The Flop House

It's the second and final of our two contest winner-selected episodes, this one picked by Scott Yacychyn, who designed our delightful new Flop House "couch monsters" poster, which you can purchase HERE! It's a romantic comedy called Little Italy (or as they pronounce it, li'lit'ly), set in the world's most romantic city... Toronto! Meanwhile, Stuart gets mad at Elliott, Dan gets mad at Elliott and Stuart, and Elliott just keeps on singing a happy song. Wikipedia synopsis of Little Italy Movies recommended in this episode: Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (or whatever bullshit they re-named it) Tammy and the T-Rex (R-rated cut) Howards End LIVE SHOW ALERT! – The Flop House in Toronto – April 18!

Here's a little thing we're trying, sort of as a snack between episodes. Minisodes that are more tangent than show. On this first one, we ask: Goofy -- what's HIS deal?

Zar-who-what-now? We finally get around to one of our contest winner episodes, this one picked by Elizabeth Stege, who designed our delightful new Flop House Housecat t-shirt, which you can purchase HERE! It's a Full Moon Features (awww yeah, Stu) kaiju movie with about 5 minutes of giant monster action in the whole film. But what it lacks in reason to exist, it makes up for in... charm? We guess? Meanwhile, Stuart explains the advantages to playing with dead things, Elliott explains how time zones work, and Dan introduces an exciting new wrinkle to the show. Wikipedia synopsis of Zarkorr: The Invader! Movies recommended in this episode: VHYes Greener Grass Color Out of Space Sudden Fear LIVE SHOW ALERT! - The Flop House in Toronto - April 18!

Didja really think we'd pass up The Happytime Murders? The movie that many proclaimed the worst of 2018? Don't be silly! We just held onto the episode in our vault of live shows until it was no longer relevant! Please enjoy this live recording from... last summer? We can't remember. Taped at our ol' stomping grounds, The Bell House, in fabulous and increasingly unaffordable Brooklyn, NY! Wikipedia synopsis for The Happytime Murders

SURPRISE! It's an off-week extra episode, just because we didn't want to go ANY longer without discussing that purrfect mewowsical, directed by Tomcat Hooper: CATS! It's a show so big, we couldn't do it without the dual returns of Cats enthusiast, Jenny Jaffee, and musical theater authority, Ms. Natalie Walker who was AT THE MOTHERFUCKING CATS PREMIERE! We know that there's usually a bunch of gibberish at this point, teasing stuff from the episode, but just dive in, folks! IT'S CATS! Wikipedia synopsis of the "plot" of Cats Movies recommended in this episode: Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened Black Christmas (2019) CATS!

We kick off the New Year (and the next 300 episodes?) by discussing a movie that no one has ANY strong feelings about -- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. One programming note: we sort of threw together this episode at the last moment because Elliott was visiting New York, so we skip the usual letters and recommendation segments. Don't worry, though -- we still manage to talk for 100 minutes. Because it's Star Wars. Wikipedia synopsis of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Well, we made it to three hundred, guys. And it only took us 12 years. What a triumph of the human spirit. Or monument to three lives sorely misused. One of those two things. But hey! It's Cagemas, when we celebrate the work of Saint Nicolas Cage! And Hallie's here! And we're talking about The Wicker Man! That's a 300th birthday to be proud of Meanwhile Elliott and Stu really love pronouncing "raspberries," Dan wonders how long you can hold bullets, and Hallie isn't gonna let motherhood tank her Flop House Q rating. Wikipedia synopsis of The Wicker Man No recommendations in this episode, just some Flop House nostalgia.

We attempt to exploit the zeitgeist by... reviewing a movie from 1969. We may not be good at this zeitgeist thing. More to the point -- since Disney+ has been in the news, we attempt to bask in some reflected glory by talking about the young Kurt Russell Disney live-action vehicle, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (thanks to longtime Daily Show producer and head researcher Adam Chodikoff for the idea). Meanwhile Stu makes the fatal error of encouraging Elliott's singing, Elliott takes us inside the pitch meetings for our favorite cereal mascots, and Dan has the plague.

No, you didn't dream it. Way back in January the Peaches went to the University of Wisconsin, Madison (the dead of winter being the best time to visit the upper Midwest), and they discussed the infamous anti-hero superhero movie, Venom. This is that! Wikipedia synopsis for Venom

Enough about small failures like Slender Man, let's talk about massive, hubristic failures like Mortal Engines! Meanwhile Stuart discourses on other evil Valentines in fiction, Elliott's got Morgan Spurlock's reciepts, Dan doesn't understand how a single goddamn thing in this movie works, and we're joined by Brendan Hay, executive producer for Harvey Girls Forever! Wikipedia synopsis of Mortal Engines Movies recommended in this episode: Crawl Bones Centipede Horror Pieces Ashes and Embers Ready or Not The Nightingale

Shocktober 2019 concludes with our dissection of the Internet meme/creepypasta horror film, Slender Man. Thanks to Max Fun HQ for letting us pop in and use an actual studio for once. Meanwhile Stuart tells a tale of nude figure drawing, Dan reveals karaoke antics, and Elliott's not afraid of businessmen. Wikipedia synopsis of Slender Man Movies recommended in this episode: Boy Three Tears on Bloodstained Flesh Who Let the Dogs Out

We dip our toe into Shocktober by discussing one of the million court-mandated "The Conjuring" spin-offs, The Nun. Meanwhile Dan prefers that all demon-fighting talk be kept to work hours, Elliott takes down New Age music, and Stuart demands that you stop preaching at him. Wikipedia synopsis of The Nun Movies recommended in this episode: Child's Play Velvet Buzzsaw Emitai LIVE SHOW DATES 2019! October 12 (THAT'S TODAY, JERKS!) – LOS ANGELES – The Regent Theater

For the second episode of Smalltember (Smallvember) 2019, we cave to overwhelming demand and discuss Love on a Leash. Meanwhile, Elliott ain't your daddy's Crypt Keeper, Dan exhibits his remarkable ability for telling two voices apart, and Stuart isn't having a breakdown, that really IS the plot of the movie. Love on a Leash HAS no Wikipedia page. Movies recommended in this episode: Tigers Are Not Afraid Paris is Burning The Murderer Lives at Number 21 LIVE SHOW DATES 2019! September 28 – BOSTON – WBUR CitySpace (early show SOLD OUT, but there are still tickets to the later show!) October 12 – LOS ANGELES – The Regent Theater

Smalltember (Smallvember) begins with a return appearance by the Flop House's favorite (insomuch as a terrible asshole can be a favorite) Canadian energy drink magnate-turned-filmmaker, Frank D'angelo, and his latest cinematic leavings, The Joke Thief. Meanwhile, Stuart reveals his love for all things Stu, Dan gives a few minor script notes, and Elliott's Nicholas Cage has snakes on the brain. You know? Honestly the Wikipedia page for this movie has almost no information. Movies recommended in this episode: Satanic Panic Always Shine Tea With the Dames LIVE SHOW DATES 2019! September 28 – BOSTON – WBUR CitySpace (early show SOLD OUT, but there are still tickets to the later show!) October 12 – LOS ANGELES – The Regent Theater

Hoo boy, this was a tough one folks. How to navigate the Hollywoodization of a real-life trauma with a dash of weird gender politics? Answer -- less funny than usual, as we discuss Welcome to Marwen. Meanwhile, Elliott completely misunderstands the etymology of "painstaking," Dan details the many tones of Marwen, and Stuart bestows Dan with his Looney Tunes identity. Wikipedia summary for Welcome to Marwen Movies recommended in this episode: Burning The Head Hunter Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark LIVE SHOW DATES 2019! September 28 – BOSTON – WBUR CitySpace (early show SOLD OUT, but there are still tickets to the later show!) October 12 – LOS ANGELES – The Regent Theater

We're taking a very brief summer break from new recording, and taking the opportunity to release one that we've been holding on to for too long -- Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Recorded at Stuart and Dan's very own alma mater, Earlham College, in Richmond, Indiana! Wikipedia summary for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom LIVE SHOW DATES 2019! September 28 – BOSTON – WBUR CitySpace (early show SOLD OUT, but there are still tickets to the later show!) October 12 – LOS ANGELES – The Regent Theater

Stuart's been hard at work running more Hogsbottom Three RPGs for Elliott, Stuart, and Flop House favorite guest host Zhubin Parang. Here's a little taste of the first episode of their new adventure! They're only available on the Maximum Fun bonus feed, exclusive for donors, so if you want this, and other wonderful bonus content from all the Max Fun shows, please become a member! Thanks to Alexander Smith for editing the episodes, putting together the sound effects, and composing the music.

We're joined by the wonderful Sharlene Wellington, owner or partner in many lovely Brooklyn bars (also, she's married to Stu). She wanted to discuss the 1984 summer camp comedy Meatballs Part II, and as three middle-aged men who were raised on dumb 80's shit, who were we to argue? Meanwhile, Sharlene brings her Jewish summer camp experience to the fore, Elliott waxes poetic about making first contact, Stuart promises some future Baby Boomer rants, and Dan takes us on a trip through Meatballs history. Wikipedia summary for Meatballs Part II Movies recommended in this episode: Matinee Midsommar The Sisters Brothers The Devil Wears Prada LIVE SHOW DATES 2019! September 28 – BOSTON – WBUR CitySpace (early show SOLD OUT, but there are still tickets to the later show!) October 12 – LOS ANGELES – The Regent Theater

Straight from the glamorous and echoey Minneapolis airport-adjacent La Quinta inn, it's all three of the peaches in the same room, chewing over the Taron Egerton, not-your-daddy's-Robin Hood. Meanwhile Dan talks a surprising amount about the Scarlet Pimpernel, Elliott talks about why the Sheriff of Nottingham's goons are a superstitious, cowardly lot, and Stuart is F. Murray Enthusiastic. Wikipedia summary for Robin Hood Movies recommended in this episode: Spider-Man: Far From Home The Hole in the Ground The Adventures of Robin Hood The Gunfighter LIVE SHOW DATES 2019! September 28 – BOSTON – WBUR CitySpace (early show SOLD OUT, but there are still tickets to the later show!) October 12 – LOS ANGELES – The Regent Theater

We were so delighted to have longtime Friend-and-Fan-of-Flop, Natalie Walker on the program! We were somewhat less delighted by the film she inexplicably chose, The Haunting of Sharon Tate. Life gives, and life takes. Meanwhile, Stuart hijacks the podcast to discuss the TV show "Younger," Dan shows his shameful lack of knowledge about the Manson murders, and masterful singer Natalie is somehow delighted by Elliott's caterwauling. Wikipedia page for The Haunting of Sharon Tate Movies recommended in this episode: Under the Shadow The Kid Brother Drop Dead Gorgeous Bathtubs Over Broadway