#11: Logan's Run



Theatrical Release: June 23, 1976


Appetizer: Top 10 TV Shows of 1976 + Nielson Rating

Click for Spoiler:

1. Happy Days (31.5)
2. Laverne & Shirley (30.9)
3. ABC Monday Night Movie (26.0)
4. M*A*S*H (25.9)
5. Charlie's Angels (25.8)
6. The Big Event (24.4)
7. The Six Million Dollar Man (24.2)
8. ABC Sunday Night Movie (23.4)
9. Baretta (23.4)
10. One Day At A Time (23.4)


Logan's Run is a 1976 dystopic sci-fi that begins as a utopic. It won a Special Academy Award for special effects, tying with the 1976 version of King Kong. Logan's Run also earned six Saturn Awards, Best Science Fiction Film, and this movie was adapted for television. This movie helped get MGM out of a debt it had at the time.

Society crumbled, now society enacts a rule to follow and that rule is questioned. It's about as basic a formula to follow from any novel. But with what little it borrows from the story, it does so in fair execution. The set pieces are by and large the most gorgeous pieces I've seen in a 70's movie, giving the movie unique shine.

Acting does range from wooden to professional, and the effects are half amazing/half shit even for the time period. This movie balances a lot, including kitsch camp with serious tone. But for my money it worked well and was a fun and often surreal clash of styles.

This is very much a take on Plato's Allegory of the Cave here, perhaps laid on too thickly. There may be a discussion on ageist and sexist film theory to this movie as well, and obviously beauty standards in society, but I don't think it makes for a long argument. It's a pretty movie with a decent plot - even if that plot has played itself out in more modern times.

An enjoyable popcorn flick where you don't have to think too hard. Sometimes that makes for a better movie than the sci-fi that tries to tackle deeper themes and stumbles.

💀 💀 💀 1/2



Tonight's Special: Red Velvet Waffles w/ Cream Cheese Glaze

Every young person has a dot on their palm that goes red when they're close to reaching 30. The white glaze is also significant, but reaching spoiler territory. Red Velvet Waffles are circular and also alleviates the burden of being 30. Eat in good health.


INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)

Waffles:

2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
1/3 cup butter melted and cooled
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp red food coloring

Glaze:
4 oz cream cheese softened room temp
4 tbsp butter softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk


1. Whip the cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl until smooth. Carefully whisk in the confectioners' sugar, then add the vanilla and milk. Whisk until the glaze is smooth. Set aside.

2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, cocoa and salt in a large bowl. Beat the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla and vinegar together in separate medium bowl until smooth, then stir in the red food coloring (See Note 1). Add the buttermilk mixture to the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.

3. Heat your waffle iron according to the manufacturers' instructions. Spray the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray and then pour about 1 cup of the waffle batter onto the waffle grid. Close and cook until the waffle is deep red and crisp on the outside, about 3 minutes.

4. Repeat with the remaining waffle batter. Serve each waffle drizzled with the cream cheese glaze and chopped pecans (optional).