Switchblade Sisters

Latest Episodes:

‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ with Writer Megan Amram Jan 09, 2020

Show notes

What a great way to start off the New Year. Writer Megan Amram (The Good Place, Parks and Rec) joins April to discuss the monumental classic, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Megan and April explore the idea of objectifying the human body in an interesting and meaningful way. Plus Megan talks about the moral approach in her scripts for the way character’s make decisions. And it should be noted that this entire interview was conducted with Megan shrouded in her own The Texas Chainsaw Massacre blanket.

You can watch NBC’s The Good Place on Thursday nights.

And if you haven’t seen The Texas Chainsaw Massacre…what are you doing?!

With April Wolfe and Megan Amram.

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.

‘Ladyhawke’ with Janet Varney Jan 02, 2020

Show notes

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.

‘Scream’ with Clarke Wolfe Dec 26, 2019

Show notes

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.

'Brazil' with 'Watchmen' and 'The OA' Writer Claire Kiechel Dec 19, 2019

Show notes

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.

‘Prince of Darkness’ with ‘Black Christmas’ Co-Writer and Switchblade Sisters Host April Wolfe Dec 12, 2019

Show notes

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.

‘The Visit’ with ‘Little Joe’ Director Jessica Hausner Dec 05, 2019

Show notes

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.

‘Safe’ with ‘Knives and Skin’ Director Jennifer Reeder Nov 28, 2019

Show notes

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.

'Another Earth' with 'Fun Size Horror' Producer & Director Mali Elfman Nov 21, 2019

Show notes

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.

'The Ring' with 'Pure' & 'Sickhouse' Director Hannah Macpherson Nov 14, 2019

Show notes

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.

'Psycho' with 'Blue' Director Gabriela Ledesma Nov 07, 2019

Show notes

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.