Midnight Local

Join us as we dive into the quirky world of "The Burbs," the 1989 comedy-horror film starring Tom Hanks. We explore its cult following, the suburban paranoia it humorously critiques, and the memorable performances that make it a timeless classic. Important question, did Tom Hanks break our timeline when he went from comedies to dramas?

00:00 - Introduction

02:15 - Setting the Scene

05:30 - Cult Classic Status

10:45 - Themes and Satire

15:20 - Behind the Scenes

20:00 - Memorable Scenes

25:30 - Tom Hanks' Performance

30:00 - The Ending Debate

35:45 - Trivia and Fun Facts

40:00 - Conclusion

42:00 - Tangents

#Movies #FilmReview

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Last week, we talked about dystopian overpopulation, so this week we’re diving into dystopian population control with the 1976 cult classic Logan’s Run. This movie is far from perfect, but it offers a lot: stunning set design, an original (if bizarre) plot, and a healthy dose of retro-futuristic quirkiness.

Of course, in the world of Logan’s Run, no one lives past 30—so both Greg and Mere are long dead by now. Luckily, they’ve dodged Carousel just long enough to bring you this episode.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring the Themes of Logan's Run

02:43 The Society and Its Rules

05:22 The Concept of Renewal and Euthanasia

08:02 The Journey Beyond the Dome

10:51 The Encounter with Box and the Outside World

13:12 Confrontation and Realizations

16:05 The Final Showdown and Its Implications

34:32 Exploring the Dome and Its Implications

35:17 Dystopian Narratives: Soylent Green vs. Logan's Run

37:08 The Quest for Liberation: Breaking Free from the Dome

39:37 The Aftermath: Life Beyond the Dome

42:19 The Book vs. The Film

50:43 Disneyland and Utopian Visions

55:47 The Future of Humanity

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Soylent Green is one of the quintessential Malthusian science fiction films with one of the most memorable endings so we thought it was time to give it a watch. Luckily we did not end up having 40 million people in NYC as of 2022 which is usually how it goes with dystopian theories. We found the movie hard to buy into because of how over the top it is. It has some cool ideas but overall it is not surprising that the movie became more of a punch line than an enduring classic.

00:00 Introduction to Soylent Green

02:51 Cultural Impact and References

05:29 Dystopian Themes and Societal Commentary

08:25 Character Analysis and Relationships

11:09 Malthusian Dystopia and Overpopulation

13:52 Critique of the Film's Logic

16:54 The Role of Food and Consumption

19:40 The Ending and Its Implications

34:46 Soylent Green: A Dark Revelation

38:55 Relationships in a Dystopian World

40:11 Charlton Heston's Performance and Legacy

45:53 Women and Their Roles in Society

54:37 The Consequences of Overpopulation

59:20 Edward G. Robinson's Last Performance

01:03:28 Malthusianism and Its Flaws

01:06:48 Fear and Cultural Narratives

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SPOILER ALERT! We LOVE the TV show Severance so much that it has come up in three of our recent episodes! So, even though it is a little different from what we usually cover on Midnight Local, we decided to dedicate an episode to the show. We talk about how horrific we think it would be to be outside of your consciousness for most of the day, the mythology of Lumen and get into our theories of where the show could be going. Is Ricken a goat? Is everyone in Kier Severed? Is it Helena or Helly R. in the finally scene? We hope there isn't a three year wait to find out.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Severance and Spoilers

02:57 Apple TV's Sci-Fi Offerings

06:00 The Premise of Severance

09:04 The Concept of Severance and Its Implications

14:58 The Mythology of Lumen and Its Lore

24:04 Theories and Speculations on Severance

27:00 Personal Reflections on Control

34:44 Navigating Pain and Discomfort

37:43 Medical Procedures and Personal Experiences

41:28 More theories on Severance

49:01 Character Dynamics and Emotional Connections

54:31 Expectations and Season Comparisons

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We have been teasing an upcoming episode about 'Earth Girls Are Easy' (1988) for a long time and it's finally here! This movie is a wild ride. From its star filled cast, 80s defining musical numbers and cartoonish special effects it begs you to just sit back and enjoy without overthinking. We still managed to get on the topic of free speech later in the episode, but that is just how we do things on Midnight Local. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:57 Life Updates and Movie Discussions

06:14 The Creative Process in Film and Editing

08:57 Exploring Earth Girls Are Easy

11:53 Character Dynamics and Plot Overview

14:58 Cultural References and Nostalgia

17:59 The Nature of Relationships and Cheating

24:56 The Arrival of the Aliens

26:41 Makeovers

32:43 Theatrical Reflections and Broadway Opinions

36:03 Romantic Entanglements

39:45 The Conclusion and Alien Departure

46:55 Comedy and Free Speech

54:51 Pop Culture Reflections

59:59 Future Plans: Live Watches and Upcoming Discussions

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It is both refreshing and enraging to see the great female characters of the pre-code film era. These women were central characters with agency, desires, motives and in this case deadly control over every man she meets. We lost female characters like this for 30+ years and some could argue they were never the same. Baby Face (1933) is a dark movie about an anti-hero who uses her sex appeal to exact revenge on men. This movie was heavily censored even before the code went into effect. In the early 2000's an original copy of the film in its full form was discovered!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Baby Face (1933)

02:59 Exploring the Pre-Code Era and Censorship

06:01 The Role of Women in Pre-Code Cinema

09:02 Character Analysis: Lily Powers and Her Journey

12:02 The Dark Themes of Baby Face

14:59 Censorship and Its Impact on the Film

17:56 The Relationships and Dynamics in Baby Face

20:58 The Ending and Its Implications

24:03 Concluding Thoughts on Baby Face and Its Legacy

34:57 The Power of Manipulation in Film

41:11 Female Empowerment and Revenge

42:47 Cultural Reflections in Historical Cinema

44:13 Critical Reception and Lasting Impact

49:03 Reality vs. Fiction in Modern Storytelling

56:41 The Importance of Narrative Integrity

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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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