Midnight Local

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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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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