Maximum Film!
A movie podcast that isn't just a bunch of straight white dudes. Comedian Kevin Avery is joined by film producer Drea Clark and film critic Alonso Duralde for a fast, funny, flight through film. Maximum Film! is news, reviews and in-depth insight, beamed directly into your ears every week.
Episodes
Episode #475: We Need to Talk about DIGGER
Just the gang today to talk about a movie that has divided critics and moviegoers alike...at least, those moviegoers who actually took the very secretive bait that DIGGER's ad campaign was offering. Tom Cruise and Riz Ahmed star in this latest film from Alejandra G. Iñárritu. Then, we've got a different kind of movie quiz about films set in their not-so-distant future.What’s GoodAlonso - Every Tim
Episode #474: 'Primetime' with Gillian Walters
Director Lance Oppenheim's debut feature, Primetime has a sales pitch that's hard to deny: Robert Pattinson as To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen. So does the movie live up to that enticing promise? We have true crime buff, former Dateline devotee, and co-host of All Things Cozy, Gillian Walters, with us to discuss the film as both a work of fiction and a portrait of real (if complicated) man a
Episode 473: 'The Musical' with Jessica McKenna and Zach Reino
This week we've got expert musical improvisors Jessica McKenna and Zach Reino with us to discuss a movie about a middle school musical gone way off course, at the hands of a drama teacher pushed to the edge. Part comedy, part film noir, it's the feature debut of director Giselle Bonilla, and it was a Sundance premiere. THE MUSICAL! Then we talk about other films that use film noir tropes to comedi
Episode #472: 'Practical Magic 2' with Angie Han
The stars of the original Practical Magic stars are back (at least, most of them) and just as cursed as ever. We have Hollywood Reporter TV Critic Angie Han with us to weigh in on whether this film left us feeling charmed, or like we'd been hit by a truck. Then, in honor of a family that has two sisters in every generation, we have a movie quiz about two-sister films! What’s Good?Alonso - Meg
Episode #471: It's Absurdist, It's Disturbing, It's 'Buddy'
Casper Kelly might be most famous for his this-shouldn't-be-so-creepy comedy short "Too Many Cooks." Now he's got his feature directorial debut on his hands (but don't sleep on Yule Log 2, according to Alonso), and It's Buddy, a comedy horror that owes a debt of gratitude to the insistent cheerfulness of Barney the Dinosaur. We'll get into all that, and then talk about some of our favorite ti
Episode #470: 'Coyote vs. Acme' with David Kittredge
Hey, you! Be a buddy and take our listener survey! It'll help us keep the show great and maybe even...make it better?! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! - Producer Marissa and the MaxFilm Gang***Shelved after completion in 2023, COYOTE VS. ACME has finally detonated onto big screens everywhere. We have director David Kittredge (whose doc BOORMAN AND THE DEVIL is finally making it to theaters as well!) wi
Episode #469: ‘Tony’ with Katie Walsh
Hey, you! Be a buddy and take our listener survey! It'll help us keep the show great and maybe even...make it better?! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! - Producer Marissa and the MaxFilm Gang
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The main character of TONY is Anthony Bourdain, but Matt Johnson’s latest film is not exactly a biopic. We have film critic Katie Walsh with us to discuss Dominic Sessa, Antonio Banderas, and the rest of the k
Episode #468: 'The Wrong Girls' with Hay Beacon
Hey, you! Be a buddy and take our listener survey! It'll help us keep the show great and maybe even...make it better?! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! - Producer Marissa and the MaxFilm Gang
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Comedian Hay Beacon joins us to discuss THE WRONG GIRLS, Dylan Meyer’s feature debut as a writer/director, starring Kristen Stewart and Alia Shawkat. Meyer has said that the movie is not for everyone, but it’s
Episode #467: 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma' with Andrea Subissati
Hey, you! Be a buddy and take our listener survey! It'll help us keep the show great and maybe even...make it better?! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! - Producer Marissa and the MaxFilm Gang
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Director Jane Schoenbrun's latest film has had a certain kind of movie fan salivating for months now, and it's finally in theaters. So, are we still...salivating? Is this getting gross? Editor of RUE MORGUE Magazin
Episode #466: 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' with Ken Plume
Hey, you! Be a buddy and take our listener survey! It'll help us keep the show great and maybe even...make it better?! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! - Producer Marissa and the MaxFilm Gang
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Ken Plume -- author, filmmaker, and longtime host of A Bit of a Chat with Ken Plume -- joins us to talk about the movie that everyone seems to be talking about. Is it a great Spider-Man movie, or the greatest Spide
Episode #465: 'The Dink' with Jaron Myers
Hey, you! Be a buddy and take our listener survey! It'll help us keep the show great and maybe even...make it better?! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! - Producer Marissa and the MaxFilm Gang
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Is it possible for a sports comedy to fit the formula, but still break the mold? Josh Greenbaum, director of Barb and Starr Go to Vista Del Mar, takes a whack at it with THE DINK, starring Jake Johnson and Mary Ste
Episode #464: 'The Odyssey' with Dimitry Pompée
Everybody's talking about Christopher Nolan's latest film...and so are we! We've got Eurovangelists co-host Dimitry Pompée with us to discuss the first movie ever shot in 70mm IMAX film, adapted from one of history's oldest and most famous works of literature...it's THE ODYSSEY! Then we'll talk about some of the books we read in high-school that have been (or should be) adapted for the big screen.
Episode #463: 'Phantom of the Paradise' [Listener Pick 2026!]
As a MaxFunDrive milestone goal, we set the challenge that if we got enough new/upgrading/joining supporters of Maximum Film!, one of those folks would get to pick a movie for us to do an episode on. Well, thanks to supporters like Molly, we hit that goal, and this episode is the result: PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (one of Molly's faves) is a 1974 rock musical fantasmagoria from early in writer/direct
Episode #462: 'The Invite' with Amber Healey
Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Amber Sealey joins us to discuss the new marriage dramedy from Olivia Wilde, which premiered at Sundance and is now opening across the country. Costarring Wilde, Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penelope Cruz, it provokes laughs, anger, rug envy, and that perennial question: are the straights okay? Then we discuss our favorite films that are set in a single location!
Episode #461: 'Supergirl' with Amy Nicholson
It’s neither a bird, nor a plane, nor Superman. It’s Supergirl, the newest film from James Gunn’s DC that has some folks talking, but probably not as many as Warner Bros. would like. We’ve got LA Times film critic, Unspooled co-host, and friend of the show Amy Nicholson along to talk about the stellar highs and dank cave lows, plus we name some of our favorite superhero movie acting performances.
Episode #460: 'Leviticus' with Justin Kirkland
LEVITICUS is the new Australian horror movie that turns (already quite frightening) gay conversion rituals into something even more haunting. And with us to unpack it is our friend Justin Kirkland, who just happens to have a new podcast exploring (with good humor!) how the Bible has been yielded as a weapon. Then we imagine some classic romances with a devilish twist.
What's Good?
Alonso - UDM14.
Episode #459: ‘Disclosure Day’ with Jamelle Bouie
Steven Spielberg's new film may be about conspiracies, coverups, and car chases, but it all hinges around the concept of journalism you can trust...so who better to join us than our favorite trusted journalist (and movie podcaster, with UNCLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER), NYT columnist Jamelle Bouie! We put DISCLOSURE DAY under the microscope, then talk about some directors whose filmographies reveal hid
Episode #458: Tropical Malady with Harry Dodge and Silas Howard
A dreamy two-piece love story about two men, one a soldier and the other a country boy. Or is three men? Or four? Also there's a tiger. We watch 2004's Tropical Malady from Apichatpong Weerasethakul, director of the 2010 Palme d'Or winner, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives. He goes by Joe in the Western world which is too bad.
What’s Good
Drea - The exact day to plant tomatoes so perfec
Episode #457: 'The Mandalorian & Grogu' with Danielle Radford
Just a well-intentioned bounty hunter and his magic green baby, zooming through the galaxy: you guessed it, we're talking THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU. We've got Danielle Radford (of MaxFun's TIGHTS & FIGHTS, Dropout, and more) along with us this episode to talk about the newest thing from the Star Wars universe, and whether being deeply invested in the lore is a benefit or a drawback to enjoying the f
Episode #456: 'I Love Boosters' with Ryann Graham
It’s been 8 long years since Boots Riley’s directorial debut (Sorry to Bother You) surprised and delighted moviegoers. Does his follow-up deliver on color, comedy, and chaos? We’ve got Black People Love Paramore’s Ryann Graham with us to discuss I Love Boosters. Then, we talk about how some of the sci-fi tech from this film might be deployed in other movies!
What’s Good
Alonso - Getting things “C
Episode #455: 'Is God Is' with Sherin Nicole
Part revenge thriller, part Greek tragedy, and fully its own thing, Aleshea Harris’s directorial debut is an adaptation of her own award-winning Off-Broadway show. We have Geek Girl Riot’s Sherin Nicole with us to talk about all the twists, turns, and treacheries.
Then we have a fun quiz about “twin” movies.
What’s Good?
Alonso - Farmers markets (even for non-chefs)
Drea - Richard Osman’s House
Episode #454: Count on 'The Sheep Detectives'
If you didn’t have “Hugh Jackman/CGI Talking sheep murder mystery” down as a lock to be both a critical hit and a box office success, you’d be forgiven. Does it help or hurt to know that it’s director did all the MINIONS movies and it’s screenwriter did both THE HANGOVER and HBO’s CHERNOBYL? We get into all of that, plus our favorite moments in talking animal moviedom!
What’s Good
Alonso - Tacola
Episode #453: 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' with Katie Walsh
What’s RUNWAY like in 2026? THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 takes that question pretty seriously. We’ve got film critic (and former 2000s-era abused NYC assistant) Katie Walsh with us to talk about the fashion, the journalism, the nostalgia, and the cerulean of it all.
What’s Good
Alonso - Family Movie Night Menus by Leonard and Jessie Maltin
Drea - mom volunteering with for movie causes
Katie - Huds
Episode #452: 'Michael' with Tre'vell Anderson
MaxFunDrive is almost over! Don’t wait – ensure the future of this show at MaximumFun.org/joinmaxfilm
Jaafar Jackson (son of Jermaine) dances his slouch-socked feet off in Antoine Fuqua’s new Michael Jackson biopic. And we have no less a personage than Tre’vell Anderson here to help us figure out how to feel about what was left in and what was left out. Then we’ll talk about some biopics that real
![[BONUS] Drea on 'Sleeping With Celebrities' Minisode: Bigfoot Guys, Aliens Guys, and That’s the Two Types of Guys](https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/d03333e7-afb8-4f86-94e1-bee7749e0ac2/09027f89-d196-43eb-a67d-d3ce48191727/3000x3000/drea_john.jpg?aid=rss_feed)
[BONUS] Drea on 'Sleeping With Celebrities' Minisode: Bigfoot Guys, Aliens Guys, and That’s the Two Types of Guys
Support great shows like this one! Er, these TWO! Head to maximumfun.org/join right now to pledge your allegiance. And THANK YOU!
Drea made a guest appearance on John Moe's SLEEPING WITH CELEBRITIES and we're dropping it for you in this feed as a special #MaxFunDrive treat.
Drea Clark, one of the hosts of the popular and important Maximum Film! podcast has a theory: all middle-aged Guys think abou
Maximum Sidebar! Episode 1 (BoCo Teaser)
Head to MaximumFun.org/join by May 1, 2026! Just interested in supporting Maximum Film!? Do not pass Go: Go directly to MaximumFun.org/joinmaxfilm
Here's a teaser of our first MAXIMUM SIDEBAR! episode! Drea, Alonso, and Kevin each brought something to discuss in the areas of food, self care, technology. Members get to hear it all, plus so much more BoCo (that's short for bonus content, folks).
Hel
Episode #451: MOTHER MARY, Why You Buggin'
It’s MaxFunDrive! We need your support, and want you in our club! Head to MaximumFun.org/join to become a member or increase your pledge. And THANK YOU!
David Lowery’s is back in his ethereal bag (or is it a dress? defo there's a ghost though...right?) with MOTHER MARY, a look at art, soul, collaboration, and self, through the relationship of a mega popstar and her once-and-future fashion queen. T
Casters on Casters: MaxFilm! Double Feature
It's MaxFunDrive. And here, for the first time, we give you an exclusive look (well, listen) at the craft of podcasting: presenting Casters on Casters.
For MaxFilm! listeners, we're kicking off the MaxFunDrive with a DOUBLE FEATURE of Casters on Casters. Both Alonso Duralde and Drea Clark participated in two separate recordings of this incredibly important podcasting event. The first episode you'l
Episode #450: 'You, Me & Tuscany' with Dory Benford
A rom-com is going to rom-com, but YOU, ME, & TUSCANY is actually doing at least one thing that feels pretty unique. We talk about this new movie from Kat Coiro and producer Will Packer (starring Halle Bailey & Regé-Jean Page) with All the Feels podcast’s Dory Benford.
What’s Good
Drea - friends coming by and doing helpful stuff
Dory - Easter candy
Alonso - chocolate pound cake
ITIDICOver 1000
Episode #449: 'The Drama' with Ariel LeBeau
What’s the drama behind director Kristoffer Borgli’s new film, THE DRAMA? And, unlike Mary J. Blige, do we want said drama? We unpack all that with film critic Ariel LeBeau, and then talk about some movies that were secretly darker than advertised.
What’s Good
Alonso - Flossing first
Drea - Artemis II
Ariel - soft boiled eggs for breakfast (6m)
Kevin - rediscovering Billy Joel
ITIDIC
Writ
Episode #448: 'Project Hail Mary' with Rendy Jones
Ryan Gosling is on a one-man mission to save the universe...but he's not alone. We've got film critic Rendy Jones with us to discuss PROJECT HAIL MARY from directing duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Then we share some of our favorite science fiction concepts from cinema.
What’s Good
Alonso - Free airplane Wifi
Drea - skin flooding
Rendy - taking time to rest
Kevin - taking down Christmas
Episode #447: 'Spacewoman' with Kevin Smokler
We’re capping off a month at looking at different films directed by women with Hannah Berryman’s documentary, Spacewoman. Kevin Smokler, author of Breaking the Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers joins us to talk about this close look at the stellar career of astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot, and later command, a Space Shuttle mission.
What’s Good
Alonso - Calm for naps
Episode #446: 'Slanted' with Michelle Krusiec
We’re taking a good hard look in the mirror with our guest, actor/writer/director Michelle Krusiec as we discuss SXSW;s 2025 Grand Jury Prize winner, Amy Wang’s darkly comedic body horror, SLANTED. Then we’ll share some of our favorite movies that feature the prom, well…prominently.
What’s Good
Alonso - Alain Guiraudie Poster for Cannes Critics’ Fortnight (Quinzane des Cineastes)
Drea - Jessie B
Episode 445: 'The Bride!' with Harmony Colangelo
Podcaster and writer Harmony Colangelo joins the gang to track the many movements of THE BRIDE! Then we talk about actors we’d love to see paired up on the big screen.
What’s Good
Alonso - matzoh
Drea - filing (not clipping!) nails
Harmony - definitely NOT Daylight Saving Time
Kevin - zero degrees of Kevin Bacon??
ITIDIC
Disney Releasing Fully Re-animated ASL Versions of Several Movie Songs
Episode #444: Ida Lupino's 'The Bigamist' with Hadley Meares
March is Women’s History month, and all the movies we cover this month will be directed by women! To kick things off, we’re leaning into the “history” part, and going back to 1953 to cover the most popular film from a truly pioneering director (and prolific actor), the one and only Ida Lupino. It’s The Bigamist, with our special guest, a journalist covering culture and history, Hadley Hall Meares!
Episode #443: 'How to Make a Killing': It Was a Movie
The gang's all here to discuss a new black comedy (sorta) where its Glen Powell's Becket Redfellow in a cat and mouse game to the death with his obnoxiously wealthy family -- a modernization of the 1949 Alec Guinness film Kind Hearts and Coronets.
What’s Good?
Alonso - Slow TV walks through snowy Helsinki
Drea - Dog and Pet advocacy from Isabel Klee and the WeRateDogs guy
Kevin - getting really
Episode #442: 'Wuthering Heights' with Alys Murray
Romance novelist and filmmaker Alys Murray joins us to unpack Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights adaptation, and (perhaps unsurprisingly) opinions are varied! What does the movie have in common with Grease 2? Listen and learn! Plus, we have a Hotline call all about movie characters that need family or couples counseling.
What’s Good
Alonso - Nathan Rabin’s The Fractured Mirror
Drea - Talking Sp
Episode #441: 'Pillion' with Nayland Blake
Have you heard about the new A24 movie from writer/director Harry Lighton that’s almost a romantic comedy about gay BDSM biker culture? That’s PILLION, starring Alexander Skarsgaard and Harry Melling, and we’re thrilled to have our friend Nayland Blake (an influential artist and teacher who’s an authority on queer kink, riding with us!What’s Good?Alonso - Trans Girl Scouts you can buy cookies from
Episode #440: 'Send Help' with Kristen Lopez
Sam Raimi's darkly comedic thriller SEND HELP is a bright spot in the early 2026 movie calendar, and we've got writer and film critic Kristen Lopez with us to discuss it, as well as some of our favorite "Desert Island Movies" -- by which we mean movies set on a remote island, of course.What's GoodAlonso - Super Bowl festivity & foodDrea - Rainbow WoolKristen - good movies in JanuaryKevin - Twiligh
Episode #439: 'The Testament of Ann Lee' with Emily St. James
We’re throwing our whole bodies into this discussion of Mona Fastvold’s epic historical musical biopic THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE. But it’s an audio medium, so you’ll have to take our word for it. We’re thrilled to have Emily St. James back with us!What’s GoodAlonso - Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old ManDrea - The power of “DROWSING” (in Scrabble)Emily - Rewatching 28 Years LaterKevin - Love Thy Neighbor
Episode #438: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple with Jordan Morris
MaxFun's own Jordan Morris (Jordan, Jesse, Go and Free with Ads) joins us to discuss Nia DaCosta's latest flex -- this time, she's settling into the 28 Years Later director's chair for the second in a proposed trilogy of 28 Years films (which are themselves sequels to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later). It's 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, starring Ralph Fiennes, Chi Lewis-Parry, Erin Kellyman, an
Episode #437: 'The Chronology of Water' with Roxane Gay & Alain Martin
After making a splash at Cannes, THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER is finally getting released to theaters around the US. It’s a faithful film adaptation of the memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch, and we’re joined by both a memoirist and a filmmaker to discuss it all — Roxane Gay (HUNGER, BAD FEMINIST, and much more) and Alain Martin (The Forgotten Occupation). Then we’ll name some of our favorite memoir adaptation
Episode #436: MARTY SUPREME is a Real A**hole
Josh Safdie directed it, Timothée Chalamet stars in it, awards groups are crazy for it, and it’s seriously stressing us out. This week we’re back in the swing of things and talking about MARTY SUPREME. Then, in honor of main character Marty Mauser, we’re naming some of our favorite world-class assholes of cinema.What’s Good?Alonso - The meme feedback loop of Heated RivalryDrea - Taskmaster (and th
Episode #435: Our Favorite Movies of 2025
We’re celebrating the end of the movie year that was and the start of the movie year to come, plus our first year (minus a few months in the middle there) with Kevin at the helm! We’ve got our annual Maxie Awards, movies we’re looking forward to in 2026 and, most importantly, each host’s 10 favorites from 2025.What's Good?Alonso - BarebellsDrea - Warm (True) SpringKevin - a year of hosting (sorta)
Episode #434: 'The Baltimorons' with Ben Katzner
Jingle jingle, ya’ll! We’ve got comedian Ben Katzner joining us under the mistletoe for the holiday movie about a recovering improviser and a divorced dentist that you didn’t know were missing. Then we have a Hotline question about holiday movies that center Black Joy for a change! #4Brothers4ChristmasWhat’s GoodAlonso - LAFCA Citation for Gardena Cinema; Support Your Local Film SocietyDrea - Pips
Episode #433: 'Dust Bunny' with Elliott Kalan
The Flop House’s Elliot Kalan joins us to put his “Mad about Mads”-ness where his mouth is as we discuss a stylized new horror-ish thriller from director Bryan Fuller. Then we’ll talk about movies that would make good genre entry points for kids who are ready.What’s GoodDrea - Heated RivalryElliott - Latke Night, his new book Joke Farming, & Werner Herzog’s A Guide for the PerplexedKevin - Yuletid
Episode #432: ‘Jay Kelly’ with Justin Tyler
George Clooney is JAY KELLY in Noah Baumbach’s latest film…and that might be true in more ways than one. The film chronicles the career of a fictional movie star. Speaking of chronicles, we’re joined by actor and filmmaker Justin Tyler, voice of the titular Derf in MaxFun’s newest show, The Young Old Derf Chronicles. And we have a movie quiz about real actors playing fictional actors on film!What’
Episode #431: See 'Hamnet' in a Good Mood
What’s GoodAlonso - the magic of podcastingDrea - the magic of a repainted bathroomKevin - the magic of live jazz improvisation (The Tyler Hammond Jazz Experience)[Morgan Freeman falling asleep clip]ITIDIC2020 and 2021 Titles Coming to Indie Theaters for ‘Lost Films of COVID’ SeriesShrek 5 is back in the news as 3 actors are cast as his tripletsStaff PicksAlonso - BLKNWS: Terms and ConditionsDrea
Episode #430: 'Train Dreams' with Nicole Arbusto
The new film from the team behind JOCKEY and SING SING is a lyrical life story starring Joel Edgerton. We’ve got casting director Nicole Arbusto with us to discuss this, and take on a Hotline question asking for professional shoutouts. Plus our annual Turkeys of the Year and the first post-Thanksgiving Christmas Movie Minute!What’s GoodAlonso - magazinesDrea - Buzz Ballz/BeatBox/Cutwater cocktail
Episode #429: 'Nouvelle Vague' with Tarik R. Davis
An ode to a classic of French New Wave cinema – Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless (A Bout de Souffle) – Nouvelle Vague is more than a heady film nerd love fest. It’s a Linklater movie, which means it’s a hangout film; it’s just that the gang we’re hanging with happens to be reinventing modern cinema, whether they know it or not. We’ve got writer, actor, and teacher Tarik R. Davis (The Amber Ruffin Show
Episode #428: 'Christy' with Daresha Kyi
CW: discussion of domestic abuseWe get into the good the bad and the ugly of the new boxing biopic CHRISTY, which tells the story of pioneering boxer Christy Martin and her dark power struggles both in and outside the ring. Then we have a movie quiz about bio pics with first-name titles. What’s GoodAlonso - successful Parker House rolls trial runDrea - remembering a detail of ArrivalDaresha - scre
Episode #427: BUGONIA with Casey O'Brien
Yorgos Lanthimos can be counted on for a weird, wild time, and this time around he’s back with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, plus newcomer Aidan Delbis, comedian Stavros Halkias, and even a bit of Alicia Silverstone. Former producer Casey O’Brien (co-host of Dear Movies, I Love You) joins us to take an up-close look at movie loaded with close-ups. Then we name some of our favorite actor-director f
Episode #426: HEDDA Throws the Party of the (Last) Century
Just us chickens here this week to talk about the wild party we just witnessed...in Nia DaCosta's HEDDA, a modernized (but not modern-day) adaptation of the classic Ibsen play, HEDDA GABLER. Then we get into what works and doesn't work for us in stage-to-screen adaptations.What’s GoodAlonso - Christmas creep!Drea - “...There she is.”Kevin - A weekend of artistic experiencesITIDICA Memo Reveals tha
Episode #425: 'The Mastermind' with Myq Kaplan
Josh O’Connor stars in a heist movie to end all heist movies – or at least end our illusions that the person pulling the heist is pretty cool and awesome. Comedian and friend Myq Kaplan is along to watch things unfold, and unravel, in THE MASTERMIND. Then we take a Hotline question about what film school courses we’d like to teach.What’s GoodAlonso - Programme 4 Drea - First women to cross the A
Episode #424: 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' with Carlos Aguilar
A little gritty political drama, a little technicolor musical, a little revolutionary politics, a little ahead-of-its-time queer representation…Kiss of the Spider Woman has been a novel, a play, an Oscar-winning movie, a Tony-winning Broadway musical, and now a Bill Condon movie musical starring Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, and relative newcomer Tonatiuh. LA-based film critic Carlos Aguilar joins u
Episode #423: 'Play Dirty' with Danielle Radford
If you’ve got Amazon Prime, you can put PLAY DIRTY (starring Mark Wahlberg, Rosa Salazar, LaKeith Stanfield, Tony Shaloub, and many more) right now. But should you? That’s where we come in, careening into your remote-wielding hand like a car chase onto a horse racing track in the first few minutes of PLAY DIRTY.Speaking of which, we’re also nominating Hall of Excellence candidates in the category
Episode #422: 'One Battle After Another' with Michael Phillips
Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film has car chases, explosions, secret societies, and and confused ex-revolutionaries...but did it make Drea cry? Find out the answer, plus our favorite underground cabals from film history, on this episode with special guest, noted critic Michael Phillips.What’s GoodAlonso - Brian Earl’s Of Christmases Long, Long AgoDrea - COVID booster/Worm Charming ChampionshipMic
Episode #421: 'The Long Walk' with Lauren Shippen
An impossible, dystopian "sporting event" is the subject of this week's film, leading to a seemingly impossible feat of storytelling, production, and adaptation. It's THE LONG WALK, with YA Novelist and podcasting impresario Lauren Shippen as our special guest. Then, we talk about films that don't pass the Bechdel Test, but still pass muster.What’s GoodAlonso - Hallmark Holiday movie lineup unveil
Episode #420: 'Twinless' with Bryan Fuller
Director/star James Sweeney’s sophomore follow-up to Straight Up made a spalsh at Sundance this January, winning the Audience Award and a lot of buzz about Dylan O’Brien’s dual roles as twins Roman and Rocky. Director and writer Bryan Fuller, whose feature debut DUST BUNNY recently premiered at TIFF, joins us to see what all the fuss is about. Then we share some of our favorite dark comedies.What’
Episode #419: 'Highest 2 Lowest' with W. Kamau Bell
W. Kamau Bell is a noted comedian, author, filmmaker, and activist. He’s also the former co-host of the podcast DENZEL WASHINGTON IS THE GREATEST ACTOR OF ALL TIME PERIOD, along with our very own Kevin Avery. Now, we've gotten the former co-hosts (and former roommates!) back together. It’s a big deal, but does Spike Lee and Denzel Washington’s big reunion rise to the occasion? Find out as we discu
Episode #418: "Weapons' with Louis Peitzman
This week we’re talking WEAPONS, Zach Cregger’s follow up to BARBARIAN, with freelance writer and host of Chasing Amy Adams, Louis Peitzman. Plus, in honor of a spooky movie with a lot of kids at the center of its plot, we honor some of our favorite creepy kids from cinema.What’s Good?Drea - llama costumes at the MN State FairLouis - giant beaver/fall scented candlesKevin - AMC A-List bingeITIDIC
Episode #417: ‘Honey Don’t’ with Meghan Fitzmartin
Writer Meghan Fitzmartin joins us to debate: does a movie have to be "good," or is it enough to just be fun? Then, we'll discuss our favorite Hollywood power couples, both on and off the screen.What’s Good?Alonso - The Dean Martin Association YouTube channelDrea - State Fairs, MN State Fair, Cropseed Art (Crop Art & Scarecrow)Meghan - Clay pipes (mudlarking on the foreshore)Kevin - Studio 54 theme
Episode #416: 'East of Wall' with Taylor Gates
Director Kate Beecroft made her debut feature after meeting and living with a singular family, and then building a script and feature film around their lives – with them as the stars. The resulting film, EAST OF WALL won the Audience Award at the (ahem) Sundance Film Festival. Collider’s Taylor Gates joins us to discuss the movie, and to daydream about what kind of movie we’d set at some of our pe
Episode #415: 'Freakier Friday' with Mary Lynn Rajskub
**We have new PHYSICAL MEDIA merch! Check it out at maxfunstore.com**Everything old is freaky again, and vice verse, with this late-breaking sequel to the 2003 version of Freaky Friday. Prolific actor/comedian Mary Lynn Rajskub is our prestigious guest to take a look at Lindsay, Jamie Lee, and a whole cast of new and returning folks game to get Freakier. Then we have fun talking about best and wor
Episode #414: 'The Naked Gun' (2025) with Dan McCoy
THE FLOP HOUSE's Dan McCoy joins us to consider the power of taking stupidity very seriously. Then, a dishy movie quiz about on-set meetings that led to off-set romances.What’s GoodAlonso- Mark Rappaport, Book of DreamsDrea - Midwest trip, “Schumers,” and great chip flavorsDan - Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Collected Screenplays 1Kevin - Trip to Lake ArrowheadITIDICMARRIAGE STORY Fight Scene Being Us
Episode #413: 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' with Sina Grace
Is the fourth time the charm when it comes to Fantastic Four movies? We’ve assembled our own fearsome foursome – including graphic novelist and comics writer/artist Sina Grace – to debate all the charms of the modem MCU’s First Steps into Earth 828. Then we’ll celebrate some of our favorite character actors and promote them to center stageWhat's GoodAlonso - Voluspa candles (Drea references this S
Episode #412: 'In the Mood for Love' with John Powers
Wong Kar-Wai's In the Mood For Love (which some are calling the fifth best movie ever made, or at least the fourth best this century?) was released 25 years ago, and anniversary screenings of a new 4k restoration have been happening all over. We've got critic John Powers (Fresh Air, Vogue), author of WKW: The Cinema of Wong Kar-Wai with us to help us take an inside look at a movie that continues t
Episode #411: 'Superman' (2025) with Michael Hartney
Actor and comedian Michael Hartney -- a Superman guy to his core - joins us to discuss James Gunn's much-anticipated, highly-speculated upon take on the world's most famous superhero. Then, in honor of Krypto (the Superdog, of course) we nominated best (goodest?) movie dogs to the Hall of Excellence.What’s GoodAlonso - Dark Chocolate OreosDrea - gift article links on BlueskyMichael - Superman disc
Episode #410: '40 Acres' with Aisha Harris
It’s week two of our inadvertent two-week celebration of the post-apocalypse on film. This time around, Danielle Deadwyler and Michael Greyeyes head up a family fighting to protect their land and their lives from murderously hungry intruders in 40 ACRES. NPR Pop-Culture Happy Hour’s co-host Aisha Harris joins us to discuss this feature debut from RT Thorne.What’s Good?Alonso - Making pignoli cooki
Episode #409: '28 Years Later' with Graham Skipper
23 years later, director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland bring the rage virus back to life with their sequel to 28 Days Later, 28 Years Later. Actor and director Graham Skipper guests this week to talk about the trilogy, Alpha prosthetics, and coming of age in a zombie UK. Then, we discuss the dream 23-years-later sequels we want to see.What’s GoodAlonso - Chef Alison RomanDrea -"Hi Andrea!" a
Episode #408: 'Materialists' with Katie Walsh
Film critic Katie Walsh joins us to take a close look at the various desirable qualities of MATERIALISTS, the sophomore feature from director Celine Song. Then, we talk about movies that didn’t quite match what their trailers were selling.What’s GoodAlonso - Sick and Dirty by Michael KoreskyKatie - Love Island “I’m a mommy” memeKevin - full-on astrology chartITIDIC48 Films Awarded Tax Credits To S
Episode #407: 'Tea and Sympathy' (1956) with Caden Mark Gardner
In honor of Pride Month, we’re taking a look back at an important title from queer cinema history. Our guest, Caden Mark Gardner, is the co-author (with Willow Maclay) of Corpses, Fools and Monsters: The History and Future of Transness in Cinema – he picked this Vincente Minnelli classic for us to watch! Then, we choose which flawed movies we’d edit (and how we’d amend them) to make them work for
Episode #406: 'The Life of Chuck' with William Bibbiani
Film critic and podcast bon vivant (and Stephen King movie buff) William Bibbiani (Critically Acclaimed Network) joins us to take a look at the latest King adaptation, a movie told in three parts, backwards (and in heels). Then we get Hall of Excellence results and draw inspiration from a listener’s unexpected movie tattoo.What’s GoodAlonso - anti-ICE protests in “Red” statesDrea - Bentonville Fil
Episode #405: 'The Phoenician Scheme' with Matt Zoller Seitz
Wes Anderson’s latest film has no shortage of charts and plans. Our guest, Matt Zoller Seitz, helps guide us through THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME, and warns us about emotional land mines (which, in fact, we might actually want to step on? It’ll make sense in context.) Then we nominate our favorite filmed father/daughter dynamics to the Hall of Excellence.What’s GoodAlonso - bitching about the new season
Episode #404: 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' with Billy Ray Brewton
How many reckonings will Ethan Hunt face? More importantly, how many planes can he fly at once? None of these questions are answered in today’s discussion, but many more are raised and addressed as we consider Tom Cruise & Co.’s most Impossible Mission yet. We’re joined by special guest Billy Ray Brewton, whose new documentary Coroner to the Stars is cleaning up at festivals as we speak. Then we p
Episode #403: 'Final Destination Bloodlines' with BJ Colangelo
Final Destination Bloodlines might be your sixth FD or your first (or maybe, like Kevin and Drea, you aren't confident about which ones you've seen or not). For our guest writer, filmmaker, and genre-film expert BJ Colangelo, Final Destination is THE horror franchise, making her the perfect lead for our metaphorical dance with Death. After we discuss the film, we honor the late Tony Todd by talkin
Episode #402: 'Friendship' with Michelle Biloon
Tim Robinson (of I Think You Should Leave fame) hits the big screen in Andrew DeYoung’s feature debut. He’s becoming buds with Paul Rudd, but don’t call it a bromance – call it ‘Friendship.’ We’ve got a friend of our own joining us: comedian Michelle Biloon. After the movie chat, we’ll discuss some memorable drug trip/fever dream movie sequences. What’s GoodAlonso - Season 2 of Poker FaceDrea - Be
Episode #401: 'Thunderbolts*' with Jordan Morris
It’s episode 401 and we’ve reassembled, now with Kevin Avery at the helm. Back in the guest chair is the familiar voice of Jordan Morris, Maximum Fun superstar and writer of TV and comics. And the movie is Thunderbolts* , the MCU’s little gang of misfits film that just might have what it takes to make you feel again.** Then we’ll have a movie quiz to test our memories of MCU Phases past.What’s Goo
Episode #400! 'Sinners' & Ify's Last Ride
It’s been a long time…and a sizeable chunk of this podcast! We’re preparing a hell of a party this week, as we hit 400, Ify cruises into the sunset as host, and we finally cover the original supernatural drama that film nerd dreams are made of, Ryan Coogler’s SINNERS. We’ve got past guest and IRL Ify bud Cody Ziglar riding shotgun this week to boot! And we dream up what some serious films might be
Episode #399: 'The Wedding Banquet' with Parvesh Cheena
We’ve got the fabulous Parvesh Cheena here, once again on the gaysian movie beat! This time around, it’s Andrew Ahn’s THE WEDDING BANQUET, which reimagines and modernizes the core story of a nearly unseeable 1993 Ang Lee film (maybe try your local library?). It’s a complicated relationship comedy between two queer couples, and two of their matriarchs. Plus, we choose which classic films we’d like
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