Movies vs. Capitalism

Latest Episodes:

Scrooged [PATREON PREVIEW] Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

Rivka and Frank dive into Frank’s favorite Christmas movie, Scrooged, sparking a spirited debate: is this the story of genuine redemption or just a liberal fever dream where a narcissistic old white guy sprinkles a little charity while propping up capitalism's comfy cushions? Is Dickens rolling in his grave, or would he be giving a ghostly thumbs-up? Of course, they can’t resist unpacking their wild theories about Luigi, the claims adjuster—trust us, you don’t want to miss it.

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For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the classic American holiday film Miracle on 34th Street.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (w/ Evan from LOTP) Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

Rivka and Frank welcome back Evan from Left of the Projector podcast to discuss the upper-middle-class fever dream that is Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Could this movie even exist if Kevin McCallister weren’t a white affluent child? Zero percent chance. The condescension, the entitlement, the PIGEON LADY. They talk about it all, plus who Mr. Duncan would have supported in the 2020 Democratic primary.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1988 Bill Murray Christmas classic, Scrooged.

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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.

Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Alien: Romulus (w/ Joe Mayall) Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

Rivka and Frank welcome back returning guest Joe Mayall to talk about the latest installment in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus. They appreciate how director Fede Álvarez doubles down on the anti-corporate themes of the original Alien, while finding new ways to freak the shit out of his audience. They also agree that android Andy stole the movie and unpack how his character arc is a sharp critique of AI.

JoeWrote.com

We’ll be taking off next week for Thanksgiving! We’ll be back the following week with holiday movies :)

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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Saturday Night Fever (w/ Jon Shelton) Nov 15, 2024

Show notes

Jon Shelton (author of The Education Myth: How Human Capital Trumped Social Democracy ) returns to MVC to talk about the 1977 Disco Movie phenomenon Saturday Night Fever. Rivka, Frank, and Matt explore the cultural amnesia surrounding the film’s plot, its commentary on 1970s working-class politics, and its fascinating origin story.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2024 sci-fi horror movie Alien: Romulus.

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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.

Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Killing Them Softly (w/ Matt Strackbein) Nov 06, 2024

Show notes

Matt Strackbein (AKA The Letterhack) is back on MVC to talk about Andrew Dominik’s bleak 2012 crime drama Killing Them Softly. Rivka, Frank, and Matt discuss how the film, set during the 2008 financial crisis, serves as a subtextual critique of Obama’s first term, how the “criminal” economy drives the plot of the film, and how the film’s nihilism has become even more relatable today than when it was released.

A New Economic Bill of Rights for the 21st Century

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1977 John Travolta smash hit Saturday Night Fever.

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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.

Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Drag Me To Hell Nov 01, 2024

Show notes

Rivka and Frank return for another "duet" episode, diving into Sam Raimi's 2009 horror-comedy Drag Me to Hell. This time, they explore whether the film serves as a horror story about class betrayal or a metaphor for eating disorders under capitalism. They also discuss the film's problematic racial tropes and consider the director's political intentions.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching another 2012 pic, the crime drama Killing Them Softly.

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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.

Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Ask a Marxist - Part 3 (w/ Harvey Kaye) [PATREON PREVIEW] Oct 24, 2024

Show notes

Harvey Kaye returns for the dramatic final installment of our Ask a Marxist series. In this final episode, Rivka and Frank get Harvey’s take on the Democratic party, revolution, and what he would do as the *democratically elected* president of the U.S.

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For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2009 horror movie Drag Me to Hell.

The Cabin in the Woods Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

Rivka and Frank are back with another “duet” episode, diving into the 2012 horror-comedy The Cabin in the Woods. A Frank favorite, this film surprises with its sharp critique of capitalism's relentless need for human sacrifice. The duo also can’t resist touching on the latest political chatter sparked by Love Is Blind.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching another 2012 pic, the crime drama Killing Them Softly.

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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.

Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (w/ Zachary Marlow) Oct 10, 2024

Show notes

Rivka and Frank are joined by radical filmmaker and organizer with Moneyless Society, Zachary Marlow, for a silly-voiced conversation about the 1975 comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. They discuss how the Pythons used comedy to speak truth to power within British society, the transformation of feudalism into capitalism into what some are now calling “neo-feudalism,” and why Dennis the peasant has better politics than God.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching Frank’s spooky season favorite, The Cabin in the Woods.

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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.

Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Hook (w/ Larry Powell) Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

Rivka and Frank are joined by award-winning infini-hyphenate artist Larry Powell (they/them) to discuss Steven Spielberg's 1991 classic Hook. Beloved by many, this live-action Peter Pan story starring Robin Williams doubles as a critique of capitalism's impact on family structure, reminding us of the importance of reconnecting with our inner child and radical imagination. The group also delves into the colonial nature of Neverland and its gender politics.

🤝 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.

Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

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