Movies vs. Capitalism

A Complete Unknown (w/ Svetlana Kitto)

Rivka and Frank are joined by writer Svetlana Kitto to discuss the 2024 Timothée Chalamet Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. The trio examines whether the film delves deeply enough into the politics of its time. They also explore whether it matters if an artist considers themselves political, how the women in the film manage to shine despite their shallow character arcs, and why most musicians today are considered cowards.
Svetlana’s Writing 
For next week’s movie, we’ll be celebrating our 100th episode by watching the 1996 comedy Big Night with a very special guest - Frank’s dad!
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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

The Substance (w/ Kate Eastman)

Rivka and Frank are joined by actor Kate Eastman to dive into the 2024 body horror thriller The Substance, a film that tackles the twisted intersections of beauty, capitalism, and patriarchy. The trio explores how this movie craftfully unpacks the moralization of beauty and self-care as a form of imprisonment, and why horror is the perfect genre for director Coralie Fargeat to make her unsettling, yet strangely insightful, statement. 
Constructive Criticism: A Handbook
Kate's Instagram
Kate's IMDB
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2024 Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.
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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

Bezos: the Beginning (w/ Sean Morrow)

Rivka and Frank are joined by Sean Morrow of More Perfect Union to dive into the utterly bonkers straight-to-streaming biopic about everyone’s favorite capitalist, Jeff Bezos. Sean pitches it as a contender for the "so-bad-it's-good" hall of fame alongside The Room, and the trio explores why, against all odds, this might just be an accidental anti-capitalist masterpiece. Oh, and did we mention the villain? None other than Kevin Sorbo as the CEO of Barnes & Noble. Yes, really.
More Perfect Union
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2024 body horror thriller The Substance.
 
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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

Anora [PATREON PREVIEW]

Rivka and Frank are back with another “duet” episode, diving into the 2024 indie darling and Oscar-nominated film Anora, directed by Sean Baker with a breakout performance by Mikey Madison. The two discuss everything from the politics of sex workers on screen, fuck boys with oligarchy daddy issues, Sean Baker’s legacy, and more. This may in fact be the world’s most comprehensive Anora podcast ;) … You don’t want to miss it.
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For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2022 biopic about the founder of Amazon — Bezos: the Beginning — which is available to watch for free on the Roku channel.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (w/ Harvey Kaye)

Rivka and Frank are joined by podcast favorite Harvey Kaye for a heated debate about the 1971 children's classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Is Wonka, the eccentric chocolate genius played by the brilliant Gene Wilder, simply a monstrous capitalist factory owner? And will Charlie, with his working-class roots, follow in his footsteps—or is he the one who can turn the factory around?
'Do You Hear What I Hear?' When Will Democrats Listen?  - Harvey Kaye & Matt Strackbein
For next week, we'll be watching the 2024 Palme d'Or winner Anora. 
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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

UHF (w/ Jade Kim)

Rivka and Frank are joined by science communicator and YouTube host Jade Kim to discuss the 1989 “Weird Al” Yankovic comedy UHF. Jade and Frank are HUGE Weird Al fans, and Rivka is… patient. But even though this zany, fantastical movie starring the world’s greatest song parodist and incredible live performer (Frank wrote this copy, FYI), the movie still manages to have strong opinions about the hyper-sensationalism of the modern TV era, the ruthlessness of market competition, and the value of public utility ownership. Also Weird Al rules.
mutualaidla.org
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1971 children’s classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
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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

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (w/ Will from About Face)

Rivka and Frank are joined by Will, a US Army veteran and member of the organization About Face: Veterans Against the War, to discuss the 2016 Star Wars standalone movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. 
The group discusses the film’s themes around imperialism, war, revolution, radicalism, and what it means to compromise one’s morals for the sake of the “greater good.” They also ask the important question: what the hell was Forest Whitaker thinking?
About Face: Veterans Against the War
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1989 “Weird Al” Yankovic comedy UHF.
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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

Miracle on 34th Street

Rivka and Frank close out the year with a final “holiday duet” on the Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street. They debate whether Kris Kringle is in fact the REAL Santa or just the world’s greatest salesman. Released during the second Red Scare, it’s unsurprising that the film’s core moral is the need for “altruistic capitalism.” But is it OK to allow a potentially unwell old man around thousands of children? As long as he’s making money — who cares, it turns out! Don’t get us wrong, we both love this movie but HOLY SHIT this story is wild. 
MVC will be off until 2025, but we’ll be back with an episode on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. 
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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

Scrooged [PATREON PREVIEW]

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)

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. 
Left of the Projector
Party for Socialism and Liberation
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