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Midnight Local: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Greg Titian & Meredith Ambelang
When you spend all day in a studio shooting a YouTube series about drinking, things can run off the rails in a hurry, and carefully managing that chaos is vital if you’re going to make a show like How to Drink, and that’s what Greg & Meredith have done for years. Here at Midnight Local we give into that chaos and let the rails be damned. These are the conversations that make you pause the movie because it just can't wait. Things like how the Hays Code destroyed cinema from 1934 - 1968, why David Lindelof should never be able to hold a pen again, and the fact that Joss Whedon doesn't live up to the morality of his own characters and also has tiny teeth. Midnight Local is a place to get weird about movies and shows and the rest and go beyond the who, what and where.
Latest Episodes
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- Jul 22, 20251h 10m
Is Funny Hanks > Serious Hanks?, "The Burbs" (1989)
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jul 8, 20251h 24m
The Big 3-Oh No! Logan's Run (1976)
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jul 1, 20251h 20m
Over population isn't real, 'Soylent Green' (1973)
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 17, 20251h 7m
'Severance' the GOAT of TV
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 10, 20251h 6m
Nothing can prepare you for 'Earth Girls Are Easy' (1988)
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 3, 20251h 11m
Revenge of the female anti-hero, Baby Face (1933)
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- May 27, 20251h 17m
This movie changed the WORLD, 'Gold Diggers of 1933'
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- May 20, 20251h 33m
The Original Gangster, 'The Public Enemy' (1931)
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) Profanity, including "God," "Jesus," or "hell" used irreverently. Nudity, in any form (including silhouettes). Illegal drug use. Sexual perversion (code word for homosexuality, fetishism, etc.). White slavery (human trafficking, especially of white women). Miscegenation (interracial romantic or sexual relationships). Scenes of childbirth, in fact or in silhouette Ridicule of clergy. Willful offense to any nation, race, or creed. The "Be Carefuls" (Sensitive Topics Requiring Caution) Use of firearms. Theft, robbery, and safe-cracking. Brutality and gruesomeness. Techniques of murder. Sympathy for criminals or crime success Adultery, if presented sympathetically or explicitly. Seduction. Sexual relationships outside of marriage. Excessive kissing or lustful embraces. Drunkenness, especially if humorous or sympathetic. Use of liquor in the presence of children. Mocking the law or law enforcement. Revenge in modern times as a moral justification. Surgical operations, unless essential to the plot. Cruelty to animals. Apparent cruelty to children. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About Midnight Local
When you spend all day in a studio shooting a YouTube series about drinking, things can run off the rails in a hurry, and carefully managing that chaos is vital if you’re going to make a show like How to Drink, and that’s what Greg & Meredith have done for years. Here at Midnight Local we give into that chaos and let the rails be damned. These are the conversations that make you pause the movie because it just can't wait. Things like how the Hays Code destroyed cinema from 1934 - 1968, why David Lindelof should never be able to hold a pen again, and the fact that Joss Whedon doesn't live up to the morality of his own characters and also has tiny teeth. Midnight Local is a place to get weird about movies and shows and the rest and go beyond the who, what and where.
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