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 of Randy Shilts, When the Band Played On
Drea - Miss Eggy’s live television moment
Ify - Wayfair delivery journey

ITIDIC

1. Young Moviegoers Are Making a Ruckus at Minecraft Movie Screenings
2. Tangled Live-Action Remake Gets Put on Pause
3. A New Arthouse Cinema is Opening in Manhattan

Hall of Excellence
Into the Spiderverse (possibly any Spiderman)
Sweet Smell of Success
Do the Right Thing

Staff Picks
Drea - A NICE INDIAN BOY
Alonso - PLAY IT AS IT LAYS
Ify - MARLEY AND ME

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 in the senate, finally
Drea - uptick in black cat adoption (thanks, Flow)
Kristen - Finishing Women in Love for her forthcoming book
Ify - Catsitting for Gotrek and Felix

ITIDIC

• Sundance Moving to Boulder!
• Studios Making Money From Fake AI Trailers on YouTube

Staff Picks
Alonso - An Unfinished Film
Drea - The Ballad of Wallis Island
Kristen - The Goodbye Girl
Ify - Léon: The Professional

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 subject matter don't make that a simple task. We've got writer and comedian David Gborie with us to assist. Then, we go through some of the non-horror movies that most freaked us out.

What’s Good
Alonso - Luke Macfarlane’s Home Is Where the Heart Is
Drea - Nature videos for cats as background
David - PM Dawn Radio while cycling
Ify - Buff dude’s morning routine video (and comments)

ITIDIC

1. ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ May Be Rescued from WB Purgatory After All
2. Hollywood Director Charged with Defrauding Netflix for $11m
3. Emerald Fennell’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ Being Shot in Vistavision

Staff Picks
Drea - Teddy Bear
Alonso - On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
David - Polite Society
Ify - Pumping Iron

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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).

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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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 - Frozen puff pastry
Inkoo - end-of-winter coziness appreciation
Drea - Lee Meridith’s Zine

ITIDIC

1. Utah’s Hopes Of Keeping Sundance Threatened By Anti-Pride Flag Bill
2. SAG-AFTRA Reaffirms Commitment to Diversity

Staff Picks
Inkoo - Klute
Alonso - Mickey One
Drea - Bob Trevino Likes It

Inkoo freaks should head to inkoo.substack.com!

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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, Manolo Moreno, Ella Hubber, Caroline Roper, Ella McLeod, John-Luke Roberts, Justin McElroy, Clint McElroy, Mike Cabellon, Sierra Katow, Hal Lublin, Danielle Radford, John Moe, Christian Dueñas, Christian Duguay

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 office movies of 2000.

What’s Good
Alonso - “a strong name” at Gusto Bread
Drea - Farmacy’s The Honey Grail
Stuart - Triangle Agency Rulebook
Ify -  JoCo Cruise

ITIDIC

1. “IRL Movie Club” Encourages Cinema-going & Conversation
2. ‘Hundreds of Beavers’ Crosses $1 Million at the Box Office
3. AppleTV+ Turned Down Offers to Release Killers of the Flower Moon on Bluray

Staff Picks
Alonso - Charlie Says
Drea - Eephus
Stuart - Blue Steel
Ify - The Perfect Storm

Stuart’s Twitch

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 unneeded, but good!) ideas for his next doc.

What’s Good
Drea - painting You Tube channels
Oliver - The Altons, Heartache in Room 14
Alonso - Woodworking by Emily St. James

ITIDIC

1. Oscars 2025 Winners
   1. Sean Baker’s acceptance speech (re: theatrical experience)
   2. CinemaStream parody ad
2. Many DVDs from Warner Bros No Longer Work

More about the Interrotron

Staff Picks
Drea - Searching for Sugar Man
Oliver - The Karate Kid
Alonso - Grand Theft Hamlet

Oliver’s Upcoming Exhibit: Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 favorite “fun” movies that have something important to say.

What’s Good?
Alonso - Rachel Maddow chastising MSNBC over Joy Reid
Drea - Jane Fonda’s SAG Life Achievement Acceptance Speech
Austin - Beating strangers at Magic (the Gathering)
Ify - Timothee’s SAG speech

ITIDIC

1. Spirit Awards Recap!
2. Amazon Now Has Creative Control of James Bond Franchise
3. Nicole Kidman has worked with 19 Female Directors in the past 8 years

Staff Picks
Alonso - The Spook Who Sat By the Door
Drea - Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat
Austin - Princess Mononoke
Ify - Air Force One

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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 brushing
Abby - cat cuddles and True/False Film Fest
Ify - Minnesota trip

ITIDIC

1. Awards Season in Full Swing, with BAFTAs, WGA Awards, and HMU Awards all Last Weekend
2. Disney+ Rewording, Shortening Its Content Warnings on Old Films
3. NEON Still Sends Out a Coveted DVD Box Set of Screeners

WKUK sketch referenced (totally legally)

Hall of Excellence Nominees
Drea: Logan
Alonso: Goldfinger
Abby: Die Hard With a Vengeance
Ify: Toy Story 3

Staff Picks
Alonso: …Coyote Ugly
Drea: Jazzy
Abby: Universal Language
Ify: Flow

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher