Switchblade Sisters

A Maximum Fun crossover extravaganza! ‘The JV Club’ host Janet Varney joins host Katie Walsh to discuss the forgotten 1985 fantasy epic, Ladyhawke. Janet and Katie obsess over the score and insane romanticism of the film. Plus, Janet talks about the use of sincerity in her own work and navigating social media interactions. If you haven’t seen Ladyhawke…good luck! With Katie Walsh and Janet Varney. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O’Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

Ladies and gentlemen, Katie Walsh is back in the booth. She’s joined by the wonderful writer, actor, and host Clarke Wolfe to talk about Scream. This is a truly in depth analysis of the film by two bonafide “Scream heads.” Plus, Katie and Clarke examine how prescient this film was with its criticism of incels, the feminization of young men, and the prediction of Columbine. Scream has layers! If you haven’t seen Scream…run don’t walk to see it. With Katie Walsh and Clarke Wolfe. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O’Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

We are so lucky because – A). We have Claire Kiechel, writer for Watchmen and The OA, on the show this week. And B). She’s discussing Terry Gilliam’s Brazil, which is technically a Christmas movie! She and April elaborate on all the things that make this film magical – the production design, the world building, the performances. Plus, we get a peek inside the writer’s room of Watchmen and hear Claire dissect the motivations of characters like Dr. Manhattan and Angela Abar. The entire first season of Watchmen is available on HBO now. And if you haven’t seen Brazil…why? With April Wolfe and Claire Kiechel. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O’Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

We have traveled through the mirror and everything is backwards and evil! April has become the guest on her own show! That’s right, Katie Walsh is taking over the reigns as host and speaking to our “intrepid leader” about John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness. April discusses writing and working on her new film Black Christmas. Plus, you can hear her examine the relationship between cosmic horror, religion, and misogyny! Black Christmas is in theaters in wide release on December Friday the 13th. And if you haven’t seen Prince of Darkness…get on it! With April Wolfe and Katie Walsh. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O’Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

This is a truly fascinating and unique episode of Switchblade Sisters. The phenomenal Austrian director Jessica Hausner joins April to talk about M. Night Shyamalan’s The Visit. But unlike any previous episode of Switchblade Sisters, Jessica had never seen The Visit and had to turn it off halfway through because she was too frightened! Nonetheless, this is a deeply insightful conversation that covers her personal philosophy of precise filmmaking, working with child actors, and her new sci-fi film starring Emily Beecham and Ben Whishaw called Little Joe, which won Best Actress for Beecham at the Cannes Film Festival and was in competition for the Palme d’Or. Little Joe is in theaters and streaming on December 6. And if you haven’t seen The Visit…you should! With April Wolfe and Jessica Hausner. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

April is joined by the magnificent filmmaker and artist Jennifer Reeder to discuss Todd Haynes’ 1995 classic, Safe. Jennifer discusses the making of her new film Knives and Skin and the necessity of shooting it at home in Chicago. She articulates the toxic way that motherhood is portrayed in films and how she tries to correct that in her own movie. Plus, she and April gush over the masterful filmmaking executed in Safe. Knives and Skin is in theaters and streaming on December 6. And if you haven’t seen Safe…get on it! With April Wolfe and Jennifer Reeder. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O’Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

April is back in the studio to talk with the one and only Mali Elfman. She's on the show to talk about the very interesting Brit Marling film, Another Earth. Mali elaborates on the challenges of working with investors. She discusses the strategy for producing Karen Gillan's directorial debut The Party's Just Beginning. Plus, she talks about how her father, the famed composer Danny Elfman, taught her to "speak composer." Fun Size Horror Vol. 1 is streaming on Prime now. And if you haven't seen Another Earth... get on it! With April Wolfe and Mali Elfman. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

Katie Walsh returns to talk to the groundbreaking director Hannah Macpherson (Pure) about 2002's The Ring. Hannah discusses her fascination with the film and how it ties into her obsession with the effects of technology on the human experience. She also chronicles the making of her Snapchat film, Sickhouse, and how it really tricked the audience into thinking the events were real. Pure is streaming on Hulu now. And if you haven't seen The Ring...be careful, it's scary. With Katie Walsh and Hannah Macpherson. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

Katie Walsh is back in the hosting chair this week to speak with the fascinating director of the new film Blue, Gabriela Ledesma. Gabby's on the show to talk about the iconic Alfred Hitchcock film, Psycho. She opens up about the dark subject matter of Blue and how her own suicide attempt inspired the film. She also discusses the lessons she learned during her naval career that she has applied to filmmaking. Plus, Katie and Gabby just generally obsess over the genius of Alfred Hitchcock. Blue is streaming now. And if you haven't seen Psycho...what are you doing with your life? With Katie Walsh and Gabriela Ledesma. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

Just in time for Halloween, we have the amazingly talented Alice Waddington (director Paradise Hills) on the program to talk about Logan's Run. She discusses creating specific fantasy worlds, being inspired by Logan's Run, and the pleasures of working with Awkwafina. We also get Vulture associate editor, Jordan Crucchiola, on the line to talk about what horror films we should check out this Halloween. Paradise Hills is in theaters and streaming on November 1st. And if you haven't seen Logan's Run, you simply must! With April Wolfe, Alice Waddington, and Jordan Crucchiola. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

We have royalty on this week's episode. We are graced by the presence of Kiwi Smith, writer of 10 Things I Hate About You, Legally Blonde, She's the Man, The House Bunny, and so many more. She's on the show to talk about a VERY different film from her own work - Bob Rafelson's 1987 neo-noir, Black Widow. Kiwi gushes over the obsessive relationship between Debra Winger and Theresa Russell's characters. She discusses having to change the ending of Legally Blonde several times. And she talks about how she physically mailed pages to her writing partner during the writing of 10 Things I Hate About You. Watch Kiwi's show, Trinkets, streaming on Netflix now. And if you haven't seen Black Widow, you simply must! With April Wolfe and Kiwi Smith. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

We have the honor and distinction to be graced by the presence of Dawn Luebbe & Jocelyn DeBoer, the actors, writers, and directors of the new film Greener Grass. They discuss a classic film that would pair perfectly in a double feature with their own movie - that would be John Waters' Polyester. They elaborate on the notion of "shock value" and how Polyester is shocking for different reasons than Waters' previous films. They also open up about the production of their own film, and how they lucked into shooting in the "Golf Cart Capital of the World." Greener Grass is streaming and in theaters on October 18th. And if you haven't seen Polyester - GO NOW! With April Wolfe and Jocelyn DeBoer & Dawn Luebbe. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

This week we initiate another woman into the Switchblade Sisterhood. Avra Fox-Lerner, writer of the new Seann William Scott led horror, Bloodline, is on the show to talk about 1999's Ravenous. She and April discuss this bizarre and twisty cannibalistic horror film, and how it's a miracle that it got made in the first place. Avra elaborates on discovering aspects of her film through the editing process. Plus she details how she finally broke into the film industry by pitching a screenplay to Blumhouse that they said they would never make. Bloodline is streaming now. And if you haven't seen Ravenous - you should! With April Wolfe and Avra Fox-Lerner. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

This week we are joined by multi-talented writer, actor, and director Ashley Nicole Black. She can most recently be seen as a regular on A Black Lady Sketch Show. And prior to that she was a writer and correspondent on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. The movie she has chosen to discuss also has its origin in the comedy world - Jordan Peele's Get Out. Ashley discusses how efficiently this film works at getting information out quickly, and how those same lessons can be applied to writing sketches. She reveals the origin of her character "The Most Annoying Woman in the World" and how it is based on the worst aspects of her personality. And she elaborates on writing jokes for black and white audiences. You can watch A Black Lady Sketch Show on HBO. And if you haven't seen Get Out - what's wrong with you? With April Wolfe and Ashley Nicole Black. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Sw

Recorded LIVE at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, this show has a little bit of everything - special guests, witchcraft, and a stuffed animal version of Black Phillip. Mattie Do, Laos's first, and only, female film director, is our special guest. And she's on the show to talk about 2015's The Witch. She details her own personal connection to magic and witchcraft, and how this film influenced the look and feel of her own horror-folk film, The Long Walk. She and April are also joined by Tigers Are Not Afraid director Issa López to help decide which member of the audience gets to sell their soul to the devil. You can see Mattie's film The Long Walk on the film festival circuit. You can see Issa's film Tigers Are Not Afraid on Shudder. And if you haven't seen The Witch, you simply must! With April Wolfe, Mattie Do, and Issa López . You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for Maxi

Caroline Williams is a screenwriter originally from Atlanta, Georgia. In 2008 she created the ABC series Miss Guided starring Judy Greer and Chris Parnell, about a high school guidance counselor who must relive her unpopular high school days when another old classmate joins the faculty and staff. From there, Caroline went on to write for The Office, Modern Family, Up All Night, BoJack Horseman and others including, most recently, Arrested Development and Maniac for Netflix. In addition to television, Ms. Williams has written on studio features and directed short films, and she’s currently setting up her feature directorial debut. She is also married to fellow filmmaker Drew Goddard, Oscar nominated writer of The Martian and director of Cabin in the Woods and Bad Times at the El Royale. The movie that Caroline chose to discuss can be found in the video store under "dreamy" - that would be Peter Weir's Picnic at Hanging Rock. She and April explore the makings of a good mystery and how sometimes things are bette

Heather Buckley is a grand maester of film and horror. The first feature she produced, Jenn Wexler’s The Ranger, for Glass Eye Pix and Hood River Entertainment, premiered at SXSW and played numerous festivals on an international run before it was released in NYC and LA. Heather’s work as a film analyst and journalist spans over a decade, with bylines in Vulture, Dread Central, and Fangoria. Her background in SFX work includes: Circus of the Dead, Dead Still, and We Are Still Here. She is currently a Blu-Ray special features producer, creating documentaries for Kino Lorber, Lionsgate/Vestron, Arrow Films and Shout Factory releases, including John Carpenter's The Thing, Barton Fink, The Long Riders, Saw 10th Anniversary Reissue, and Army of Darkness. The movie that Heather chose this week is a real doozy - Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. Heather talks about how she believes it's one of the most important films ever made. She discusses how this film forces the audience to root for violence. She elaborates on

Jovanka Vuckovic is an award-winning filmmaker and writer. In the past two decades, she has worked as a visual effects artist, earning a Gemini Award, and cemented a reputation as a genre film authority—she was twice named one of the most important women in the history of horror, serving for a time as editor-in-chief of famed Rue Morgue Magazine. In 2016, she spread her wings into the US film market, joining the DGA after directing a segment of XX, the first-ever all-female horror film anthology from Magnolia Pictures, which had its premiere at Sundance 2017. Her debut Riot Girls, written by Katherine Collins, will see its release this year. The film tells the story of two young women who must save a young man from the clutches of a little psychopath on the wrong side of Potter’s Bluff — a town divided after a mysterious disease wiped out all the adults. The movie that Jovanka has chosen to discuss is a grossly underappreciated classic - 1981's Dead & Buried. Jovanka talks about how she named the small to

Liza Mandelup is an award winning film director from New York residing in Los Angeles. Starting her career in photography, she graduated from New York’s School of Visual Arts and embedded herself in fascinating communities for photo series that culminated in two photo books. In 2018, Liza received the prestigious Sundance Documentary Fund grant for her film Jawline, following a handful of online teen heartthrob boys to chronicle the curious rise of a burgeoning yet fleeting economy. Jawline premiered at Sundance Film Festival and went on to win the Special Jury Award for Emerging Filmmaker. She was also named by Filmmaker magazine as one of the 25 New Faces of Independent Cinema in 2018 and one of 10 Documentary Filmmakers to Watch by Variety. The movie that Liza chose to discuss ties in effortlessly with her own film Jawline - that would be 1988's dark comedy Heathers. April and Liza discuss the nature of being a teenager and just how serious everything feels. Liza talks about interviewing all the wannabe in

Mary Lambert is an Arkansas native and a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. There she became enfolded in the music scene, and her experimental shorts led her to the world of music videos. In her early career, she directed some of the most iconic videos of the time. A short list of these includes Janet Jackson’s “Control” and “Nasty Boys,” Madonna’s “Borderline,” “Like a Virgin,” “Material Girl,” “La Isla Bonita,” and “Like a Prayer.” Other artists include Tom Tom Club, Whitney Houston, The Go-Gos, Sting, Annie Lennox, and Debbie Harry. From there, Lambert ventured into feature films with her debut narrative, Siesta, an adaptation of Patrice Chapman’s novel by Patricia Knop. After that film, Lambert went back to music videos until she got the call that Stephen King was adapting his book Pet Sematary. She got the big OK from King and Pet Sematary was a hit. Most recently Lambert directed episodes of Step Up: High Water, Arrow, and The Blacklist. The movie that Mary chose to discuss is TOO scary. She