This is an update! We are wrapping up this season of Midnight Local and will be back in January of 2025 with more episodes. We hope everyone has a great holidays, dee you in 2025.

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In this episode of Midnight Local, hosts Greg and Meredith dive into the cult classic 'Serial Mom' directed by John Waters. They explore the film's themes of suburban life, the duality of its main character Beverly, and the societal commentary on media and celebrity culture. The conversation highlights the absurdity of the plot, the dark humor, and the film's satirical take on American values. In this conversation, they explore various themes including the fascination with celebrity murderers, the impact of social media on public discourse, and the role of misinformation in politics. They discuss the absurdity of modern entertainment and the cultural commentary of John Waters, while also touching on the dangerous ideologies propagated by figures in the manosphere. The dialogue reflects on the complexities of societal values and the need for critical thinking in an age of rapid information exchange.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Mood Setting

02:47 Exploring 'Serial Mom' and John Waters' Influence

05:56 Character Analysis: Beverly and Her Duality

08:57 The Plot Unfolds: A Mother's Grievances

12:04 Murderous Escalation: The First Kill

15:06 Cultural Commentary: Media and Celebrity

17:46 The Trial and Public Perception

20:58 The Climax: A Mother's Love and Violence

24:14 Final Thoughts on Satire and Society

38:46 The Obsession with Celebrity Murderers

42:47 The Impact of Social Media on Society

46:37 Political Commentary and the Role of Misinformation

55:50 The Future of Green Investment and Climate Change

01:05:51 The Dangerous Ideologies of the Manosphere

01:15:10 Understanding John Waters and His Cultural Commentary

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In this conversation, Greg and Meredith explore the 1932 film 'The Island of Lost Souls,' a pre-code horror adaptation of H.G. Wells' 'The Island of Doctor Moreau.' They discuss the film's themes, character dynamics, and the implications of its portrayal of morality and control. The conversation also touches on the cultural and racial implications of the film, the role of women in early cinema, and the efficiency of short films compared to modern media consumption. They delve into the cinematic influences and thematic elements of 'Island of Lost Souls,' exploring its connections to other films, the innovative sound design, and the evolution of horror as a genre. They discuss the impact of H.G. Wells' work on film adaptations, the cultural censorship faced by the movie, and its legacy in the horror genre. The dialogue highlights the film's unique qualities, its historical significance, and the ongoing fascination with its themes and characters.

Chapters

00:00 Nostalgia for Old Media

02:49 Exploring Pre-Code Horror

05:52 The Island of Doctor Moreau Adaptation

09:08 Character Dynamics and Relationships

12:00 The Role of Women in Early Cinema

14:53 Themes of Control and Manipulation

17:46 The Nature of Evil and Morality

20:56 Cultural and Racial Implications

23:49 The Impact of Pre-Code Restrictions

26:59 The Efficiency of Short Films

30:05 Comparing Old and New Media Consumption

35:07 Exploring Cinematic Influences

38:25 The Role of Sound Design in Horror

42:32 The Evolution of Horror Films

48:29 H.G. Wells and Adaptations in Film

52:55 Censorship and Cultural Impact

56:59 The Legacy of Island of Lost Souls

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Meredith and Greg delve into the 1986 film 'The Fly' directed by David Cronenberg, exploring its themes of body horror, transformation, and the complexities of relationships. They discuss the film's opening, character dynamics, and the implications of the protagonist's transformation into a fly. The conversation also touches on the metaphorical aspects of aging and disease, the nature of the monster, and the performance of Jeff Goldblum. The hosts critique the film's world-building and reflect on the impact of body horror as a genre. The conversation turns to the differences between empathy and sympathy. They discuss the relatability of body horror and how anxiety manifests in horror films. They close on the misrepresentation of gaslighting, the impact of male creators in storytelling, and the evolution of Jeff Goldblum's persona in film.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Fly and Its Themes

03:00 Exploring Body Horror and Character Dynamics

06:12 The Transformation and Its Consequences

09:04 The Role of Relationships and Jealousy

11:56 The Climax and the Nature of the Monster

14:56 Metaphors of Aging and Disease

18:11 The Ending and Its Implications

20:53 Reflections on Performance and Humor

24:03 Critique of World-Building in The Fly

26:51 Body Horror as a Genre and Its Impact

34:04 Exploring Body Horror and Relatability

36:51 Empathy vs. Sympathy

39:39 Anxiety in Horror and the Cringe Factor

42:45 Gaslighting: Misunderstandings and Definitions

46:44 The Complexity of Male Creators and Their Impact

52:53 The Evolution of Jeff Goldblum's Persona

01:00:45 Reflections on Fame and Identity

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Greg and Meredith delve into the 1984 film 'Ghostbusters.' They explore themes of working-class heroism, the film's problematic elements, the unique blend of comedy and horror, and the challenges of sequels and reboots. The discussion also touches on character dynamics, the role of special effects, and the social commentary embedded in the film. The conversation also touches on parental perspectives regarding the film's appropriateness for children, Dan Aykroyd's beliefs about the supernatural, and the evolution of his career. Additionally, they critique the portrayal of authority figures in the film and discuss the legal battles surrounding the theme song. They try to answer the question, are The Ghostbusters the working class Batman(men)?

00:00 - The Anti-Batman

03:11 - Ghostbusters: A Classic

05:57 - The Resurrection of Chevy Chase and Bill Murray's Creepiness

08:46 - The Unique Blend of Comedy and Horror

12:04 - The Challenges of Sequels and Reboots

15:10 - Character Dynamics and Casting Choices

17:54 - The Role of Special Effects in Storytelling

20:48 - The Ghostbusters' Business Model

24:07 - Cultural References and Social Commentary

31:57 - Exploring Wealth and Gender Dynamics in Ghostbusters

39:40 - Parental Perspectives on Ghostbusters

41:06 - Dan Aykroyd's Beliefs and Career

46:14 - The Evolution of Dan Aykroyd

55:05 - Critique of Authority and the American Dream

01:03:09 - The Legal Battle Behind the Theme Song

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Continuing their series on frightening films, Meredith and Greg talk about the 1960 Alfred Hitchcock classic, Psycho. In this conversation the hosts discuss how Hitchcock used Psycho to start to break the barriers of the Hays code, the compelling performance of Anthony Perkins and walk through the plot points of the film. They also talk about the infamous shower scene and the film's attention to detail. The discussion also leads to a general conversation about their differences in what they like about movies before concluding the episode.

00:00 - Introduction to Psycho

03:05 - How Psycho Broke the Code

07:10 - Is Hitchcock Overanalyzed?

09:57 - The Master of Suspense

13:48 - The Shock of Losing the Main Character

17:30 - First Impressions of Norman Bates

19:45 - Cinemas Most Famous Scene

28:00 - At Lose Ends After Losing Marion

32:50 - Discussing the Ending

38:25 - Sequels and the Character Arbogast

48:00 - The Remake and Vince Vaughn

53:24 - The Discussion Takes a Turn

01:02:30 - Like what you Like!

01:11:06 - Final Thoughts on Psycho

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In this conversation, Greg and Meredith discuss the film 'Freaks' (1932), exploring its significance in pre-code cinema, the impact of the Hays Code, and the themes of acceptance and identity. The discussion delves into the plot, character dynamics, and the use of real sideshow performers, highlighting the film's horror elements and its legacy as a cult classic. The conversation also touches on censorship, audience reactions, and the film's unique portrayal of marginalized individuals.

00:00 - Introduction to Freaks and Pre-Code Cinema

03:07 - The Context of Freaks and Its Director

05:47 - Understanding the Hays Code and Its Impact

09:05 - Plot Overview and Character Dynamics

11:47 - The Use of Real Sideshow Performers

15:02 - Themes of Acceptance and Identity

17:53 - The Horror Elements and Third Act

21:04 - Censorship and Audience Reactions

27:13 - Final Thoughts on Freaks and Its Legacy

32:15 - Alternate Endings

36:10 - Horror Movie or Cult Classic

43:20 - What's Coming Next

47:20 - Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Midnight Local, hosts Greg and Meredith delve into the fascinating world of pre-code cinema, the impact of the Hays Code, and a detailed analysis of the classic films Frankenstein (1931) and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935). They explore themes of censorship, morality, and the evolution of film, while also discussing the implications of parenting and creation as depicted in these iconic movies. The conversation touches on the queerness in cinema and how societal norms have shaped the portrayal of characters and narratives in film history.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

01:52 - Exploring Pre-Code Cinema

03:21 - The Impact of the Hays Code

11:30 - Censorship and Its Consequences

15:06 - Frankenstein: A Classic Analysis

21:55 - Why Dr. Frankenstein is Awful

25:00 - How Censorship Changed Frankenstein

35:35 - The Bride of Frankenstein: A Deeper Look

39:08 - Queerness in Cinema: A Discussion

01:01:08 - Parenting and Creation in Frankenstein

01:03:29 - Conclusion and Reflections on Film

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In this episode, Greg and Meredith delve into the iconic film 'Silence of the Lambs,' exploring its box office success, character dynamics, and the performances of Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. They discuss the film's themes of gender and power, the representation of trans identities, and the cinematic techniques that contribute to its legacy. The conversation also touches on the cultural impact of the film and its place in horror cinema history, culminating in a thoughtful analysis of storytelling and character development.

00:00 - Introduction to Silence of the Lambs

02:58 - Box Office Success and Movie Economics

05:48 - Character Analysis: Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling

08:52 - Jodie Foster's Career and Performance

11:57 - Themes of Gender and Power Dynamics

15:07 - Trans Representation and Misconceptions

18:11 - Cinematic Techniques and Storytelling

20:58 - The Role of Anthony Hopkins in the Film

23:53 - Comparative Analysis of Horror Films

27:01 - Cultural Impact and Legacy of the Film

29:50 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this conversation, Greg and Meredith discuss the movie 'Night of the Comet' and explores the topic of spooky season movies. They mention other Halloween-themed movies that could be covered and discusses the slasher film genre. The conversation also touches on Italian horror movies, the concept of 'making it,' and the effects of the comet in the movie. The conversation concludes with a discussion of the movie's ending and the future of the characters. They touch on the comedic timing, the low budget and impressive production value, the love of movies evident in the film, and the rejection of gender norms. They also discuss the impact of restrictions and limitations on filmmaking in different eras and the role of cinema in shaping culture. Overall, they find the movie to be a fun and nostalgic experience.

00:00 - Spooky Season Movies

09:03 - The Effects of the Comet

19:06 - The Concept of 'Making It'

22:20 - Shopping Mall Scene

26:22 - Abduction and Underground Bunker

31:27 - Happy Ending and Rebuilding Civilization

33:18 - Kelli Maroney's standout performance

37:36 - A love letter to movies

40:25 - Nods and references to other movies

41:20 - The choice to not choose

44:10 - Making the most of a limited budget

48:04 - The influence of past cinema on filmmakers

53:27 - Encouraging viewers to watch Night of the Comet

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