Maximum Film!

5.0 (1)
Film Reviews
Updated weekly

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.

2 days ago

Episode #463: 'Phantom of the Paradise' [Listener Pick 2026!]

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 ITIDICGLAAD Study Shows Drop in LGBTQ Characters in FIlmA Look Back at the Pop Culture of 1974… Staff Picks Drea - Horsegirls Alonso - Ishtar Marissa - Tommy Kevin - River [Ribâ, nagarenaide yo] Kevin at Comic-Con: Malcolm & Friends Panel: Thursday, 12:30pm, Room 6AThe 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 WithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso Duralde Produced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher
10 Jul

Episode #462: 'The Invite' with Amber Healey

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 ITIDICAlamo Drafthouse to Begin Screening Unsold Festival DarlingsUniversal 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 WithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso Duralde Produced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher
3 Jul

Episode #461: 'Supergirl' with Amy Nicholson

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 Paris 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 EverNetflix 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 WithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso Duralde Produced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher
26 Jun

Episode #460: 'Leviticus' with Justin Kirkland

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 ITIDICAmazonMGM Bails on Guadagnino’s Almost-Complete Sam Altman MovieMadonna 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 WithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso Duralde Produced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher
19 Jun

Episode #459: ‘Disclosure Day’ with Jamelle Bouie

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 ITIDICAMC Postpones Concert Simulcast Plan to Make More Room for…MoviesSean 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 WithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso Duralde Produced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher
12 Jun

Episode #458: Tropical Malady with Harry Dodge and Silas Howard

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) ITIDICThe Academy is creating the "Academy Marquee Theater List", an annual list of the 25 best US and 25 best international cinemasBad 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 WithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso Duralde Produced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher
5 Jun

Episode #457: 'The Mandalorian & Grogu' with Danielle Radford

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) ITIDICPaddington 4 Will be Written by Armando IannucciMark 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 WithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso Duralde Produced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher
29 May

Episode #456: 'I Love Boosters' with Ryann Graham

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 WithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso Duralde Produced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

See All (476)

Alonso Duralde

Host
Drea Clark

Host
Kevin Avery

Host

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.