Maximum Film!

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’s Good Alonso - Hobnobs (and Hobnob Fever!) Drea - Competitive nonsense (windowdressing, bedmaking, etc) Bryan - a murder of yard crows Kevin - no more wasps ITIDIC TIFF Wraps Up, Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet Wins Audience Award Paramount Wants to Buy Warner Bros Remembering Robert Redford Staff Picks Drea - Predators (2025) (and Love and Monsters) Alonso - Chain Reactions Bryan - The Last Viking Kevin - Alien Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 discuss HIGHEST 2 LOWEST, and stay to hear some fantasy pitches for other classic movies that we’d like to see get Denzel-ified. What’s Good? Alonso - Petit Grain (and supporting your local bakery…and eating your feelings) Drea - being on festival juries Kamau - pizza; daughter fetching an umbrella for dad Kevin - killing a wasp in a beekeeping suit ITIDIC Unfinished Orson Welles Movie Being Completed By AI …Meanwhile, WB Sues Midjourney After The Smashing Machine, Benny Safdie and The Rock Are Pairing Up Again Staff Picks Alonso - The Baltimorons Drea - Preparation for the Next Life (?) Kevin - Love, Brooklyn Kamau - The Unforgivable Sin of Ms. Rachel Subscribe to Kamau’s Newsletter, Who’s With Me? Akira Kurosawa's HIGH AND LOW on Criterion Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 Fair Louis - giant beaver/fall scented candles Kevin - AMC A-List binge ITIDIC - The Toxic Avenger Pledges to Commit Profits to Help With Medical Debts - Fall Film Festival Season Is Underway: Venice and Telluride - Another Live Action Remake Scrapped at Disney: Questlove’s Aristocats Staff Picks Drea - Twinless & A Little Prayer Louis - The 4th Man (De Vierde Man) Kevin - Longlegs Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 channel Drea - State Fairs, MN State Fair, Cropseed Art (Crop Art & Scarecrow) Meghan - Clay pipes (mudlarking on the foreshore) Kevin - Studio 54 themed birthday party ITIDIC K-Pop Demon Hunters Hits Big Screens and Leads Box OfficeM:I Final Reckoning Fakes-Out Fans Re: Free Release on YouTubeStaff Picks Drea - Griffin in Summer Alonso - Splitsville Meghan - Life Size Kevin - The Shakiest Gun in the West Mary Sue by Meghan Fitzmartin is out October 8 Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 personal favorite real-world locations. What’s Good Alonso - Pumpkin Spice Season Creep/Laughing Cow Pumpkin Spice Cheese Wedges (in principle) Drea - Chris Ware USPS Stamps Taylor - Renee Rapp’s Bite Me Kevin - Tracy Bonham live w/Chris and Adrienne Woods; Silver Lake sightings Airplane Jive scene (watch at your own risk!) Physical Media merch! ITIDIC Disney’s Marvel Pulling Out of GeorgiaAnna Faris and Regina Hall Return for Wayans’ Scary Movie RebootStaff Picks Drea - Relay Alonso - Souleymane’s Story Taylor - Private Life Kevin - F1 The Movie Linoleum Knife Presents CLUE on August 24 Taylor on Collider and Fanversation Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

**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 worst sequel titles. What’s Good Alonso - personalized coupons from Ralphs Drea - first female umpire in the MLB Mary Lynn - a day at Mt. Fuji Kevin - satisfaction from household item restock ITIDIC Charlie Kaufman’s New Movie Will Go Directly to KanopyWB Sets Wiig/Hill Comedy CUT OFF to Debut Against Nolan’s THE ODYSSEYHamilton Will Screen in Cinemas Next MonthStaff Picks Alonso - The High Note Drea - Sketch Mary Lynn - All of Us Strangers Kevin - Weapons Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 Good Alonso- Mark Rappaport, Book of Dreams Drea - Midwest trip, “Schumers,” and great chip flavors Dan - Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Collected Screenplays 1 Kevin - Trip to Lake Arrowhead ITIDIC MARRIAGE STORY Fight Scene Being Used to Scare Off WolvesLas Vegas Sphere’s Manipulation of The Wizard of Oz Raises QuestionsOriginal Star Wars Will Return to Cinemas for Its 50th Anniversary in 2027On-Screen/Off Screen Romances Letterboxd list Pamela Anderson in the Criterion Closet Staff Picks Alonso - Billy Joel: And So It Goes Drea - Sorry, Baby Dan - Together Kevin - The Incredible Mr Limpet Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 stage What's Good Alonso - Voluspa candles (Drea references this SNL song) Drea - Mom’s “4” punchline Sina - Lady Gaga Kevin - Meeting Adam Stein (and seeing Ify!) at Comic-Con ITIDIC Coyote vs. Acme Gets a Theatrical Release DateAir Bud Returns in 2026Fortnite announces tie-in with upcoming Paul Thomas Anderson’s FilmStaff Picks Drea - Memoir of a Snail Alonso - Diciannove Sina - The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking Kevin - Avengers: Endgame Leave us a message at MaximumFun.org/hotline Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 to enchant and haunt audiences through the decades. What’s Good Alonso - Boorman and the Devil to premiere at Venice (and Selena Gomez Oreos) Drea - pomodoro method (for Spirit Awards spreadsheet mode) John - Chris Marker: Immemory Gutenberg Version Kevin - ComiCon 2025 ITIDIC Christopher Nolan’s ‘Odyssey’ Sells Out in IMAX a Year Ahead of ReleaseNeon Promoting ‘Together’ With a “Free Vegas Wedding” ContestPee-Wee’s Red Bike Acquired by the AlamoStaff Picks Alonso - We All Loved Each Other So Much Drea - Familiar Touch John - Cloud Kevin - Dancer in the Dark Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 Good Alonso - Dark Chocolate Oreos Drea - gift article links on Bluesky Michael - Superman discourse Kevin - finding his Tracy Bonham album (Sky Too Wide) ITIDIC Final Sundance in Park City Will Honor Its History in Utah and Founder Redford Alamo Founder Launches Private Movie Experience in New York City The Devil Wears Prada Sequel Set for Next Spring HoE Nominees Alonso - Asta (The Thin Man) Drea - Dug (Up) Michael - Old Yeller Kevin - E. Buzz (Poltergeist) Staff Picks Drea - Life After Alonso - The Damned (2024) Michael - Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Kevin - Hero at Large Michael's Characters Welcome Patreon Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 cookies Drea - Wedge Live Cat Tour Aisha - Finally falling for Love Island USA Kevin - Tinder Box by James Andrew Miller ITIDIC John M. Chu to direct Mattel’s Hot Wheels movieBehind-the-scenes creative meddling on Pixar’s ElioList of “Down on the Farm” Movie Quiz Movies Staff Picks Drea - Sovereign Alonso - Before We Forget Aisha - The Annihilation of Fish Kevin - The Girl with All the Gifts All of Aisha’s links can be found at AishaHarris.com Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 Good Alonso - Chef Alison Roman Drea -"Hi Andrea!" and Drea's Close Personal Friend Lucy Liu Kevin - Trader Joe's Brazil Nut Body Scrub ITIDIC Denis Villeneuve to Direct Next BondNew York Times Names ‘Parasite’ the Best Film of 21 Century (So Far)Staff Picks Alonso - M3GAN 2.0 Drea- Ponyboi Kevin - Rammbock: Berlin Undead Follow Graham Skipper on Instagram @skipstagraham Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 Good Alonso - Sick and Dirty by Michael Koresky Katie - Love Island “I’m a mommy” meme Kevin - full-on astrology chart ITIDIC 48 Films Awarded Tax Credits To Shoot in CaliforniaMegalopolis is Going on a RoadshowRobert Eggers Developing ‘A Christmas Carol’ Adaptation at WBStaff Picks Alonso - Sorry, Baby Katie - Christiane F Kevin - The Hunt for Red October Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 us. You can stream Tea and Sympathy across lots of platforms, or check your local library. What’s Good Alonso - Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 (sort of) Drea - Katya in the Criterion Closet Caden - dog ownership (and traveling to LA for event) Kevin - first hot dog in a while, best ever ITIDIC Summer of 1956 will be a big movie season“Robert Rich” (secret alias of a blacklisted Dalton Trumbo) is Nominated for Best Screenwriter for The Brave OneStaff Picks Alonso - The Cobweb Drea - The Power of the Dog Caden - Vulcanizador Kevin - Blazing Saddles LA Folks, Check out Alonso and Caden’s series “Taking Pride” with American Cinematheque! See and learn about some great films, and get your books signed. Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, or Instagram With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Film critic and podcast bon vivant (and Steven 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 Good Alonso - anti-ICE protests in “Red” states Drea - Bentonville Film Festival (screening Heightened Scrutiny) Bibbs - Maximum Film! hosts Kevin - Cinespia season ITIDIC Pedro Almodovar’s Next Film will be a Christmas MovieWarner Bros. Discovery to Split into Two CompaniesVariety Editorial: No One in the Movies Stays Dead AnymoreStaff Picks Alonso - Cobra Woman (see him screen it in person on June 14, 2025!) Drea - Drop Bibbs - River (don’t watch it on Amazon, the subtitles get out of sync) Kevin - Silver Streak Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, or Instagram With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 Good Alonso - bitching about the new season of AND JUST LIKE THAT… Drea - your friends meeting Matt - The Life of Chuck Kevin - The Traitors Australia ITIDIC Disney delaying next two Avengers filmsParamount Plans Celebrations for 30th Anniversary of ‘Clueless’2025’s Domestic Box OfficeStaff Picks Alonso - Mountainhead Matt - Deaf President Now & Sharp Corner Drea - Holy Cow (Vingt Dieux) Kevin - Mazes & Monsters Visit the arts bookstore at Mzs.press Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, or Instagram With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 pitch some new (?) ideas for blockbuster franchise reboots based on old TV shows. What’s Good Drea - Meat Raffle Billy Ray - Audience Award at Mammoth Lakes Film Festival Kevin - Trader Joe’s has cheap wine, you guys! ITIDIC Richard Linklater’s Ode to Godard Sells at Cannes…To NetflixGoogle Financing Short Films to Make AI Seem Less “Doomsday”Staff Picks Drea - Sinners Billy Ray - Pee-Wee as Himself Kevin - Mission: Impossible 3 Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, or Instagram With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 talking about our favorite "horror oracles." What’s Good? Alonso - Étoile (the new show from Amy Sherman-Paladino & Daniel Paladino, on Prime) Drea - Mission Impossible franchise rewatch BJ - Cash’s high school graduation Kevin - Kara Morgan’s one woman show, Inner Voices ITIDIC Max is HBO Max AgainClarksdale, MS, Setting for SINNERS, Petitions for Special ScreeningTubi Has a New Category Filled With Classic Movies From the Criterion CollectionHere’s the teaser trailer for Final Destination Bloodlines (as Alonso mentioned) Staff Picks Drea - Jane Austen Wrecked My Life Alonso - Caught by the Tides BJ - The Ugly Stepsister Kevin - Open Water Sleep Away Camp book, written by BJ and Harmony Colangelo This Ends at Prom podcast Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, or Instagram With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 - Bentonville Film Festival Lineup Announced Michelle - free airplane gin seconds Kevin - Jill Sobule’s music ITIDIC Catholic Cardinals Reportedly Consulted ‘Conclave’ Film Ahead of Vote for Next PopeCinecittà on Track to Build the Biggest One-Stop-Shop in EuropeMilestone Films Will Be Given AwayStaff Picks Alonso - I Love You Man Drea - Queen of the Ring Michelle - Nice Girls Don’t Explode Kevin - Avengers: Endgame Avengers: Engame audience reaction video Michelle’s albums are: Permanent Hat You Can Be an Asshole Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, or Instagram With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 Good Alonso - “my first dump salad” Drea - WhatsApp + voicenotes = “friendship podcast” Jordan - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar Kevin - Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel ITIDIC Spike Lee’s New Film, Which Reunites Him With Denzel, To Premiere at CannesOscar Voters Have to Watch the Movies NowStaff Picks Drea - Sacramento Alonso - Godard’s King Lear (Wiki) Kevin - Magic Mike XXL Jordan - Black Bag *yes we’re still calling it that **about Marvel movies specifically. General depression reduction not guaranteed. But hey, worth a shot! Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, or Instagram With Kevin Avery Drea Clark Alonso Duralde Produced by Marissa Flaxbart Sr. Producer Laura Swisher