Movies vs. Capitalism

A Bug’s Life (w/ Ellory Smith)

Rivka and Frank are joined by 3 time Emmy Nominated writer and comedian Ellory Smith to discuss the 1998 Disney / Pixar film A Bug’s Life. The trio deep dive into this radical animation, discussing its themes of exploitation and surplus value. They also discuss how the circus bugs symbolize mutual aid, and, in a controversial twist, they ask: Is Flick actually the hyper-individualistic villain of the story?
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1995 Robin Williams classic, Jumanji. 
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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Up in the Air (w/ Marianne Williamson)

Rivka and Frank are joined by author, activist, and former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson to discuss Jason Reitman’s 2009 comedy drama Up in the Air — a movie where George Clooney flies around the country firing people. The three discuss the film’s context coming out shortly after the 2008 financial crisis, the film’s depiction of “corporate loyalty” culture, and how treating people like numbers on a spreadsheet leads to feelings of extreme alienation.
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1998 Disney / Pixar film A Bug’s Life. 
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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

Be Kind Rewind (w/ Jesse Jae Hoon)

Rivka and Frank are joined by organizer and playwright Jesse Jae Hoon to delve into the 2008 Michel Gondry film Be Kind Rewind. Together, the trio explore how this quirky comedy, starring Mos Def and Jack Black, offers a poignant commentary on the power of community organizing and storytelling within movements. Frank and Rivka also discuss the current workers strike at Alamo Drafthouse. 
Alamo Drafthouse Workers Strike Fund
More about Jesse Jae Hoon
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
Next week, we'll be watching the 2009 George Clooney dramedy Up in the Air with special guest Marianne Williamson. .
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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

I Saw the TV Glow [PATREON PREVIEW]

Rivka and Frank join forces to dissect the 2024 indie horror gem I Saw the TV Glow, directed by Jane Schoenbrun. The pair dive into the film's political subtext, its hauntingly beautiful portrayal of suburban oppression, and its poignant power as a trans allegory.
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For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2008 comedy Be Kind Rewind.

Monsters, Inc. (w/ Cassie Willson)

Rivka and Frank are joined by comedian Cassie Willson to discuss the 2001 Pixar classic Monsters, Inc. The trio dives into how the story of two monsters whose job is to extract energy through the exploitation of vulnerable human children offers a rich political allegory. This week, Rivka and Frank also cover the 2025 Oscars.
Next week, we'll be watching the 2024 horror-fantasy I Saw the TV Glow.
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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 [UNLOCKED]

Following Anora's big night at the Academy Awards, we're UNLOCKING our Patreon episode on the film, which some have described as the "most comprehensive Anora podcast of all time."
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JAN. 30: Rivka and Frank unpack the varied politics of Best Picture Oscar winner 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 oligarch daddy issues, Sean Baker’s legacy, and more. 
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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

100TH EPISODE: Big Night (w/ Tom Cappello)

Rivka and Frank are celebrating their 100th episode of Movies VS Capitalism with a very special guest—Frank's dad, Tom Cappello! With over 40 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Tom brings a deeply personal perspective to the hit 1996 Stanley Tucci film Big Night. In this milestone episode, the trio dives into the politics of cooking—particularly how authentic cuisine is a form of resistance—and explores the impact of assimilation on Italian immigrants in America, plus the internalization of the American Dream.  
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2024 horror fantasy, I Saw the TV Glow. 
🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
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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

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!
🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
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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

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.
🤝 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

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.
 
🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
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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