Maximum Film!

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...

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 Wya...

We are looking at 2024’s Gladiator II , a sequel to the original 2000 film, also directed by Ridley Scott. It stars Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen. Plus we look at the Top Turkeys of 2024 and our favorite Legacy Sequels. Writer and comedian, Kevin Avery ( The Great North, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver ), joins us. What’s Good: Alonso - Disco: Music, Movies, a...

We are looking at the 2024 Netflix adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning August Wilson play, The Piano Lesson, directed by Malcolm Washington, starring John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Ray Fisher, and Samuel L. Jackson. Plus we take a music-movie quiz written by Steven Ray Morris . Emmy-winning film and television producer, Shelby Stone , joins us. What’s Good: Drea - Celebrity Look A...

We are taking a look at A24’s 2024 spiritual horror film, Heretic, starring Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East about two Mormon missionaries whose faith is tested by a seemingly awkward, but polite man. Plus we look at more movies about playing games. Oh No, Ross and Carrie 's Ross Blocher joins us. What’s Good: Alonso - Direct action and act locally Drea - SKINCARE (medicube collagen ove...

We are taking a look at the new Steve McQueen film Blitz, the 2024 historical war drama starring Saoirse Ronan as Rita, a single mother, working in a bomb factory, and introducing Elliot Heffernan as her son, George. Plus we look at other films where characters go on a journey to find their way home again. What’s Good: Alonso - Phyllis theme song Drea - “John” sign, NYC marathon Ify - Landmark The...

We are taking a look at Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, the new Netflix movie focusing on the true story about serial killer Rodney Alcala’s 1978 appearance on The Dating Game. Plus we look at other true crime stories dramatized on film. Lucy Fitzgerald from Wine & Crime joins us. What’s Good: Alonso - End of Daylight Savings Time Drea - Memorizing Geography Lucy - Going to I...

Anora is a 2024 romantic-comedy (?) written and directed by Sean Baker (Tangerine, The Florida Project), starring Mikey Madison as stripper Anora Mikheeva, and follows her beleaguered romance with Vanya (Mark Eidelstein), the son of a Russian Oligarch. All that and a discussion of other films portraying sex work. What’s Good: Alonso -  Christmas Movie Magic: The Game! Drea - A freshly, deep-cleane...

The Substance is a 2024 body horror film written and directed by French filmmaker Coralie Farageat, starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid. The film follows a recently displaced celebrity who decides to take a secret drug that temporarily creates a younger version of herself with unexpected side effects. All that and a discussion of films that make you squirm. The one and only Kat...

Joker: Folie à Deux is the 2024 follow-up to 2019’s Joker. Directed again by Todd Phillips (of The Hangover fame originally), it stars Joaquin Phoenix (reprising the Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck), joined by musician-turned-actor Lady Gaga, playing the iconic comic book character Lee Quinzel aka Harley Quinn. All that and discussion of other musical moments in “none-musicals.” What’s Good: Al...

Will & Harper is a 2024 American documentary film directed by Josh Greenbaum and follows Will Ferrell and Harper Steele as the duo made a 17-day road trip across the United States discussing Harper’s transition, and their friendship. All that and discussion of other iconic friendships in cinema. Film Critic and Essayist, Willow Maclay joins us! What’s Good: Alonso - Texas State Fair Drea - Free Co...

After undergoing facial-reconstructive surgery, Edward becomes fixated on an actor in a stage production based on his former life. That’s the setup for A Different Man starring Sebastian Stan, written and directed by Aaron Schimberg. All that and a discussion of best plays-within-films from movie history. Writer and film critic Kristen Lopez joins us!   What’s Good: Alonso - Kelly Bishop, The Thir...

An 18 year old scores a phone number...for herself at 39. That's the soft sci-fi hook of Megan Park's second movie, a coming of age story that is very much of this era, even if it has its eyes on the future. All that and a discussion of best and worst older/younger character casting choices. Plus, big life news from Producer Marissa, who joins in as an all-episode guest this time around. What’s Go...