Episode #434: 'The Baltimorons' with Ben Katzner

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

CW: discussion of domestic abuseWe get into the good the bad and the ugly of the new boxing biopic CHRISTY, which tells the story of pioneering boxer Christy Martin and her dark power struggles both in and outside the ring. Then we have a movie quiz about bio pics with first-name titles. What’s GoodAlonso - successful Parker House rolls trial runDrea - remembering a detail of ArrivalDaresha - screening her new film to big crowd at a Black church in Cambridge, MAKevin - was in a play!ITIDICKristen Stewart declares "state of emergency" over gender inequality in filmWarners Making ‘Gremlins 3’ With Steven Spielberg, Chris Columbus ReturningStaff PicksDrea - RebuildingAlonso - Little Amelie or The Character of RainDaresha - Natchez Kevin - Unknown Number: The High School CatfishLove, Joy, & Power at DOC NYCAlonso’s book, Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Yorgos Lanthimos can be counted on for a weird, wild time, and this time around he’s back with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, plus newcomer Aidan Delbis, comedian Stavros Halkias, and even a bit of Alicia Silverstone. Former producer Casey O’Brien (co-host of Dear Movies, I Love You) joins us to take an up-close look at movie loaded with close-ups. Then we name some of our favorite actor-director frequent pairings.What’s GoodDrea - Toners in spray bottlesCasey - BuzzBallzKevin - Costco cashewsITIDICA Hello Kitty Movie is Coming in 2028Taylor Sheridan Broke Up with Paramount, But He’s Back In for ‘Call of Duty’Staff PicksDrea - Sentimental ValueCasey - The HiddenKevin - The MenuPhysical Media merch at maxfunstore.com Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Just us chickens here this week to talk about the wild party we just witnessed...in Nia DaCosta's HEDDA, a modernized (but not modern-day) adaptation of the classic Ibsen play, HEDDA GABLER. Then we get into what works and doesn't work for us in stage-to-screen adaptations.What’s GoodAlonso - Christmas creep!Drea - “...There she is.”Kevin - A weekend of artistic experiencesITIDICA Memo Reveals that the Pentagon is Mad About ‘House of Dynamite’LA Times: Horror May Have Its Moment at the Oscars‘Kidz Bop Live: The Concert Movie’ Set to Premiere in TheatersStaff PicksDrea - Nouvelle VagueAlonso - It Was Just an AccidentKevin - Good Fortune Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Josh O’Connor stars in a heist movie to end all heist movies – or at least end our illusions that the person pulling the heist is pretty cool and awesome. Comedian and friend Myq Kaplan is along to watch things unfold, and unravel, in THE MASTERMIND. Then we take a Hotline question about what film school courses we’d like to teach.What’s GoodAlonso - Programme 4   Drea - First women to cross the Atlantic unsupported (in their girthy canoe)Myq - Communing with friends [Rini (and Rini), John Fugelsang appearance, Separation of Church and Hate, tea with Abby Wambaugh] Kevin - new mic cable and arm; guesting on How to SurviveBernie & Phyl’s ad ITIDICPenske Reportedly Offers Golden Globe Bribe Opportunity to Right-Wing PodcastersBUGONIA Offering Free Screening for Bald AudienceStaff PicksDrea - La ChimeraAlonso - A House of DynamiteMyq - The Life of ChuckKevin - Roofman10/25: American Cinema Editors Short Film Showcase – The First Day of Your Last Period11/2: Myq at Dynasty TypewriterAlonso's book: Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher