Clearing The Queue

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In the spirit of giving, Mike has gifted Zak the gift of Holocaust movie. Towards the end of WWII, Jakob, a Jew living in one of the Ghettos of Poland, overhears a radio broadcast that hints at Russian troops making considerable progress in reclaiming parts of Nazi occupied Europe. He shares this information with a couple of close friends with the intention of instilling a little hope. The seed takes root, but it spirals out of control, and before long Jakob has to answer for the good he's done. 

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In the Spirit of giving, Zak has gifted Mike with a viewing of Beginners, a modern love story that is, in part, biographical to Director Mike Mills. Following the passing of his mother Oliver's Father comes out to him as a gay man, and announces that he would like to pursue love in his old age. Things are going well until he is diagnosed with cancer and Oliver has a great deal of things to unpack as he says his farewell and things become even more complicated when he finds what might just...

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We are joined by Kaleb Smith to talk about his new short film Murder Magician. We talk about the conceptualization of the script, the production process, and the complications of post production in this very fun interview! 

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This week on what are we watching, you get to hear about Zak's thoughts on the new Frankenstein movie, then Mike launches into a review of the new Predator Badlands flick. Afterwards Zak explains the finer details of the Chainsaw Man movie and then Mike brings us home with a gush about The Fist of the North Star. Tune in next time for a much better episode!  

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Join us for a romp into one of the most unsettling breakup movies of all time! Mark, an Englishman living in West Berlin before the felling of the infamous Berlin Wall, finishes a contract with some nebulously nefarious organization in the world of espionage and returns home to his wife and son. Things are NOT great at home however, and Anna, Mark's Wife, begins to exhibit a disturbing pattern of behavior. Behavior that is only exacerbated by Mark's oppressive need for control. A tale of true Lovecrftian horror perfect for the spooky season...

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Today we are overjoyed to welcome back, recurring guest on the podcast, Max Minkowitz! Who joins us this week to talk spoopy and to get a little silly. First, we talk about The Python Hunt, a documentary Max saw as part of an LA Beyond Fest. Next Mike shares his feelings about the adaptation of The Long Walk, how it holds up against the book, and how it was successfully adapted to fit more modern themes. then Zak talks about The Toxic Avenger and how it pays homage to the original while still...

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This week, Mike and Zak welcome their friend Corey Chaney to join in on a conversation that covers a lot of ground. The film industry has changed so much since these three got their start in Maryland, and after moving to Los Angeles with aspirations of furthering their careers, it seems that production has slowed to a crawl in the city that has long been touted as the cradle of the industry. From the Covid pandemic, the strikes, the implementation of AI, and now pressure from the highest political office in the nation...

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 This week we have a lot of thoughts on Weapons, but we also talk about Hurry up Tomorrow and the new Naked Gun movie. Come have a listen! 

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It's August and, as is tradition, Mike and Zak have set their sights on an A24 flick for this dedicated episode. Under The Skin is an uncomfortable science fiction horror film where an alien entity hunts for men on the streets of Scotland luring them back to a black void where they are trapped and fed upon. It's an outlandish tale with a slow burn that pay off big, and in true A24 fashion it is full of twists and turns that leave you with more questions than answers. 

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This Week our friend Rob Wolk sat down with us to talk about the stuff he's been putting his peepers on, and indeed fun times were had by all. If you like what you heard and wanna hear more from us this week, check out our patreon for a whole other hour of conversation! 

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Today we're joined by Elena Muruato for a a classic comedy, written and directed by Cheech Marin. When Rudy, a mechanic from east LA, gets caught up in a Warehouse raid by the LAPD, things take a turn for the worst when he is deported to Mexico without his ID. After failing to cross back into the United States, Rudy's life gets a lot more complicated as he finds a way to get back home, by any means necessary.  

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Mike and Zak welcome Back long time friend of the podcast Max Minkowitz for our triumphant return to sharing our thoughts about what we've been putting our peepers on! This Episode we have a lot of stuff to cover after the break so buckle up buttercup, let's talk movies!  

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Three teenage boys are lured into the evil clutches of a christian extremist cult, and things take a turn for the cataclysmic. 

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Bethany Sloan is your average Turn of the Century Catholic woman, struggling to rely on her faith in an ever changing world. Until one night, when the forces of heaven charge her with a holy quest to stop a couple of renege angels from defying God's holy decree and thus unmake the universe. With the aid of two unlikely profits from Redbank New Jersey, the 13th Black Apostle, and a Muse called Serendipity, they travel across the county to stop what may well be the end of existence itself.  

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This week Mike and Zak discuss the precarious position of the Looney Toons cartoons amidst the release of The Day the Earth Blew Up. Then they go on to talk about Death of a Unicorn, Black Bag, and round things off with the Flying Lotus feature Ash. 

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Orlando is an androgynous immortal being born into wealth and privilege. Through their perspective, the audience is invited to take a journey through five acts of Orlando's obsessions, failures, and triumphs as they learn and grow over the course of nearly three centuries. The film explores themes of art, love, and the traditional gender rolls a patriarchal society puts upon both sexes.  

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This week the boys are talking Mickey 17, Companion, The Wind that Shakes the Barley, and The Black Cat. A wild collection of movies to review for wildly different reasons! 

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An alien crash-lands on Earth looking to escape a life of slavery in outer space and find himself in the heart of Harlem in the 1980s. Though he appears to be a mute black man, he has three toes, the distinguishing characteristic of his alien heritage. He also has a unique ability to fix broken or malfunctioning electronics and heal people's injuries. He immediately begins to use these powers to the benefit of his newfound community, until two mysterious men claiming to be government agents start asking questions about him. 

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This week, the boys kick things off with their thoughts on The Monkey, I'm Still Here, Captain America: Brave New World, and Bring Them Down. An unlikely group of movies, but hey, that's our wheelhouse! 

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A little Afro-Futurism for your consideration. Join Mike and Zak as they journey into space and then back to earth circa the grooviest of decades, the good ol' 1970s. Glimpse the inner workings of renowned Jazz musician and composer Sun Ra as he recruits earthlings for his new space program. 

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This is our First "What are we Watching" of the new year, and Mike and Zak are still picking the meat from the corpse of 2024. Things get rolling with Mike's thoughts on Flight Risk, and then things heat up with Zak's hot take on the academy  nominated Emilia Perez. Then Mike gushed a bit over Presence before Zak brings us into the home stretch with some ruminations on The Last Showgirl. 

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When New Zealand journalist David Farrier reaches out to a production company about potentially doing an interview on the subject of their competitive tickling endurance videos, he receives a slew of emails wherein he is attacked for being homosexual. Needless to say, the tickling videos certainly appear to be aimed at a homosexual audience, featuring exclusively male participants and ticklers. This sparks an interest into what exactly IS going on with this production company, and the deeper the filmmakers dive, the more outrageous the story becomes.  

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Love him or Hate him, you cannot deny the power of his work. The Godfather of Avant-Garde filmmaking, the King of the uncomfortable sequence, and the Sage of strange truths. David Lynch was a storyteller unlike any other, and his absence will be felt long after his passing. Rest in Peace, you will be missed. 

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Our First dedicated episode of the year and it's our first time covering a Documentary! People think of this Doc as: "the Banksy Doc" BUT it's actually about a fella who goes by the sobriquet "Mr. Brain Wash" and the beginning of the street art movement. The story unfolds through the lens of an eccentric but passionate Frenchman who became an overnight success. 

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What were your Top 5 movies this year? Listen to find out Mike and Zak's, then go over to Threads and let us know about yours! @clearing_the_q if you don't already follow us!

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This Holiday Season Mike shared with Zak one of his favorite coming of age tales through the lens of a self proclaimed Anarchist. Join Steve-O and Heroin Bob on a journey through the Faces, Philosophies, Culture, and the Music of the 1980s Punk Rock scene in Salt Lake City Utah. This dark comedy will have you reminiscing about your own youthful follies if you've lived any kind of live worth talking about. 

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Tis the Season of Giving, and that's why Zak gave Mike the opportunity to broaden his horizon with this deeply unsettling film for his Xmas present recommendation! HO-HO-HOLY MACARONI! When two little girls go missing in a rural Pennsylvania town a distraught Father takes the law into his own hands and pursues the only lead in the investigation with a righteous fervor that might just land him in jail next to the villain he intends to hold responsible. His suspicious activity draws the attention of the Detective assigned to the case, and it...

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We're talkin Gladiator II, Wicked Part 1, Hellboy: the Crooked Man, and 16 Candles? WHAT YEAR IS IT?! Tune in next week for a much better episode! 

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Years after he lost his mind, former chief inspector Dreyfus of the french police is about to be released from the asylum, having made some remarkable strides towards his recovery. However, all that progress seems to come undone as the man who replaced him pays Dreyfus a visit. I'm referring, of course, to one Jacques Clouseau. The man responsible for thwarting two separate attempts to steal the infamous Pink Panther Diamond by the gentleman thief Sir Charles Litton. Driven to the edge of sanity, Dreyfus escapes from the asylum and becomes a villainous...

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This week we start things off with some ruminations on the new a24 horror flick Heretic, and then we follow up with another film that tackles some religious themes: Conclave. Then Zak shares his thoughts on Memoir of a Snail and after, Mike brings it home with Venom the Last Dance. Tune in next week for a much better episode! 

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When the driver for a wealthy french family is murdered suspicion begins to surround the young housekeeper Maria Gambrelli, but not to worry, Inspector Jaques Clouseau is one the case! This Hysterical "who done it" is filled with twists and turns and no shortage of laughs. Join us as we venture into the Wild Pink Yonder, with one of the first and most beloved films in the Pink Panther Movie Franchise. 

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We're taking spoopy season leftovers this week, and we kick things off with some of Zak's thoughts on Rumours, then Mike chats about Frailty before Zak talks about Opera, then we wrap it all up with some words about Baskin. Tune in next week for a much better episode! 

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A young man receives a letter from his estranged father and with the hope of reconnecting, he pays him a visit. However, his father seems to be resentful, even hostile towards his son, and a series of confusing and unfortunate events begin to unfold that pushes the young man into multiple life or death situations. Needless to say, once thins heat up, they don't cool down until the ride ends. 

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Today the boys are talking Spoopy and we kick things off with our thoughts on Child's Play. Then we move on to gush about the Candyman, followed by our take on the cult horror classic movie House, and then Zak tells Mike about La Casa Lobo. Then Mike shares his feelings on Anora. 

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The guys welcome first time guest Alexandria Perez to the studio today to talk spooky movies! Jacob Singer is a Vietnam veteran who's having a hard time adjusting to life after his discharge, OR IS HE?! Could it be instead that he is teetering between life and death in a horror drenched purgatory where his is confronted by his most terrible losses and his darkest fears? Come climb the ladder with us as we explore this amazing film that came out way ahead of its time. 

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This episode the boys welcome back friend of the podcast Max Minkowitz to talk about some fun films, starting of course with Megalopolis. Then we discuss the finer and lower points of the Joker 2, before Mike gushes over The Visitor, and Max brings us home with Escape from the 21st Century! 

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A grief stricken mother lashes out at the local police over their inaction regarding the investigation of her daughter's tragic murder in the form of three bluntly poignant billboards. Tensions rise to a boil in the small town and the issue slowly becomes more complicated than any of the cast of characters could have guessed. Martin McDonagh captures the human material through an American lens in a way we have never seen from his body of work. 

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On this episode of the clearing the q podcast the boys get into their strong opinions on The Substance in all its twisted body horror glory. Then Mike gushes over the AMC mini series The Terror, and Zak shares his thoughts on Kneecap. Then the boys finish up with their thoughts on a reality tv show that managed to capture their attention, Love after Lockup. As always, thanks for listening and tune in next week for a much better episode! 

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This month the boys are talking Martin McDonagh so it's only appropriate that we kick things off with In Bruges. When a contract kill goes awry, two Irish hitmen hide out in Bruges to await instruction from the man who hired them. On paper it sounds like an action movie, but it's really more of a sojourn into the darker recesses of the human material. 

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This week the boys have a lot to say about some movies they saw in theaters recently! First up we Talk about the much anticipated Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and try not to gush too hard. Second, Zak talks about an awkward coming age tale Didi. Third, Mike talks about how he doesn't wanna talk about the new re-imagining of the Crow and then proceeds to talk about it. Even going so far as to defend the director's body of work having not seen most of it. Then finally they wrap things up with a...

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When a bank Robbery gone wrong lands his mentally challenged brother in the Slammer, Connie Nikals descends into the depths of desperation and depravity to find a way to make it right. The audience looks on in horror at the increasingly poor decisions of the film's ne'er-do-well protagonist, cringing as the house of cards comes to its inevitable collapse. An A24 film to the core, that will leave you in need of a shower and a nice hug. 

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This Week Mike and Zak share their thoughts on the new Alien Romulus movie, the Neon backed horror movie Cuckoo, and the celebrated Jim Henson: Idea Man Documentary now available for streaming on the Disney Plus. Tune in Next Week for a Much better Episode! 

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After Dani loses her entire family in a tragic murder suicide she joins her boyfriend and his classmates on a trip to an isolated community in Sweden where they practice a pagan ritual known as Midsommar. At first things seem to be going very well, but when some of the practices of the ritual come to light, things get tense and folks start disappearing. It's the breakup movie we all need once in a while, Enjoy!

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This week the Boys are Joined by Elena Muruato to share her thoughts on Twisters, Deadpool and Wolverine, the Boogeyman, 2046, No Country for Old Men, Do the Right Thing, and more possibly because things kinda go all over the place on this one! 

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It's NOT a movie about Steak Sauce! it's the movie that Stanley Kubrick planned to make but unfortunately he passed away before production could begin. So Steven Spielberg stepped in to see that his friend's final vision could come to fruition. When a visionary mad man decides to create a Synthetic Child that will actually bond and imprint upon a human parent, David is the prototype unlike any other robot before him. Unfortunately things get complicated at home and David embarks of a dark journey to find the Blue Fairy from the Pinocchio...

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Today we've got some things to get off our chest about some very interesting and decisive movies. We get things off the ground with our thoughts on Longlegs, then shift gears a bit to cover how we felt about Maxxxine. Then Zak gushes a little over the People's Joker, and then Mike goes on a bit of a rant over Kevin Costner's Horizon part one. 

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A Story of how on three separate occasions intelligent alien life had attempted to make contact, or influence man's evolutionary development. The film explores outer space almost as much as it does inner space, casting an introspective eye on humanity at large, and it's everlasting struggle to survive in a universe beyond it's ken. Arguably Kubrick's most important film, 2001 earns it's place in history with that some tenacious spirit, pioneering visual effects far ahead of it's time, that changed the landscape of science fiction on the silver screen for decades to come. 

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Mike 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. 

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It’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! 

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Recurring 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 episode to follow next week!     

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Today 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! 

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Connor 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 course usually ends in decapitation. When...

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Mike 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. 

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What 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 Sturgill Simpson, featuring directors and animators your weeb ho...

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Mike 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.  

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Racing 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, but...

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This 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. 

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Mike 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!  

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When 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. 

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This 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! 

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Sam 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 Monty Python-esque sense of humor. 

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Today 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.

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Frank 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.  

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It'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 film.  

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Literally 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! 

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it'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 episode at some point; Event Horizon...

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When 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 unfolding shitshow taking place both on stage and b...

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Kicking 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 week for a much better episode!  Duration: 01:16:20

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Since 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.

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With 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! 

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Rocky 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 his crooked...

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In 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 when the Rabbit on the Lab turns up at Valiant and Valiant Dete...

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Better 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 must be seen, even if you’re not a Cr...

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A 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 any attempt to reassert control is thwarted...

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That'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 from 2002: Wrong Turn, Mike Flanagan's...

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Join 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 beloved Hercule Poírot, a Haunting in Venice. Spoilers, this one ain't that bad!   

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Join 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 plot in the deepest pit o...

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This 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 on 
Pixar's  The Incredibles. Tune in ne...

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Join 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 Patrick Bateman.  

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Mike 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 Meyers. now get out there and see some movies...

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Billi, 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 cultural differences between the east...

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This 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, and feel free to...

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It'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 young man trying to...

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Lots 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 encourage...

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Join 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, Ted Pikul, Allegra must assess the damage and repair her...

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Come 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 impressively star...

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Join 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 Documents" these washed up has-beens...

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This 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.  

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June 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, check out Patreon...

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Join 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! 

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Are 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 too?   Duration: 01:58:43

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Join 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 

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Two 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. One...

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Is 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 me...

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Psychoanalyst 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 from colliding with reality. It’s kinda like a japanese Ex...

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This 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 one but if you're...

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When 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 makes Joseph Mengele look like...

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It's no secret that hosts Mike and Zak are huge fans of Ari Aster, so it should come as no surprise that they both have a LOT to say about Beau is Afraid. So if you haven't seen this one yet, the boys recommend you skip... let's say like half of this episode. OR, or... maybe get your buns out to the cinema and catch this insane slice of mommy issues pie before the next Marvel tragedy comes into the theaters and boots it out of the IMAX. Anyway, Mike also gushes about...

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A biting satire that parodies the 1930s propaganda film by the same name, this mid 2000s musical will have you slapping your knees whether or not you're stoned. Young Jimmy Harper is lead astray down the path of the Reefer Fiend by a smooth talking crook by the name of Jack, who uses the charms of the deadly reefer to control everyone out of him. As the poor youth succumbs to his addictions his highschools sweetheart is dragged into the mix and things take a turn for the tragic. One part Dark comedy...

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This week Mike and Zak find another reason to talk about Marvel movies, even though we don't review a marvel movie, go figure. We start things off with a little discourse about the new Shazam 2 Fury of the Gods, and would you believe we spend a lot of time talking about the state of superhero movies these days, cause we do. Then things get lively as our hosts gush over the Mask of Zorro, Roadhouse, and the Three Amigos.