Maximum Film!

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Matt Reeves' new Batman movie (maybe you heard about it?) is finally streaming, and we’re commemorating the moment with Batman nerd – ahem, EXPERT – Glen Weldon. Plus, what made-up movie drug haunts our panelists’ dreams? It’s a MaxFunDrive spectacular!

What’s Good
Alonso: shelled pistachios
Drea: Life in Looks on YouTube
Glen: First time/long time! & Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Ify: Apex Legends - Newcastle!

ITIDIC

1. Justin Lin Has Stepped Down as the Director of Fast X
2. Viola Davis has responded to criticism of her portrayal of Michelle Obama
3. Scorsese’s Film Foundation to Start Virtual Screening Room for Restored Movies

Staff Picks
Drea: All My Friends Hate Me
Alonso: Teen Titans Go! to the Movies
Glen: Careful
Ify: There Will Be Blood

Join us April 30, 2022 at 4pm Pacific for a watch along of DIRTY DANCING! You’ll find it on Twitch at twitch.tv/IfDeez

Some of Glen’s Books:

The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture

NPR’s Podcast Startup Guide

Buy Alonso’s book, I’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies

With:

Ify Nwadiwe
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Glen Weldon

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart

Sr. Producer  Laura Swisher

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

Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd

With
Kevin Avery
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

The new film from Apichatpong Weerasethakul isn’t just a movie – it’s a perpetual roadshow, with plans to keep showing the movie from theater to theater indefinitely (check out where it's showing for the next few months). It made a lot of best-of 2021 lists and now that the show is finally on the road, our gang weighs in, joined by LA Times film critic Justing Chang.

What’s Good

Alonso: A banner week at the Hallmark channel

Drea: “Double jury week” and SIFF

Justin: Writing about Petite Maman (in clean clothes)

Ify: new Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann tattoo; Atlanta

ITIDIC

1. The tenth Fast and Furious Movie has its title
2. Tom Hanks Reunited With Wilson the Volleyball at Baseball Game
3. Art House Theater Tests Out “Bring a Friend” Ticket Sales Strategy

Hotline Recs 
Wild Zero
Mindwalk
Shag
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
Sieranevada (read Justin’s review) 

(Have a question for the hotline? Send a voice memo to maximumfilm at maximumfun dot org)

Staff Picks
Drea: Petite Maman
Alonso: The End of Innocence
Justin: Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
Ify: The Nice Guys

We’re sponsored this week by…

Trade Coffee
Take their coffee-matching quiz at drinktrade.com/maxfilm and get $30 off your first order!

Soylent
Go to Soylent.com/maxfilm and use promo code MAXFILM to get 20% OFF your first order. 

Join us April 30, 2022 at 4pm Pacific for a watch along of DIRTY DANCING! 
You’ll find it on Twitch at twitch.tv/IfDeez

Buy Alonso’s book, I’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies

* * *

With:

Ify Nwadiwe
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Justin Chang

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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

Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd

With
Kevin Avery
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

After months of waiting, a new day has come: ALINE is finally in US theaters, and there’s a lot to talk about. Luckily, the gang doesn’t have to do it all by themselves. Kyle Buchanan (whose NYT review of the movie is quoted prominently in the film’s Wikipedia page) is here to answer questions like, “how much of this is true?” and “is this movie a comedy?” Later, we’ll propose some biopics we want to see. And that’s the way it is!

What’s Good?
Alonso: “I wrote a puzzle!”
Drea: Family visit/digitizing family photos
Kyle: Survivor Season 42 
Ify: Severance/Hot Boi Summer

ITIDIC
Warner Bros Removes references to gay relationship for China release of Secrets of Dumbledore

Netflix Has Added a “Two Thumbs Up” Button

There’s going to be a Spirit Halloween movie

Staff Picks
Drea: American Splendor
Alonso: The Greek Tycoon
Kyle: The Northman
Ify: Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

We’re sponsored this week by…

Everyplate
Try EveryPlate for just $1.79 per meal by going to EveryPlate.com and entering code maxfilm179.

Soylent
Go to Soylent.com/maxfilm and use promo code MAXFILM to get 20% OFF your first order. 

***

Buy Alonso’s book, I’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies

Kyle's book is Blood Sweat and Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road

With:
Ify Nwadiwe
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Kyle Buchanan

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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

Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd

With
Kevin Avery
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

In our unofficial, ongoing series of movies that are hard to summarize, we find ourselves back at the theater for a brand new film that’s operating on a lot of levels (in more than one sense). Then, we find out what car is being hoisted up to the Hall of Excellence rafters, AND form a new super fight squad when Ify, Alonso, and Drea select movie character skillsets to verse-jump into.

What’s Good?:
Alonso - Rothaniel
Drea - Returning to the dentist
Ify - Returning to the theater (w/ a big Coke)

ITIDIC:
Redbox Lays off 10% Of Staff

Nancy Meyers is directing her first feature film in 7 years

Tyrese Gets Tricked

Staff Picks:
Alonso - Apollo 10 1/2
Drea - Boy
Ify - Jet Li’s The One

See Also:
Everything Everywhere All at Once Coffee Table book

Spiderman 2 Giant Jamie Foxx Head

Buy Alonso’s book, I’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies

With:
Ify Nwadiwe
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart

Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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

Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd

With
Kevin Avery
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Julia Ducournau’s horror thriller TITANE won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2021 and is now streaming on Hulu. It’s a movie that kinda defies description, but that’s never stopped us before! Plus, we’re nominate some of the Best Movie Cars for the Hall of Excellence. Vroom vroom!!

What’s Good?
Alonso: Burlap & Barrel’s Pizza Party seasoning
Drea: Stitches out!
Ify: n/naka anniversary dinner
Tod: Playing basketball with buds

ITIDIC
Oscars Thoughts…
Sounds like there are plans for a Sonic Cinematic Universe

Staff Picks:
Drea: The Imposter 
Alonso: Take Me To the River
Ify: Anatomy of Hell
Tod: French Lieutenant’s Woman

Vote for your Hall of Excellence winner on our Facebook page

Buy Alonso’s book – I’ll Be Home for Christmas Movies

This episode is sponsored by Trade Coffee
Take their coffee-matching quiz at drinktrade.com/maxfilm and get $30 off your first order!

With:
Ify Nwadiwe
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Tod Mesirow

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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

Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd

With
Kevin Avery
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Multiple top-Oscar nominations and top-10 list appearances won’t stop this foursome from engaging in a healthy debate over whether Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car is worth the three-hour ride. 

What’s Good:
Alonso: Maintaining sanity
Drea: Pep talks from kindergarteners (707-998-8410)
Inkoo: Birria tacos
Ify: Masala chai concentrate from Kumquat, Fly by Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp

ITIDIC
West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler Wasn’t Invited to the Oscars
Daniel Radcliffe Isn’t Interested in Going Back to Hogwarts
After Disney’s Florida Debacle, Pixar’s Lightyear has restored a same-sex kiss

Staff Picks:
Alonso: Norwegian Wood
Inkoo: Everything Everywhere All At Once
Drea: 7 Days
Ify: Jeen-Yuhs

***

The tweet that inspired this week’s Comedy “MaxFilmscars” 

Buy Alonso’s book, I’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies

***

Support Our Sponsor Curiosity Stream

Curiosity Stream is offering a full year’s subscription for just $14.99 with code MAXFILM

With:
Ify Nwadiwe
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Inkoo Kang

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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

Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd

With
Kevin Avery
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Something’s coming; something good? Comedian and film critic Brandon Collins sits in to go over the high notes and low notes of Spielberg’s West Side Story, now streaming.

Plus, we play the new Box Office Game together! Will Alonso’s movie trivia prowess also apply to a randomly selected box office weekend? 

What's Good :
Alonso: permanent daylight savings
Drea: kitchen update
Brandon: SXSW

ITIDIC:

New MPA Report Says Digital Box Office Revenue Was 3x Theatrical in 2021

Theaters are playing 2014 Ukrainian film THE GUIDE to raise money for relief effort

After Two Virtual Years, the SXSW Film Festival Is Happening In Person This Week

Staff Picks:
Drea: BALLET 422
Alonso: DEEP WATER
Brandon: IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

Brandon’s Podcast, Medium Popcorn

Buy Alonso's book - I'll Be Home for Christmas Movies

The Box Office Game

With:

Drea Clark

Alonso Duralde

Brandon Collins

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart

Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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

Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd

With
Kevin Avery
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

>_Reveal Memory Info:   Sociologist and pop culture expert, Dr. Nancy Wang Yuen, is our guest today, as we unspool the many philosophical threads of AFTER YANG.

Plus, a free-for-all movie quiz about One-Named Filmmakers (other than Kogonada)!

What's Good :
Alonso: a good, cold nap
Drea: Milanote
Nancy: an uptick in Asian American film
Ify: new office!

ITIDIC:
Zoe Kravitz was told not to audition for The Dark Knight because she was too “urban”

Disney Not Putting Money Where Its Mouth Is re: Florida’s anti-gay legislation

Renee Zelwegger Studied Law at UCLA During Her Hiatus From Movie stardom

Staff Picks:
Drea: NEVER LET ME GO

Alonso: HESTER STREET

Ify: THE BATMAN

Nancy: DRIVE MY CAR

Read Nancy's piece about AFTER YANG in ELLE

Buy Alonso's book - I'll Be Home for Christmas Movies

***

With:

Ify Nwadiwe

Drea Clark

Alonso Duralde

Nancy Wang Yuen

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart

Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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

Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd

With
Kevin Avery
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

As if being the most watched movie on Netflix in its debut weekend weren't enough, now A MADEA HOMECOMING  (which brings Tyler Perry's famous character out of "retirement" after just three years) has the distinct honor of being discussed by the Maximum Film! gang, plus our esteemed guest, Tre'vell Anderson. 

Plus, an ITIDIC packed with brilliant ideas and a Hotline packed with "warm-and-fuzzy" gay movies.

What's Good :
Alonso: Kyle Buchanan's Blood, Sweat, and Chrome
Drea: A new car
Tre'vell: ABC's Queens 
Ify: Twisted Metal / Anthony Mackie, Bacchus King / Mardi Gras

ITIDIC:
Ukrainian Prime Minister Was the Voice of Ukrainian-Language Paddington

The Newest Star Wars Isn't a Movie or Series, It's a Hotel

A Lohan Homecoming? A Lot of Lindsey is Coming To Netflix

Staff Picks:
Drea: WEST SIDE STORY (2021)
Alonso: DRIVE MY CAR
Ify: FRIDAY
Tre'vell: THE CHEETAH GIRLS

Listen to more Tre'vell on  FANTI 

Buy Alonso's book - I'll Be Home for Christmas Movies

Support our sponsor, Wealthfront! 
Visit wealthfront.com/MAXFILM to start building your wealth, and get your first $5,000 managed for FREE, for life.

With:
Ify Nwadiwe
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Tre'vell Anderson

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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

Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd

With
Kevin Avery
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Melvin Van Peebles' SWEET SWEETBACK'S BAADASSSSS SONG was a monumental moment for Black cinema and a gamechanger for cinema as a whole. Not only are we joined by the great Michael Jai White, whose BLACK DYNAMITE was a direct descendant of SWEETBACK, but his friend Mario Van Peebles (son of Melvin, and star of BAADASSSSS!, which tells the story of the making of today's film) pops in to drop some wisdom on us!

Then, we play a quiz about the celebrity children of celebrity parents.

What's Good :
Alonso: Omsom
Drea: Finishing taxes early
Michael: Division of labor, domestically speaking
Ify: Birthday Trip!

ITIDIC:

Camila Cabello Cinderella Is Winning #OscarsFanFavorite

Channing Tatum Says ‘Magic Mike’ Training Regimen Might Not Be Healthy/Realistic

Staff Picks:
Drea: COFFY
Alonso: THE LIVING END
Michael: THE MACK
Ify: BLACK DYNAMITE

Buy Alonso's book - I'll Be Home for Christmas Movies

With:
Ify Nwadiwe
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Michael Jai White
Mario Van Peebles

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

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

Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or Letterboxd

With
Kevin Avery
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher