Maximum Film!

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 Good Alonso - Season 2 of Poker Face Drea -...

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 Go...

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...

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...

Our own Mr. January, Kevin Avery, joins the crew IRL (!!!) for an episode all about one of Ify’s favorite movies, The Big Lebowski . With a foursome made up of half long-time Little Lebowskis and half newcomers to the film, we’re tackling a much-memorized Coen Classic with fresh(ish) eyes. Plus, some Very Big Show News and a rundown of movies we can’t shut up about. This in-studio episode happened...

Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, and a Great Dane named Bing star alongside a lot of terrific character actors in this adaptation of the 2018 National Book Award-winning novel by Sigrid Nunez. Is it your run of the mill pet movie, or something more? While we’re (topically) in New York City, we thought we’d collect some nominees for the Hall of Excellence! What’s Good Alonso - Michael G. Lee’s biography o...

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...

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 sub...

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). Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmaxfilm   Follow us on Blue...

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...

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,...

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 offi...

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 unn...

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 fav...

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 brus...

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....

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 movi...

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 re...

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 F...

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...

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 - Kee...

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:...

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 Vidi...

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 - Kl...

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 Ste...