Episode #437: 'The Chronology of Water' with Roxane Gay & Alain Martin

MaxFun's own Jordan Morris (Jordan, Jesse, Go and Free with Ads) joins us to discuss Nia DaCosta's latest flex -- this time, she's settling into the 28 Years Later director's chair for the second in a proposed trilogy of 28 Years films (which are themselves sequels to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later). It's 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, starring Ralph Fiennes, Chi Lewis-Parry, Erin Kellyman, and Jack O'Connell. Then we take a Hotline call about food and cooking in the movies.What’s Good?Alonso - Experimenting with Bro SoapDrea - the many queens of the Midwest (here’s a list of ways to help Minnesota)• The Smitten Kitten• Comma, a bookshopJordan - search for “ICE agents slipping on ice”Kevin - YouTube ‘80s/’90s football games rabbit holeITIDICKathleen Kennedy Stepping Down as Lucasfilm HeadBoots Riley to Direct An Adaptation of ‘Mr. Burns,’ a Play About The SimpsonsStaff PicksDrea - PrideAlonso - A Bigger SplashJordan - Godzilla vs. BiollanteKevin - The MarvelsMore about Jordan’s Predator: Bloodshedbit.ly/coolfight to preorder a signed copy Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

After making a splash at Cannes, THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER is finally getting released to theaters around the US. It’s a faithful film adaptation of the memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch, and we’re joined by both a memoirist and a filmmaker to discuss it all — Roxane Gay (HUNGER, BAD FEMINIST, and much more) and Alain Martin (The Forgotten Occupation). Then we’ll name some of our favorite memoir adaptations, and some memoirs we’d like to see adapted to film  What’s Good?Alonso - The Hunger: Film Writing 2012-2024 by Melissa AndersonDrea - TasteBuds NYC videosRoxane - Heated Rivalry book seriesAlain - LA trip (for local premiere of The Forgotten Occupation!)Kevin - Buzz Ballz for DreaITIDICGolden Globes 2026 HappenedAlamo Drafthouse Shifting from Pen-and-Paper to Mobile Menu OrderingStaff PicksAlonso - The SwimmerDrea - Sound of FallingAlain - Nouvelle VagueRoxane - HeddaKevin - Cedar Rapids Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Josh Safdie directed it, Timothée Chalamet stars in it, awards groups are crazy for it, and it’s seriously stressing us out. This week we’re back in the swing of things and talking about MARTY SUPREME. Then, in honor of main character Marty Mauser, we’re naming some of our favorite world-class assholes of cinema.What’s Good?Alonso - The meme feedback loop of Heated RivalryDrea - Taskmaster (and the show’s quiet inclusivity)Kevin - Batman Bomber Jacket (and getting Alonso’s book for J)ITIDICBetty Boop and Blondie Enter Public Domain in 2026John Mayer and McG Buying the Henson Studio Lot and Name it Chaplin StudiosStaff PicksDrea - Predator: BadlandsAlonso - Familiar TouchKevin - We Bury the DeadLeave us a message with your movie query! MaximumFun.org/Hotline Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

We’re celebrating the end of the movie year that was and the start of the movie year to come, plus our first year (minus a few months in the middle there) with Kevin at the helm! We’ve got our annual Maxie Awards, movies we’re looking forward to in 2026 and, most importantly, each host’s 10 favorites from 2025.What's Good?Alonso - BarebellsDrea - Warm (True) SpringKevin - a year of hosting (sorta)!*indicates a film we covered on the show!Drea10. Twinless*9. Lurker8. Hamnet*7. Bugonia*6. Sentimental Value5. Sorry, Baby4. The Secret Agent3. Train Dreams*2. One Battle After Another*1. Sinners*Alonso10. Happy End9. A House of Dynamite8. Rebuilding7. It Was Just an Accident6. One Battle After Another*5. Train Dreams*4. Caught by the Tides3. My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow2. Eephus1. Sinners*Kevin10. Good Fortune9. Hedda*8. The Long Walk*7. Twinless*6. Weapons*5. Thunderbolts**4. F13. Superman*2. Sinners*1. 40 Acres* Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Jingle jingle, ya’ll! We’ve got comedian Ben Katzner joining us under the mistletoe for the holiday movie about a recovering improviser and a divorced dentist that you didn’t know were missing. Then we have a Hotline question about holiday movies that center Black Joy for a change! #4Brothers4ChristmasWhat’s GoodAlonso - LAFCA Citation for Gardena Cinema; Support Your Local Film SocietyDrea - Pipsly.orgBen - Sam Evans’ comedy special, Down a MomKevin - moving boxes and having a spaceWETIDICa).  Several Stories about films in development:Live Action Teddy Ruxpin Movie Coming from AmazonMGM and 7 BucksSocial Network 2 In the Works Miss Piggy’ Movie In Development With Cole Escola Writingb). Rick Moranis Returns to Acting for Spaceballs 2c). Ariana Grande Grabber Sentenced to 9 Days in PrisonChristmas Movie MinuteA Make or Break HolidayThe Christmas BabyThe Best Thing About ChristmasStaff PicksAlonso - Boys Go to JupiterDrea - The Muppet Christmas CarolBen - One of Them DaysKevin - Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersWatch Supple HarlotTroll Hole Podcast Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

The Flop House’s Elliot Kalan joins us to put his “Mad about Mads”-ness where his mouth is as we discuss a stylized new horror-ish thriller from director Bryan Fuller. Then we’ll talk about movies that would make good genre entry points for kids who are ready.What’s GoodDrea - Heated RivalryElliott - Latke Night, his new book Joke Farming, & Werner Herzog’s A Guide for the PerplexedKevin - Yuletide Unc gets his decorations upITIDICa.) Zootopia 2 Becomes the Year’s Highest Grossing Filmb). Famed Variety Oscars Party Moves to LACMAChristmas Movie MinuteSingle on the 25thOy to the WorldA Suite Holiday RomanceThe Christmas Writer(and a shout out to yet-unseen The Christmas Baby premiering on Hallmark on 12/21/25)Staff PicksDrea - The Princess BrideElliott - This Is Spinal Tap (see also, A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap) Kevin - Misery Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

George Clooney is JAY KELLY in Noah Baumbach’s latest film…and that might be true in more ways than one. The film chronicles the career of a fictional movie star. Speaking of chronicles, we’re joined by actor and filmmaker Justin Tyler, voice of the titular Derf in MaxFun’s newest show, The Young Old Derf Chronicles. And we have a movie quiz about real actors playing fictional actors on film!What’s GoodAlonso - “Buy a Christmas tree that’s considered too big for your apartment.”Drea - Forks Out on Sesame StreetJustin - end of year check-outKevin - Paranormal Activity playITIDICNetflix/Warner Bros. Monopoly InsanityOriginal Star Wars film to be Rereleased in Theaters for 50th AnniversaryChristmas Movie MinuteThe Christmas Cup (Hallmark)She’s Making a List (Hallmark)Staff PicksDrea - Goodbye JuneAlonso - The Swimmer (1968)Justin - Blue MoonKevin - Three Kings Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

What’s GoodAlonso - the magic of podcastingDrea - the magic of a repainted bathroomKevin - the magic of live jazz improvisation (The Tyler Hammond Jazz Experience)[Morgan Freeman falling asleep clip]ITIDIC2020 and 2021 Titles Coming to Indie Theaters for ‘Lost Films of COVID’ SeriesShrek 5 is back in the news as 3 actors are cast as his tripletsStaff PicksAlonso - BLKNWS: Terms and ConditionsDrea - Wild RoseKevin - Hamlet 2 Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

The new film from the team behind JOCKEY and SING SING is a lyrical life story starring Joel Edgerton. We’ve got casting director Nicole Arbusto with us to discuss this, and take on a Hotline question asking for professional shoutouts. Plus our annual Turkeys of the Year and the first post-Thanksgiving Christmas Movie Minute!What’s GoodAlonso - magazinesDrea - Buzz Ballz/BeatBox/Cutwater cocktail challengeNicole - LA cloud formations latelyKevin - “books I haven’t even cracked open”Staff PicksDrea - All That’s Left of YouAlonso - Jesus’ SonNicole - A Little PrayerKevin - Zero Dark ThirtyPick up Have Yourself a Movie Little ChristmasLeave a message for the Hotline!Get some Maximum Film! merch Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

An ode to a classic of French New Wave cinema – Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless (A Bout de Souffle) – Nouvelle Vague is more than a heady film nerd love fest. It’s a Linklater movie, which means it’s a hangout film; it’s just that the gang we’re hanging with happens to be reinventing modern cinema, whether they know it or not. We’ve got writer, actor, and teacher Tarik R. Davis (The Amber Ruffin Show) with us to talk about the petite charms of this Cannes premiere. Then we pitch our own making-of hangout movies!What’s GoodAlonso - “Trans Images on Film” on TCM (w/Caden Mark Gardner and Willow Catelyn Maclay)Drea - Library Tool CheckoutTarik - a really good rehearsalKevin - Conduct Your Own Orchestra (Golden Records)ITIDICFilmmakers Meet the Pope (text of the pope’s full address is here)D&D: Honor Among Thieves Team Working on new Star Trek MovieStaff PicksAlonso - Faces PlacesDrea - Rental FamilyTarik - Brother JohnKevin - For Your Consideration Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher