (1971) and "Sorcerer" (1977) -- others cult-classics from the 80s and 2000s -- "To Live and Die in LA" (1985),...
The Friedkin Connection
August 25, 2023 13:57 - 1 hour - 247 MBIn this special episode, Amartya and Dhruv remember William Friedkin -- the great American director who recently passed away at the age of 87. First, we discuss our introductions to his filmography, simultaneously elaborating upon his status as a critical 70s New Hollywood filmmaker. Then, we take a deep dive into 5 of his films, some seminal from the 70s -- "The French Connection" (1971) and "Sorcerer" (1977) -- others cult-classics from the 80s and 2000s -- "To Live and Die in LA" (1985),...
The Historical Epic w/ Cinephile Sanket | Ben-Hur (1959) & Doctor Zhivago (1965) #093
August 22, 2023 14:03 - 1 hour - 214 MBIn this long overdue episode, Dhruv, Sanjeet, and Amartya invite back Sanket Mistry (@Cinephile Sanket on YouTube) to discuss two different types of films from one of his favorite genres -- The Historical Epic. We begin by situating the origin of this type of film to the 50s and 60s. Then, we delve into things that enthrall and frustrate us now when we watch William Wyler's "Ben-Hur" and David Lean's "Doctor Zhivago." Listen to the full episode for a spoiler-filled discussion of the narrat...
The Historical Epic w/ Cinephile Sanket | Ben-Hur (1959) & Doctor Zhivago (1965)
August 22, 2023 14:03 - 1 hour - 214 MBIn this long overdue episode, Dhruv, Sanjeet, and Amartya invite back Sanket Mistry (@Cinephile Sanket on YouTube) to discuss two different types of films from one of his favorite genres -- The Historical Epic. We begin by situating the origin of this type of film to the 50s and 60s. Then, we delve into things that enthrall and frustrate us now when we watch William Wyler's "Ben-Hur" and David Lean's "Doctor Zhivago." Listen to the full episode for a spoiler-filled discussion of the narrat...
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani - KJo's Return to Form? But When Was He Ever Gone? #092
August 09, 2023 06:41 - 1 hour - 177 MBIn our second (!) episode that's on all things Karan Johar, Dhruv is joined by returning KJo-Stan Jasmin A. Singh (@jasssipinkman) and a brand new card-holding member of the party, Aryan (@aryantalksfilm), to discuss Karan Johar's latest film that's (to our surprise/shock) being liked by everyone. We reiterate what everyone loved -- Ranveer Singh, his chemistry with Alia Bhatt, and the film's status as a "corrective" to Johar's filmography. But we also try to make a case for what's potential...
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani - KJo's Return to Form? But When Was He Ever Gone?
August 09, 2023 06:41 - 1 hour - 177 MBIn our second (!) episode that's on all things Karan Johar, Dhruv is joined by returning KJo-Stan Jasmin A. Singh (@jasssipinkman) and a brand new card-holding member of the party, Aryan (@aryantalksfilm), to discuss Karan Johar's latest film that's (to our surprise/shock) being liked by everyone. We reiterate what everyone loved -- Ranveer Singh, his chemistry with Alia Bhatt, and the film's status as a "corrective" to Johar's filmography. But we also try to make a case for what's potential...
Nolan At War | Dunkirk & Oppenheimer | Nolan Retrospective PART 4
July 31, 2023 11:53 - 1 hour - 245 MBTis' Nolan Month! Dhruv and Amartya conduct a full retrospective of the director's work, with Varun Bhakay (@cinephilestock) and Prithwish Roy (@little.lord_fauntleroy) joining in for all the discussions. Ashwani Kumar Tiwari (@safaed_syaahi) returns. And Sanjeet replaces Dhruv for this ep to take control of the exponentially increasing episode runtimes. In Part 4, we look at two Nolan films set during World War II -- "Dunkirk" and the recently released "Oppenheimer" -- that prov...
Nolan At War | Dunkirk & Oppenheimer | Nolan Retrospective PART 4 #091
July 31, 2023 11:53 - 1 hour - 245 MBTis' Nolan Month! Dhruv and Amartya conduct a full retrospective of the director's work, with Varun Bhakay (@cinephilestock) and Prithwish Roy (@little.lord_fauntleroy) joining in for all the discussions. Ashwani Kumar Tiwari (@safaed_syaahi) returns. And Sanjeet replaces Dhruv for this ep to take control of the exponentially increasing episode runtimes. In Part 4, we look at two Nolan films set during World War II -- "Dunkirk" and the recently released "Oppenheimer" -- that prov...
Nolan's Magic Tricks | The Prestige, Inception, Interstellar, Tenet (briefly) | Nolan Retrospective PART 3 #090
July 28, 2023 00:09 - 2 hours - 137 MBTis' Nolan Month! Dhruv and Amartya conduct a full retrospective of the director's work, with Varun Bhakay (@cinephilestock) and Prithwish Roy (@little.lord_fauntleroy) joining in for all the discussions. New Team Member: Self-Ascribed “Nolan Megafan” Ashwani Kumar Tiwari (@safaed_syaahi) In Part 3, we look at the films that gave birth to Dhoom 3 and Nolan’s annoying fandom. This is, of course, “The Prestige,” “Inception,” and “Interstellar.” Looking beyond that (tiring) discours...
Nolan's Magic Tricks | The Prestige, Inception, Interstellar, Tenet (briefly) | Nolan Retrospective PART 3
July 28, 2023 00:09 - 2 hours - 137 MBTis' Nolan Month! Dhruv and Amartya conduct a full retrospective of the director's work, with Varun Bhakay (@cinephilestock) and Prithwish Roy (@little.lord_fauntleroy) joining in for all the discussions. New Team Member: Self-Ascribed “Nolan Megafan” Ashwani Kumar Tiwari (@safaed_syaahi) In Part 3, we look at the films that gave birth to Dhoom 3 and Nolan’s annoying fandom. This is, of course, “The Prestige,” “Inception,” and “Interstellar.” Looking beyond that (tiring) discours...