Gold Diggers of 1933 is possibly the best and most fun pre-code movie. You will be surprised how modern it feels. This movie has it all, Busby Berkley dance numbers, strong female leads, comedy, relevant political commentary, The Great Depression and a jaw-dropping grand finale. The last number in this movie left us with so much to talk about we considered giving it its own episode. IT IS THAT GOOD.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gold Diggers of 1933

06:04 The Context of the Great Depression

09:03 The Role of Women in the Film

12:11 Musical Numbers and Their Significance

14:55 The Technical Aspects of Filmmaking

17:56 The Legacy of Busby Berkeley

20:56 Cultural Reflections in Gold Diggers of 1933

25:38 The Bechdel Test and Representation in Film

31:43 The Cynicism of the Era

36:08 Class Struggles and Romantic Entanglements

45:41 The Final Musical Numbers and Their Impact

50:32 Plot Twists and Character Dynamics

51:05 My Forgotten Man

53:11 The Bonus Army and Historical Context

01:03:11 Artistic Imagery and Symbolism

01:06:27 The Legacy of Gold Diggers of 33

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We have spent nearly a century trying to make another gangster movie this good and some could argue we haven't done it yet. Being released before the Hay's code allows this movie to really speak it's mind and it does. With its loud commentary about the state of the US, strong female characters, sex, openly gay characters and nuance this movie is the perfect reminder of what the code took from us. It's a cliche for a reason, they don't make them like they used to.

THE HAYS CODE:

 The "Don'ts" (Absolutely Forbidden)

The "Be Carefuls" (Sensitive Topics Requiring Caution)

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Midnight Local and Pre-Code Cinema

06:01 The Evolution of Film Acting and Cagney's Influence

11:58 Character Development: Tom Powers and His Journey

18:00 Prohibition Era and Its Influence on the Film's Narrative

23:57 Censorship and Its Impact on Film and Society

30:03 Character Development and Censorship in Film

32:44 The Rise of Cagney and Blondell

37:05 Iconic Scenes and Their Backstories

40:39 War and Morality in Cinema

49:13 The Introduction of Jean Harlow

57:18 The Impact of Realism in Film

01:00:26 Buster Keaton and Physical Comedy

01:09:00 The Evolution of Gangster Films

01:25:29 The Legacy of James Cagney and Film History

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In light of current events we couldn't ignore the 2006 film 'Idiocracy' any longer. People like to think of this film as something of a prophecy but unfortunately it is mostly just a eugenics movie that seems to trip over it's own feet. We are going to talk mostly about where this movie misses but can admit it does have some moments.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Idiocracy

02:49 Themes of Eugenics and Society

06:04 Cultural Context and Humor

08:49 Character Analysis and Plot Overview

17:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

19:06 The Absurdity of Future Society

25:57 Critique of Class and Intelligence

28:51 Political Commentary and Personal Reflections

32:54 Cognitive Dissonance

36:00 The Joy of Low-Budget Films vs. High Expectations

41:43 Existential Dread and Personal Reflection

44:08 Parenting and Media Impact

51:42 The Love of Cinema and Its Evolution

54:45 Cynicism in Film and the Search for Authenticity

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This movie feels like it is happening at exactly the same time, but outside of the frame lines of Clueless...and in a slightly sideways universe. What's a girl to do when her boyfriend comes back to life as a Mechanical T-Rex? This movie has the answers. Greg and Mere had a ton of fun watching and talking about this film and would love to invite you to come on in and have a ton of fun with them.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tammy and the T-Rex

02:51 Exploring the Plot and Characters

06:00 The Insanity of the Science

09:06 The Comedic Duo and Their Scheme

12:00 The T-Rex Transformation

15:03 The Consequences of the Experiment

17:55 The Rampage Begins

20:07 The Quirky Characters of Small Town Law Enforcement

23:04 The Absurdity of the T-Rex and Its Impact

26:11 Body Shopping: A Darkly Humorous Twist

29:30 The Brain in a Jar: Exploring Identity and Existence

30:25 Low Budget Charm vs. Big Budget Expectations

36:26 Reality TV: The Illusion of Authenticity

40:52 Experiences at a Gay Sports Bar

42:04 The Intersection of LGBTQ+ Spaces

44:54 Theater Dynamics and High School Experiences

48:12 Reality TV Encounters

50:32 The Reality of Reality TV

52:17 Cultural Commentary on Gender and Media

56:56 Exploring Societal Trends and Birth Rates

#movies #moviereview #filmtalk

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Greg and Mere dive deeper into the film library of Nico Mastorakis with 'Blind Date' (1984). This movie is just good, not so clean fun! Is it a Thriller? Sci-Fi? Drama? Absurdist Comedy? As we have learned about the films of Mastorakis it is everything at once, nothings off the table. On the b-side we talk about film school and work experiences we have had over the years.

Chapters

00:00 11am and Far Away

03:00 Exploring Nico Mastorakis' Filmography

05:51 The Nostalgia of 80s Cinema

08:59 Blind Date: A Film Overview

11:53 Character Dynamics and Themes

15:07 The Killer's Motives and Plot Twists

18:09 The Role of Technology in the Film

21:03 The Concept of Stalking in Cinema

23:47 The Climax and Resolution

27:05 Final Thoughts on Blind Date

42:08 Selfish Heroism and Trauma

44:58 The Messy Nature of Storytelling

52:08 The Absurdity of Film Production

55:49 The Reality of Awards and Recognition

01:01:07 Teaching and Learning in Film

01:15:47 Behind the Scenes

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We are talking about the 1984 film 'Blood Tide,' starring James Earl Jones and the guy from Karate Kid! We analyze the film's plot and production, and discuss the implications of its psychosexual horror elements, including themes of sacrifice and insanity. This movie made us really miss the low-budget creativity of the 80s and 90s. Listen to the end for some personal anecdotes from Greg's student filmmaking days and hints into what we might be watching next.

Chapters -

00:00 Opening Rituals and Childhood Stories

02:58 Exploring Blood Tide and Its Creators

06:02 Master Rakas and His Unique Style

08:49 The Craft of Blood Tide

12:02 Plot Overview and Character Dynamics

15:02 Themes of Sacrifice and Insanity

23:15 Exploring Duress and Sacrifice

24:36 The Complexity of Character Relationships

26:03 The Appeal of Low-Budget Creativity

30:10 The Role of Mythology in Storytelling

32:06 The Importance of Character Development

34:10 Cultural Reflections in Film

36:32 The Evolution of Independent Cinema

40:40 The Impact of Budget on Film Quality

47:39 Underwater Filmmaking Challenges

50:30 Scrappy Student Filmmaking

52:50 Upcoming Movie Discussions

54:00 Cultural Reflections in Horror

01:00:20 Longevity and Anti-Aging Trends

01:02:58 Malthusian Sci-Fi and Overpopulation Concerns

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High school honor student by day, h**ker by night. In this episode we dive into the 1984 film 'Angel', exploring its place in exploitation cinema, the dynamics of sex positivity, and the representation of queer identities in the 1980s. We shift to the aesthetic appeal of low-budget films and how we could make an entire podcast just about Susan Terrell. Mere talks about her nostalgia for the pre-internet days and Greg recommends sho buy a Brick. 'Angel' has a few notable sequels so let us know if you like this episode and we will watch 'Angel 2: Avenging Angel'.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes

01:30 Overview of the Movie 'Angel'

04:48 Exploration of Themes in 'Angel'

10:05 Character Introductions and Dynamics

15:00 The Killer's Role and Motivations

20:04 Queer Representation and Social Commentary

27:11 Exploring Themes of Childhood and Abandonment

30:58 The Aesthetic Appeal of Low-Budget Films

32:58 Susan Terrell's Unique Presence

35:17 The Evolution of the 'Angel' Franchise

37:15 The Punk Rock Spirit of Low-Budget Cinema

40:55 The Challenges of Modern Filmmaking

47:12 Creative Rigging and Filmmaking Innovations

48:03 Exploration of Exploitation Cinema

54:06 Nostalgia for Pre-Internet Days

56:48 The B-Side

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Moving forward Midnight Local will be focusing on forgotten movies like the ones that show up in the unique offerings of Night Flight Plus. They explore the concept of exploitation cinema, and discuss the long lost 1981 film 'Dead and Buried'. They delve into the intricacies of horror films, the importance of special effects, and the themes of reanimation and memory. The discussion transitions into cultural commentary on punk movements and the importance of fun in society, exploring how these elements reflect broader societal issues and concludes with reflections on tolerance and understanding different perspectives.

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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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