It’s getting spooky (and even a little sad) in the world of Branagh Poirot, but don’t worry it’s still cozy! Cozier than ever, perhaps. We’ve got Gillian Walters, Poirot fan and arbitress of all things cozy (which is the name of her podcast), here to help us tell you all about this mystery movie with as few spoilers as possible.What’s Good Alonso - Historically Black PhrasesGillian - Morro Bay’s seaweed-wrapped sea ottersDrea - Free COVID tests are backITIDICWGA and Studios Reach a Tentative DealAmazon is Pivoting to an Ad-Supported Model60% of Stop Making Sense’s IMAX Opening Weekend was Under 35Staff PicksAlonso - Invisible BeautyGillian - You Are So Not Invited to My Bat MitzvahDrea - Juan of the DeadLeave a message for the Hotline!With:Drea ClarkAlonso DuraldeGillian WaltersIfy NwadiweProducer Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Episode 317: 'A Haunting in Venice' with Gillian Walters

A new film directed by Roger Ross Williams tells the true story of luchador Saúl Armendáriz, who was determined to fight and win on his own terms as Cassandro…and made (gay) history in the process. Then, we’ll take a look at some other documentary-to-drama story arcs.What’s GoodAlonso - Ava DuVernay’s “Lights, Caramel, Action”Drea - “Body’s choice” weekend in Palm SpringsIfy - Talking Heads Q&AITIDICThe Union Solidarity Coalition Put on a Quirky Auction to Support Film Crew WorkersA Wave of Latino Biopics is widening the scope on whose stories get told for posterityRegal Has Reportedly Discontinued Its Infamous “Movie Quotes” Pre-RollStaff PicksAlonso - Bad EducationDrea - No One Will Save You, Life AnimatedIfy - Le SamouraïLeave a message for the Hotline!With:Ify NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProducer Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Episode 316: 'Cassandro' Changes the Rules

What’s GoodAlonso - the existence of Hallmark’s Notes of AutumnDrea - library card sign up monthKahea - night walks/Rick Rubin’s bookIfy - football stuff, The Challenge, new paints for tiny boys…and oh, BeyonceITIDICOver 200 Filmmakers and Actors Signed a Letter Asking TIFF to Drop RBC SponsorNB: This story was updated after recording with even more actors signing on- Kahea mentions Yea! ImpactThe Writers Guild Says It’s Open to Making Deals with Individual StudiosScarecrow Video Launches Updated Rent-By-Mail WebsiteStaff PicksAlonso and Drea - ScrapperKahea - The Faculty (and High School Horror on Criterion Channel)Ify - Stop Making SenseLeave a message for the Hotline!With:Ify NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeKahea KiwahaProducer Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Episode 315: 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe' with Kahea Kiwaha

What’s GoodAlonso - Bellota BellotaDrea - Romantic Comedy by Curtis SittenfeldBrandy - Video Patreon FeedJulie - new kitten (getting his nails trimmed)Ify - weekend trip, painting tiny boysITIDICTaylor Swift’s Studio-Free Surprise Concert FilmAlonso is Back From Venice! Festival Recap in a strange year…Staff PicksDrea - You Are So Not Invited to My Bat MitzvahAlonso - Strange WorldBrandy - ProofJulie - Nacho LibreIfy - Harlan County USADumb Gay PodcastLeave a message for the Hotline!With:Ify NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeJulie GoldmanBrandy HowardProducer Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher 

Episode 314: 'Bottoms' with Julie Goldman and Brandy Howard

What’s GoodAlonso - Ben & Jerry’s Gimme S’more Drea - Inkoo Kang’s Newsletter, This Was CoolCarlos - Return to the dry heat of LAIfy - Aunts in town and cookingITIDICDUNE 2 Pushed to 2024Los Angeles Is Having an Art House Moment8.5 Million People Went to Theaters on National Cinema DayCarlos’s LA Times Piece about Blue Beetle’s cultural referencesStaff PicksDrea - Our Father the DevilCarlos - King CoalAlonso - PassagesIfy - Deep CoverThanks to our sponsor, Factor Meals!Go to FactorMeals.com/MaxFilm50 and use code MAXFILM50 to get 50% off your order!WithIfy NwadiweAlonso DuraldeDrea ClarkCarlos AguilarProducer Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Episode 313: 'Blue Beetle' with Carlos Aguilar

From Sundance 2023 to an arthouse screen near you, MUTT is the first feature from director Vuk Lungulov-Klotz. Starring Lío Mehiel as Feña, it tells the story of a young trans guy who is having a pretty stressful day navigating surprises from his ex, his little sister, his father, and the city at large.We discuss the film, and the nominate Best One-Day Movies to the Hall of Excellence(Vote on our Facebook page)What’s GoodAlonso - Billy Bragg, Rich Men Earning North of a MillionDrea - Family vacation and family photos Ify - Basement survived the hurriquakeITIDICWGA Antitrust Report Calls Disney, Amazon, Netflix “The New Gatekeepers”Cherokee Nation Launches “Cherokee Film” bannerNational Cinema Day is Returning This Year (but the cost is going up)Staff PicksDrea - The Quiet GirlAlonso - Casa SusannaIfy - Blue BeetleWith:Ify NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Episode 312:  We Don't Think 'Mutt' is an Asshole

This week, we’re talking about a very special book-to-film adaptation: Red, White & Royal Blue. Our guest is the charming Traci Thomas of The Stacks podcast! *Just a quick disclaimer to our listeners, we had some audio troubles during this week’s episode. What’s GoodAlonso -  Keith Haring: Art is For Everybody at The Broad Traci - Trader Joe’s Root Beer Float Bars Ify - Public Libraries ITIDICTwo LGBTQ films were slapped with R and NC-17 ratings. Critics say queer sex scenes are treated differently.  Tyrese Gibson Is Suing The Home Depot For Alleged ‘Humiliating and Demeaning’ IncidentLatino Organizations Unite in Support for ‘Blue Beetle’ During Hollywood StrikesStaff Picks Alonso - Blue Beetle (out in theaters on August 18th) Traci - The Deepest BreathIfy - The First Slam Dunk (also available at select theaters now) Check out the latest episode of Traci’s podcast The Stacks: You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke EmeziIt’s also available to stream on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast and StitcherThe Stacks is also on tour! You can catch tickets here: http://liveinthestackstour.showit.site/

Episode 311: 'Red, White & Royal Blue' with Traci Thomas

We’re finally completing our Barbenheimer review experience by talking about Oppenheimer with the lovely Tom Lum of Let’s Learn Everything! What’s GoodAlonso -  Only Murders In The Building (Season 3)Drea - Midwest Vacay Tom - Carly Rae Jepsen Ify - Dr. Pepper Strawberries and Cream Strawberry Soda ITIDICAn AI Program Imagined Barbies From Around the World and Wouldn’t You Know It, They Turned Out Super RacistSAG-AFTRA, WGA Strikes Are Trying To Topple A Broken IndustryHollywood Food Insecurity Spikes Amid StrikesStaff PicksAlonso - Grave of the FirefliesDrea - AporiaTom - Barefoot GenIfy - SicarioCheck out the latest episode of Tom’s podcast Let’s Learn Everything!: Episode 44: Katie Goldin & Alex Schmidt, Space Birds, and the Bison Emoji 🦬With:Ify NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeTom LumProduced by Marissa FlaxbartProduced by Bryanna PazSr. Producer  Laura Swisher

Episode 310: 'Oppenheimer' with Tom Lum

What’s GoodAlonso - Heartstoppers S2Dave - Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American GladiatorsIfy - Diablo 4: Season of the MalignantITIDICRemembering Paul ReubensBradley Cooper is Skipping the Venice Premiere of MAESTRO in SAG-AFTRA SolidarityStunt Performers and Actors Working to End “Paintdowns” and “Wiggings” Post-StrikeStaff PicksDave - Fresh (1994)Alonso - I Am SomebodyIfy - NimonaVideo Dave’s new album ArticulatedTexTilesWith:Ify NwadiweAlonso DuraldeVideo DaveProduced by  Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer  Laura Swisher

Episode 309: 'They Cloned Tyrone' with Video Dave

We've been on BARBIE-watch for what seems like forever. Now we've literally watched Barbie and our lives may never be the same. We've got Margot Robbie's countrywoman (and our good pal) Maria Lewis here, so...let's go party!What’s GoodAlonso - Sydney’s omeletDrea - Who shat on the floor at my wedding?Maria - Oppenheimer and the Barbenheimer vibesIfy - poolITIDICBarbie Sets Record Best Opening for a Female DirectorSome Independent Films Were Given the Go-Ahead by SAG-AFTRAStaff PicksAlonso - The WobbliesDrea - Lakota Nation vs. United StatesMaria - Killers of the Flower Moon (the audiobook – the movie isn’t out yet!)Ify - War GamesMaria’s latest books: Mockingbird Strike OutThe Graveyard Shift  (out Sept ‘23)

Episode 308: 'Barbie' with Maria Lewis

First, we tell you all about the SAG-AFTRA strike; then, it's the theater godmothers vs. the film critics as we look at the new comedy THEATER CAMP. Finally, the gang aces a quiz about made-up movie musicals (which has been edited to include audio clips for listeners at home; in the recording, all guesses were made without audio clues, other than about 3 notes from NY/LA). And staff picks! What a show!What’s GoodAlonso: Rowenta Turbo Silence Extreme Plus Table FanDrea: TooGoodToGoKyle: National Critics Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater CenterIfy: Ralphs (Kroger) summer seltzer flavorsITIDICActors Have Joined Writers in Industry StrikeRe: Oppenheimer walkoutRe: Residuals checksRe: Comic-Con CancellationsThe 70mm Print of Oppenheimer Is So Big, They Had to Expand the Projection BoothStaff PicksDrea: Paper Heart (2009)Alonso: Camp (2003)Kyle: Blue JeanIfy: Bring It OnWith:Ify NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeKyle TurnerProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Episode 307: 'Theater Camp' with Kyle Turner

In Adele Lim's boisterous directorial debut, JOY RIDE, four American friends get up to some major hijinks while in China. But there's more than laughs on offer in this comedy, which the gang discusses with comedian Jenny Yang. Then, we send some groups of friends on vacations of our own design.What’s GoodAlonso - The Bear Ep. 206Drea - The cookies of 2023Jenny - Being backIfy - RTX, BBQITIDICGQ Editor Who Axed an Anti-Zaslav Story Is Producing Movie for Warner Bros.The Coen Brothers are Getting Back TogetherBarbie Banned In Vietnam Over Interpretation of Map DetailsStaff PicksDrea - The LessonAlonso - Rock Hudson: All That Heaven AllowedJenny - Better Luck TomorrowIfy - Crazy Rich AsiansMore Jenny Yang at JennyYang.tvWith:Ify NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeJenny YangProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Episode 306: 'Joy Ride' with Jenny Yang

Ahh 1997...a time when comedy movie presidents did Bill Clinton impressions, apes were the toast of Hollywood, and NASA launched the first manned mission to Mars. That's what's happening in this year's Listener Pick, chosen by our supporter, Robin. It's Disney's RocketMan, a live-action, slapstick farce starring Harland Williams as the smartest, dumbest astronaut  around.What’s GoodAlonso - BlueSkyDrea - King Size Comforter for a Queen (of the Midwest) BedHal - Ordering groceries onlineIfy - GorgesITIDIC:SAG Negotiations Extended Until July 12Mattel Exec Says that Upcoming Barney Movie Will Be “For Adults”Goodburger 2 Update: Lil Rey Howery and Jillian Bell Added to CastStaff PicksAlonso - Electric DreamsDrea -  Earth MamaHal - Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.Ify - The Pest@lunalnewport’s tweetWe're sponsored by Hello Fresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/maxfilm50 and use code maxfilm50 for 50% off plus free shipping! Interested in becoming a MaxFun member? MaximumFun.org/joinCall the Hotline! MaximumFun.org/Hotlinehttp://www.maximumfun.org/hotlineWith:Ify NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeHal LublinProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Episode 305: 'RocketMan' (1997) with Hal Lublin

The debut feature from writer/director Celine Song premiered at a certain film festival you may have heard about. Now, it's in theaters, and we've invited friend of the show Inkoo Kang along to talk about it.Then, we think about outdated tech we love to see on screen.What’s GoodDrea - Heritage Store Rose Water and Glycerin SprayInkoo - Literary scammersAlonso - Jeni’s x Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts, Jeni’s Brown Butter Almond BrittleITIDICWhat’s Happening with Turner Classic Movies?Some Paddington 3 Casting Has Been AnnouncedEverybody’s talking about the French BARBIE movie posterHere’s a Zip DriveThe connection between John Early and ClockwatchersStaff PicksDrea - NimonaInkoo - John Early: Now More Than EverAlonso - Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight CowboyWith:Drea ClarkAlonso DuraldeInkoo KangProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Episode 304: 'Past Lives' with Inkoo Kang

Framing devices, whip pans, Hollywood homages...oh my, it's a new Wes Anderson movie! See how this one stacks up, for the WA-superfans, the newly initiated, and those who are somewhere in between. Plus, a hotline question about memorable angles and camerawork in film.To leave a message for the hotline, email maximumfilm@maximumfun.org or visit maximumfun.org/hotline !What’s GoodAlonso - Lingvano ASL courseDrea - StrawberriesDarren - Fake Rick Dalton Coverage on The Video ArchivesIfy - Juneteenth Mini FestITIDICPixar’s ELEMENTAL Set a Box Office Record…Guillermo del Toro Wants to Focus on AnimationJon Hamm Was Supposed to Star in Gone GirlStaff PicksAlonso - The BlackeningDrea - A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on ExistenceDarren - The Naked SpurIfy - The Truman ShowWith:Ify NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeDarren FranichProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Episode 303: 'Asteroid City' with Darren Franich

The author of the new film and TV book The Male Gazed (who also penned the 33 1/3 volume on Judy at Carnegie Hall) joins us to celebrate that great icon of gay culture, Judy Garland, in the barn-burning role that should have won her an Oscar. Then, the gang gets quizzed on the similarities between the four different versions of A Star Is Born ('37, '54, '76, and 2018).What’s GoodAlonso - Hi Honey, I’m Homo by Matt BaumDrea - Bentonville Film Festival and the premiere of A View of the World from Fifth AvenueManuel - ShopQueer.co and their mobile queer libraryIfy - Juneteenth Minifest at VidiotsITIDICGolden Globes Purchased by Dick Clark ProductionsIs the IP Era’s “Venture Capital” Philosophy Poisoning Movies?Oregon Man Found Guilty After Setting up Indiana Jones-inspired Booby Traps for the FedsStaff PicksAlonso - Miss JuneteenthDrea - The Philadelphia StoryManuel - The Fifth ElementIfy - JudyPick up Manuel’s new book, The Male GazedVarious takes of “The Man That Got Away”With:Ify NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeManuel BetancourtProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher 

Episode 302: 'A Star is Born' (1954) with Manuel Betancourt

What’s Good?Drea - Be My EyesBrandon - Metro Boomin & Coi Leray, “Self Love”Ify - Kickstarter for GOTH Media Presents: Old RushITIDICThe Directors Guild Reached a Tentative Deal with Studios Last Weekend Studio Ghibli Will Release Miyazaki's Last Film with No Trailer or PromosDwayne Johnson is Coming Back to Fast Franchise, Possibly Without Vin Diesel?Staff PicksDrea - The Angry Black Girl and Her MonsterBrandon - Flamin HotIfy - Spider-Man (2002)Brandon’s Drunk Black History Brunch Show, Bell House Brooklyn 6/18Medium Popcorn PodcastIfy’s Juneteenth Mini-fest at VidiotsSupport our sponsor, HelloFresh!Go to HelloFresh.com/maxfilm16 and use code maxfilm16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! With:Drea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweBrandon CollinsProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher 

Episode 301: 'Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse' with Brandon Collins

“Hey, big 300th episode coming up soon…what movie should we watch?” A complex question with a simple answer. We watched 300, one of Zack Snyder’s first movies, and brought back OG co-hosts Ricky and April to weigh in. Adding a unique twist to the matter: only one of these five folks had ever seen this movie before.Later, of course, we look back at some of our favorite memories from our first 300 episodes.What’s GoodAlonso - Kyle Turner, The Queer Film GuideDrea - The Cloud Appreciation SocietyRicky - Reservation DogsApril - I Think You Should Leave S3Ify - A Very Gay Book: An Inaccurate Resource for Gay ScholarsITIDICNew “Max” App’s Credits Debacle Sparks DGA IreFlorida School District in a Mess Over 5th Grade Teacher’s Screening of a Disney FilmJustine Triet Wins the Palme D’Or – the 3rd Woman to do so in 76 yearsStaff PicksDrea - Lynch/OzAlonso - Past LivesApril - Diary of a Mad HousewifeRicky - Serpico, Speak No EvilIfy - Sucker PunchWith Ify NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeRicky CarmonaApril WolfeProducer Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Episode 300: '300' with Ricky Carmona & April Wolfe!

In 2001, they started out as simple street racing highway robbers. Since then, they've loved, they've died, they've come back to life, they've saved the world probably. At long last, their story comes to and end...er...hold up...it's not the end? It doesn't even know the meaning of the WORD "end?" In any case, it's Fast X, and our engines are suitably revved for Dom and them (and some new faces) to race back into our lives.What’s GoodAlonso - Guinevere Turner, When the World Didn’t EndDrea - Emo PhillipsMyq - Tom King’s Batman comics Ify - Vidiots updates, cleaning out storageITIDICDavid Zaslav Gets Booed at BU Commencement‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ Character Rick Dalton Has Apparently Died“Ultimate Cut” of Cult Classic CALIGULA Screened at CannesEditor talking about the new edit of Caligula: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McuM46YHSSM&t=1sStaff PicksDrea - You Hurt My FeelingsAlonso - MonicaMyq - The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the HorseIfy - Fastlane TV seriesKeep up with Myq Kaplan’s shows and albums at myqkaplan.comWith:Drea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweMyq KaplanProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Episode 299: 'Fast X' with Myq Kaplan

Tell us why you love us at maximumfun.org/hotline!What’s Good?Alonso - We See Each Other by Tre’vell AndersonDrea - Slip on RokuMallory - new personal record on bench liftingIfy - BlueSky honeymoon phaseITIDICCannes Bans Protests Near Festival CenterPure Flix to Merge with Great American MediaJanus Films and Criterion are Partnering to Present “Janus Contemporaries”Hall of ExcellenceAlonso - Tyler Hynes [The “Real Moms Know” Candidate]Mallory - Jamie Lee Curtis (True Lies) [The “Voight-Kampff Test” Candidate]Ify - Patrick Swayze [The “Thot Prototype” Candidate]Drea - Paul Newman [The “Old School” Candidate]Staff PicksDrea - The Long Kiss GoodnightAlonso - L’ImmensitàMallory - PiggyIfy - HustlersWithIfy NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeMallory O'MearaProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

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