Episode 82: The World is Mi Familia | Pixar's Coco, Dia de los Muertos & the Power of Music

Explicit content warning

11/11/18 • 54 min

Few movies have quite the nuanced take on life and death as those made for young audiences—and few with the deftness that Pixar’s Coco has. After returning from a honeymoon in Mexico, Derek & Laurel explore the traditions of Dia de los Muertos as they relate to Miguel Rivera’s journey in the 2017 film, all tied together through the power of love and music. Themes of memory, personal and universal relationships, and storytelling as culture round out this week’s Midnight Myth. Keep your tissues handy—it’s Pixar—and all topics from the Crusades to spirit animals are on the table.

Previous Episode

Episode 81: The Fire Swamp | The Princess Bride, Fairy Tales & Marriage

Derek and Laurel are married! As they celebrate their nuptials, your hosts are back bringing the experience of getting married to their search for the perfect story. This week, they discuss the 1987 classic fairy tale/action adventure/true love story/satire/comedy/so many genres it’s inconceivable, The Princess Bride. Listen as Derek and Laurel struggle to stop endlessly quoting this timeless piece of cinema, as they pay homage to one of the greatest works of art ever put to film—that no one knew what to do with in its time. Derek and Laurel, both left handed, breakdown this narrative, looking to find what made it successful, why it still resonates, and why it is as close to the perfect story a film can be.

Next Episode

Episode 83: Mutant and Proud | X-Men, Diversity & Chosen Families

We lost some legends in the past few weeks, and in the wake of the monumental loss of Stan Lee, Derek & Laurel now tip their hats to the legacy of Marvel and in particular, the X-Men. Created in 1963 with the intent of promoting diversity and anti-bigotry, the X-Men comics, cartoon series, and films now stand as a rallying cry for the disenfranchised. This episode focuses on 2011’s X-Men: First Class, examining the complex relationships between characters that exist in marginalized groups, and the deeply relatable reasoning behind the birth of great villains like Mystique and Magneto in the series. With love, compassion, and harmony, we look to the example of Charles Xavier to navigate troubled times and give thanks for our communities and chosen families. Happy Thanksgiving from the Midnight Myth.