Published by MaximumFun.org
A movie podcast that isn't just a bunch of straight white dudes. Comedian Kevin Avery is joined by film producer Drea Clark and film critic Alonso Duralde for a fast, funny, flight through film. Maximum Film! is news, reviews and in-depth insight, beamed directly into your ears every week.
Listen on Apple Podcasts1 hr 6 min
Hey, you! Be a buddy and take our listener survey! It'll help us keep the show great and maybe even...make it better?! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! - Producer Marissa and the MaxFilm Gang *** Is it possible for a sports comedy to fit the formula, but still break the mold? Josh Greenbaum, director of Barb and Starr Go to Vista Del Mar, takes a whack at it with THE DINK , starring Jake Johnson and Mary Steenburgen. It's streaming now on AppleTV. And we have comedian (and yes, pickleball enthusiast) Jaron Myers with us to discuss! Then we get some pitches together for thoroughly modern movies that wouldn't have made sense a few years (or decades) ago. What's Good? Alonso - Severin Films’ Disco Italiana box set Drea - Bob the Drag Queen recapping Love Island on YouTube Jaron - Big Brother 24-Hour Feed recap podcasts Kevin - SDCC ‘26 ( check out Minister FarraComic-Con ) ITIDIC Sony, Alamo Drafthouse, to Reopen Cinerama Dome/Arclight at Long Last Comic-Con 2026 – Hits and Misses Paramount/WB Merger Paused Until June 2027, Or Court Ruling Staff Picks Drea: Mustache Alonso: Family Plot Jaron: Heavyweights Kevin: Paper Lion PS: Get PHYSICAL MEDIA merch at MaxFunStore.com ! 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
1 hr 5 min
Everybody's talking about Christopher Nolan's latest film...and so are we! We've got Eurovangelists co-host Dimitry Pompée with us to discuss the first movie ever shot in 70mm IMAX film, adapted from one of history's oldest and most famous works of literature...it's THE ODYSSEY! Then we'll talk about some of the books we read in high-school that have been (or should be) adapted for the big screen. What's Good? Alonso: vegetables that don't give you explosive diarrhea Drea: Blue Diamond Dill Pickle Nut-Thins Dimitry: The Ottoman Empire ( Rise of Empires: Ottoman on Netflix) Kevin: the Other Mommy trailer ITIDIC Hollywood Deems the Box Office “Back” – Big Time A Rotoscoped TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE is in production The Odyssey / We Bought a Zoo meme A Letterboxd List: High-School Reads Staff Picks Alonso: The Good House Drea: The Return Dimitry: Polite Society Kevin: The Long Walk and other great movies to fall asleep to, if you're Kevin Listen to Eurovangelists ! 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
1 hr 8 min
As a MaxFunDrive milestone goal, we set the challenge that if we got enough new/upgrading/joining supporters of Maximum Film!, one of those folks would get to pick a movie for us to do an episode on. Well, thanks to supporters like Molly, we hit that goal, and this episode is the result: PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (one of Molly's faves) is a 1974 rock musical fantasmagoria from early in writer/director Brian DePalma's career. It's box-office flop-turned cult classic. And it is heavily reliant on the dubious cultural power of songwriter and actor Paul Williams. As if this episode needed to be MORE special, we also mark the mid-year by naming some of our favorite films of the year so far. What's Good? Alonso - oh, let's call it "current events" Drea - fixing her own portable AC unit Marissa - Paramount+ (sorry) has a 90s sitcom "live" channel Kevin - reading Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow ITIDIC GLAAD Study Shows Drop in LGBTQ Characters in FIlm A Look Back at the Pop Culture of 1974… Staff Picks Drea - Horsegirls Alonso - Ishtar Marissa - Tommy Kevin - River [Rib â , nagarenaide yo] Kevin at Comic-Con: Malcolm & Friends Panel: Thursday, 12:30pm, Room 6A The Pitching Hour: Friday, 12pm, Room 32AB 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
59 min
Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Amber Sealey joins us to discuss the new marriage dramedy from Olivia Wilde, which premiered at Sundance and is now opening across the country. Costarring Wilde, Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penelope Cruz, it provokes laughs, anger, rug envy, and that perennial question: are the straights okay? Then we discuss our favorite films that are set in a single location! What’s Good Alonso - Christian Marclay’s The Clock returns to LACMA ; Spain in World Cup quarterfinals Drea - Emily Wilson’s translation of THE ODYSSEY Amber - potpourri basket of hippie gum; Skylight Books opening an Eagle Rock location Kevin - young love drama before Shrek at Cinespia ITIDIC Alamo Drafthouse to Begin Screening Unsold Festival Darlings Universal Opts to Skip “Influencer Screenings” for THE ODYSSEY Staff Picks Alonso - Splitsville Drea - Widow’s Bay (because An Unmarried Woman and The Heartbreak Kid aren’t streaming) Amber - Such Brave Girls Kevin - The Invitation 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
1 hr 2 min
It’s neither a bird, nor a plane, nor Superman. It’s Supergirl , the newest film from James Gunn’s DC that has some folks talking, but probably not as many as Warner Bros. would like. We’ve got LA Times film critic, Unspooled co-host, and friend of the show Amy Nicholson along to talk about the stellar highs and dank cave lows, plus we name some of our favorite superhero movie acting performances. What’s Good Alonso - binging THE BOYS Drea - watching an accidentally funny moment on repeat in the film Jefferson in Pari s for the Supporting Actresses podcast Amy - watching The World Cup (and YouTube videos of dog agility competitions) Kevin - digging through original Backrooms videos, and other short films ( Alone Time , The Hole ) ITIDIC 'Michael’ Becomes the Highest-Grossing Biopic Ever Netflix Announces Weird Willy Wonka Project Staff Picks Drea - True Grit Alonso - Minions & Monsters Amy - Buffet Infinity Kevin - Aline 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
1 hr 4 min
LEVITICUS is the new Australian horror movie that turns (already quite frightening) gay conversion rituals into something even more haunting. And with us to unpack it is our friend Justin Kirkland, who just happens to have a new podcast exploring (with good humor!) how the Bible has been yielded as a weapon. Then we imagine some classic romances with a devilish twist. What's Good? Alonso - UDM14.com Drea - Bentonville Film Festival 2026! Justin - Launch of This is Not a Weapon podcast Kevin - life-changing coasters ITIDIC AmazonMGM Bails on Guadagnino’s Almost-Complete Sam Altman Movie Madonna Says Her Biopic was Scrapped at Universal Over Budget Staff Picks Alonso - The Boys in the Band (1970) ( in new 4K UHD !) Drea - Color Book and Maddie's Secret Justin - The Birdcage Kevin - Invaders from Mars (1953) 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
1 hr 9 min
Steven Spielberg's new film may be about conspiracies, coverups, and car chases, but it all hinges around the concept of journalism you can trust...so who better to join us than our favorite trusted journalist (and movie podcaster, with UNCLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER ), NYT columnist Jamelle Bouie ! We put DISCLOSURE DAY under the microscope, then talk about some directors whose filmographies reveal hidden secrets. What's Good? Alonso - chicken soup Drea - Lawrence, KS welcoming Algeria for the World Cup Jamelle - making your own stock Kevin - Guy Branum's My Life as a Goddess ITIDIC AMC Postpones Concert Simulcast Plan to Make More Room for…Movies Sean Penn Directing a Jan 6 Movie Starring Bradley Cooper (maybe?) SUPERGIRL’s Cape Uses Fabric from Original Reeve Superman Cape Staff Picks Drea - The Furious Alonso - Jewel's Catch One Jamelle - George Wallace (1997) Kevin - September 5 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
1 hr 1 min
A dreamy two-piece love story about two men, one a soldier and the other a country boy. Or is three men? Or four? Also there's a tiger. We watch 2004's Tropical Malady from Apichatpong Weerasethakul, director of the 2010 Palme d'Or winner, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives . He goes by Joe in the Western world which is too bad. What’s Good Drea - The exact day to plant tomatoes so perfect, you can eat them like the fruits they are Alonso- The releases of wonderful queer films Leviticus , Maddie's Secret , She's the He , Girls Like Girls , all unfortunately dropping on the same day Kevin - No more wasps or bees! Harry - The Spiritual Journey of Alexander Jodorowsky book Silas - Qween Jean wins (a Tony), Spencer Pratt loses (the LA mayoral race) ITIDIC The Academy is creating the " Academy Marquee Theater List ", an annual list of the 25 best US and 25 best international cinemas Bad Bunny will voice "Pizza with Sunglasses" in Toy Story 5 Staff Picks Alonso - I Shot Andy Warhol Drea - Mulholland Drive Kevin - Reservoir Dogs Harry - Stalker (1979), Jubilee (1978) Silas - I Saw the TV Glow 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
1 hr 9 min
Just a well-intentioned bounty hunter and his magic green baby, zooming through the galaxy: you guessed it, we're talking THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU. We've got Danielle Radford (of MaxFun's TIGHTS & FIGHTS, Dropout, and more) along with us this episode to talk about the newest thing from the Star Wars universe, and whether being deeply invested in the lore is a benefit or a drawback to enjoying the film. Then we'll take a hotline question about Dad Movies! What’s Good Drea - Lake of the Isles Pencil Sharpening Party Danielle - get a hobby (like DIY press-on nails) Kevin - inside scoop on the La La Land/Moonlight Oscars snafu (as told in Oscar Wars) ITIDIC Paddington 4 Will be Written by Armando Iannucci Mark Duplass and Other Big Names Defend BACKROOMS’s Young Director Staff Picks Drea - Carolina Caroline Danielle - Drumline (and the Waterworld Stunt Show at Universal Studios) Kevin - Backrooms 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
57 min
It’s been 8 long years since Boots Riley’s directorial debut ( Sorry to Bother You ) surprised and delighted moviegoers. Does his follow-up deliver on color, comedy, and chaos? We’ve got Black People Love Paramore’ s Ryann Graham with us to discuss I Love Boosters . Then, we talk about how some of the sci-fi tech from this film might be deployed in other movies! What’s Good Alonso - Getting things “Christmas” (both red and green chile) in Albuquerque Drea - Baked Ruffles Ryann - El Pollo Loco Kevin - mystery sauce saga ITIDIC Team Behind “Americana at Brand Memes” Writing Heist Comedy 2 Previously Unseeable Documentaries Are Getting a Chance to Be Seen: Spacewoman and Boorman & the Devil Staff Picks Drea - Dead Pigs Alonso - Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (Upcoming Cinematographe release) Ryann - Obsession Kevin - Legally Blonde This episode edited by Gabe Mara 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
1 hr 9 min
Part revenge thriller, part Greek tragedy, and fully its own thing, Aleshea Harris’s directorial debut is an adaptation of her own award-winning Off-Broadway show. We have Geek Girl Riot’s Sherin Nicole with us to talk about all the twists, turns, and treacheries. Then we have a fun quiz about “twin” movies. What’s Good? Alonso - Farmers markets (even for non-chefs) Drea - Richard Osman’s House of Games Sherin - nephew’s elementary school graduation Kevin - the gasman came by… ITIDIC Sweeney/Seyfried Thriller The Housemaid Is Headed to the Stage Discourse Around American Accents in Nolan’s The Odyssey Trailer Staff Picks Alonso - The Addiction of Hope Drea - Mile End Kicks Sherin - Nine Days Kevin - Obsession Listen to Sherin’s show Geek Girl Riot 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
1 hr 1 min
If you didn’t have “Hugh Jackman/CGI Talking sheep murder mystery” down as a lock to be both a critical hit and a box office success, you’d be forgiven. Does it help or hurt to know that it’s director did all the MINIONS movies and it’s screenwriter did both THE HANGOVER and HBO’s CHERNOBYL? We get into all of that, plus our favorite moments in talking animal moviedom! What’s Good Alonso - Tacolate at Salt and Straw Drea - roasted edamame Kevin - cleaning up the office for real this time ITIDIC AMC Reports Box Office Recovery?!? Cannes 2026 Begins Staff Picks Drea - now available to rent: Project Hail Mary , You, Me, & Tuscany , The Christophers Alonso - Blue Film Kevin - Theater Camp 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
1 hr 4 min
What’s RUNWAY like in 2026? THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 takes that question pretty seriously. We’ve got film critic (and former 2000s-era abused NYC assistant) Katie Walsh with us to talk about the fashion, the journalism, the nostalgia, and the cerulean of it all. What’s Good Alonso - Family Movie Night Menus by Leonard and Jessie Maltin Drea - mom volunteering with for movie causes Katie - Hudson Williams (and Connor Storrie) at the Met Gala Kevin - The Traitors UK (and The Celebrity Traitors UK S2 casting ) ITIDIC The Academy Has Banned AI from Winning Oscars for Acting/Writing Netflix Sets Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Film for Wide Release, Long Theatrical Window Staff Picks Alonso - Into the Woods Drea - Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come Katie - Tuner Kevin - All About Eve This episode was edited by Gabe Mara. 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
1 hr 17 min
MaxFunDrive is almost over! Don’t wait – ensure the future of this show at MaximumFun.org/joinmaxfilm Jaafar Jackson (son of Jermaine) dances his slouch-socked feet off in Antoine Fuqua’s new Michael Jackson biopic. And we have no less a personage than Tre’vell Anderson here to help us figure out how to feel about what was left in and what was left out. Then we’ll talk about some biopics that really work for us. What’s Good Alonso - Hitchcockian Thrillers by Stephen Rebello Drea - costumed bar crawl Tre’vell - grand opening of Maroon in Las Vegas Kevin - Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears by Michael Schulman ITIDIC 20% of Netflix Watch Hours are Book Adaptations…and the Bump Goes Both Ways VHS Has Made a Comeback, and LA is the Epicenter Staff Picks Drea - All That Jazz Alonso - Hokum Tre’vell - Hidden Figures Kevin - Apollo 13 This episode was edited by Gabe Mara. 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
33 min
Support great shows like this one! Er, these TWO! Head to maximumfun.org/join right now to pledge your allegiance. And THANK YOU! Drea made a guest appearance on John Moe's SLEEPING WITH CELEBRITIES and we're dropping it for you in this feed as a special #MaxFunDrive treat. Drea Clark, one of the hosts of the popular and important Maximum Film! podcast has a theory: all middle-aged Guys think about the Roman Empire but from there, the Guys separate into Bigfoot Guys and Alien Guys. Sure, there are anomalies but you can mostly separate guys into those groups. Our host, John Moe, Bigfoot Guy, gets Drea’s opinion on where Rock History Guys, Computer Guys, and other Guys sort out into the Bigfoot and Aliens camps. Is it an airtight taxonomic argument? Not really. Is it an intriguing enough argument to let you conk out? Oh yes. It’s MaxFunDrive ! Become a Max Fun member and supporter of Sleeping with Celebrities by going to the link: www.MaximumFun.org/joinsleeping . Support Drea and our other friends at Maximum Film! by going to www.MaximumFun.org/joinmaxfilm . That will take you to our one stop portals for becoming a $5 a month member. To explore other membership options as well as our wonderful gifts (our delightful Sleepyhead keychain!), go to www.MaximumFun.org/join . 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
7 min
Head to MaximumFun.org/join by May 1, 2026! Just interested in supporting Maximum Film! ? Do not pass Go: Go directly to MaximumFun.org/joinmaxfilm Here's a teaser of our first MAXIMUM SIDEBAR! episode! Drea, Alonso, and Kevin each brought something to discuss in the areas of food, self care, technology. Members get to hear it all, plus so much more BoCo (that's short for bonus content, folks). 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
1 hr 6 min
It’s MaxFunDrive! We need your support, and want you in our club! Head to MaximumFun.org/join to become a member or increase your pledge. And THANK YOU! David Lowery’s is back in his ethereal bag (or is it a dress? defo there's a ghost though...right?) with MOTHER MARY, a look at art, soul, collaboration, and self, through the relationship of a mega popstar and her once-and-future fashion queen. Then, we do a movie quiz about pop star cinema! What’s Good Alonso - Pop Tarts Super-Stuffed Drea - MTV Rewind Kevin - LA Times Festival of Books ITIDIC Gen Z Going to the Movies CinemaCon Recap Staff Picks Alonso - The Serpent’s Skin Drea - Phantom Thread Kevin - The Five Heartbeats 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
46 min
It's MaxFunDrive. And here, for the first time, we give you an exclusive look (well, listen) at the craft of podcasting: presenting Casters on Casters . For MaxFilm! listeners, we're kicking off the MaxFunDrive with a DOUBLE FEATURE of Casters on Casters . Both Alonso Duralde and Drea Clark participated in two separate recordings of this incredibly important podcasting event. The first episode you'll hear features Alonso chatting with Ben Blacker ( Dead Pilots Society ) and Hal Lublin ( Tights and Fights & We Got This with Mark and Hal ). In the second episode, the Queen of the Midwest chats with Ella Hubber ( Let's Learn Everything! ) and Allan McLeod ( Walkin' About ). In other words, we're bringing you six different podcasting perspectives in one big super episode. You'll hear name dropping, podcast origin stories, ruminations on the art form, listener contributions to the show and what makes Maximum Fun a great place to have a show. All this, and more! If this glamorous, in-depth journey into what makes your favorite hosts tick inspires you, support them by joining as a member at maximumfun.org/join . Produced by Laura Swisher for Maximum Fun. 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
56 min
A rom-com is going to rom-com, but YOU, ME, & TUSCANY is actually doing at least one thing that feels pretty unique. We talk about this new movie from Kat Coiro and producer Will Packer (starring Halle Bailey & Regé-Jean Page) with All the Feels podcast’s Dory Benford. What’s Good Drea - friends coming by and doing helpful stuff Dory - Easter candy Alonso - chocolate pound cake ITIDIC Over 1000 Big Hollywood Names Sign Letter Opposing Paramount/WB Merger Elaine May’s MIKEY & NICKY to get 50th Anniversary Theatrical Rerelease Mario Bros. Sequel Sets Record…for Smallest Popcorn Bucket Staff Picks Drea - French Kiss & Only You Dory - Bull Durham Alonso - Yes This episode was edited by Gabe Mara. 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
56 min
What’s the drama behind director Kristoffer Borgli’s new film, THE DRAMA? And, unlike Mary J. Blige, do we want said drama? We unpack all that with film critic Ariel LeBeau , and then talk about some movies that were secretly darker than advertised. What’s Good Alonso - Flossing first Drea - Artemis II Ariel - soft boiled eggs for breakfast (6m) Kevin - rediscovering Billy Joel ITIDIC Writers Guild Reaches Tentative 4-Year Deal with Studios “It’s Not Your Imagination: Movies ARE Getting Longer” Staff Picks Alonso - Marc by Sofia Drea - The Christophers Ariel - Dogfight Kevin - One Hour Photo this episode edited by Gabe Mara 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