Maximum Film!

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- 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 AristocatsStaff PicksDrea - Twinless & A Little PrayerLouis - The 4th Man (De Vierde Man)Kevin - Longlegs Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 channelDrea - State Fairs, MN State Fair, Cropseed Art (Crop Art & Scarecrow)Meghan - Clay pipes (mudlarking on the foreshore)Kevin - Studio 54 themed birthday partyITIDICK-Pop Demon Hunters Hits Big Screens and Leads Box OfficeM:I Final Reckoning Fakes-Out Fans Re: Free Release on YouTubeStaff PicksDrea - Griffin in SummerAlonso - SplitsvilleMeghan - Life SizeKevin - The Shakiest Gun in the WestMary Sue by Meghan Fitzmartin is out October 8 Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 GoodAlonso - Pumpkin Spice Season Creep/Laughing Cow Pumpkin Spice Cheese Wedges (in principle)Drea - Chris Ware USPS StampsTaylor - Renee Rapp’s Bite MeKevin - Tracy Bonham live w/Chris and Adrienne Woods; Silver Lake sightingsAirplane Jive scene (watch at your own risk!) Physical Media merch!ITIDICDisney’s Marvel Pulling Out of GeorgiaAnna Faris and Regina Hall Return for Wayans’ Scary Movie RebootStaff PicksDrea - RelayAlonso - Souleymane’s StoryTaylor - Private LifeKevin - F1 The MovieLinoleum Knife Presents CLUE on August 24Taylor on Collider and Fanversation Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 GoodAlonso - personalized coupons from RalphsDrea - first female umpire in the MLBMary Lynn - a day at Mt. FujiKevin - satisfaction from household item restockITIDICCharlie 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 PicksAlonso - The High NoteDrea - SketchMary Lynn - All of Us StrangersKevin - Weapons Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 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 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 listPamela Anderson in the Criterion ClosetStaff PicksAlonso - Billy Joel: And So It GoesDrea - Sorry, BabyDan - TogetherKevin - The Incredible Mr Limpet Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 stageWhat's GoodAlonso - Voluspa candles (Drea references this SNL song)Drea - Mom’s “4” punchlineSina - Lady GagaKevin - Meeting Adam Stein (and seeing Ify!) at Comic-ConITIDICCoyote vs. Acme Gets a Theatrical Release DateAir Bud Returns in 2026Fortnite announces tie-in with upcoming Paul Thomas Anderson’s FilmStaff PicksDrea - Memoir of a SnailAlonso - DiciannoveSina - The New Adventures of Pippi LongstockingKevin - Avengers: EndgameLeave us a message at MaximumFun.org/hotline Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 GoodAlonso - 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 VersionKevin - ComiCon 2025ITIDICChristopher 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 PicksAlonso - We All Loved Each Other So MuchDrea - Familiar TouchJohn - CloudKevin - Dancer in the Dark Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 GoodAlonso - Dark Chocolate OreosDrea - gift article links on BlueskyMichael - Superman discourseKevin - finding his Tracy Bonham album (Sky Too Wide)ITIDICFinal Sundance in Park City Will Honor Its History in Utah and Founder RedfordAlamo Founder Launches Private Movie Experience in New York CityThe Devil Wears Prada Sequel Set for Next Spring HoE NomineesAlonso - Asta (The Thin Man)Drea - Dug (Up)Michael - Old Yeller Kevin - E. Buzz (Poltergeist)Staff PicksDrea - Life AfterAlonso - The Damned (2024)Michael - Popstar: Never Stop Never StoppingKevin - Hero at LargeMichael's Characters Welcome Patreon Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 cookiesDrea - Wedge Live Cat TourAisha - Finally falling for Love Island USAKevin - Tinder Box by James Andrew MillerITIDICJohn M. Chu to direct Mattel’s Hot Wheels movieBehind-the-scenes creative meddling on Pixar’s ElioList of “Down on the Farm” Movie Quiz MoviesStaff PicksDrea - SovereignAlonso - Before We ForgetAisha - The Annihilation of FishKevin - The Girl with All the GiftsAll of Aisha’s links can be found at AishaHarris.com  Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 GoodAlonso - Chef Alison RomanDrea -"Hi Andrea!" and Drea's Close Personal Friend Lucy LiuKevin - Trader Joe's Brazil Nut Body ScrubITIDICDenis Villeneuve to Direct Next BondNew York Times Names ‘Parasite’ the Best Film of 21 Century (So Far)Staff PicksAlonso - M3GAN 2.0Drea- PonyboiKevin - Rammbock: Berlin UndeadFollow Graham Skipper on Instagram @skipstagraham  Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 GoodAlonso - Sick and Dirty by Michael KoreskyKatie - Love Island “I’m a mommy” memeKevin - full-on astrology chartITIDIC48 Films Awarded Tax Credits To Shoot in CaliforniaMegalopolis is Going on a RoadshowRobert Eggers Developing ‘A Christmas Carol’ Adaptation at WBStaff PicksAlonso - Sorry, BabyKatie - Christiane FKevin - The Hunt for Red OctoberDetails for Alonso's screening of Ma Vie en Rose on June 28 Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 GoodAlonso - Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 (sort of)Drea - Katya in the Criterion ClosetCaden - dog ownership (and traveling to LA for event)Kevin - first hot dog in a while, best everITIDICSummer of 1956 will be a big movie season (Erskine Johnson)“Robert Rich” (secret alias of a blacklisted Dalton Trumbo) is Nominated for Best Screenwriter for The Brave OneStaff PicksAlonso - The CobwebDrea - The Power of the DogCaden - VulcanizadorKevin - Blazing SaddlesLA 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, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 Film Festival (screening Heightened Scrutiny)Bibbs - Maximum Film! hostsKevin - Cinespia seasonITIDICPedro 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 PicksAlonso - Cobra Woman (see him screen it in person on June 14, 2025!)Drea - DropBibbs - River (don’t watch it on Amazon, the subtitles get out of sync)Kevin - Silver Streak Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 GoodAlonso - bitching about the new season of AND JUST LIKE THAT…Drea - your friends meetingMatt - The Life of ChuckKevin - The Traitors AustraliaITIDICDisney delaying next two Avengers filmsParamount Plans Celebrations for 30th Anniversary of ‘Clueless’2025’s Domestic Box Office ChatStaff PicksAlonso - MountainheadMatt - Deaf President Now & Sharp CornerDrea - Holy Cow (Vingt Dieux)Kevin - Mazes & MonstersVisit the arts bookstore at  Mzs.press Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 GoodDrea - Meat RaffleBilly Ray - Audience Award at Mammoth Lakes Film FestivalKevin - Trader Joe’s has cheap wine, you guys!ITIDICRichard Linklater’s Ode to Godard Sells at Cannes…To NetflixGoogle Financing Short Films to Make AI Seem Less “Doomsday”Staff PicksDrea - SinnersBilly Ray - Pee-Wee as HimselfKevin - Mission: Impossible 3 Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 rewatchBJ - Cash’s high school graduationKevin - Kara Morgan’s one woman show, Inner VoicesITIDICMax 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 PicksDrea - Jane Austen Wrecked My LifeAlonso - Caught by the TidesBJ - The Ugly StepsisterKevin - Open WaterSleep Away Camp book, written by BJ and Harmony ColangeloThis Ends at Prom podcast Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 GoodAlonso - Season 2 of Poker FaceDrea - Bentonville Film Festival Lineup AnnouncedMichelle - free airplane gin secondsKevin - Jill Sobule’s musicITIDICCatholic 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 PicksAlonso - I Love You ManDrea - Queen of the RingMichelle - Nice Girls Don’t ExplodeKevin - Avengers: EndgameAvengers: Engame audience reaction videoMichelle’s albums are:Permanent HatYou Can Be an Asshole Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. 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 GoodAlonso - “my first dump salad”Drea - WhatsApp + voicenotes = “friendship podcast”Jordan - The River Has Roots by Amal El-MohtarKevin -  Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John MandelITIDICSpike Lee’s New Film, Which Reunites Him With Denzel, To Premiere at CannesOscar Voters Have to Watch the Movies NowStaff PicksDrea - SacramentoAlonso - Godard’s King Lear (Wiki)Kevin - Magic Mike XXLJordan - 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, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 like if we threw some vampires into the mix.What’s GoodAlonso - Pineapple Upside-Down Cake (especially Nancy Silverton’s)Drea - “How long does it actually take” TikToksZig - Tom Cruise coconut cake from Doan’s Bakery (+Ify mentions King’s rainbow cake)Ify - NeotropolisIfy’s Staff Picks on LetterboxdRyan Coogler Aspect ratio videoStaff PicksAlonso - Red RoomsDrea - Let the Right One In (and Green Room)Zig - Assault on Precinct 13 and From Dusk Till DawnIfy - From Dusk Till DawnThanks to our sponsor, Good Story Guild! Listen to In Media Res wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 to see get a queer remake (besides all of them).What’s GoodAlonso - TCM FestivalDrea - Drag Race finale, TV as a group activityParvesh - More Drag RaceIfy - Temptation Island (see also: Montoya Por Favor)ITIDICSINNERS is the first horror movie to receive an ‘A’ Cinema ScoreWicked’s VOD “Bonus Features” Are Getting Tons of PlaysStaff PicksDrea - The Half of ItAlonso - Art for EverybodyParv - A Nice Indian BoyIfy - Crouching Tiger Hidden DragonSee Parvesh in Trauma Play at IAMA Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher