HBO Max Movie Club – Details, episodes & analysis

"Batman Returns” is the iconic 1992 superhero film where Horror Queers can go for Christmas content. In both aesthetic and legacy, the sexy silhouettes, childhood nightmare foder, and commercial success could only be the product of Tim Burton’s fantastic stylings. In this sequel, as Batman inevitably returns to battle the joint efforts of the monstrous Penguin (Danny DeVito) and businessman Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) we see the resulting rise of Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer). Detailing Pfeiffer’s effortless prowess and iconic performance in the role, Matt is joined by the one and only, writer and podcaster, Danny Pellegrino, for the season finale of the HBO Max Movie Club. There is no better way to end season two on a high note than recounting Pfeiffer’s iconic villain performance, the film’s major marketing campaign, and ultimately the dark but memorable childhood staple for so many.  Watch on HBO Max: “Batman Returns” until December 31, 2022 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In some of the most unpredictable ways, “The Bodyguard” is the ultimate queer narrative! The romantic drama follows a former Secret Service agent tasked with protecting a high-profile actress and singer, iconically starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston. On this episode, journalist & podcaster Sam Sanders joins Matt to explore the legacy of Whitney Houston’s acting debut. Most notably, the soundtrack for the film featuring Whitney’s cover of “I Will Always Love You,” cements the lovable legacy with the best-selling soundtrack of all time. At the height of her living stardom, Whitney’s performance was best highlighted by the film’s unforgettable musical moments and cultural iconography.  Watch on HBO Max: “The Bodyguard” until December 31, 2022 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the bright young ladies of Wellesley College, their time at university may have more to do with finding the man of their dreams than chasing dreams of their own. Featuring one of the most empowering performances by the one and only Julia Roberts, ”Mona Lisa Smile” challenges the dominant culture in the movie’s 1950s landscape. Joined by comedian and podcaster, Cat Cohen, the two break down Roberts’ portrayal of this new subversive art history teacher who has a natural disdain for the girls’ conditioning. Undoubtedly, “In a world that told them how to think, she showed them how to live.” This Roberts’ classic embodies her effortless poise and effect on audiences with just a smile.  Don’t forget to submit your hot takes for our next movie club meeting on 90s Teen Movies with #maxmovieclub to @hbomaxmovies on Twitter and Instagram!  Watch on HBO via HBO Max: “Mona Lisa Smile” until November 30, 2022 & “Stepmom” until July 31, 2022 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Televangelist turned queer icon, Tammy Faye Bakker redefined the boundaries of her religious beliefs. Equal parts comedy and tragedy, Tammy’s story is quite the Hail Mary as she and her husband, Jim Bakker, turn their ministry into the world’s largest religious broadcasting network. It seemed the only appropriate way to discuss this story through “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” was for Matt to sit down with the film’s director - the one and only, Michael Showalter! They talk Jessica Chastain’s Academy Award® winning performance, Tammy’s earnest and quirky persona, and... Showwalter’s favorite soup? In Chastain’s ultimate transformation, the film follows the epic rise and fall of the Christian empire Tammy helped build alongside her own transformation into a campy entertainer and immortalized LGBTQ+ ally.  Don’t forget to submit your hot takes for our next movie club meeting on Julia Roberts with #maxmovieclub to @hbomaxmovies on Twitter and Instagram!  Watch on HBO via HBO Max: “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” until August 31, 2022 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of the biggest HBO Max movie premiere to date, this epic remake of the 1991 classic “Father of the Bride" brings a tale as old as time to new heights. With the best in wedding traditions and tantrums, Matt is joined by comedian Danielle Perez, to break down this wedding day with a Latinx spin. Exploring the intergenerational compromise to uphold tradition while forging a new future, this all-star cast does not disappoint. This film plays on the classic sprawl of wedding hiccups and in-law encounters to discuss modern love and the universal fight for a say when planning the big day. For this father of the bride, letting go of his pride might be just as hard as letting go of his daughter.  Join the club for our next movie club meeting discussing “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.” Watch the WB Streaming Exclusive, “Father of the Bride” on HBO Max. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No better way to celebrate Pride Month with the movie club than to talk about the colorful and energetic classic “The Birdcage.” Joining Matt to explore this flamboyant 90s feel good film is comedy duo Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp. The remake of the French film "La Cage aux Folles" presents a challenge to family values for South Beach drag club owner Armand (Robin Williams) and his life partner, Albert (Nathan Lane). The couple is determined to appear straight for their son and his conservative father-in-law-to-be, which proves to be nothing short of a production. With equal parts levity and homage, this week’s movie club meeting understands the insanity of this film in queer culture cannon.  Don’t forget to submit your hot takes for our next movie club meeting on the new “Father of the Bride” with #maxmovieclub to @hbomaxmovies on Twitter and Instagram!  Watch on HBO via HBO Max: “The Birdcage” until July 31st, 2022 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pioneer of the mockumentary genre, Christopher Guest has molded movies from both on and off the screen. With a unique ability to embody and employ comedy for his films, they remain quirky and quotable beyond their years. So naturally, Matt Rogers is joined by friend of the show, Greta Titelman, to paw through the catalog that defines Guest’s prowess. Fearless to present a strong cast of characters, the real pedigree of Guest’s work includes “Best in Show,” exemplifying his ability to melt reality into comedy cult classics.  Don’t forget to submit your hot takes for our next movie club meeting on “The Birdcage” with #maxmovieclub to @hbomaxmovies on Twitter and Instagram!  Watch on HBO via HBO Max: A Might Wind, Best in Show, and For Your Consideration through August 31, 2022 and Waiting for Guffman available October 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of so many modern classics, and a proper example of Hollywood royalty, Renée Zellweger is the focus of our first movie club meeting. To explore everything from her British embodiment in Bridget Jones’s Diary, to her depth and humor in Chicago, host Matt Rogers welcomes the Roxie to his Velma. You may know this first guest from Saturday Night Live, or their podcast Las Culturistas: Bowen Yang is the name on everyone’s lips. The duo tracks Renee’s rise to superstardom as her bold energy and acting prowess warrant an outstanding award-winning career - verified by wearing canary on a red carpet in 2001 nonetheless.   On HBO Max: catch Chicago until Dec 31, 2022, Bridget Jones' Diary until July 31, 2022, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason until Oct 31, 2022, Bridget Jones' Baby until July 31, 2022, Cold Mountain until Aug 3,1 2022, and Down With Love until Dec 31, 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s natural to feel suspicious of a sequel. But, take it from the Academy (if the Academy were us…) this is a sequel you won’t want to miss. HBO Max Movie Club is back for season two with your beloved host Matt Rogers (Las Culturistas), to serve the hottest Hollywood takes and relish in the movies immortalized by our adoration. In season two, the club shares all of the biggest moments in your year alongside all of your favorite films, and more importantly the stars that make them come to life. From Bullock to Barrymore, the movie club is ready to go there, with no shortage of nostalgia or drama. Join us every other week with the HBO Max Movie Club, where everyone’s a critic.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In honor of The Matrix Resurrections (coming to theaters and HBO Max on December 22nd), host Matt Rogers makes good on his promise from the Keanu-thon episode by revisiting the films that started it all! And to make this week's episode of HBO Max Movie Club extra special, we've invited the boys from the Blank Check podcast (Atlantic film critic David Sims and actor Griffin Newman) to help Matt detangle what exactly makes The Matrix one of the most iconic film franchises of all time. Together the three reclaim "red pilling," fawn over groundbreaking CGI, and discuss the film's reflection of the cultural era it belongs to: think the late 90s, Bill Clinton, pre-9/11, "end of history" vibes.   The Matrix Resurrections is available in theaters and on HBO Max, in the US only, for 31 days from theatrical release. You can watch The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions on HBO until January 31st, 2022. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices