Podcast Summary: "How Did This Get Made?" – Episode: Last Looks: Megalopolis

Release Date: January 31, 2025

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of "How Did This Get Made?", hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas dive into their latest cinematic curiosity, Megalopolis. Paul opens the show with vibrant energy, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of the film and inviting listeners to engage with their reflections and critiques.

Paul Scheer [00:24]: "This episode is going to truly a mind-blowing one."

2. Deep Dive into "Megalopolis"

The primary focus of the episode centers on Megalopolis, a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The hosts dissect various aspects of the movie, including its themes, character dynamics, and underlying messages. Paul highlights the ambitious nature of the film and its attempt to create a "perfect utopia."

Paul Scheer [01:18]: "It's like Tommy Wiseau's The Room, not Brie Larson's Room."

The discussion touches upon Coppola's meticulous attention to detail, exemplified by subtle callbacks and foreshadowing within the film. Jason and Paul explore the blending of mythological elements with modern storytelling, pondering the feasibility and execution of constructing a utopian society within a densely populated city like New York.

Jason Mantzoukas [06:23]: "Like Middle Earth, where they all live."

Paul Scheer [06:26]: "Whatever the fuck is going on."

3. Listener Feedback and Corrections

The episode incorporates listener interactions from their Discord community, presenting corrections and omissions related to Megalopolis. Multiple listeners contribute insights that shed light on overlooked nuances and inconsistencies within the film.

• Rob from Long Island clarifies the origin of "Dingbat News," connecting it to another of Francis Ford Coppola's works.

  Rob [Bombay Beach Revival] [04:22]: "Dingbat News was the name of Sofia Coppola's newspaper..."

• Mitch Coppa discusses Coppola's dedication to continuity and character development, particularly highlighting a scene involving Dustin Hoffman's character.

  Mitch Coppa [06:29]: "Francis Ford Coppola really cared about what he was making..."

• Angriest Hiki points out Megalopolis's connection to the Godzilla franchise, noting the appearance of Megalon.

  Angriest Hiki [06:31]: "Megalopolis is one of Godzilla's foes..."

• Maximum Clark addresses the symbolism in Dustin Hoffman's credits, debunking the notion of hidden significance.

  Maximum Clark [10:15]: "This was clearly an artistic choice by the title company with no special significance."

June Diane Raphael and Paul Scheer engage humorously with these corrections, acknowledging the depth of listener involvement.

4. Additional Media Discussions

Beyond Megalopolis, the hosts transition to broader discussions encompassing television shows, audiobooks, and comic books.

• Television: The trio discusses standout TV series such as SAS Rogue Heroes, Billions, and Wolf Hall. Jason expresses interest in SAS Rogue Heroes, while Katie praises Gentry Chow versus the Underworld and Wild Robot for their storytelling and character development.

  Katie [14:53]: "I loved the first season a couple of years ago when it came out."

• Audiobooks and Films: Jason shares his current audiobook endeavors, including a Kubrick biography, while Katie recommends the animated film Look Back and discusses the emotional impact of Wild Robot.

  Jason Mantzoukas [25:05]: "It's called Kubrick and Odyssey. It's supposedly the definitive Kubrick book."

• Comics: A lively segment on recent comic book releases features titles like Absolute Batman by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragoda, Legacy of Vader by Charles Soule, and various Star Wars expanded universe novels by Timothy Zahn. The hosts emphasize the richness and diversity of contemporary comic storytelling.

  Katie [29:01]: "The book Doom by Jonathan Hickman and Sanford Green is a great one-shot Doctor Doom story."

5. Listener Recommendations and Personal Takes

Listeners contribute personal endorsements and critiques of current media trends. Jason discusses the resurgence of The Onion in paper form, lauding its commitment to humor and quality journalism without ads.

Jason Mantzoukas [43:50]: "The Onion is back, and you can get it in paper form... get another subscription to The Onion."

Katie shares her enthusiasm for anime titles like Dan to Dan and Dead to Dead Demons, alongside documentary recommendations such as Jon Ronson's Kubrick's Boxes. The hosts engage in a dynamic exchange, highlighting their diverse media interests and encouraging audience exploration.

6. Upcoming Episode Preview: "Passion Play"

Concluding the episode, Paul Scheer teases the next installment, which will feature Passion Play, a film starring Mickey Rourke, Megan Fox, and Bill Murray. The brief plot synopsis underscores the film's reception, noting its low score on Rotten Tomatoes and critical disapproval by Mickey Rourke himself.

Paul Scheer [47:12]: "Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a 3% score on the Tomatometer."

The hosts warmly invite listeners to continue engaging with the podcast through ratings, reviews, and social media interactions, while also acknowledging their production team and announcing their upcoming live tour.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Scheer [00:24]: "This episode is going to truly a mind-blowing one."

• Jason Mantzoukas [06:23]: "Like Middle Earth, where they all live."

• Katie [14:53]: "I loved the first season a couple of years ago when it came out."

• Jason Mantzoukas [25:05]: "It's called Kubrick and Odyssey. It's supposedly the definitive Kubrick book."

• Paul Scheer [47:12]: "Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a 3% score on the Tomatometer."

Conclusion

This episode of "How Did This Get Made?" offers a comprehensive and entertaining examination of Megalopolis, enriched by active listener participation and a broad spectrum of media discussions. The hosts' insightful critiques, coupled with their engaging dialogue, provide both existing fans and newcomers with a thorough understanding of the film's intricacies and its place within the larger entertainment landscape.