Maximum Film!

Cate Blanchett, her wardrobe, Michael Fassbender, Rege-Jean Page, that house, Pierce Brosnan…there are so many nice things to look at in Steven Soderbergh’s new spy thriller, in theaters and already out on streaming now. The caper moves along, but does it move us? Find out with film critic and writer Kristen Lopez. Then we name some of our favorite movie marriages. What’s Good? Alonso - A stunt in the senate, finally Drea - uptick in black cat adoption (thanks, Flow) Kristen - Finishing Women in Love for her forthcoming book Ify - Catsitting for Gotrek and Felix ITIDIC Sundance Moving to Boulder!Studios Making Money From Fake AI Trailers on YouTubeStaff Picks Alonso - An Unfinished Film Drea - The Ballad of Wallis Island Kristen - The Goodbye Girl Ify - Léon: The Professional Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

It's the end of the MaxFunDrive! Support this show directly (and any others on the network, if you wish!) at MaximumFun.org/join We're covering a movie that started out as a noteworthy Sundance debut from director Elijah Bynum, but later became noteable for much less fun reasons. While we attempt to separate art from artist -- in this case, star Jonathan Majors -- the film's intensity and dark subject matter don't make that a simple task. We've got writer and comedian David Gborie with us to assist. Then, we go through some of the non-horror movies that most freaked us out. What’s Good Alonso - Luke Macfarlane’s Home Is Where the Heart Is Drea - Nature videos for cats as background David - PM Dawn Radio while cycling Ify - Buff dude’s morning routine video (and comments) ITIDIC ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ May Be Rescued from WB Purgatory After AllHollywood Director Charged with Defrauding Netflix for $11mEmerald Fennell’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ Being Shot in VistavisionStaff Picks Drea - Teddy Bear Alonso - On Becoming a Guinea Fowl David - Polite Society Ify - Pumping Iron MaxFunDrive ends on March 28, 2025! Support our show now and get access to bonus content by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join. -- Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

For way, way, way more Bonus Content, become a member! All you have to do is go to MaxiumumFun.org/join. Your membership money goes straight to the creators of the podcasts you love! With Ify Nwadiwe, Drea Clark, Alonso Duralde, and Stuart Wellington (of The Flop House). MaxFunDrive ends on March 28, 2025! Support our show now and get access to bonus content by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join. -- Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Now's the time to join us and help us keep the show rolling: maximumfun.org/join! Is an "American" Bong Joon-ho movie a different beast than a "Korean" Bong Joon-ho movie? We have friend of the show. #1 Drea fan, and New Yorker TV critic Inkoo Kang with us to consider the possibilities. Then we pitch a few more movies that could benefit from Mickey 17's "multiples" treatment. What's Good? Alonso - Frozen puff pastry Inkoo - end-of-winter coziness appreciation Drea - Lee Meridith’s Zine ITIDIC Utah’s Hopes Of Keeping Sundance Threatened By Anti-Pride Flag BillSAG-AFTRA Reaffirms Commitment to DiversityStaff Picks Inkoo - Klute Drea - Mickey One Alonso - Bob Trevino Likes It Inkoo freaks should head to inkoo.substack.com! MaxFunDrive ends on March 28, 2025! Support our show now and get access to bonus content by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join. -- Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

It’s not MaxFunDrive without a wild kickoff spectacular! Former real-life VJ and host of MTV's Spring Break 1999, Dave Holmes, takes your favorite MaxFun hosts through some wacky ‘90s- and Spring Break-themed mini games!! Featuring: Dave Holmes, Jeremy Bent, Oscar Montoya, Dimitry Pompée, Tom Lum, Ellen Weatherford, Alex Schmidt, Brenda Snell, Drea Clark, Alonso Duralde, Dan McCoy, Jordan Morris, Manolo Moreno, Ella Hubber, Caroline Roper, Ella McLeod, John-Luke Roberts, Justin McElroy, Clint McElroy, Mike Cabellon, Sierra Katow, Hal Lublin, Danielle Radford, John Moe, Christian Dueñas, Christian Duguay MaxFunDrive ends on March 28, 2025! Support our show now and get access to bonus content by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join. -- Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

We’re commemorating the 25th anniversary of the time director Mary Harron and co-writer Guinevere Turner adapted AMERICAN PSYCHO for the screen and tossed in an extra dose of feminist rage and humor, with the help of Christian Bale and a stunning cast of your favorite character actors. With Stuart Wellington of The Flop House! Then, we’ll work together to try and name the top 10 domestic box office movies of 2000. What’s Good Alonso - “a strong name” at Gusto Bread Drea - Farmacy’s The Honey Grail Stuart - Triangle Agency Rulebook Ify - JoCo Cruise ITIDIC “IRL Movie Club” Encourages Cinema-going & Conversation‘Hundreds of Beavers’ Crosses $1 Million at the Box OfficeAppleTV+ Turned Down Offers to Release Killers of the Flower Moon on BlurayStaff Picks Alonso - Charlie Says Drea - Eephus Stuart - Blue Steel Ify - The Perfect Storm Stuart’s Twitch Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Sylvester Stewart, aka Sly Stone, aka the driving force behind Sly and the Family Stone, makes a complex subject for Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s latest documentary, SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius). Music and pop culture writer/professor (and one time co-host of MaxFun alumna podcast Heat Rocks) Oliver Wang is with us to take a closer look. Then we'll give Questlove some (probably unneeded, but good!) ideas for his next doc. What’s Good Drea - painting You Tube channels Oliver - The Altons, Heartache in Room 14 Alonso - Woodworking by Emily St. James ITIDIC Oscars 2025 WinnersSean Baker’s acceptance speechCinemaStream parody adMany DVDs from Warner Bros No Longer WorkMore about the Interrotron Staff Picks Drea - Searching for Sugar Man Oliver - The Karate Kid Alonso - Grand Theft Hamlet Oliver’s Upcoming Exhibit: Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Finally, years after taking the reins from Steve Rogers, Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson finally gets his turn on the big screen. And he’s being asking to work with an impulsive, angry president with a history of abuse of power. Sounds like some juicy fodder, right? Right, Disney’s Marvel?? Austin Taylor from Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries joins us to unpack what’s going on. Then, we name some favorite “fun” movies that have something important to say. What’s Good? Alonso - Rachel Maddow chastising MSNBC over Joy Reid Drea - Jane Fonda’s SAG Life Achievement Acceptance Speech Austin - Beating strangers at Magic (the Gathering) Ify - Timothee’s SAG speech ITIDIC Spirit Awards Recap!Amazon Now Has Creative Control of James Bond FranchiseNicole Kidman has worked with 19 Female Directors in the past 8 yearsStaff Picks Alonso - The Spook Who Sat By the Door Drea - Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat Austin - Princess Mononoke Ify - Air Force One Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Could there be a tougher act to follow than Paddington 2? With a new director, a new Mrs. Brown, and a new continent to explore, we’ll see if this bear is able to reach his former heights. We’re joined by writer and film critic Abby Olcese, whose new book is called Films for All Seasons. What’s Good Alonso - 25th anniversary of Coyote Ugly (and the fire benefit screening of it) Drea - hair brushing Abby - cat cuddles and True/False Film Fest Ify - Minnesota trip ITIDIC BAFTAs WGA AwardsHMU AwardsDisney+ Rewording, Shortening Its Content Warnings on Old FilmsNEON Still Sends Out a Coveted DVD Box Set of ScreenersWKUK sketch referenced (totally legally) Hall of Excellence Nominees Drea: Logan Alonso: Goldfinger Abby: Die Hard With a Vengeance Ify: Toy Story 3 Staff Picks Alonso: …Coyote Ugly Drea: Jazzy Abby: Universal Language Ify: Flow Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

It's the latest star turn for former Ify Nwadiwe co-star Timothée Chalamet! We're joined by musician and educator Enrique Chi (of the appropriately-named band Making Movies) with us to share notes on the Bob Dylan origin story that isn't really an origin story at all. Then we'll have fun pitching our own ideas for musical biopics. What’s Good Alonso - Erotic Vagrancy by Roger Lewis Drea - 5Calls.org Enrique - arts as public health Ify - youngest brother’s bachelor weekend The Super Bowl was on…TubiTubi’s adPrince’s Estate Has Blocked the Release of a New DocumentaryPharrell and Gondry Musical Scrapped“The Prince We Never Knew” (Sasha Weiss’s NYT article) Staff Picks Alonso - I’m Not There Drea - Suze Enrique - Quincy Ify - Selena Check out Enrique’s band, Making Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

From a fun little Cannes oddity to an Oscar mega-nominee…and (ahem) beyond, EMILIA PÉREZ has had quite the journey. It’s also made the journey into the eyeballs of our three hosts and their esteemed guest, writer (of essays, books, TV, and now a novel!) Emily St. James. Everyone lived to tell the tale, but not in song…but don’t worry, we have musical content in the form of a movie quiz about movie musicals that sound unmakeable. What’s Good Alonso - weekly Christmas cookie trials Drea - Bookshop.org now has e-books (Preorder Woodworking by Emily St. James!) Emily - Woodworking :: Sabrina Carpenter Ify - Being back! B.J. Colangelo’s Slashfilm article (referenced by Ify) Staff Picks Alonso - I’m Still Here Drea - Companion Emily - You Are Not Me Ify - Johanne Sacrebleu Podcast Like It’s the 2000s Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

THE BRUTALIST has been catching accolades, awards noms, and headlines. But who is László Tóth? What's the deal with Brutalism? And is any movie worth 215 minutes of your life? These answers and more, with Kendra Gaylord, architecture YouTuber and host of Someone Lived Here. Plus, Oscars chat, and we talk about the movie houses we'd most like to move into. What's Good? Alonso - the rise of the repertory screening Drea - secret safeword party Kendra - USPS announces Goodnight Moon stamps Marissa - cinephile babysitting friend Will Kevin - Lego therapy John Lautner’s Garcia House BOOM!’s Villa Goforth Kendra’s Witch House Video Staff Picks Drea - The New Bauhaus Alonso - Columbus Kevin - The Court Jester Kendra - The House From… This episode is hosted by Kevin Avery. THANK YOU, KEVIN! Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Did Keke crush it and SZA sizzle?! This is but one question on this week’s show. Another? Plus, “Drea, Alonso and Kevin bring on “Bring It On”” is a sentence that makes little to no sense. It will make more sense after you listen to the episode. Fine. They reveal the female buddy comedies that made each of them LOL. But literally made them laugh out loud. What’s Good Alonso - Electronic Frontier Foundation article Mad at Meta? Drea - Ayoh Dill Pickle Mayo Kevin - Beetle House ITIDIC Film and TV Production In L.A. Was Already Plummeting. Wildfires May Hasten the ExodusDavid LynchStaff Picks Drea - Unstoppable Alonso - Presence Kevin - Captain America: Winter Soldier Mentioned in the episode Kyle MacLachlan NYT obit for David Lynch Dungeons & Dragons Twenty-Sided Tavern Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

With a city in flames, four individuals come together to confront Hard Truths. Kirby Howell-Baptiste (“The Good Place”, “Killing Eve”) joins us from London to talk Mike Leigh’s latest film “Hard Truths”. Wildfires have claimed historic Hollywood landmarks. And movies that capture the locations they’re set in perfectly. What’s Good Alonso - Watch Duty app Drea - An “adult Scholastic book fair” Kirby Howell-Baptiste - Tina Lifford’s book The Little Book of Big Lies Kevin - Kindness ITIDIC Hollywood landmarks destroyed by the firesAwards Shows Postponed due to the firesMovies That Capture Locations Perfectly Kirby - Uncut Gems & Shaun of the Dead Alonso - True Stories & Dr. T and the Women Drea - Young Adult and Nebraska Kevin - Beat Street Staff Picks Alonso - Career Girls Drea - Sing Sing and Grand Theft Hamlet Kevin - Spy Game Kirby - We Strangers Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Kevin Avery Kirby Howell-Baptiste Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

It’s Maximum Horny on today’s Maximum Film. We are looking at the 2024 erotic thriller(?), Babygirl, starring Nicole Kidman, written and directed by Halina Reijn. Our returning guest today is filmmaker, writer, comedian, and the host of the It’s Always Halloween Podcast, Lucé Tomlin-Brenner. What’s Good: Alonso - Squid Games Drea - The 2024 Hater’s Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog Lucé - Keeping Letterboxd Clean in 2025 Kevin - The Bob Bakker Maronite theater This Week's ITIDICs: 1. Melania Trump Documentary Directed By Brett Ratner Bound For Prime Video 2. Netflix Is Telling Writers to Dumb Down Shows Since Viewers Are on Their Phones 3. If you cry while watching movies, it is probably a sign of your emotional strength Staff Picks: Drea - Good Luck To You Leo Grand Alonso - Hope Springs Lucé - Secret Ceremony Kevin - The Lookout Plugs! Listen to It’s Always Halloween! Check out more of Lucè! Have Yourself A Movie Little Christmas I’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

We are looking at the 2024 film, Nickel Boys, directed by RaMell Ross, based off the 2019 Colson Whitehead book of the same name. Plus we look at other films covering lesser known historical events. Our guest today is the talented director and writer, Tristán T.A. Hill. What’s Good: Drea - LED face mask/cat snuggle combo Tristan - New doc he directed: Game Maker's Journey | "Legends of Orisha: Blood and Water" Ify - White Elephant gift party Staff Picks: Drea - A Fire Inside Tristan - Conclave Ify - Fruitvale Station Plugs! Watch Game Maker's Journey | "Legends of Orisha: Blood and Water" Have Yourself A Movie Little Christmas I’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

The end of the year is upon us and we’re here to talk about our favorite films of 2024 aka the BEST films of the year. What’s Good: Alonso - TCM New Year’s programming Drea - More lookalike contests Ify - Friends’ wedding Plugs! Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Bound hosted by Ify, December 28th at Vidiots in Los Angeles! Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Magic Mike XXL hosted by Ify, December 30th at Vidiots in Los Angeles! Have Yourself A Movie Little Christmas I’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Today we are looking at the 2024 film, Nightbitch, directed by Marielle Heller, based on the 2021 novel by Rachel Yoder of the same name, starring Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, and beautiful pack of pooches. Plus we are looking at other films that portray motherhood in a more complicated light. Writer and director, Mo Perkins, joins us. What’s Good: Alonso - Going to Wawa for the first time! Mo - Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro Drea - Being on Bluesky This Week's ITIDICs: 1. Even After ‘Kraven the Hunter’ and ‘Madame Web,’ Sony’s Marvel Movies Aren’t Dead (EXCLUSIVE) 2. Zoe Saldaña Feels Actors Who Use CGI for Roles Are Often Overlooked for Awards 3. Anne Hathaway Is ‘Desperate’ to Star in a Christmas Movie: ‘That’s a Weird Bucket List Thing’ Christmas Movie Minute: ChrismessFollowing Yonder StarSugar PlumThe Santa Class Staff Picks: Alonso - The Brutalist Mo - My Old Ass Drea - Holiday In Handcuffs Plugs! Come see Alonso intro Carol and sign books at the American Cinematheque THIS SUNDAY (December 22nd, at 7pm in Los Angeles)! Come see Holiday Hornyfest: A Good Day to Be Black & Sexy hosted by Ify! Today, December 13th at Vidiots in Los Angeles! Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Shortbus hosted by Ify, December 21st at Vidiots in Los Angeles! Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Bound hosted by Ify, December 28th at Vidiots in Los Angeles! Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Magic Mike XXL hosted by Ify, December 30th at Vidiots in Los Angeles! Have Yourself A Movie Little Christmas I’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Today we’re looking at the 2024 period drama, Queer, directed by Luca Guadagnino, starring Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey, based on the 1985 novella by William S. Burroughs of the same name. Plus, we are looking at other straight action stars who have portrayed queer characters on screen. Senior Culture Writer for Newsweek, H. Alan Scott, joins us. What’s Good: Alonso - A City Full of Hawks by Stephen Rebello Drea - Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell H. Alan - Hashbrowns Ify - Hating Spirit Airlines This Week's ITIDICs: 82nd annual Golden Globes Announced!The Best Movies of 2024, According to John WatersOlivia Wilde Talks Choosing Art Over Audience Approval: “I Don’t Make Movies So People Love Them”Christmas Movie Minute: Seasons Greetings From Cherry LaneChristmas On CallThat ChristmasThe Holiday Club Staff Picks: Alonso - Kraven the Hunter Drea - September 5 H.Alan - The Birdcage Ify - Holiday Hornyfest at Vidiots this month! See links below to every screening! Plugs! Come see Holiday Hornyfest: A Good Day to Be Black & Sexy hosted by Ify! Today, December 13th at Vidiots in Los Angeles! Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Shortbus hosted by Ify, December 21st at Vidiots in Los Angeles! Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Bound hosted by Ify, December 28th at Vidiots in Los Angeles! Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Magic Mike XXL hosted by Ify, December 30th at Vidiots in Los Angeles! Have Yourself A Movie Little Christmas I’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Today we are looking at 2024’s hit musical movie adaptation, Wicked: Part I, directed by Jon M. Chu, starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. Plus we hear from the listener looking for movie recs while they recover from surgery. Author Paul Miles Schneider (The Silver Shoes trilogy) joins us. What’s Good: Alonso - BFI Classic’s 3 Women by Justin Wyatt Drea - Spirit Awards 2024 nominations Paul - Thanksgiving up in the Pacific Northwest Ify - Thanksgiving meal (Al Pastor Turkey) This Week's ITIDICs: 1. Thanksgiving Box Office Record: ‘Moana 2’ Scores Dazzling $225 Million Debut, ‘Wicked’ Adds Huge $118 Million 2. Sebastian Stan’s Variety ‘Actors on Actors’ Halted Because No Other Talent Wants to Talk About Trump 3. ‘Wolfs’ Director Jon Watts Tells Apple: No Sequel, I Don’t Trust You Christmas Movie Minute: Holiday TouchdownTo Have & To HolidayChristmas Under The LightsA 90s ChristmasDeck The Walls Staff Picks: Alonso - The Gathering (1977) Drea - Hard Truths Paul - Miracle of Marcelino (in Spanish) Ify - The Wiz Plugs! Get the Silver Shoes trilogy from Paul Miles Schneider! Los Angeles! Come see Alonso, this Saturday, December 7th at Vidiots doing a book signing and introducing the Hitchcock film, Rope, at 4:15pm! Have Yourself A Movie Little Christmas I’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram With Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Ify Nwadiwe Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher