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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1:27:09
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1:27:09
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
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1:23:09
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1:23:09
'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
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1:10:04
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1:10:04
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
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1:09:13
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1:09:13
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
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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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