Movies vs. Capitalism

Latest Episodes:

The Landlord Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

This week, Rivka and Frank are joined by a guest who wishes to remain anonymous—a lifelong New Yorker deeply involved in the historic preservation community—to discuss Hal Ashby’s debut film The Landlord. Starring Beau Bridges and Diana Sands, the film is a sharp, unruly satire about the gentrification of Park Slope. It’s a wild ride, and our guest brings essential context to the history and impact of gentrification in New York City.

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Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

One Battle After Another [PATREON PREVIEW] Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

Rivka and Frank are back with another premium duet, throwing their hats into the discourse around Paul Thomas Anderson’s newly Oscar-nominated One Battle After Another. The duo dig into the film’s so-called revolutionary politics, unpacking its anti-revolutionary core, hollow portrayal of the left, and the real impact of that framing.

Moonstruck (w/ Peter Moses) Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Rivka and Frank are joined by their dear friend Peter Moses—entrepreneur, creative producer, and co-founder of Rain Delay Media—for a deep dive into the Oscar-winning 1987 classic Moonstruck, starring Cher and Nicolas Cage. They unpack the film’s take on class, family, and a version of New York City that once felt economically possible.

Next week, we’re watching Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2025 film One Battle After Another.

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MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.

Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Casablanca (w/ Harvey Kaye) Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Rivka and Frank are joined by returning guest and pod favorite, award-winning author and professor Harvey Kaye, to discuss the all-time classic Casablanca. The trio dig into why the film truly deserves its legendary status, its striking relevance to today’s political climate amid the rise of fascism in America, and the quietly radical politics behind the filmmaking itself.

For next week’s movie—snap out of it!—we’ll be watching Moonstruck.

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MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.

Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

The Santa Clause [PATREON PREVIEW] Dec 20, 2025

Show notes

ust in time for Christmas, Frank and Rivka are back with their second holiday duet—this time breaking down The Santa Clause. The duo dive into the politics of this absolutely unhinged ’90s classic, from the divorced-dad trope to Scott Calvin being a full-on pos, the film’s fatphobic messaging, and Santa as the ultimate capitalist overlord.

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For next week’s movie, snap out of it because we’ll be watching Moonstruck.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas Dec 13, 2025

Show notes

In time for the holidays, Rivka and Frank cover the 2000 Jim Carrey adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The duo dig into whether this Dr. Seuss classic is truly an anti-consumerist tale—or if it ultimately misses the mark. They also unpack Whoville as a surprisingly prophetic preview of our current plastic-surgery obsession and the class aesthetics baked into its cheerfully creepy smiles.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching another Christmas classic, Tim Allen’s 1994 The Santa Clause.

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MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.

Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Cinderella Man (w/ Ron) Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

This week, Rivka and Frank are joined by longtime social studies teacher and progressive activist Ron to discuss the 2005 Depression-era boxing drama Cinderella Man. Ron, who has taught for 23 years, uses the film in his 11th-grade classroom to explore politics on screen, and the trio digs into this classic “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” melodrama starring Russell Crowe.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2000 holiday favorite How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

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MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.

Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Total Recall (w/ Nathan Gelgud) Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

This week, Rivka and Frank are joined by former projectionist, alt-weekly critic, and illustrator Nathan Gelgud to discuss the 1990 sci-fi Schwarzenegger hit Total Recall. The trio dive into the film’s take on transhumanism and techno-feudalism, as well as life on mars and how its futuristic anxieties still hit close to home.

Reel Politik

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2005 depression era boxing drama Cinderella Man.

🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝

www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism

MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.

Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Sinners [PATREON PREVIEW] Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Just in time for Halloween, Rivka and Frank team up for a premium duet to discuss the wildly adored 2025 horror-thriller-musical Sinners. Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, the duo unpack the politics behind this genre-bending vampire film.

🤝 TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝

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For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2005 Ron Howared depression era drama Cinderella Man.

MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.

Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (w/ Shannon Amabile) Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

This week, Frank is joined by returning guest — psychotherapist and cinephile Shannon Amabile — to discuss the 1969 film They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? starring Jane Fonda and Michael Sarrazin. Set during the Great Depression, the film follows a group of desperate contestants competing in a grueling, dehumanizing dance marathon run by a sociopathic emcee. Shannon and Frank unpack the film’s haunting politics and enduring relevance.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching Ryan Coogler’s 2025 vampire smash hit Sinners.

🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝

www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism

MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.

Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

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