casey o'brien

It’s the end of 2021! Which means that Maximum Film is releasing our year-end Top Ten lists. There isn’t a single unanimous film picked by all three hosts! Lots to discuss and debate in this one. Plus, we hand out our prestigious Maxie Awards, which recognizes excellence in filmmaking from the past year. And, as always, we’ve got ‘Staff Picks.’

Top Ten Lists:
Ify – Luca, Annette, Coda, Dune, Godzilla vs. Kong, F9, Shang-Chi, The Green Knight, Bad Trip
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, (and Red Rocket)

Drea – Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, C’mon C’mon, Petite Maman, Drive My Car, The Lost Daughter, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Pig, The Power of the Dog, Spencer, Zola

Alonso – 10. Swan Song, 9. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, 8. Memoria, 7. Luca, 6. Petite Maman, 5. The Worst Person in the World, 4. Limbo, 3. West Side Story, 2. Parallel Mothers, 1. Licorice Pizza

Staff Picks:
Ify – The Suicide Squad
Drea – Under the Tuscan Sun
Alonso – Limbo

With Ify Nwadiwe, Drea Clark, and Alonso Duralde.

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

Joining us this week is the magnificent actor Bree Elrod. You can see Bree in one of 2021’s best films, ‘Red Rocket.’ But she’s on the show this week to talk about 1973’s ‘Paper Moon’ and the character of Addie Loggins played by Tatum O’Neal. Bree discusses trying to maintain the level of curiosity and openness in her acting that is inhabited by O’Neal’s fresh-faced performance in the film. Bree also talks about working with Sean Baker and what it was like acting with the locals in Texas City in ‘Red Rocket.’ Plus, at the end of the show, Jordan highlights the best horror movies of 2021.

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You can see Red Rocket in theaters now.

With Jordan Crucchiola and Bree Elrod.

HO HO HO! It’s our Christmas episode! And what better type of movie to discuss than a Hallmark Christmas movie. This is why we’re talking about the queer-friendly ‘Every Time a Bell Rings.’ Plus, we have a surprise visit from Santa Claus, who needs help with some future Hallmark movie ideas. And, as always, we’ve got ‘Staff Picks.’

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

Staff Picks:
Ify – The Green Knight
Drea – Love Hard
Alonso – The Dead

With Ify Nwadiwe, Drea Clark, and Alonso Duralde.

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

This week we are joined by the bigger-than-life personality that is the magnificent Eureka. You may know them from ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ or their new show on HBO called ‘We’re Here.’ But they are gracing our show this week to discuss Josie “Grossie” Geller from the classic Drew Barrymore film, ‘Never Been Kissed.’ Eureka discusses how they’ve had to “customize” every aspect of their life – both physically and emotionally – and how they actually find comfort in the discomfort. Plus, they talk about their deep love for Drew Barrymore, and how high school was actually a really lovely time for them. And then at the end of the show, Jordan’s going to talk about ‘The Matrix Resurrections.’

You can watch We’re Here on HBO Max now.

Please consider financially supporting the show HERE

With Jordan Crucchiola and Eureka.

Since we’re smack dab in the middle of the Christmas season, it’s time to get cozy, hang out with friends, and watch some Christmas movies. Which is exactly what we’re doing! We have our old pal on the show, comedian and writer for Troubled Waters, Riley Silverman. And she’s joining us to talk about the new queer Christmas movie, ‘Single All the Way.’ Plus, we have an important update on the upcoming Céline Dion-inspired film, ‘Aline.’ We answer a call on the ‘Hotline’ about non-Christmas movies we watch every year. We’ve got another installment of the ‘Christmas Movie Minute.’ And, as always, we’ve got ‘Staff Picks.’

In news, Drea Clark hangs out with Nicolas Cage and Mike Leigh can’t even get funding from Netflix.

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

Staff Picks:
Ify – Life
Drea – The Novice
Alonso – West Side Story
Riley – Emma.

With Ify Nwadiwe, Drea Clark, Alonso Duralde, and Riley Silverman.

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

This week we are joined by the wonderful actor and producer Molly Quinn. You may know her from her role as the daughter of the titular character of ABC’s hit show ‘Castle,’ Alexis Castle. Or you may know her from her new movie, the latest entry in the beloved “nun horror” genre, ‘Agnes.’ But on this very show she is going to talk about a character that has inspired her and made her “feel seen” – and that is Clarice Starling from 1991’s ‘The Silence of the Lambs.’ Molly discusses how she and Clarice both have to work harder to take up a bigger “space” than their bodies physically can. She also elaborates on her traumatic past and how that influenced her love of horror. Plus, at the end of the show, Jordan talks about ‘Benedetta,’ ‘The Last Duel,’ and the joy of being surprised at the movies.

You can see Agnes in theaters and on VOD now.

Please consider financially supporting the show HERE

With Jordan Crucchiola and Molly Quinn.

That’s right, we’re talking about the Simon Rex vehicle ‘Red Rocket.’ We also answer a call from our hotline regarding “cozy movies.” We have another ‘Christmas Movie Minute.’ And, as always, we’ve got ‘Staff Picks.’

In news, a new study says people aren’t going back to the theaters and the shitty The Daily Wire is making a (probably) shitty movie.

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

Staff Picks:
Ify – Scary Movie 3
Drea – The Power of the Dog
Alonso – Starlet

With Ify Nwadiwe, Drea Clark, and Alonso Duralde.

This episode was edited by Christian Dueñas

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

The creative force behind the documentary ‘The Problem with Apu,’ comedian Hari Kondabolu, is on the show this week. Hari discusses a composite of media in which he saw parts of himself in growing up, but never the full picture. Here are just a few of the titles mentioned – Harold & Kumar, Office Space, the comedian Stewart Lee, and the BBC show Goodness Gracious Me. But that only scratches the surface. Plus, at the end of the program, Jordan elaborates on the need for better video game movies like ‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.’

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If you haven’t seen The Problem with Apu – it’s phenomenal!

With Jordan Crucchiola and Hari Kondabolu.

YEAH BABY YEAH! We’re traveling back to the “Swinging Sixties” to talk about ‘Last Night in Soho.’ We also discuss the career of Edgar Wright and compare this film to the others in his oeuvre. We answer a question on our ‘Hotline’ regarding movies that made us uncomfortable while watching. We’ve got another edition of the ‘Christmas Movie Minute.’ And, as always, we’ve got ‘Staff Picks.’

In news, Adam McKay discusses his break with Will Ferrell, there’s going to be a new ‘Magic Mike,’ and a lot of people are talking about ‘House of Gucci.’

Maximum Film is sponsored by Lumi Labs – use “MAXFILM” for 30% off anything on microdosegummies.com.

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

Staff Picks:
Ify – Split
Drea – Flee
Alonso – Scrooge

With Ify Nwadiwe, Drea Clark, and Alonso Duralde.

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

This week we are joined by IndieWire’s TV editor Kristen Lopez to discuss the “millennial classic,” ‘My Girl.’ Specifically, she’s here to talk about the Anna Chlumsky character of Vada Sultenfuss and the effect that she had on Kristen’s life. Kristen also talks about growing up disabled and how that influenced how she related to characters in film. Plus, at the end of the program, Jordan talks about how ‘Spencer’ beautifully portrays a type of love not often committed to film.

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If you haven’t seen My Girl – get ready to cry

With Jordan Crucchiola and Kristen Lopez.

It’s our Thanksgiving episode! And one of the things that we’re thankful for is that ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ is finally on Disney Plus, which is why we’re talking about it this week. We’re also thankful for our incredible guest, the host of ‘Yo, Is This Racist?’, Andrew Ti. Since it’s that time of year we also discuss the Max Film ‘Turkeys of the Year.’ We’ve got another installment of the ‘Christmas Movie Minute.’ And, as always, we’ve got ‘Staff Picks.’

Maximum Film is sponsored by BetterHelp and Maximum Film listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/MAXFILM.

Maximum Film is sponsored by Lumi Labs – use “MAXFILM” for 30% off anything on microdosegummies.com.

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

Staff Picks:
Drea – Drive My Car
Alonso – Licorice Pizza
Andrew – Chan Is Missing

With Drea Clark, Alonso Duralde, and Andrew Ti.

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

This week’s show could be titled “A Very Special Episode.” We actually have the wonderful Susan Orlean on to talk about watching Meryl Streep her in the movie ‘Adaptation.’ She takes Jordan through the process of discovering that she was going to be a character in the movie. But she also reveals the realizations she made about her own ill-fated marriage while watching the film on the big screen. Plus, in ‘One Quick Thing Before I Go,’ Jordan discusses the new ‘Lord of the Flies’-inspired show ‘Yellowjackets’ and why it has become her personality.

Purchase Susan’s new book On Animals

Please consider financially supporting the show HERE

If you haven’t seen Adaptation – get to it!

With Jordan Crucchiola and Susan Orlean.

We have a dang delight for a guest this week. We are joined by the self-proclaimed “artist, educator, and instigator” Nayland Blake to discuss Rebecca Hall’s directorial debut, ‘Passing.’ Drea also suggests that Alonso and his husband Dave dress up as “Turkey Pugsley” from ‘Addams Family Values’ in honor of Thanksgiving. Plus, we have another installment of the ‘Christmas Movie Minute.’ And, as always, we’ve got ‘Staff Picks.’

In news, M*l G*bson is back to direct ‘Lethal Weapon 5’, the dialect coach for ‘House of Gucci’ is critical of Lady Gaga’s accent work, and Lindsay Lohan is set to star in a Netflix Christmas movie.

Maximum Film is supported in part by MasterClass. This holiday, give one annual membership and get one free! Go to masterclass.com/maxfilm today.

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

Staff Picks:
Alonso – My Name Is Pauli Murray
Drea – C’mon C’mon
Nayland – Passing Strange

With Alonso Duralde, Drea Clark, and Nayland Blake.

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

This week we are joined by the beloved host of Maximum Fun’s movie podcast, Maximum Film – comedian, writer, and actor Ify Nwadiwe. He’s on the program to talk about 2015’s ‘Dope.’ And specifically, he’s here to talk about how he saw himself in the South Central-raised, Nigerian American character Malcolm; all characteristics that also apply to Ify. Plus, Jordan discusses the new ‘Chucky’ and ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ series as positive examples of reviving legacy horror properties in her segment ‘One Quick Thing Before I Go.’

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If you haven’t seen Dope – get to it!

With Jordan Crucchiola and Ify Nwadiwe.

YEEHAW! It’s Western week ’round these parts! That’s why we’re discussing the new film ‘The Harder They Fall.’ And we are joined by a real scholar of the Western genre, the writer and director of such films as ‘The Ballad of Lefty Brown’ and ‘Dead Man’s Burden,’ Jared Moshe. Plus, we hear from our friend Jordan Crucchiola about her new Maximum Fun movie podcast, Feeling Seen. We’ve got another installment of the ‘Christmas Zaddy Christmas Movie Minute.’ And, as always, we’ve got ‘Staff Picks.’

In news, Vin Diesel sort of extends an olive branch to The Rock, Patty Jenkins’ ‘Rogue Squadron’ is delayed indefinitely, and the Foo Fighters are making a movie.

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

Staff Picks:
Ify – Hell or High Water
Drea – The Quick And The Dead
Alonso – Slow West
Jared – Buck and the Preacher

This episode was edited by Christian Dueñas

With Ify Nwadiwe, Drea Clark, Alonso Duralde, and Jared Moshe.

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

It is the inaugural episode of the Feeling Seen podcast, and we’re starting things off with a BANG. We have writer and podcaster Emily St. James (Vox, The A.V. Club, Arden Podcast) on to talk about seeing herself in the character of Dani from Ari Aster’s ‘Midsommar.’ She discusses how Florence Pugh’s character finds community within a circle of women, and how that touched Emily as she was on her journey of coming out as trans. Plus, Emily writes a little fan fiction about Dani’s character after the events of ‘Midsommar.’ And in the final segment ‘One Quick Thing Before I Go,’ Jordan discusses what does and does not qualify as “Girl-Boss Action Cinema.”

Check out Emily’s work over at Vox

And if you haven’t seen Midsommar – get to it!

With Jordan Crucchiola and Emily St. James

It’s ‘Dune’ week here at Maximum Film, and we inhaled this movie like some sort of addictive spice. We tackle the most scintillating topics in this film, like the sexual chemistry between mother and son Rebecca Ferguson and Timothée Chalamet. Plus, we have another installment of the ‘Christmas Movie Minute.’ And, as always, we’ve got ‘Staff Picks.’

In news, Ice Cube exits his latest film because he doesn’t want to get vaccinated, A24 is streaming their new docu-series ‘The Beach’ on a continuous loop, and Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ is not getting the best reviews.

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

Staff Picks:
Ify – Ex Machina
Drea – Spencer
Alonso – David Lynch’s Dune

With Ify Nwadiwe, Drea Clark, and Alonso Duralde.

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

It’s the final week of our Queer Horror Month and we’re going out with a bang. Our good friend Jordan Crucchiola joins us to talk about the homoerotic classic, ‘Interview With The Vampire.’ We discuss how this movie takes a lot of cues from queer cinema but never goes far enough to make an actual statement. We have another edition of the ‘Hall of Excellence’ where we induct “Cinema’s Hottest Vampire.” And, at long last, it is the return of the ‘Christmas Zaddy Christmas Movie Minute.’

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

Staff Picks:
Ify – Underworld
Drea – The Souvenir: Part II
Alonso – The Company of Wolves
Jordan – The Voyeurs

With Ify Nwadiwe, Drea Clark, Alonso Duralde, and Jordan Crucchiola

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

It’s the third week of our Queer Horror month and we are gabbing it up about 2014’s ‘Lyle.’ Some have described this film as the “Lesbian Rosemary’s Baby.” But we explore why that is a reductive assertion. And joining us on the show is the wonderful comedy writer Monica Vasandani. She is a mother herself and she sheds some light on the nuances of parenthood presented in the film. Plus, we take a quiz on “horrified movie mothers.” And, as always, we’ve got ‘Staff Picks.’

In news, the problem with Netflix and James Gunn pitches a cannibalistic Gilligan’s Island movie.

This podcast is sponsored by Story Blocks. Explore their library and subscribe today at storyblocks.com/MAXFILM

Staff Picks:
Ify – The Laundromat Off Malibu
Drea – The Velvet Underground
Alonso – Women Who Kill
Monica – Bound

With Ify Nwadiwe, Drea Clark, Alonso Duralde, and Monica Vasandani

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher

In honor of the Max Fun Block Party, ‘Maximum Film!’ is joining forces with those silly boys of ‘My Brother, My Brother and Me’ to talk about the best and worst advice we’ve gathered from movies. Important topics discussed include: having sex with pastries, how to spot a Joe Pesci, and the staff not featured in ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ Plus, there’s almost a knife fight for some reason.

Make sure to check out our pals My Brother, My Brother and Me.

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With
Drea Clark
Alonso Duralde
Ify Nwadiwe

Produced by Marissa Flaxbart
Sr. Producer Laura Swisher