Switchblade Sisters

In a spectacular new episode, director Martha Coolidge (Real Genius, Valley Girl, Rambling Rose) joins April to discuss Howard Hawks' The Big Sleep. The two of them dissect the film: the amazing script by Leigh Brackett and William Faulkner, the electric chemistry between Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, and the masterful directing of Howard Hawks. Plus Martha relays some truly remarkable stories from her celebrated career, including the time the producers on one of her movies secretly cast a prostitute in her film. She also talks about discovering Nicolas Cage for Valley Girl, her work as the DGA president, and screening a film for Princess Diana. This episode is a wild one.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Big Sleep

With April Wolfe and Martha Coolidge

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at [email protected] Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

This week director Tamra Davis (Billy Madison, Half Baked, CB4) sits down with April to discuss Paul Feig's The Heat. Tamra takes April through what it's like directing comedies, how she worked with actors Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, and collaborating with comedy writers during a shoot. She also discusses the wonderful experience of directing the uber famous Britney Spears during the filming of Crossroads. April and her dissect Melissa McCarthy's performance in The Heat and her ongoing work with director Paul Feig. Tamra also details what it's like directing action scenes and the collaborative process of making a movie. Plus Inkoo Kang stops by to discuss why people should donate to the MaxFunDrive and Switchblade Sisters.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Heat

With April Wolfe and Tamra Davis

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at [email protected] Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

We've got a huge episode this week. Actress, writer, director Heather Graham sits down with April to talk about the salacious Fatal Attraction. The two of them discuss relating to Glenn Close's character, even though she is technically the villain. Heather elaborates on her experience directing her debut feature, Half Magic. She discusses getting the movie made, the inspiration behind it, and how she decided to include a "vagina empowerment" class in the film. She also dives into her acting career; being directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and David Lynch, working with a ton of men who have been accused of sexual harassment, and finding her desire to direct. Plus, Drea Clark stops by to talk with April about the MaxFunDrive.

You can see Half Magic on all digital platforms.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Fatal Attraction

With April Wolfe and Heather Graham

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at [email protected] Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

This week we have on the phenomenal writer of this year's The Post, Liz Hannah, to talk about Jonathan Demme's classic The Silence of the Lambs. Liz delves into her process and how she became a first time screenwriter with her script for The Post. She discusses the amazing talent of Meryl Streep, the story of Washington Post owner Kay Graham, and what it was like collaborating with Steven Spielberg. Plus, April and her dissect everything that makes The Silence of the Lambsa masterpiece. They discuss Anthony Hopkins performance (he only blinks once in the movie), the amazing craftsmanship of director Jonathan Demme, and the groundbreaking character of Clarice Starling played by Jodie Foster.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Silence of the Lambs on HBO Go.

Also, you can still see The Post in theaters.

With April Wolfe and Liz Hannah

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at [email protected] Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

This week we've got the wonderful director Meera Menon (Farah Goes Bang, Equity, GLOW, Halt and Catch Fire) to discuss Gareth Edwards' Monsters. Meera touches upon how well the film works despite the small budget and how that inspires her to create a monster movie someday. She discusses what it's like to direct using visual effects on The Magicians, and how a lot of it is guess work. Meera also speaks to the difficulties and delights of working with non-actors, the moral obligation of the director, and approaching filmmaking like a journalist.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Monsters.

Also check out Meera's latest film Equity.

With April Wolfe and Meera Menon

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at [email protected] Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

This week we've got the amazing director Lynn Shelton (Humpday, Your Sister's Sister, Laggies) talking about the mostly ignored Michael Winterbottom film, Code 46. Lynn describes the film as the "one of the most romantic films" she's ever seen. April and her dissect the "light futurism" and lack of CGI used in the movie. They discuss the amazing work of Samantha Morton and how her face really carries the emotion of the film. Lynn also talks about her new film Outside In and working with Edie Falco and Jay Duplass. She describes how she went from being an indie filmmaker living in Seattle to working constantly as a TV director for such shows as Mad Men, Fresh Off the Boat, Love, and The New Girl.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Code 46.

Also check out Lynn's newest film Outside In which will be in NY/LA on March 30th and all digital platforms on April 3rd.

With April Wolfe and Lynn Shelton

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at [email protected] Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

You're in for a real freaky treat this week because April talks to 'Who Shot Ya?' regular, producer Drea Clark, about the under appreciated The Witch Who Came from the Sea. The two of them explore the nutty movie about a psychotic barmaid who sexually fantasizes about murdering large men. They discuss how the character remains relatable despite the murders, and how the film actually does a responsible job representing the effects of child abuse. Drea discusses how she approaches projects to produce, the realities of being an indie producer, and what her working relationship with the director is like. She also discusses her most recent film, No Light and No Land Anywhere, and its similarities to The Witch Who Came from the Sea.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Witch Who Came from the Sea.

Also check out Drea's film No Light and No Land Anywhere that comes out on digital platforms (iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, etc.) on March 27.

With April Wolfe and Drea Clark

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at [email protected] Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

"We don't hate you - there's no need for hate now. Or love." Dr. Kibner (Invasion of the Body Snatchers)

Don't be a pod! On this week's episode April welcomes director Leigh Janiak (Honeymoon, Scream: The TV Series) to discuss 1978's Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The two touch upon how Leigh's film, Honeymoon, and Invasion both contemplate the question, "What would you do if the people closest to you were suddenly not themselves?" They discuss the incredible sound design of the film and how it creates a very creepy atmosphere. Leigh elaborates on working on the Scream: TV Series and how she learned to improvise on set. They both agree that Donald Sutherland may not be the typical leading man, but that frock of permed hair is really working for him. Plus, they dive into the famous ending of the film and what it really means to be a human being.

You can watch Leigh's film Honeymoon on Hulu

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

With April Wolfe and Leigh Janiak

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at [email protected] Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

This week April is joined by the phenomenal writer, director, and actor Amber Benson (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) to talk about the cult classic Night of the Comet. The two discuss the wonderful Kelli Maroney as the gun toting cheerleader, Samantha, how the film does a great job of combining horror and comedy, and how it is actually a realistic representation of being a teenager. Amber also dives into how she learned to be a filmmaker directing her first film Chance. She discusses her time on Buffy, her groundbreaking role as Tara, and the joy that comes from working on something important. She also elaborates on the need for female roles to be written with more complexity and for those characters to not be "perfect."

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Night of the Comet.

With April Wolfe and Amber Benson

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at [email protected] Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

This week we have the star of Insidious: The Last Key, the wonderful and vibrant Lin Shaye. She speaks with April about the seminal horror film, The Shining. Lin discusses how it was actually Jack Nicholson who discovered her and cast her in the film that brought her to LA. She also talks about convincing the Farrelly brothers to cast her as the disgusting landlady in King Pin, working with James Wan on Insidious, and how she really is game to play any type of character. April also details the intense production of The Shining, the extreme techniques used to get the desired performance from Shelley Duvall, and the effort that went into the set design. This is a fantastic episode for all those interested in the art of acting.

Check out Lin Shaye in Insidious: The Last Key in theaters now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Shining.

With April Wolfe and Lin Shaye

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at [email protected] Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.