The Anti-Batman? Ghostbusters (1984)

The Anti-Batman? Ghostbusters (1984)

Author: Greg Titian & Meredith Ambelang October 15, 2024 Duration: 1:08:28
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midnight Local is where the formal workday ends and the real, rambling conversations begin. Hosts Greg Titian and Meredith Ambelang, the creative forces behind the YouTube series How to Drink, know all about crafting content within the confines of a studio. This podcast is what happens after the cameras stop rolling. It’s the unfiltered, often hilarious, and deeply nerdy dialogue that bubbles up when two people who live and breathe pop culture-specifically TV, film, and history-are finally off the clock. Imagine pausing a movie because a thought about a director’s earlier work, a historical inaccuracy, or a bizarre piece of trivia simply cannot wait for the credits. That’s the energy here. Each episode feels like eavesdropping on a late-night chat between friends who are equally passionate and knowledgeable, where the structure of a typical show is willingly abandoned for a more interesting detour. You’ll hear the tangents, the debates, and the unexpected connections between a classic film and a modern series, all fueled by years of working together in creative chaos. Tune into this podcast for a companionable dive into the stories behind the stories, where the analysis is as entertaining as the media itself.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 60

Midnight Local
Podcast Episodes
Is Funny Hanks > Serious Hanks?, "The Burbs" (1989) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:52
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 m…
The Big 3-Oh No! Logan's Run (1976) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:09
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 d…
Over population isn't real, 'Soylent Green' (1973) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:09
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 a…
'Severance' the GOAT of TV [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:04
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 e…
Nothing can prepare you for 'Earth Girls Are Easy' (1988) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:13
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 specia…
Revenge of the female anti-hero, Baby Face (1933) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:29
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.…
This movie changed the WORLD, 'Gold Diggers of 1933' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:25
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 commen…
The Original Gangster, 'The Public Enemy' (1931) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:50
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. Wi…
'Idiocracy' prophecy or eugenics manifesto? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:21
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 ove…
Tammy and the T-rex (1994), Clueless...but not. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:58
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…