Episode 152: Phone Home | E.T., Greek Mythology & Peter Pan

There’s a bald spot in the forest—and something has landed there. Follow the trail of Reese’s Pieces to join us as we discuss one of the most beloved films of the 1980s: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. We’ll look to Greek mythology to understand the psychic connection between Elliot and “the goblin,” and we’ll compare Spielberg’s masterpiece to his other reworking of Peter Pan, Hook. Plus a discussion of the major themes of E.T.: empathy and homesickness, and how these themes are expressed without the interference of a clear antagonist.

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The Midnight Myth stands with Black Lives Matter and those protesting social injustice across our country. Please join us in supporting those who will not stay silent, and consider donating to these organizations dedicated to fighting the good fight:

Minneapolis Freedom Fund

Black Lives Matter

NAACP

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Remember to VOTE. Make your voice heard.

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Episode 151: The Ghost with the Most | Beetlejuice, Gothic & Ancient Egyptian Mythology

So you’re recently deceased. Now what? Grab your handbooks and head into the strange and unusual world of sandworms and case workers, interior designers and, of course… Betelgeuse. Er, Beetlejuice? Third time’s the charm. This week on the Midnight Myth, we’re holing up in our idyllic Connecticut home with Adam and Barbara Maitland, and we’re discussing Tim Burton’s raucous 1988 comedy BEETLEJUICE! We’ll discuss the influence of the Gothic—from the historic Germanic tribes to the architecture to the literary genre—on Burton’s signature style. Plus we’ll visit Duat, the Egyptian Netherworld, and discuss how Ancient Egypt’s concept of the Afterlife mirrors much of what we see in Beetlejuice. Shake, shake, shake Senora!

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Episode 150: Bangarang! | Hook (1991), Psychoanalysis & Piracy

The five-week nostalgia gauntlet continues on the Midnight Myth with the 1991 Spielberg classic HOOK. This clever reimagining of the story of Peter Pan begins with one fundamental question: What if Peter Pan—the boy who wouldn’t grow up—grew up? This week, we follow the second star to the right (straight on till morning) and revisit Neverland as adults, feeling a lot like Peter Banning as we do. In the process, we uncover the lost memories of childhood, interrogate our nostalgic responses, and ask ourselves what the real difference is between a pirate and a Lost Boy. Are childhood and adulthood really separate countries that can’t be united? Do we lose some sense of magic and innocence as we age? What treasures can we find when we integrate our past selves with our current selves? Through the lens of psychoanalysis, history, and mythology, we put all these questions to Hook.

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Episode 149: Great Scott! | Back to the Future, Time Travel & The History of Science

We’re going back… to the future! In the first episode of a 5-week series exploring movies that brought us joy as kids, we’re covering the beloved 1990 sci-fi classic Back to the Future. We’ll explore the mythic and literary archetypes that feed into the iconic character of Doc Brown, we’ll dive deep into the complex and fascinating world of physics and time travel, and we’ll discover how the history of science and science fiction come together in this hysterical movie. What would you do if you were transported to the 1950s? How would you look at your modern world once you got back? All this and more on this week’s Midnight Myth.

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Episode 148: Don't Panic | The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Science Fiction & The Absurd

What is the answer to the ultimate question—of life, the universe, and everything? If you dig Douglas Adams, it’s 42. But what IS the ultimate question—and is that question really worth asking? This week, we’re taking on the beloved Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the one-of-a-kind sci-fi satire that brought us pan-galactic gargle-blasters, Babelfish, Vogon poetry, and everything in between. With insights from the 2005 film and the Douglas Adams novel, we’ll explore the philosophy that underlies the story—particularly as it resonates with the Absurdist philosophy of Albert Camus. We’ll also discuss the literary influence of Franz Kafka, the eerie prescience of Adams’ zany galaxy, and the ultimate questions that we constantly seek answers to. Just remember… Don’t panic (and bring a towel!)

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Episode 147: Masquerade | The Phantom of the Opera, Aesthetic Philosophy & Romanticism

Put on your mask, close your eyes, and surrender to your darkest dreams. That’s right, we’re covering the longest running Broadway musical in history, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1986 mega-hit The Phantom of the Opera. We’’ll analyze the angel of music himself, the love triangle at the show’s core, and symbolism in the opera house through the lens of aesthetic philosophy and mythology—From Edmund Burke’s description of beauty and the sublime to Neoplatonism and the evolution of art-making. Is Phantom a great romance or a piece of gothic horror? All this and more on the Midnight Myth.

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Episode 146: Sheer Perfection | What Is the Perfect Movie?

Let’s shake it up, shall we? Every week, the first words you hear on the Midnight Myth are “what is the perfect story?” We thought we’d try our hand at really answering that question. This week, we’re laying out our metrics for the perfect movie—a set of criteria we developed while trying to kill time in quarantine. We’ll go through our methodology, share listener suggestions, and run a few possibly perfect movies (Jurassic Park, Dr. Strangelove, Ghostbusters, anyone?) through the gauntlet. It’s science.

We hope you have as much fun listening to this as we had making it. Stay safe (and try to stay sane!)

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Episode 145B: The End of All Things | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Medieval Literature & Eucatastrophe

We come, at last, to the end of all things. In the final episode of our Lord of the Rings series, we cover the back half of Tolkien’s The Return of the King. From the eucatastrophic destruction of the One Ring in the fires of Mt. Doom to the Scouring of the Shire and Frodo’s departure for the Undying Lands, we do our best to leave no seeing stone unturned. We revisit some of the themes that have connected us throughout the series—humanity & heroism, cultivation & stewardship, styles of leadership, bravery & conformity. We discuss some of the literary and historical antecedents to the end of Tolkien’s story—such as the Lancelot-Grail Cycle and god-emperors of Rome and elsewhere. Finally, we devote special time and thought to the role of Samwise Gamgee, and argue for his unique brand of heroism. Thank you for joining us for this series on one of the great fantasy worlds of all time.

PLUS results of our Lord of the Rings giveaway are announced!

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