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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In this conversation, Gregory and Meredith discuss the movies Beetlejuice and Forbidden Zone. They explore the connection between Danny Elfman and Tim Burton, the transgressive nature of Forbidden Zone, and the iconic music in Beetlejuice. They also touch on the racial stereotypes and controversial elements in Forbidden Zone. Overall, they delve into the unique and unconventional aspects of both films. In this conversation, Gregory and Meredith discuss various topics related to the movie...

The Rocketeer is a 1991 film set in the late 1930s that follows the story of Cliff Seacord, a stunt pilot who becomes a superhero known as the Rocketeer. The movie was initially released as a Disney film but later changed to Touchstone due to its uncertain target audience. The film has pacing issues and struggled to find its audience, but has gained a cult following in recent years. The cast includes Billy Campbell as Cliff, Jennifer Connelly as Jenny, and Timothy Dalton as the villain...

In this conversation, Greg and Meredith discuss the 1997 movie Flubber and its various aspects, the plot, the science behind Flubber, the characters, and the 'The Absent Minded Professor' of which it is a remake. They also discuss various inventions and technological advancements, including the internet, cell phones, electric cars, wearables, and GPS. They also talk about the Cybertruck and its polarizing design. The conversation then shifts to the character Weebo, a flying robot. They...

Greg and Meredith discuss the sitcom 'Dinosaurs' and explore various aspects of the show, including its production, themes, and characters. The hosts analyze the dark and satirical elements of the show, as well as its commentary on relationships and societal issues. They also touch on the casting choices and the use of puppets in the series. The conversation raises questions about the intended audience of the show and its meta elements. Overall, the hosts provide insights and observations...

In this episode of Midnight Local, Greg and Meredith discuss the pilot episode of The X-Files. They talk about their personal experiences with the show, the dynamic between Mulder and Scully, and the cinematic quality of the series. They also touch on the recurring themes of skepticism and belief, as well as the show's commitment to visual storytelling. The episode explores the plot of the pilot, which involves mysterious deaths and alien abductions. Overall, the conversation provides...

In this episode of Midnight Local, Greg and Meredith discuss the TV show Veep and its parallels to real-world politics. They share their impressions of the show, including the shaky camera style and the unlikeable characters. They also discuss the dynamics of dysfunctional office environments and the chaos that comes with working in politics. The conversation touches on the authenticity of political shows and the balance between dialogue-heavy and visually-driven storytelling. The...

In this episode of Midnight Local, Greg and Meredith discuss the obscure movie 'Mio in the Land of Far Away.' They reminisce about their childhood memories of the film and its strange and unique qualities. They explore the origins of the movie, its production process, and the notable actors involved. Despite acknowledging that the movie is objectively bad, they find joy in its nostalgic value and the bizarre elements it presents. The conversation touches on other fantasy films from the 80s...

In this episode of Midnight Local, Greg and Meredith discuss their experience working with Studio 71, a multi-channel network. They talk about the initial excitement of being hired by Studio 71 to produce a podcast, the lack of communication and support from the company, and ultimately being fired during a meeting. They also touch on the challenges of podcasting and the unrealistic expectations set by the industry. The episode highlights the importance of clear communication, collaboration,...

Dark City is a highly critically acclaimed film from 1998, Roger Ebert went as far as to call it the best film of that year. The movie is often compared to the Matrix and remembered fondly by both Greg and Meredith. We aren't so sure that it still holds up but we couldn't stop bringing it up when we discussed The Matrix a few weeks ago and thought it was worth revisiting so we could tell you all about it. More about the show: Twitch: http://bit.ly/2VsOi3d Twitter:...

We couldn't talk about Alien without talking about it's arguably superior sequel, Aliens. James Cameron redefines the franchise into an action/adventure packed blockbuster where we see our main characters really fight back against the alien threat. The mother/daughter love story Cameron builds between Ripley and Newt adds a layer of humanity to this movie that everyone can connect with.  More about the show: Twitch: http://bit.ly/2VsOi3d Twitter: http://bit.ly/H2DTwit Instagram:...

In this episode we talk about the best space thriller of all time. This is the second Ridley Scott film we have discussed - go back and check out our episode on Blade Runner - so we spend some time talking about other directors who have made their mark and if the position of the director has changed. Also we discuss how Dan O'Bannon creates the most terrifying creatures of all time!  More about the show: Twitch: http://bit.ly/2VsOi3d Twitter: http://bit.ly/H2DTwit Instagram:...

Is the Matrix as awesome as we thought it was in 1999. There is no question that bullet time made it’s mark on filmmaking but is that the best thing the Matrix left us with? This week we are talking about this and much more.  More about the show: Twitch: http://bit.ly/2VsOi3d Twitter: http://bit.ly/H2DTwit Instagram: http://bit.ly/H2dIG Watch the episodes on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MidnightLocal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are talking about Pee Wee Herman’s Big Adventure this week, Tim Burton’s feature debut. We also dive into the miss information surrounding Paul Reubens and how his signature alter ego came to be. This comedian and the world he created will be very missed.  More about the show: Twitch: http://bit.ly/2VsOi3d Twitter: http://bit.ly/H2DTwit Instagram: http://bit.ly/H2dIG Watch the episodes on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MidnightLocal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

This week we are talking about anime, Miyazaki films and Spirited Away. Somehow we also found ourselves in a conversation about Game of Thrones which we will need to expand upon in a future episode.  More about the show: Twitch: http://bit.ly/2VsOi3d Twitter: http://bit.ly/H2DTwit Instagram: http://bit.ly/H2dIG Watch the episodes on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MidnightLocal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we are talking about Ridley Scott’s Cyberpunk masterpiece. With all of the stops and starts, financing issues, and production challenges it is a miracle this movie got made. Turns out we watched different versions of the movie, if you are watching along with us the Director’s Cut is the superior choice.  More about the show: Twitch: http://bit.ly/2VsOi3d Twitter: http://bit.ly/H2DTwit Instagram: http://bit.ly/H2dIG Watch the episodes on our YouTube Channel:...

We watched the Netflix doc Muscles and Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators and it brought us back to the golden age of weird fever dream TV. We are talking about Sifl and Olly, Cutlery Corner, UHF and all the other content that was filling time slots in the early days of late night television and cable. Let us know if you agree that the world needs more weird shit on TV again?  More about the show: Twitch: http://bit.ly/2VsOi3d Twitter: http://bit.ly/H2DTwit Instagram:...